romance at the bookstore

Chapter 16

Alex's POV

After our week off from school, I walk into the bookstore pretending to look for something. I really just wanted to check in on Leila and see how she was doing. I spent the entire week wishing I could be with her instead of trapped in my childhood home, feeling like I was 16 again.

"What the hell happened to you?" she whispered, trying not to disrupt the customers. I looked around to make sure she was talking to me, then remember the giant bruise I had on my left eye.

"Nothing it's fine," I responded, trying to play it off. I smiled at her, attempting to lighten the mood but I immediately saw that it didn't work.

"Alex seriously. I know you went home, what happened?" she asked sternly. I saw in her eyes she wasn't going to let this go.

"I can't talk about it here. Wanna come back to my place and we can catch up?" I ask, hoping we can finally get some time to talk.

"Yeah sure. My shift ends in 15 minutes, I'll meet you there."

"No, it's okay. I'll wait." I smile. I just wanted to sit in the corner and admire her, as weird as that sounds. I picked up the first book I saw and sat down to pretend to read. I think she knew what I was doing because she did that smile and walked away. She always told me that she could see right through me.

In fifteen minutes, she got her stuff from the back and we headed out. It was warmer outside and I barely needed a jacket. We didn't say much, just enjoyed each others company, not wanting to start anything yet.

I unlocked the door to my room and she walked in and made herself comfortable just like she normally would. I sat down then laughed at the awkward silence.

"So how was your break?" I prompted.

"Um, it was pretty good. I got to see my siblings back home and I spent the weekend in the city with some friends," she smiled and all I could think about was how much I missed her smile.

"Yeah, uh, my week was pretty good too you know-" I started.

"Alex. Don't do that. You can tell me what happened."

"My dad got a new hooker that he calls his girlfriend," I mumbled, trying to contain my frustration.

"I'm sorry Alex, but how did you get that black eye?"

"I mentioned the 20 year age gap and I got a punch in the face, that's all."

"That's all? Alex, you're dad hit you?"

"It's no big deal, I'm used to it," I admitted, thinking back to my childhood.

"Alex, I'm so sorry," she said with pity in her eyes.

"No, you have no reason to be sorry," I reassured her, "it's my fault. But when I see her with him, I just... I don't know. It's disgusting. I grew up knowing my dad was having affairs but I was too scared to do anything."

"Is this the first time you've said something?"

"No. But I only did it because he was implying that he was going to propose. He wants to start a family with her. It's repulsive. He's a messed up, abusive, terrible person and she's just a gold digger waiting for him to die."

"I wish I could've been there for you."

"Do you mean that?" I didn't want to get my hopes up if she was just saying it out of pity.

"Yes I was mad, and I still am. But being without you was hard. Really hard. Alex, I meant what I said. I love you. I love you so much it scares me. I couldn't ever be mad enough to stop loving you."

"I really missed you, Leila. But what are we?"

"How about we start with a date this Friday?"

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Sorry for the short chapter!!

We've got a really exciting chapter coming up next though!

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Shae & Ella