Potholes

Chapter 63 As told by Parker

"That's the best part," Emmet said, racing down the isles, eyes scanning the book titles as he passed them. "Revealing the character didn't know the entire time was a- bold decision, to say the least, but I think the absurdity of it made for an exceptional ending."

"I'm glad you agree," I said, which was a rather bland reply compared to what he had just said, but I was already distracted by one on the novels that had caught my eye. "Hey, have you read this? I think you would like it; it's one of, if not my favourite book"

"Of course," He said looking down at the book I was now holding in my hands. "The Secret History. It's one of my favourites as well."

"Really," I asked in disbelief, as if I was expecting him to go on about how much he hated it. "I mean the characters are unbearable, but that's exactly how it's supposed to be."

"But Richard still describes them so positively," He replied, a contagious and boyish grin on his face.

"The way that his perspective changes the narrative of the novel, all because of his-"

"Morbid longing of the picturesque, to be exact."

I felt my smile grow as I looked up at him. "It's brilliant."

"I couldn't have said it better myself," He smiled.

In a rush of nostalgic euphoria I grabbed his hand and began leading him down the rows of books, feeling as if we were just little kids again.

When we stopped again he turned to face me. "And if beauty is terror," He said, rehearsing the dialogue from the novel, "then what is desire?"

And I said, "to live."

"To live forever."

I received a text from Rowan telling us to meet her and the rest of the gang at a restaurant down the road, so Emmet and I walked out of the shop, his hand still in mine.

Although there was a gentle breeze flowing through the small town, it was still excruciatingly sunny and I had to shield my eyes from the sun bouncing off the cement buildings in order to see. When we got to the small, almost negligible, building containing the restaurant Emmet pulled his hand away from mine and slid it into his back pocket. I looked up at him but his gaze didn't catch mine, and once again my childish glee was washed away in an instant.