The Wrong Best Friend

Chapter Eleven: Screaming Like A Strangled Cat Isn't Going To Help

CHAPTER 11: Screaming Like A Strangled Cat Isn't Going To Help.

"My heart's against your chest, your lips pressed to my neck
I'm falling for your eyes, but they don't know me yet."
- Ed Sheeran.

"Are you done Honey?"

I suck in a sharp breath and whip around to see Martha drawing her hand back from my shoulder. I keep my own on my heart, narrowing my eyes when she tips her head back and laughs loudly, reverberating the store with her happy laughs.

My lips reluctantly curl up and I shake my head, "You did that on purpose."

"I didn't know you would get scared like a little sleepy cat, plus you looked too engrossed, it was the perfect opportunity." she mildly chuckles.

"Sometimes its hard to pick, if you're  a jolly old woman or a five year old little girl." I follow her to another aisle but she turns around abruptly and for a second I'm scared I offended her but watching her wave her finger at me playfully I should know better.

"The key to happiness my little girl is to have a child of a heart. You grow old the day you decide you can never have fun like a little child. And I refuse to believe that. Why choose to grow up when you can always have fun?" She smiles her eyes smiling along.

I tilt my head a little and watch this wonderful woman before me. Her hair were pulled back in a thin briad, looking perfect on her loose floral blouse and a flowy cotton skirt. Age got nothing on her, she still looked beautiful and I stared her in awe. And here I was trying to be a grown up girl for my little girl and brother when I could grow up to be like this strong woman.

"Oh dear I know I'm pretty but stop staring." She fans her face and my loud laughter echos around, instantly bringing a smile on her face.

"I'm done arranging this aisle as you told me Martha." I tell her and she pats my head like I'm a child, pointing towards the next. I bite back a groan and she smirks walking around towards her desk.

Being a workday, the shop wasn't busy, just like I thought. There were a few regulars coming in and going but that was it. I quickly got acquainted with the shop, knowing where the books were kept, helping with the register, sometimes chatting with regular customers about different genres and arranging books according to their series.

The bell rings and I look up smiling when I see a young girl walk in. Her hair was neatly put in a bun, her eyes hid behind silver rimmed glasses and light freckles splayed on the bridge of her nose to below her eyes. She was looking petite in her loose tee and yoga pants and I instantly liked her. While clutching some books close to her chest I see her walk around easily and take a seat on one of the chairs.

I go back to arranging the books, quietly humming the song I heard in Luke's car that's been running in my mind since afternoon. I smile absentmindedly but stop when I hear a quiet sigh and some shuffling of feet. I see the girl running her fingers through the books that I had just previously arranged.

"Can I help you?" I ask startling her a bit.

She blinks her brown eyes a few times and shakes her head, "No, I know my way around. I'm a regular, I just can't find that book I saw here last time.." her quiet voice trails off and she unknowingly starts going through the shelf again.

"Maybe I can help you, I just arranged that shelf today so you won't find it there." she jumps a bit confused and turns to me again, widening her eyes in regret.

"I'm so sorry. I have a bit of a habit of zoning out. Sorry for being rude." She mumbles and my lips lift in a smile at this shy girl.

"It's alright. I perfectly understand."