The Unfinished Book In The Back (Vantascest)
(I do not own cover photo in any way shape or form)
Chapter One: The New Guy
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You’re name is Karkat Vantas. You live in New York city, and have a job working in a bookstore. You help check out, and make sure books are in the proper place at the end of the day. You fucking hate that job, but the rest of your day isn’t so dreadful. You often like to judge what kind of book someone is going to look for when they come in, and you have gotten quite good at it. Your co-worker Terezi, is blind and often gets on your ass about getting more books in braille. Which then you have to remind her, it’s your other co-worker, Meulin, who is in charge of all that. You’re pretty sure she just does it to spite you now. Though Terezi is blind, she gets around just fine. It’s almost like she can see. But she still carries around her cane to whack people with. You’ll never quite understand her, but she’s one of your best friends, so you’re okay with that.
You are almost perfectly fine with your average life. It’s just what you wanted. You write little stories on the side, and post them online for others to see, but you’re far too lazy to think of actually publishing anything. You and Terezi often go out in the middle of the city and just start messing around with people to cheer you up if you’re ever down in the dumps. You were perfectly content with your life. Until he showed up.
You were over at the built in starbucks, eating a muffin and reading over the pages of some book your friend Kanaya's girlfriend recommended. It actually wasn’t that bad. But you would never admit that to their faces. You think they know anyway. They always do. They were also great friends of yours. Mainly Kanaya, but Rose was quite a good conversation partner when she wanted to be.
No one was really in the store at the moment, considering it was 2:00 on Tuesday, and everyone was mainly occupied with work or other things. So when you hear the little beep of the alarm system welcoming someone new into the store, you decide to spare him at least a glace, putting the bookmark between the pages of “Night Circus” He wore a obnoxious red sweater, and black skinny jeans. A tan bag was at his side, strap hung over his shoulder, and his red hair was messy, but in a way that complimented him.
Probably looking for something non fiction, for a book report. The bags under his eyes indicated he was certainly staying up for some reason or another. You figure he must be a studier. College maybe? He looked too old for high-school. You throw away your muffin wrapper and return to the checkout desk putting your book beside the register and lazily follow him around the aisles with your eyes. He stops in front of the non-fiction section. Nailed it. He quickly disappears from view weaving through the section and into the back after grabbing a handful of books. You pay him no mind. Most people liked sitting at the back tables when writing reports and such. It was quieter.
Terezi comes up beside you and nudges you.
“So, whats your analysis, Dr.Vantas?”
You roll your eyes. She often wants to know everything you gather from the customers. She calls you doctor, because when you still were in College you were majoring in medicines, and the like. You dropped out when you realized it was the farthest thing from what you wanted to do in your life, and was taking up far too much money for something you were probably never going to pursue. You miss it sometimes. Sometimes.
“College student. Stayed up studying for something, and doing a book report. A bit stuck up from the looks of it. Probably uses a shit ton of big words, and most likely always doing something school related. A bit nerdy, and probably a total dork if you get to know him.. He’s a little taller than me, and has red hair. First time he’s been here, that I know of. He’s in the back of the non-fiction last I saw.”
Terezi snickers and slaps your back.
“You are such a fucking weirdo!”
“Thanks.”
“You should talk to him! He sounds like your type~”
“Terezi, no. I’m not going to fucking hit on some guy.”
“He isn’t some guy though!”
“What do you mean?”
“Well you already can tell so much about him. It must be fate.”
“Terezi. I do that with everyone. He isn’t special.”
“At this rate, you are never going to get laid, Karkles.”
“Oh my god, Terezi stop.”
“Meulin would agree with me~ You should go talk to him!”
“No. I don’t want just any guy Terezi.”
“You and your romantic antics. It’s almost sickening how cute it is.”
You would tell her to shut the fuck up, if it wasn’t for the fact the red sweater guy was making his way over to you with a book in hand. He eyes you up and down before gently setting the book down on the counter.
“Hello.”
Holy shit his voice. It as proper, but it had a certain deep undertone.
“Hi.” You take the book and run the scanner over the barcode.
“Is this all for today?”
“You read Night Circus?”
You stop for a second and your brain stops. You almost forgot the book was beside you.
“Oh...Uh yeah. Its actually really nice. I love the description.”
The stranger nods and gives you a little smile. “It’s a beautiful story. The end will break your heart.”
“Noted. Thanks for the warning.”
“Anytime. I’m Kankri. You are?”
“Karkat. Nice to meet you.”
“Pleasure to meet you as well.”
You place the book and the receipt in the bag then hand it over to him over the counter.
“Here you are, Kankri. Have a nice day.”
“See you again, Karkat.”
And with that, Kankri walks out the door with a wave. Terezi looks at you with a grin.
“Hey Karkles.”
You grumble and sigh.
“What.”
“He’s totally going to come back and see you.”
You playfully shove her, and silently thank the world that she couldn’t see your blush. You were not crushing over the guy who just randomly walked in. You did not go home that night and think about him. You did not day dream a little about his hazel eyes, and you did not wake up looking forward to going to work the next day.
