Teach me, Daddy. |hs|

THREE

"Hey Jamie, I was wondering if I could return this?" Ms.Jones smiled.

"Sure, Ms.Jones, no problem." I said, taking the book from her. I scanned it under the machine and keyed in the code. A small yawn escaped my lips, causing my eyes to close. I set book the down and rubbed my eyes with both my hands, trying to rid the tiredness from my eyes.

"Tired dear?" Ms.Jones asked, tilting her head.

"Yes, very. I couldn't sleep last night at all." I sighed, pressing the open button and retrieving the correct amount of cash.

"Here you go Ms.Jones." I smiled, handing her the money. I printed out a receipt and asked her to sign on the line and handed her a pen. She complied and gave me back the receipt.

"You should go home, change into your pyjamas and watch a movie on the couch.....with a small glass of wine." She said, leaning in and whispering the last part. "You should drift off before the movie ends. I always do." She smiled, placing the cash into her purse. "Look after yourself Jamie." Ms.Jones called, exiting the shop. The bell that hung on the door frame ringing as she opened the door to leave.

"I will." I whispered to myself. I took a few moments, just looking around the book shop. Things were usually busier than this but I was grateful for the lack of customers today, I was too tired to deal with people.

I took the box of 'Returns' from the second shelf behind the desk and slotted Ms.Jones' receipt in, along with the others from this week.

I slid the box back onto the shelf, balancing on my tipy toes while doing it. Curse my smallness.

I then took Ms.Jones' returned book into my hands. 'Sense and Sensibility' why would she return such a classic? I sighed and flicked through the pages, that 'new book smell' that I adored, flew past my nose. I took a deep breathe and begged my body to wake up.

I walked over to the 'Classics' section of shelves and slotted the book back into it's rightful place. I ran my hand along the books, I felt so drowsy, I needed to sleep.

The bell rang, startling me and causing me to jump. I quickly turned my body towards the door.

He walked in. Mr.Styles.

No, this can't be possible. How did he find out where I work? He's never been a customer here before, not that I know of anyway. He looked around the shop, unable to see me because I was hiding behind the 'Classics' stand of shelves.

Once his back was facing me, I speed walked towards the desk. I kept my back facing him at all times. When I reached the desk, I pretended to search for something on the first shelf, being the lowest one. Until I heard him clear his throat.

I slowly turned around, once he seen me, he smirked.

"I'd like to purchase this book." He told me, placing the book on the desk and resting his hand on the cover. I stared at the book, he removed his hand and I could feel my eyes widenening.

I looked up at him, then back down to the book again. Say nothing Jamie, he wants a reaction, don't satisfy him. I told myself.

I nodded and picked up the book. I scanned it and told him the price.

"That's $30." I spoke quietly, placing the book in a bag.

He smirked, removed a wallet from his coat pocket and handed me a $100 bill.

I stared at the money in his hands. Feeling intimidated by him and knowing how awkward I must look right now.

"Have you got anything smaller?" I asked, raising my eyebrow, looking directly into his eyes for the first time since he came in.

"No. I don't." He said, slowly shaking his head. I took the money and gave him his change along with a receipt and of course the bag.

"Thank you Ms.Roe." He wickedly smiled, taking the bag from the desk.

"I'll treasure this forever." He smirked, opening the door and leaving the shop.

I released the breathe I was holding. I immediately felt a rush of....life. I felt awake, very awake.

However, I still had three more hours left. And I knew my sudden 'awakening' wouldn't last forever. I sighed, and began to think to myself;
Why would he take such an interest? Why would he go through the bother of buying the same book? How come I've never seen this guy before, yet suddenly he's everywhere I go.
Then it dawned on me -
He said Ms.Roe. He knew my last name. I was almost certain - no, I definitely knew that Nana Grace only wrote 'Jamie' on the inside cover of the book.

Just to be sure, I yanked my bag out of the press and snatched my Grand Book of Poetry - the exact one that Mr.Styles had just purchased.
I flicked to the first page, I was right. I knew it. It just said Jamie.

So how does he know my last name?