𝐇𝐈𝐌 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐇𝐄𝐑. joe goldberg

his story: one

im piling books over books of my beloved ex, guinevere beck, as the bells on the door jingle and you walk in. my heart stops a little. it seems..
ive never seen you before.

that is good. a new face.

alright, ill bite.

you wear innocent, pink ballet flats; no heel. as if you dont want anyone to know your there. but your wearing a loose, sheer green top. it seems you like a little attention. i see you scouring the bookcases.

what are you looking for? i eye you walking from shelf to shelf, picking up a book and setting it down. i know you have something in mind, but ill let you come to me. our first encounter has to be perfect.

i arrange books around and such before i am at the same bookcase you are. only, your on the other side. i pretend to fix the case, as i sneak looks at you through the hole. it seems you notice, and when i look up, you catch my eye and flash me a innocent smile. your quite daring, arent you?

i pretend not to notice as you walk up to me. you tap my shoulder playfully, and i turn. i never really took a look at your face, until now. you had wavy, light brown hair, with bangs to match. you had pretty green eyes and high cheekbones.

ultimately, you were absolutely gorgeous. and this is when i knew, we would be perfect together. so, i had to try my very hardest to make you love me.

your mouth opens to speak, but i see you looking at my face. i look down at the book im holding, then back to you, nervously.

"do you guys have a book im looking for?" you say. i was a little blown away. your voice was kind, sweet like honey, even. i took a second to compose myself before answering to you.

"im sure we do, uh, whats the book called?" i responded. you smile a little before telling me the name of the book you had been so desperately looking for. "the catcher in the rye.. i think?" you tilt your head, ever so slightly in confusion. i didnt peg you for a 'catcher in the rye' type. i give a small grin, and take you to find the book.

i reach off the top shelf and grab the book, dusting it off with my hands before handing it to you. your grab the book, but it slips out of your hands. you bend over to pick it up, and ever so slightly, i see the black lace rim of your bra.

you dropped it on purpose, didnt you? you wanted me to see. what. a. tease! i chuckle to myself, taking you to the register. i walk to the other side of the shop counter, and scan the book. "$13.." i look up at you, pulling card over card looking for cash. i glance, and notice a driver's license, with the registered name 'charlie simmons' as you hand me the cash.

"charlie simmons?" you look up at me, with a cheekish grin. "my parents, they, uh, were so caught up in the thought they would have a boy.. that they never thought of a girls name. and when i popped out, they didnt have any other name than charlie." she looked at her feet, a little embarrassed. i give the book to you, and you meet my eyes. "well," you glance at the name tag on my chest, "joe...?"

wow, my name coming out of your mouth, just feels so right. "goldberg." i say, practically beaming. "alright, joe goldberg. thank you for helping me find a book!" you say, and turn to head for the door. before you head out, you turn towards me once again and give a little wave.

how you didnt know how that made me feel.

except you did.