Bittersweet Existence

Chapter 4

"Yes Uncle Smith. I'll do it right away." I said.

It was a new day, and Uncle Smith asked me to clean the table tops.

I hummed a tune as I wiped.

"All done" I said.

"Excellent. June I think you should go outside. All you ever do is go home and come here. Go to the mall or something. Entertain yourself. Here. take some money and buy something as well" He said.

"But uncle I Dont want to i-i I can't and I cant accept the mo-"

"No no no you are going"

"But-"

"Sshh. Come on"

I sighed and left.

What am I going to do with the money? I don't even go to malls! I don't do such things!

The cold air of the A/C hit my face as I entered the mall.

Boy it's huge.

I looked around to see various brands and shops.

Forever 21, Forever New, what the hell? what is all this?

I took a look Inside to see clothes. wow they're so pretty.

*Flashback*

"Mum! I want that dress!" I exclaimed looking at the black dress. It was simple yet beautiful.

Even though we always shopped in street shops, the clothes were really good and fashionable. We never went to malls, they weren't my family's type. People thought we were poor, we actually were actually quite rich.

"Yes darlin'! Lets take it shall we?"

She said sweetly.

We brought bags of clothes without hesitation.

*End of Flashback*

I wish Mom was here...We couldve shopped together ...And May...

I shook away my thoughts and looked somewhere else.

I stopped a book store, so i decided to go there.

I really love books. They're my escape to reality.

As I entered the store, I took in the beauty.

The books were perfectly lined In order on the shelves, the lighting gave a beautiful effect to the surroundings and there was utter silence. The whole book store had a vintage sort of look to it.

I looked at every label, looking for a particular one.

Teen Fiction, Fiction,Fantasy

Non fiction

*Flashback*

"Look at this reptile! Wow!" May exclaimed, looking at the funky looking reptile.

"May..calm it will ya, lad" I said, faking an Irish accent.

"Pssh wannabe" She said.

"Am not!"

"Are too!"

"AM NOT!"

"deny all you wanna sweetie" She said in a sickly sweet tone.

We're the typical siblings you'll find. Fight all the time, love each other unconditionally.

She was reading a non fiction book about reptiles. She's crazy about non fiction books, says she wants to 'know the world' She's elder to me, yet she's crazier.

But I love her

*End of flashback*

Tears streamed down my cheek.

I miss her so much...She was my only sister and now I've lost her..I loved her with all My heart and soul and now she's gone..just gone..I struggle to think that she isn't in this world ..next to me..telling me everything is going to be fine..

I quickly wiped My tears and looked for the label I was looking for.

Comedy..horror...

There it is!

Romance

My fingers met someone else's when they swiped over the label.

I turned My head to see who it was.

I was greeted by a familiar pair of blue eyes.

"James?!" I asked.

How is it that I always end up bumping into him? Gosh I Dont like this at all. I don't like him at all!

"Oh hey pre- I mean j-june. What are doing here?" He stuttered.

"Oh I just came here to ..um..buy a book..evidently. You read romance novels?" I asked.

I read love stories because just For a little while, just for a little, I get transferred into another world..with. ..happy endings...but the worst part is..when the book ends, you know your back to the inevitable reality and suddenly all the pain you had before you read the book comes back with a greater force.

"Yes I do..I like the happy endings. I'm actually looking for The Fault In Our Stars. I heard it makes you cry and all." He said.

"Are you serious? Even I'm looking for that book! I really want to read it" I said.

Funny how we do the same things at the same time at the same place.

His eyes wandered, looking for a particular blue book.

"There! there are three copies. Here ya go m'lady" he said, in a funny posh accent.

"thanks" I fake smiled.

"Can I ask you a question Ms.June?" He asked.

"Sure." I said In a nonchalant tone.

"Why do you fake smile?" he asked, his eyes piercing into my soul.

How did he know that I fake smile....is that obvious?

"How did-"

"I know"

I stood there looking at him, with utter confusing reflecting in my eyes.

"We've just met. Its okay you don't have to answer that.  But you will have to some day.." He said, in all seriousness.

We bought the book and left the book store.

"I probably should be getting back to work now..." I said.

"Wait! before you go, can I have your number?" He asked.

"what?" This is all so new...why am I getting such ...feelings like..I feel awake...almost...alive ...the pain I had in my chest ...it seems so light...What is this?

"I wanna get to know you.." He said.

I took his phone and saved my number.

"Okay?"

"perfect"

I started to walk away when he stopped me by grabbing my arm.

"What are you doing? " I asked.

"Never fake smile around me"

"Then I wont smile at all"

"Then ill make you smile"

"How?"

"Because I know somewhere in you heart, you want to"

"No"

" We'll see about that"

"I can't smile"

"Give me a reason why"

"Because I've lost my reasons to"