Written. (JB//Complete)

Chapter 33.

I walk into the silent bookstore, a couple of customers in the back chatting being the only noise. I figure while I'm here, I should not only catch up with Chaz but also try out a new book. I haven't really gotten the time to read anything lately. I need something refreshing. And how about something that doesn't relate to yours and Justin's relations? adds my conscience. Yeah, thanks for that. I'll keep that in mind, I sarcastically throw back.

I roam around the store, hoping for something to catch my eye. I reach the familiar "Young Adult" section—although I find many of the books I've checked out from over here much more advanced than what "young adults" would actually be reading, that's what I like about this section—and scan the shelves.

After browsing through the books, I notice a girl, maybe just a tad bit older than I am, set a book back onto the shelf from where it was placed inside her purse.

"Excuse me," I ask her from the other side of the small aisle, "What book is that?"

She gives me a confused look, but then understands once she takes a look back at the book. "Oh! The Book Thief? Great book, really. Just finished reading it, too bad I need to return it," she lightly laughs. I nod, pursing my lips as she takes a look at my curious face, my features eyeing the book. She smirks. "You'll really enjoy it," she says, handing me the book with a smile. "Markus Zusak is a pure genius."

"As I've heard," I widely grin at her. "Thanks so much." And the stranger passing on a simple kind deed on to me flashes one last smile before exiting the bookstore. Looks like I've got another book to look forward to adding to my bookshelf. From the praise this woman has over this book, I might even consider purchasing it rather than commonly checking it out.

I walk up to the front check-out, seeing Chaz showing his beautiful smile off to a customer, giving them their receipt and then leaving. I walk up to the counter once it's free, flaunting him a smile of my own and handing him my book. For some reason I hope he'll ask how I've been or at least comment on my purchase like he usually would, but the only thing he does is scan my book without a word, then saying, "That'll be six fifty-five for you today." I awkwardly dig into my purse, handing him the right amount cash once located.

Has he forgotten who I am? I guess it has been a while since I've been here...well, not long enough to the point where he wouldn't recognize me. He's treating me like any other one of his customers.

He hands me my receipt and change, along with my book in a small plastic bag, wishing me "a great day." I quietly return the emotionless entreaty, shamefully looking down at my feet as I begin walking toward the exit. Did I do something wrong? I stop in my tracks, turning around to see Chaz focused on something behind the counter. He hadn't even looked at me once. I suck in a nice, deep breath and turn around, walking back to the counter.

"Chaz?" I softly ask. His head slightly flicks up to me, giving me a questioning look. "Um... You do know who I am, don't you?"

The slightest smile tugs at one corner of his lips as if it were a stupid question. "Of course I do, Scarlett." Then his head drops back down even more than before to whatever he was focused on before. I find the courage to speak up again. Why is he trying to hide his face so much?

"Uh, I just...thought that...you might wanna maybe, I don't know, talk a bit? Catch up? It hasn't been too long since we last talked, but...it's been long enough..."

"Scarlett, I'm kind of working right now..." he uneasily answers. And that's the only reply I get. No "Yeah, I totally agree!" or "I'd love to catch up, too!" Instead I get that, rather rude remark. Or maybe I'm just taking it too personally.

"Oh, yeah. Of course. Sorry," I mutter. I slowly turn back around acting as if I were going to leave for real, but I bite my lip and hesitate before turning back around. "Is... Is everything alright? I mean, you'd usually want to chat a little..." I trail off.