Box Of Matches | ✓

11

The Book Nook was calm on Monday afternoon. The usual bustle of customers had died down, leaving Ariel with a rare moment of downtime. She stood behind the counter, methodically organizing the register and tidying up a few stray bookmarks. The familiar scent of old books mixed with a hint of salty sea air from the nearby ocean filled her senses, creating a comforting and nostalgic atmosphere.

Salem, the grey tabby cat with an attitude, was perched on the counter beside her. His tail flicked lazily as he surveyed the shop with half-closed eyes, looking every bit the aloof feline ruler he considered himself to be. Ariel gave him a gentle scratch behind the ears, earning a contented purr in response.

As she rang up a few customers who had trickled in, Ariel's thoughts kept drifting back to her recent visit to the Trap House. The fun she had with Colby and his friends, the laughter and camaraderie—it all replayed in her mind like a favorite song on repeat. But there was something more, something new and unfamiliar stirring within her.

Colby had been a pleasant distraction from her routine, but as days passed, she found herself thinking about him more often. There was an undeniable pull she felt toward him, something she had never experienced before. She had always been more focused on her work and passions than on romantic interests, but Colby seemed to have changed that. The idea of a crush, of feeling drawn to someone in a way she hadn't before, was both intriguing and unsettling.

"Hey, Ariel," a familiar voice called out, pulling her from her reverie. It was Linda, one of the regular customers who frequented the bookstore for her love of classic literature. "How's everything going today?"

"Hi, Linda," Ariel replied with a warm smile. "Everything's good, just a bit of a quiet spell right now."

Linda nodded, her gaze drifting to Salem. "And how's our little prince doing?"

"He's been as regal as ever," Ariel said, chuckling. "He's got the whole 'cat king' thing down pat."

Linda laughed and wandered off to browse the shelves, leaving Ariel with a moment of solitude. She glanced at the clock—her shift would be ending soon, and she found herself lost in thought once again. The magnetic pull she felt toward Colby was undeniable, and she couldn't help but wonder what it all meant.

Was she truly developing feelings for him? It seemed almost surreal. Ariel had never been interested in romance before. Her life had always been centered around her work, her books, and her little routines. The notion of a crush was something foreign to her, something she had never really entertained.

The weekend at the Trap House had been a whirlwind of new experiences, and Colby had stood out in a way that was both exciting and confusing. His easy charm, the way he made her feel welcome, and the connection they seemed to share had all left a lasting impression. The feeling of being drawn to him was unlike anything she had felt before. It was as if he had introduced her to a new part of herself she didn't know existed.

As Ariel wiped down the counter and prepared for the end of her shift, she couldn't help but reflect on the growing feelings she had for Colby. The thought of him made her smile, and she felt a flutter of excitement at the prospect of seeing him again.

Her shift finally ended, and Ariel gathered her things, ready to head home. She said her goodbyes to Salem, who gave her a disinterested look before settling back into his usual spot. As she walked out of the store, the salty breeze of the ocean greeted her, mingling with the lingering scent of old books from the shop.

The drive home gave her time to think, and as she navigated the familiar streets of Santa Monica, her mind was filled with thoughts of Colby. The feelings she had for him were new and unexplored, and while she wasn't entirely sure where they would lead, she couldn't deny that they were there.

Ariel felt a mix of anticipation and curiosity as she drove, eager to see how her emotions would unfold. The adventure she had experienced was far from over, and she was beginning to realize that this new chapter in her life might hold more surprises than she had ever imagined.

***

She fumbled with her keys, the small metal objects seeming to rebel against her attempts to unlock the door. After a few frustrating moments, she managed to get the key to turn, and she pushed the door open with a sigh of relief. The house was quiet, and the familiar, comforting smells of home greeted her as she stepped inside.

Her dad was out for groceries, and Bodie was with him, as indicated by a note on the fridge. Ariel scanned the note quickly before letting it fall from her mind. She felt a sudden emptiness in the house, a void that seemed to echo her own restless emotions.

With no clear direction, Ariel wandered through the house. Her mind was still abuzz with thoughts of Colby and the weekend they had shared. The new feelings she was grappling with seemed to swirl around her, amplifying the quiet solitude of the house.

As she passed by the table next to the couch, her gaze fell upon the family portrait that had been there for as long as she could remember. The oval frame held a snapshot of a time that felt both distant and intimate. Ariel picked it up, her fingers tracing the edges of the frame as she studied the photo.

Her mother's smile was captured perfectly, radiant and full of life, as though frozen in a moment of pure happiness. Ariel felt a pang of nostalgia. Her mother had passed away years ago, but in this photograph, she was vibrant and present. Bodie, barely three at the time, sat beside their mother with a bright, innocent grin. Ariel herself, just twelve years old, stood proudly next to them. She remembered the day this picture was taken—how happy and complete their family had seemed.

She traced her mother's face with her eyes, taking in the familiar features and the warmth of that long-ago moment. It was a bittersweet reminder of the past, and for a moment, the nostalgia wrapped around her like a comforting embrace. She smiled softly, feeling a mix of sadness and fondness.

Carefully, Ariel placed the frame back on the table, positioning it just in front of the flower vase. The simple gesture felt like an act of honoring the memory of her family.

Feeling a bit more grounded, Ariel headed towards her room, hoping that a bit of time with Moby would help calm her turbulent emotions. She found him curled up on her bed, his remaining three legs tucked neatly under his furry body. His soft, rhythmic purring filled the room as she approached, and she could almost feel his contentment radiating outwards.

Ariel gently scooped Moby up, cradling him against her chest as she sat down on the bed. The warmth of his little body and the steady purrs were a welcome relief. She buried her face in his fur, inhaling his comforting scent and letting the peacefulness of the moment wash over her.

As she stroked Moby's fur, her mind wandered back to Colby and the recent whirlwind of emotions she had been experiencing. She found herself reflecting on how new and unexpected this crush felt. It was as if Colby had unlocked a part of her that she hadn't known existed. The feelings were foreign and exhilarating, a stark contrast to the stability she had always known.

But, as she sat there with Moby purring contentedly in her arms, Ariel realized that it was okay to feel these things. It was okay to embrace new emotions and experiences, even if they were unfamiliar and unsettling. Life was full of surprises, and sometimes, the best thing to do was to let the feelings unfold naturally.

Moby's gentle purring and the quiet comfort of her room helped Ariel feel a bit more centered. She knew that the path ahead with her emotions might be unpredictable, but for now, she was content to savor the simplicity of the moment. The house, though quiet, was a place where she could reflect and find solace.

As she continued to hold Moby, the weight of her thoughts seemed to lift, and she felt a renewed sense of peace. The day's uncertainties and the swirl of new feelings became a little easier to handle. And as the quiet evening stretched on, Ariel was comforted by the familiar rhythms of her life, knowing that she could face whatever came next with a little more clarity and calm.