How to Get an Education

Regardless of a Book

Reading romance novels till 2am when I have to open the shop at 7am is not it. Dragging my self out of bed my sweet baby Winston meowed at my sudden movements. Poor thing how dare I interrupt the start to his productive day of napping. As I sit in the darkness of my room the clock still reads 5:45am, do I really need to leave the comfort of my bed and the dreams of my very own Mr. Grey?
As I slouch slowly back into my comforter, I hear the sweet sound of my coffee maker warming now this is the sound I cannot refuse or snooze. Grabbing my XXL men's t-shirt I bought for $4 at a thrift store I run to the shower because honestly, I'd take the sweet feeling that coffee gives me over anything dreamland Mr. Grey can dish out.
The warmth of the shower wakes up my aching body. The long hours at the shop have really been taking a toll lately. My boss and one of my closest friends Marie Warren has been trying to bring up sales recently which means a lot more movement of stock which means lots of heavy lifting and long hours for me. It was a good job though not much to complain about, Marie's parents had given her the tiny book shop they had inherited from her grandparents and her and I had been running it since we had graduated from high school. Her parents have been training her recently in the family business, so I've been managing the store for her while she's been gone. Its such a cozy place people come in throughout the day to use our tables, small coffee bar, and free Wi-Fi. It is a job that doesn't allow me to work up a ladder but at least I get to work on my school and don't have to worry about coworkers.
Grabbing a banana on my way out the door I look in the mirror at my oversized sweater, skinny jeans, and black boots and wonder where the hell my body went. Oh well Winston and I will have to figure out my fashion sense later right now I'm running late. Walking down the stairs from my apartment I notice my neighbor Beverly by the mail box.
"Hey Bev! You'll have to bring Luna over Winston's been lonely lately"
"oh hello Elaine, you really should just drop the poor child off on your way to work so he isn't alone all day"
"You are so right maybe on my lunch I can run back or have Andre do it"
"Are you and that Andre together yet?? Good lord if I have to hear that name one more time"
"Bev cut that out. We are just friends you know this. Haha."
"Before you leave and make a fool of yourself your hair is in your jeans again, hahaha. Such a busy girl"
"Thanks Bev see you later haha"
My hair has gotten so long, I'm honestly so sick of it, but it's the only thing anyone notices about me. I've never been confident always hiding behind my long brown hair it's the only thing anyone says is beautiful about me. Like Winston and I noticed earlier this morning though is that I like to hide in big clothes that hide the rest of me so no wonder that's all anyone notices. Gosh I almost just ran into a pole the hell is wrong with me this morning Bev got me all flustered talking about Andre.
Stepping out into this cool air I almost forgot the mornings are like ice. The silent streets of downtown welcome me. I enjoy this time alone with my thoughts analyzing myself over and over again. The bakery on the corner of main street lets us carry their pastries and I speed walk their half asleep in the mornings to get them before we all open up for the day. Mondays are always a busy one because people just want that warm yumminess to get them through the first work day of the week.
Walking up to the warm glass doors the smell of cinnamon and bread overwhelm my frozen and leaking nostrils. Before entering I put on my mask to respect their need for Covid-19 safety and pray no one knows my nose is running from freezing over.
"HEY ELLIE" Andre exclaims from somewhere behind me, grabbing my side and scaring the shit out of me.
"Andre its too damn early for that my coffee hasn't kicked in"
"Well I guess I will have to bring my baby a new one" his smirk could be seen by his squinting eyes above his printed face mask I bought him earlier this year. Little cinnamon rolls covered the fabric and it often was one of the only things that made me laugh. The fact this 6 foot tall, brown eyed, long haired, built, baker was wearing an adorable cinnamon roll mask just made my day.
"I am not a baby, let alone your baby mister, have one of those fangirls of yours who come in everyday be your baby" I rolled my eyes as we both walked inside and stood together by the front counter.
"Why cant you just admit you love me but you are too afraid to do anything about it?" he sipped his coffee now his smug smile exposed.
"You better stop all of this nonsense right now before Winston hears you and has to come handle this situation" we both laughed at the thought of my 6 pound cat trying to take down Andre.
