Oblivion [CURRENTLY EDITING]

Chapter Three

[ EDIT IN PROGRESS ]

I ended all communication with Asher the next day. I sent all of his calls to voicemail and immediately deleted the voicemails he left for me; he could save his words for someone who wanted to listen to them. I ignored all of his texts and completely forgot about my phone for the day. I knew I would have to face him at some point because of work, but for the time being it felt good not to talk to him and feel free again. Because of this, I decided it was time to go out and do something for me. I pondered what a typical girl would do in the same situation: get a haircut? Maybe a manicure and pedicure? Perhaps splurge on a new wardrobe? However, none of those indulgences appealed to me. As I chewed on my thumb nail-- a horrible habit I had picked up in high school-- I tried to make up my mind. There were quite a few things I had to do, but what did I want to do?

I finally came to my senses and realized the perfect place to spend my afternoon was only a car ride away. A small smile instantly spread it's way onto my lips as I quickly grabbed my set of keys and purse. I was out the door in a flash, darting over to my red Mini Cooper. I wasn't entirely sure if the little bookstore in town was open today, but I was willing to make the trip out even if it wasn't. I found it hard to remember the last time I sat down with a new book and fell in love with a whole world unlike anything I had known. Reading a book was an experience within itself, but the best part was that you could have this experience anywhere and share it with anyone you wished. It was truly amazing when you thought of all a book could do for a person, and I ached for the feel of a book in my hand and my heart hanging on every last word. It would be the perfect gift to myself. Without another word, I pulled away from my driveway and began the journey to Smith's bookstore.

***

Upon my arrival, I was greeted with the familiar bell over the door and the pungent scent of books; old and new ones alike. There were very few real places to shop here in Conyers and in the way of books, Smith's Bookstore was the place to be if you weren't at the library. Considering the fact that the other closest book shop was a whole county over, the store was almost completely silent. An indie folk song I knew played faintly through the speakers as I made my way through massive shelves of stories. Dropping my keys into the depths of my bag and slinging it over my shoulder, I made my way to the back of the shop where the older books were.

I had a specific way of scouring the store for books to buy. I would start with the oldest books in the back and slowly make my way to the front where all of the New York Times bestsellers and newly released novels were kept. It was definitely time consuming, but it was the perfect way to waste a free afternoon.

While perusing through the books, I wondered how my head wasn't reeling with so many different plots, titles and character names swirling around in my head. I took a break for a bit, deciding to instead read a novel I had picked up and had taken an interest in. I paced through the aisles, my nose stuck in the New York Jazz Era type novel I had decided on as I held two others under my arm tightly. I was so caught up in what I was trying to absorb from the old and yellowed pages that I completely missed the tall figure standing in front of a shelf, analyzing the back cover of a thick and worn paperback. I bumped into his side, stumbling back a step. I glanced up finally and was met with the same piercing blue eyes I had been dreaming of the day before. Detective David Loki.

"Fancy bumping into you here...literally," I mumbled. I didn't need to be loud for David to hear me in the shop, the only other noise being the music playing. I gave him a small smile, trying my best to play it off cool when it, in fact, wasn't cool that I had run into him. I made an idiot of myself and this was only our second time meeting.
He glanced up from his book and watched me with an intense stare but he didn't look upset or angry, just deep in thought. I had noticed by now that when he looked at someone, it was always with such a burning intensity or he simply payed no mind to you at all; as if there was no time for him to steal a quick glance at anything. I felt a fluttering feeling in my stomach as I faced his scrutiny.

"What a pleasant surprise," he said as his facial expression softened and he flashed me a shy smile; angling himself so we were face-to-face. He had always projected such a strong persona and made himself look like such an unapproachable person, it was unusual for me to see him act this soft. "How are you doing, Miss White?"

I gave him a shrug and a half-smile. I didn't want to lie and say everything was fine when it most certainly wasn't, but I didn't enjoy burdening people, especially those I didn't know well. Everyone had their own struggles and didn't need to be worrying about mine.
"I could be worse. Also you just call me Rose," I replied simply. He could interpret my response in any way he wished.
David nodded as he placed the book back on the shelf where it belonged, turning his full attention to me now. "Yeah, I know how that feels."

David then extended a finger, tapping my book upwards in my hand so he could read the cover.
"It's F. Scott Fitzgerald," I pointed out, saving him some trouble, though I was sure he had already caught the author's name. He nodded his approval and gave me that strange double-blink again. It looked as if he had a facial tic, in my opinion. I mentally added that to the list of things I found interesting about him.
"He's a genius, I'm a big fan of his." I watched him as he responded, his steady gaze locking with mine. The only difference this time was I saw a lightness in his eyes that wasn't present before; the classic look someone got when they talked about something they really loved and enjoyed. I was told I wore that same look when I talked about how much I loved my job.

"I didn't think you were the type of person who had any free time to read, Detective," I teased, my smile growing ever-so slightly. I always appreciated a positive reaction from him, considering he always looked weighed down by some sort of darkness that seemed to follow him.

"I guess I buy books so people think I do something other than work all of the time. And please, just call me David."

I wasn't sure what else to talk about, never being a good conversationalist. I decided to point out his bandage and ask how his injury was doing.
"It's been a lot better since you patched me up that night, so thank you for that," he expressed with gratitude.

"It was the least I could do considering what you did for the Dover's."

He dropped his eyes from mine, staring down at his black work boots that he was still wearing, though he must have been off duty today. He shoved his hands into the pockets of his dark jeans, not sure what to do with them now that they weren't holding a book.
"Apparently I haven't done them much good if I bring back one member of the family and another has gone missing." I watched his brows furrow and suddenly he was all business again. It was very clear that not knowing where Kellar had disappeared to was eating away at him. I wished he would learn to separate work from his life; but I realized it must be hard to do if work was your life. I was unaware until right then of the fact that Kellar Dover's disappearance was now an official case.

I looked away from Detective Loki, instead choosing to focus on the book in my hands. I ran my thumb over the matte finish of the paperback.
"Don't sell yourself short, what you did was amazing. I'm sure you'll manage to bring Kellar home," I encouraged him, though he looked far past worn out. The dark circles under his eyes were unlike any I had seen before and his movements were a bit sluggish; most likely from a lack of sleep. It would have been a good idea to consider retiring the case and taking some time off, but I had a feeling it simply wasn't an option for him. I felt bad but his job and actions were both out of my control.
David nodded again, tearing his cerulean eyes away from the floor as his gaze analized each curve and arch in my body before they met with my deep brown ones; allowing me the luxury of relishing in his beauty. I so desperately wanted to know what he was thinking right then as his eyes lingered at each gentle curve of my body. It wasn't that I was self concious of my shape-- I had quite a nice figure if you asked me --I was very curious as to know how he thought of me.

"Thank you for that, Rose. I really appreciate the kind words."

I gave him that small smile of mine again and extended my free arm to give him a gentle pat on the shoulder. I wasn't sure why I felt it was necessary but it just felt right. Even through his navy blue sweater, I could feel the heat radiating off of him. Asher was almost always cold, not very enjoyable to hug or even curl up beside. A mental image of David laying beside me in bed popped into my mind, but I quickly pushed it away.
"That's what I do best, no need to thank me for it," were the last words I said to him before walking past him and to the register. A lanky-looking high school student stood behind the counter waiting to make a sale, running a hand through his shoulder-length, greasy hair. I put my three books down on the counter and paid quickly. I didn't look back once I was cashed out and found my way out without another look at David.