Turning pages ~ Charlie Jones (stereo kicks)

Snapping her book shut sharply, Annabelle Smith lifted her head; wavy, brown hair flowing silkily down her back. Her emerald-green eyes landing on the door that had just opened. In stepped an elderly man, a newspaper in one hand and two hot drinks in the other. Lifting herself from her sitting position, Annabelle took the drinks from her grandad's arms and placed them on the shop's counter.

They were inside Annabelle's grandad's book shop. Annabelle usually worked there after school and over the weekends, helping her elder relative. The book shop did get customers, but it was usually peaceful and smelt of new books. There were fictional books, non-fiction books, children's books and travel guides. Annabelle liked working in the store because she could spend a lot of time surrounded by books.

"Your hot cocoa is the one with the green around it. I got myself a coffee," Her grandad told her, pointing to one of the paper cups he had recently brought from the coffee shop across the road. Giving her grandad a smile she nodded and picked it up. She took a small sip, being careful not to burn her tongue. "So, did anyone come in while I was gone?" He continued. Annabelle's lips formed a small smile and she nodded.

"A few people actually." She replied, her voice soft and sweet. "They all bought something too. You even sold one of your Barcelona travel booklets." Annabelle's grandad smiled widely and he placed a few more books on the counter.


"Oh, that's good." He said, "Do you mind putting those away, I picked a few more books up." Annabelle nodded.


"Sure, Grandpa." Annabelle said, picking up the books and searching for the right places on the book store's shelves.

****


"ANNA!" Annabelle's greeny-blue eyes fluttered open as she heard her grandad call for her. She lived with her grandparents, her parents had died in a car-crash when she was about three years old. Her grandad was called Brian and he was 63 years old. Her grandmother was the same age and was called Margret.


"ANNABELLE JADE SMITH! GET UP NOW!" She heard her grandmother shout. Smiling to herself, she sat up. Sliding out of bed, her bare feet hit the cold wooden flooring of her bedroom. Annabelle walked to her bathroom and took a shower. Once she had climbed out, dried herself and her hair off, Annabelle wrapped a towel around her body and rooted through her closet for an outfit for school.


Eventually, after about five minutes of searching, she found a pair of black skinny jeans, a plain, white shirt and a black long-sleeved cardigan. On her feet she slipped a pair of black converse on. She brushed and let her wavy, sandy-brown hair flow gracefully to about halfway down her back. She pinned back a couple of strands with a grip. She glanced at her reflection in the mirror. She was satisfied.

Annabelle wasn't the type of girl to wear make-up. Yes, if it was a special occasion she would wear some, but it would only be mascara and lip-gloss at the most. She didn't wear it on normal days. Her skin was clear and soft, she didn't need any concealer.

Her hair was a light-brown, depending on the light it could be a dark-blonde, colour and it fell just past her shoulders. Annabelle's hair was wavy. Her eyes were a dark-green that glistened in the light. A few freckles dotted her cheeks but they were barely visible. She had a cute button nose that gave her face a delicate look. She had soft, pink lips also.


Although she was a very nice girl, Annabelle was extremely shy. She didn't talk to many people at school, so not many people knew she existed. She wasn't bullied, people just didn't pay attention to her. Which, was fine with her. She wasn't part of the popular crowd but people liked her. Nobody was ill-mannered to her, apart from a couple of girls, but they were like that to everyone.

Grabbing her leather bag, she slung it over her shoulder and headed downstairs, today's homework in her arms. She reached the kitchen and walked in to find her grandma cooking toast and marmalade. The elderly relative looked up and gave her grand-daughter a soft, kind smile that reached her eyes. Annabelle gave one back in return. Her grandad chose that moment to walk into the kitchen.