I wake up to the rays of sunlight seeping through the curtains. I reach out to the side of the bed, only to get a handful of the bed sheet. Turning towards the bedside table, the clock reads 6:00 A.M. I groan as I sit up, my ribs aching and my head feeling heavy. There's a note on the table.
"Hey baby,
I'm sorry for last night; I didn't mean to, I swear. I'll make it up to you. Be ready by 8. I have a little surprise for you. I love you. -Jason x"
I walk to the kitchen to drink some pain killers and cook up some breakfast before heading off to work. The floor creaks beneath me as I clean the place up a little; I don't want to make him mad today. I want to be on good terms today and enjoy our night together. It all has to be so perfect for my love. The house feels so empty when he's not here. He will be back soon and I will be at work so I won't be here in the house alone for a long time.
After taking a hot shower and dressing in my work clothes, I head to the bathroom to apply concealer on the visible bruises. Being with Jason for so long, I started to learn a few tricks on the way; how to hide the bruises, making up believable excuses for a busted lip, averting questions about my injuries, etc. Some people have picked up on what has been happening but I just can't get myself to take their advice and walk away from Jason. I love him too much to hurt him, or myself.
I work at the book store 2 blocks away and have been working there for 6 years. It's tiny and we don't get a lot of customers, most of them regulars that come in with their coffee and spend a few hours reading before heading off to their own job. I always walk there, having no reason to drive 2 blocks to get to work. Even now with the snow of winter, I enjoy walking.
I unlock the store's door and head inside, shaking some snow off of my coat and beanie before setting them down on the counter. It was barely 7:30, giving me some time to relax before opening up at 8. I turned up the heater a bit and aimlessly walked around the store, fixing the books and unpacking new arrivals. Without having anything else to do, I went ahead and opened up the door to the shop and turning on the open sign.
Not 5 minutes later did a customer walk through the door; a regular named Brian. He was a very sweet guy, bringing me a coffee every morning ever since the cold winter had started. He's one of the few people that figured out the true meaning about my bruises. He sets down my coffee cup on the counter in front of me.
"Hey bud, how's it going with you?"
He immediately reached out to pinch my chin and shift my head side to side, examining the fresh bruises on my jaw and neck. He didn't hesitate to wipe his thumb over my busted lip, making me wince in pain as he put a bit of pressure on a bruise on my neck.
"I've been good. Jason is taking me out today. He says it's a surprise."
I wipe off the bit of coffee that was on the lid, distracting myself, not trying to look into Brian's eyes. I hear him scoff at my response but doesn't add another comment. I take the chance to change the subject.
"So, what about you? How are you and the girlfriend doing? Wasn't it your anniversary a few days ago."
Brian went into a novel size speech about his love life, talking about everything about anything of his anniversary. He always looks so happy when he talks about his life, making me feel happy to see him so happy.
After Brian, more regulars came by the store. People came and went, some reading books, some asking for directions or to use the bathroom. Soon, the shop became a bit empty, seeing Brian walk through the door, not before waving a goodbye and mouthing a good luck towards me.
Sitting at the counter, I spent most of my time reading a book and talking to a few of the regulars that walked up. At this point of the day, the store was pretty empty, only a few customers scattered around the store. The manager was locked up in his office like usual. The bell at the top of the door jingled, signaling that someone walked through. I looked over to the door, seeing a young curly haired boy walk through the door. His nose was a bit red because of the cold air outside and his coat was covered in snow. He looked around aimlessly, skimming his fingers over the books, checking out the titles.
I walked over to him, greeting him quietly and welcoming him to the store.
"Hi."
The boy looked up, startled, and dropped the book. He quickly bent down to retrieve the book off the floor.
"Oops!"
He wiped off the front cover of the book and settled it back down onto the shelf.
"May I help you with something or did you decide to just come and drop my books?" I raised my eyebrow, trying my best not to giggle at his flushed cheeks.
"Um, no. Sorry about that. I was just checking out the books for now. I'm new to town. I'm Harry." He extended his hand out towards me. I took it, realizing his hands were freezing cold.
"Hello there new kid, I'm Louis." I flashed him a quick smile before letting go of his hand and heading back to the counter. "Let me know if you need anything."
He nodded quickly before disappearing into the next bookshelf. He seemed like a sweet lad and he seemed to be quite young.
I looked down towards my watch, seeing that it was 1 in the afternoon. 4 more hours and I get to go home. I'm pretty excited to go out tonight with Jason. We haven't gone out in a very long time, having it as a punishment for disobeying him a while back. Now I'm eager to find out what he has planned.
Hours went by, the curly haired kid sitting on a chair, a very concentrated look on his face while reading a book. He stayed at the shop, same book in his hand for hours, until it was time to close up. Even the manager had left early.
"Not to sound like a jerk or anything, but it's past closing."
Harry looked down at his watch and hastily stood up and headed towards the counter.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to become a bother. I just became so interested in this book. Do you guys open up tomorrow?" He set down the book on the counter. I grabbed the book and a post-it note, sticking it onto the book.
"Got a last name, Harry?"
"Styles." I wrote down his name onto the note and placed the book into a drawer, then locking it.
"Yes, we do open tomorrow. We open everyday at 8 in the morning, except for Sundays. As for the book, it will be safe in this drawer until you come back." He smiled at me, dimples appearing, making him look even younger.
"Thanks Louis. Then that means I will be back tomorrow, early in the morning."
We both walked towards the door, stopping only halfway to turn off the lights. I grabbed my coat and beanie, preparing to walk out into the chilly weather outside. Harry waved at me before walking away and turning the corner, leaving me alone on the sidewalk, locking the door. I walked off towards home, smiling at the thought of spending the whole night with Jason.
