Dusty Shelves

Mockingbird

Hey,

here's the next chapter. i think it's a bit longer than the last but hey I'm not suer. i hope you enjoy!

Ruby

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The week dragged on and seemed to stay slow. The days remained grey and the winds remained cold. Winter was becoming unbearable and I hated the feel of the wind nipping at the nape of my neck. I had taken the liberty of buying myself a scarf and beanie for my walks to and from the store.

Alice only worked Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. I was left without her presence on the Friday and the shop was quiet. It seemed dead and dreary. Throughout the week I had discovered that an average of six people came in the shop per day. That left me with approximatelyfive and a half hours to sit and do nothing.

On the Friday when I realised I wouldn't be receiving any company any time soon, I decided to scan the shelves. Reading had not been a top priority when I was in the gang and I had read a maximum of two books that were compulsory for me to read to pass the year.

I went over to the action section and looked over the titles. I picked out a thin one and had a look on the back for the blurb. It didn't take my interest and I slid it back into its little slot and kept looking around.

It was when I got to the classics section when something caught my eye. It was one of those instances where you read something but you don't realise you've read it or where you saw it. I let my eyes pour over the titles and spines in hopes of finding the title I had seen. I saw it just off to my left and I weaselled it out of its tight spot. I read over the title and tried to put the name to a face. It struck me that the person I had associated it with was my English teacher in year 7. Miss Orton had lectured us about the significance of this book and how we would benefit greatly from reading it. I flipped the book over and began reading the information. I assumed it would just be another boring book that a crazy English teacher was trying to get us to read but it honestly sounded like a fascinating book. I turned back to the front page and rubbed my thumb over the hard, coarse surface.

To Kill a Mockingbird.

I opened it up and started reading. I made my way over to the counter and jumped over it as usual. I never did this around Margaret as she had scowled upon me the first time I did it around her. I took my usual seat on the stool and started reading.

At 4:30, I was so riveted by the book that I didn't even notice Margaret waing her hands in front of my face to grab my attention.

"Mr Jarvis! Jarvis! Oliver are you listening to me?" she asked impatiently.

"Oh, yeah. Sorry about that. What's up?"

"I need to close up shop. Are you done or do you want to stay and lock up yourself?"

"Oh no, I'm finished. Sorry for holding you up Miss Drolby. I'll lock up though. You dont have to wait for me" I said and stood up. I kept my thumb strategically in place and let it serve as a marker for my page.

"Margaret, dear. You trying to make me sound old or something?" she asked and laughed. "I'll see you on Monday morning then. Have a nice weekend hon" she said and walked out the back to exit.

"Bye" I called out.

I placed the book face down, open to the page, on the bench and went to my locker. I pulled out $20 and went to the register. I noticed the price tag said $16 so I bought a bookmark as well.

After making my sale, I went to my locker and grabbed my things. I carried the book with me as I didn't have a bag. I locked up the shop and made my way home. I pulled my beanie on my fast freezing head and wrapped the scarf tightly around my neck. Winter didn't serve me well.