Sugar Coated Pain [Boxer!Calum Hood AU] PUBLISHED -- SAMPLE ONLY

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

THE FEEL OF the hardcover in her hands and the new book smell that greeted her every time she picked up a book comforted Noelle with its familiarity as she picked up the books from the cart and placed them on the appropriate shelf. She was currently fixing up the horror/thriller section, placing in books she pulled from inventory since that had sold out from the shelves. Once she was satisfied with how a shelf looked, she moved on to the next one.

And while normally she enjoyed doing this, her sister talking her ear off was making it difficult for Noelle to work peacefully. "Come on, Elle," her twenty-five year old sister, Beverly, whined to her left. "He just wants to take us out. You like Ashton, why're you being so difficult?"

"Because I don't wanna third wheel," Noelle replied, putting up copies of Bram Stoker novels as she shot her blonde sister a pointed look. "I do like Ashton, but you two end up in your own little world and I don't wanna be sitting there all awkward and shit."

Beverly huffed, glossy lips forming a pout. "I promise we'll try to hold back on that," she insisted, shuffling forward as Noelle moved further down the aisle. "Andrea loves going out with us and it's about time you come, too. We're not that bad, I swear," she added with a laugh.

Noelle was well aware of Ashton not only taking her older sister out, but also treating their seventeen year old sister Andrea to a nice outing as well. She's only met Ashton a handful of times, despite him being with Beverly for the past year, but that's because Noelle went to college in New Jersey. But now she was back in the city, having just graduated a few weeks ago, and now Ashton wanted to take them for dinner. And while that wasn't strange and Noelle adored Ashton, she genuinely didn't want to be a third wheel with her sister and her boyfriend.

But when Beverly wanted something, she insisted and persuaded until she got it, and Noelle could already feel her fight leaving her. She knew she was a bit of a pushover, especially when it came to her sisters, but Noelle didn't really care for that—unless she absolutely had to stand her ground on something. Unfortunately, this didn't qualify. "Why do we have to go to Brooklyn, though?" she finally complained.

A smile began growing on Beverly's lips, knowing she had talked her sister into dinner. "Because one of Ash's friends opened up a restaurant there and he hasn't tried it out yet." Her smile turned excited. "We'll get free dessert!"

Noelle shot her a dry smile, raising an eyebrow as she pushed the mostly empty cart along with her hip. "But dinner isn't free?" she clicked her tongue teasingly. "Then what's the point?"

"It is for us. Ash's treat," Beverly laughed with a shake of her head, walking past Noelle to go to the front of the store. "He'll pick us up at home at seven-thirty!"

♔♔♔♔♔

Despite her initial hesitance, Noelle would be lying if she said she wasn't enjoying herself right now. It was nearing nine P.M. and she's been seated in the restaurant for about an hour and a half, finding it difficult to swallow a sip of her wine as she laughed at yet another joke Ashton made. They were almost finished eating, since the drive to the restaurant took longer than expected, and Noelle was savoring every taste of her penne ala vodka.

They were in an adorable and quaint Italian restaurant with sleek floors and dark walls that went nicely with the red chairs and white tables, the soft glow of the individual lamps hanging from the ceilings over each table providing a calming ambiance. The restaurant was right by the East River and Ashton had gotten them a table on the upstairs patio that had fairy lights strung above their heads, the weather perfect and the view of the Brooklyn Bridge making a beautiful picture.