Within the Mist- Maylor

Bookboy

Days had passed since Brian's career ended, and without even doubting it for a second, he chased after getting a new job. Application after application and no response, he was doomed. Not giving up, he went through with one last application, and as if through the opportunity of a lifetime which it was in his eyes, he got the job after struggling so much to get a new one. It confused him but at the same time, it didn't.

 He was known among people to be the annoying jackass on the tellies every day, now he would defend himself, but there was no use in doing it, everything spoke for itself. One day he had lashed out and had an episode of anger on live television, for everyone to see. Looking back on it, it was a stupid thing of him to do and he would do anything to go back, maybe only then he wouldn't be in this exact situation. The person he was at the time was troubled and the person he was today knew better than to show his dark side for everyone to see. It was no use now, he would have to live with that haunting moment with him forever, following him wherever he went. Still, a bit of mercy would've been appreciated. 

He'd gotten the position of being the new mascot for the neighborhood bookstore. Not too bad, at least it was something. The first few days went by as normal, except for the fact that everyone ignored him. He wasn't hungry for attention, but it would've made him feel better if everyone didn't act like he didn't exist. Lizzie introduced herself and that was it, the other workers barely saying a word to him. The person who irked him most was the one at the register. Not a single word to him during all the time he'd been there, he didn't even know his name at the bare minimum. He wanted to go talk to him to see if it was a personal issue and the more he looked into it, the idea that it was something else sparked up from his observations. It wasn't that he didn't care for his existence, well he did a little bit, but he never paid attention to what went around him. Always lost in his own world, as if it was full of worries and pain. Always appearing so unhappy with what he did. That glum face, the one Brian hated to see on anyone and he was filled with the bit of hope that he would be able to change that today. 

Walking up to the machine, he clocked in and was ready to get to work. But one thing needed to be taken care of first, turning over to face the figure at the register, they weren't fazed by him, not paying attention once more to what went on around them. He came to the conclusion that he wouldn't catch his attention and didn't bother anymore, going on with his day. Roger heard that there was going to be a new employee, but he couldn't bring himself to get to know them, he was stuck in the dark headspace of pain. Haunting memories flooded in one after the other, coming to turn his world on its head and get rid of the bit of self-control that he did have left. Most days he spent lost in his mind, zoning out of reality and struggled to focus on doing his job. 

It had gotten better after sometime, but there were still remnants of the darkness that remained. They were bound to go back into their hiding place at some point or another. But for now, they were inhabiting his mind. All he could do was to stand around, waiting for customers to come in. All day, everyday. No changes whatsoever. It was slow today, he was sure no one would mind if he went on to do something else. Falling into a light doze, a crash at the window shot him back awake. Oh dear, that didn't sound good. Whipping around to face the window, the sight of the new mascot flailing around, shooing away the pigeons was the first thing to be seen. Birds smashing against the window, one after another. What the fuck? The mascot's yells resonated with something and rang a bell in Roger. They sounded so familiar, but he couldn't pinpoint where he'd heard them. Looking over at the clock next to him, it came as a nice surprise that it was time for his break. Without overthinking it for a second, he called for Liz so that he could leave.

"Lizzie!"

Once she came, Roger didn't wait to go outside to the rather unusual scene. Stepping out he leaned on the wall, watching as the new mascot struggled with the birds that were all over them. Taking the mask off, he threw it to the ground and went back to what he did.

"Stupid birds!"

Oh god...it was him. Brian. How did he end up here? This had to be a dream or something. Pushing his thoughts away, what he had said came to his attention At his words, Roger couldn't help but laugh, seeing this side of Brian was the best thing ever. Before he could see it coming, he turned toward him, forming a defensive face.

"Try doing this, bookboy," he sneered.

Bookboy, his new pet name he assumed. He would let Brian knew exactly what he thought of it, going back to him with a smirk on his face.

"Bookboy, seriously?"

He didn't even wait for a second to give his response.

"Yep, that's right. Bookboy."

Okay, then so be it. Well, that was over with. Simple trouble with pigeons, he would get going now, leaving Brian to deal with the problem between the birds and him. Nodding at his response, he turned the corner and made his way down the street before a voice stopped him in his tracks.

"Bookboy, wait!"

Turning back to face Brian, he waited for what he was going to say.

"Can you get me a coffee? You were going to the coffee shop, weren't you?"

Right on the target, but he needed to make sure of one thing first.

"I hope it's with your own money."

Brian stumbled back at his words and he put a sad face on, looking at Roger with big eyes.

"Please..."

He couldn't help but to give in, he couldn't bear to say no with such a pleading look. Questions soon rolled in as why he wanted him to get it for him, he was a millionaire, he could get anything he wanted. Nope, he wasn't going to question him, this was his idol that he was talking about, he couldn't do anything stupid around him.

"Alright, I'll be back in a few." He said and was out.

---

Roger soon came back with two coffees in hand. To-go coffee was the best thing invented yet, just a year ago, everyone still had to stay in the shop to drink their beverage. Times had changed for the better.

"Here," he held it out to him.

"Thanks, Bookboy."

Even though he'd barely gotten his new pet name, he already loved it. Taking sips, they locked eyes, and that was when Brian gave him a smile, lips curling at the ends. A sense of warmth spread throughout Roger and every good feeling there was churned up in him. If he looked close enough, the sparkle hidden within Brian's eyes shone brighter. Nothing of that of the sadness that filled them that day where they met for the first time.