Where The Lines Overlap

Chapter 3.

Luke's POV

My feet dragging along the San Francisco concrete, I get closer and closer to the place I should've been twenty minutes ago. My hands are shoved in my pockets and my head is held up with false confidence. I take my bottom lip between my teeth, gnawing on it mindlessly.

I'm thinking about two things, why the hell it haven't been fired yet, and the pixies girl. After speaking to her only twice, I found my self completely infatuated with her. I locked myself in my apartment last night and sat alone my mind filled with thoughts of her face.

As we stood in the elevator this morning I prayed she wouldn't inhale the scent of hash that clung onto my t-shirt. I had prevent myself from staring at her. I'd only seen her twice but I could already describe her perfectly. About 5'7" with black hair that I'm assuming was dyed that way from the few freckles that colored her cheeks. With a pale complexion, her green eyes and the silver piercing she had stood out like a sore thumb. Normally I'd call her hot but that's an understatement. She appeared to be the ordinary girl next door but she had a simplicity to her that was intriguing.

I licked my dry lips as I opened the front door to Streetlight Records, cringing slightly as the little bell went off, making it clear to everyone that someone had entered the store.

A few guys that looked to be in there mid-thirties turned there head to look at me, I muttered something under my breath before ignoring them. They simply shrugged and continued to go through the shitty music section, huddled together like a group of penguins. I walk passed a couple girls who quietly searched for music, headed towards the cashier.

As expected Calum was sat behind the cash register with his feet up on the counter, headset on and his eyes closed. I rolled my eyes, smiling at the sight. I prayed that my asshole manager wasn't here. It was only my second day here and already I was coming in late.

I hopped up on the counter, nudging Calum to wake up. He flickered his eyes open and looked to me, quickly removing his headphones.

"Hey mate, it's about time you showed." He said, half jokingly.

I scoffed," Why? So you could continue to sleep on the job?"

Calum laughed, sitting straight up now.

"Fuck you, Luke."

Calum and I have been friends for a long time, eight years actually. After we graduated we moved to San Francisco, but so far all it's provided is few shitty jobs and some pretty decent pot. Both of us used to live in my apartment but after about a month Cal decided he couldn't stand living with me anymore. He's the one that got me a job here after I was fired from my last

The music filling the room switched and the speakers began to produce a song that was familiar to me. Since it was usually empty, me and Calum liked to play DJ.

While Calum lounged about, I decided to actually do something worth while. I started reorganize the records since some assholes like to take them out and just stick them back into random spots.

I was halfway through the 'M's when I heard the annoying bell go off. I didn't acknowledge who it was because I hate when everyone started at you when you enter, so my fingers continued to flick though the rest of the vinyls.

"Luke." Calum's voice appeared from the counter across the room.

My eyebrows furrowed as I mouthed the word "what?"

His hand waved, signaling for me to come over. I sighed, dropping what I was doing to walk over to him. The look on his face was urgent.

I leaned over the counter, my voice coming out louder this time.

"What?"

He scooted closer to me and spoke in a hushed tone.

"See that girl over there," he pointed.

"She's pretty hot, huh?"

My eyes followed his pointed finger and landed on the face I'd seen earlier.

Her hair was down, falling onto her shoulders. Her eyes gazing onto a record that she held in her hands. The Smiths. I knew I liked her.

Her shirt was hanging off her shoulder exposing a few more little freckles. Her fingers delicately continued to scan through the music.

Without saying anything I nodded.

"Yeah, should I go talk to her?" He asked.

I didn't respond, my eyes and mind was distracted by her. I couldn't believe how whipped I was and I didn't even know her name. This was kinda pathetic.

My feet took control and before I knew it I was making my way over to her, before she could notice me she turned around quickly to walk up the stairs to the next floor of the store. I don't hesitate to follow her, giving her space before I make my way up.

She is the only one that's upstairs so I can't exactly hide from her. She still has no idea of my presence as she examines the album posters scattered along the walls and old signs that hung from the ceiling.

I watch her movements carefully, not wanting to scare her. I walked closer and closer to where she continued look upon the walls. I cleared my throat but it remained unheard, due to the fact the music that was playing throughout the store was a little louder now.

"Pixie Girl?" I said it as more of a statement than a question.

She whipped her head around her eyes grabbing my full attention. It took her a second to say something, maybe she didn't remember me? But the expression on her face changed my mind. Her lips formed a smile and her eyes lit up.

"Hey." She said in a tone that sounded like she suddenly remembered who I was.

"What're you doing here." She asked, looking around the around the room for someone else.

I scratched the back of my head, laughing a little. It was kinda embarrassing to he honest. I mean, I wasn't exactly proud to work at a run down old record store when I was capable of so much more.

"I work here." I sighed.

She nodded, "that's cool."

My uncertainty of what to say next made the following moments quite awkward and silent. I just decided to spit out what was on my mind.

"So listen, I've been thinking about you." Oh god, that came out way creepier than I intended.

"And I want to take you out."

She holds her stare as she seems to be thinking about the idea of it. I don't blame her for being hesitant, I mean, I'm basically a nothing.

Her head tilts in thought and I start to worry about the outcome of this all. Damn. That'll be awkward.

"Ok"

My head jerks up at the sound of the word coming from her mouth.

Even though I hoped she'd say yes but I never thought she would. The grin that has taken its place on my face is irrevocable and I don't mind it.

"Tonight. Come by my apartment. G64." She says with a smirk.

I realize that I have yet to learn her name. But that seems to be the least of my problems.

"Luke." I say, extending an arm.

She looks down at my hand before shaking it herself.

"Paige."

I nod repeating out loud to see how it would sound rolling off my tongue. And immediately I'm accustomed to it.