When Worlds Combine - A WWC Sequel

5; Ancient books, forgotten candy and Ray Bans

Violet

 

"Violet, box of new stock needs to be unpacked. Get that done right away please."

I move away from the counter towards the massive box sitting by one of the shelves and rip it open. One by one I start unpacking the books and begin pricing them. I've been working at Foyles for about two months, and I love it. I'm exactly where I'm meant to be, surrounded by millions and millions of books. Zayn thinks I'm totally lame, but I don't care. The only time he's stepped foot into this place is when he's brought me lunch. He says reading gives him a headache. Even though he majors in English.

"Excuse me?"

My head darts up at the sudden voice and I bang it on one of the shelves above me. Rubbing my head and cursing silently, I try plaster a friendly smile to my face. "Hello, how may I help?"

The girl towering above me looks about my age, and is very eccentric. She has wavy brown hair that falls to her shoulders, with the tips dyed blonde and wears a black fedora on her head. She wears thin black rimmed glasses and has about a million piercings in her ear, as well as a ring in her nose. She's dressed in a black circle skirt, Nirvana singlet, brown oxford shoes, and wears a satchel that's covered in badges and patches. A few logos I recognise as some of the music Zayn likes.

"I'd like to return something."

I stand up and dust myself off. "Uh, sure. Just come to the counter." She follows me to the counter and sets a big, chunky book down on the table. I almost die from the amount of dust that floats off it.

I eye the ancient book warily. "This is one of our books?"

The girl looks at me seriously. "Yes."

I read the cover; Psychology:  A basic guide to understanding the mind. "I'm sorry but we don't sell books on psychology here."

The girl frowns. "Well that's bullshit," she says bluntly. "I bought that book from here."

I try keep the smile on my face. Dealing with angry customers is not a first for me. "Let me check the system," I say calmly.

I type in the title and nothing comes up. I then check the computer system for barcodes and spine numbers, but this book is so old it has neither of those things. "Do you have your receipt?"

She blinks. "No?"

"Then I'm afraid I can't refund you."

"Look, I don't want a refund. I just want to return the damn thing."

"Can I ask why?"

Her eyes fall down. "It was a gift from someone."

"Do you study psychology?"

"It's my minor," she says.

"Then don't you think you need the book?"

"Not this one. God, can you please just take it?"

"How old is this thing?" I question.

"What's it to you?"

"I really don't appreciate your attitude, I'm just trying to-"

"Excuse me? My attitude?"

I look at her firmly. "We don't stock this item," I say simply. "I'm sorry, but I can't help you."

She looks absolutely livid. "Fine," she snaps. "Fuck you." Then she picks up the book and storms out of the shop.

I watch her leave with knitted eyebrows. Annie, my co-worker comes up to me and nudges my shoulder. "What happened there?"