𝐢 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 ⇾𝘴𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘬

TWO :

⠠⠄⡐⠠⠁⠄✰☽⡐⠁⠠⡐⠄⠄

I spun around on the worn, wooden stall behind the register. The bookstore was empty per usual. The only costumer that had come in was a disoriented older man looking for a bathroom. All-day I sat around, reorganizing, and coloring in the small keys of the register in colorful markers.

Reaching into my dirty backpack I pull out the beat-up blue-covered book that I had successfully put off for as long as I could. I used to be able to finish a book of this length in a matter of a week but for some reason, I couldn't find the motivation to actually sit down and read it.

This had become a problem in my everyday life as well.

Taking out the photo of Jacques and Rémy I flip it around with my fingertips for a bit before placing it back behind the last page.

Shortly after, I hear the bell chime above the door. Looking up from my book I see Carmen walk in with a brown sack clutched in her hands. She raises the bag with a hesitant smile.

I stare at her in confusion. We rarely talked these days so it was pretty strange that she was stopping by. She could always be here for a book of course, but that was highly unlikely.

I close my book and smile at her warmly waiting for her to speak.

"Apology muffins?" She sets the paper bag in front of me and softly taps my nose, making me smile.

I look up at her in confusion, "why are you apologizing?" My question makes her sigh as she grabs a stool and sits in front of me on the other side of the glass counter.

"I'm apologizing because I put our friendship on pause when you and Scout split. That was unfair to you because you're my closest friend. I should've been there for you. It's just hard, you know? Scout doesn't have a lot of support. Which, of course, isn't an excuse." Carmen makes dramatic hand gestures as she spoke. Her perfectly shaped eyebrows scrunched as her hazel, puppy dog eyes stared into mine.

I reach my hand over to hers and hold it comfortingly. She immediately wraps her fingers around mine.

"Don't apologize. I completely understand where you're coming from. I don't want you to feel like you have to choose between him and I. He's your family." Carmen's features soften as I reassure her that she did nothing wrong.

"I love you, Lana." She softly hums while leaning over the counter to embrace me.

She was always a very affectionate person, which sometimes made me uncomfortable because I wasn't use to that kind of attention, but a part of me liked it.

Carmen held me for a bit before kissing my cheek and taking her seat back on the stool. I smiled and looked down to hide my blushing cheeks. I was always one to become easily flustered from any form of affection.