sonder

eccedentesiast

Chapter Fourteen

Eccedentesiast

(n.) A person who fakes a smile

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When I was in elementary school, I remember there being a huge push from administration to keep students reading; therefore, we spent one class period each day simply reading. We could read whatever, just as long as we kept reading for the full fifty minutes.

Depending on the day, I would go from full novels to simple picture books; looking back on that time, I think my love for reading began way back then. I always got this sense of peace after walking into the school library, plastic chairs, wooden tabletops, blue carpet, and all. I loved reading through the different synopsizes, looking at the different covers, even getting to see the stamp of the return date made me smile.

Reading and soccer, those were my two loves growing up.

Things started to shift during middle school when reading was no longer a specific class and so, I begun to drift from it. Soccer became my everything, my reason to smile everyday really.

Then high school started and reading was the last thing on my mind, at least reading for myself was as instead, I read book after book that was required based on the curriculum. Things changed after my diagnosis though, my therapist recommended that I find something that created some sort of happiness within me.

I went to the library the next day.

That's why the moment that I found out that there was an old bookstore in town, I was out the door. I knew that if there was one thing that would make this move more enjoyable, it'd have to be a bookstore. Turns out, I was right' however, it wasn't just the bookstore that allowed me to stop faking a smile.

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Kali's feet graciously moving towards me distracted me from the novel currently situated before me. Surprisingly, the bookstore was a little busy today but from what Mr. Harvey had told me, the summer only brought more people so it wasn't completely shocking. It was now getting close to the lunch hour though, Mr. Harvey set to come back any moment now and then Kali and I would probably be heading out of here, together.

"I really hate having to smile all day, my cheeks hurt." She complained, sitting down across from me with a huff. My eyes glanced over her in amusement, you'd never guess that she really didn't like talking to people all that much. She was beyond talented at it.

I chuckle, noticing that her dimples seemed more prominent today than normal. Maybe, I'd just started noticing the smaller details of her face though. Like the crinkles around her eyes when she laughed and the small freckle that she had on her ear.

"My feet are really sore too." She tacked on, lifting her feet from the floor and placing them on my lap causally. The simple gesture made my heart skip, I plunged my nails into the palm of my hand to distract myself though. Rule number one of our agreement was no feelings.

I laughed at her, shaking my head at her dramatics.

"Stop laughing at my pain, it's not funny." She huffed just as the door swung open, announcing Mr. Harvey's arrival. Kali was on her feet in seconds, another smile gracing her face, this one gracing all of her features though.

"You two can head off now." Mr. Harvey announced, not missing a beat before taking his place behind the register where he'd man the ship before closing time.

"How was your morning?" Kali asked, her facial features softening as she listened for Mr. Harvey's reply. I still wasn't certain how they'd come to know each so well but I could tell that Kali really respected him and she did care for him as if he was extended family.

"Wonderful." Mr. Harvey tells her. He never actually tells us what he does in the mornings but everyday, he shows up with a bright smile on his face and I couldn't help but wish I knew what caused someone to be so happy.

"I finished the novel you suggested." I announce to Mr. Harvey, getting up and crossing the room until I was standing before him at the front of the store.

He nods his head, a small smile on his face. "You liked it, didn't you?" He asks, a knowing expression looking back at me.

"It was good, but I don't know..." I say, trying to comprehend how I could express my feelings about this book.

"Just think about it some more." Mr. Harvey's words register with me before I am able to speak some more.

I nod although, a little angry at myself for not being able to fully gather my thoughts. I'd never been so tongue tied over a novel before. Kali's presence next to me interrupts my spiralling mind though. The back of my hand lightly grazes her fingers as she tells Mr. Harvey that we should get going in order to get back for Austin and Courtney.

Mr. Harvey chuckles as we both turn to leave the store, Kali and I falling into step with one another immediately. "I'll see you both tomorrow!" He hollers after us as the bell rings above our heads signalling our retreat.

Kali then looks at me with a sheepish look. "Speaking of my siblings..." She says, her voice drifting off as we walk towards our houses.

I lift my eyebrows in curiosity. "Yes?" I ask.

She sighs, her voice sounding guilty before she even speaks. "Courtney wanted to know if you'd come over again. I know that it would probably complicate everything but they both really loved you and I don't know, it's nice to see them smile, you know?" Kali rambles, her voice completely unsure of herself.

We continue walking as I think about going back to Kali's house. I felt drawn to it and all the little ways that it made me feel at ease, at home even.

Smiling down at Kali, I nod my head. "We're still friends, right? Friends do things like having dinner with each other." I state, matter-of-factly.

She nods her head, a grin coming out on her face. Her dimples popping out again.

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