"Anyways you got my bag of stuffs?? Your going to make me open late again" I pointed at all the amazing looking cookies and turnovers.
"Oh Ellie you know Ive got all the right stuff for you" His wink sent me.
"Alright I'm leaving and I'm not going to sell any of your stuff overpriced to lonely rich business men who only will come to me" I finished in a singing tone that made him jump from the counter and grab a large bag from the back.
"Thank you. Text me today I'm going to be bored writing reports" I gave him a playful wink. His mood seemed to lighten with this response. Following me out front he grabbed my wrist before I could make my way down the street.
"I know you said we had to stay professional but can I at least have a kiss goodbye" His eyes looked down at me with the same cloud of lust I had seen last Friday. Without a word I pulled down my mask, praying the cold had left my nose dry, and kissed his neck leaving a trail of warm breath down to his collar. I let my hand slide gently down his arm and left after my fingers left his. When I reached the end of the street I received a text.
*Andre:
Watching you walk away is so bitter, but the view is just so sweet.
*Elaine:
(⁎˃ᆺ˂) You better hope Winston doesn't see this.
Suddenly I was really warm even in these thin clothes and the freezing weather. Thinking of last Friday oh gosh I shouldn't be thinking about this in public but how can I not. Andre and I will do this sometimes. He comes over and we'll watch some old movies while eating pizza and drinking some ciders. We both know when I get tipsy I get a lil flirty okay but ive also been lonely and Andre gets lonely too so we just fill in the blanks right. I mean why not hes my best friend. I just don't think hed ever be with me im a 5 foot 7 girl with a bigger build okay and its not like my face is gorgeous or anything I mean come on. Hes the type of guy who deserves one of those small pretty girls on my social media explore pages right??
Then again last friday was different. The way he looked at me, the way his hands held my face and made me blush, with that first kiss. That kiss was something different it made me feel different. The way our lips moved together like they had missed the ability to touch. He held me after and stayed till morning something we didn't normally do. I woke up to homemade cinnamon rolls and coffee. It warmed my heart to see Winston perched on Andre's shoulder while he stirred almond milk into my favorite mug. This was going to complicate things, these feelings are dangerous, and I don't have time for distractions.
Again I have way too much time for thoughts on these walks. Right at this thought my boot got stuck in a pothole and choosing to lose my coffee over the pastries I watched my whole day crash down onto the pavement. Good god what the hell am I going to do now. My fuckin coffee is the only way I produce that customer service bitch. How am I going to summon her now???
Shit. Its 7:28am I have 2 minutes to get inside and open this thing. Fine we'll do it without the coffee and yes I know there is coffee in the bookstore but I live on my sweeteners and im not willing to share with customers so its not there.
Walking in I turn on the front sign and the fire place in the front seating area. The green couch looks as welcoming as my bed this morning but I ran so late theres no time. placing the pastries in the glass case on the right wall by the front counter I start the computer up so everything can be hot and ready for customers. The rest of the shop is two small stories of book shelves and small but cozy read/work areas scattered throughout.
Returning to my place behind the counter I pull out my journal and a pen and reflect on thoughts id like my journal to keep for me rather than letting myself overthink them some more. As im dealing with this I barely notice our first customer walk in. brushing my hair behind my ear while jotting something down I hear a low but short cough, more of clearing of a throat. I look up and see holy shit. A 6 foot 3 man with blue eyes, brown hair, and the slightest bit of facial hair the kind that makes you want to pounce.
"Um sir do you need a mask? Unfortunately we do require it and ask that you wear one." His eyes narrowed as he turned to me. Walked to the counter I prayed he couldn't see me blushing beneath my mask.
"Okay I will take one sorry I left mine at the office, Thank you." As I handed him the mask his fingers brushed mine and chills were sent through me. Why do I have to be so weird and awkward around men I find attractive like what the hell.
I tried to focus on my journal but it was hard because a model was just walking around the shop looking at books. I looked up to see what he was doing and found him looking at our education section with college texts and things like that. Maybe hes a professor at the college oh gosh those girls in that lecture are lucky. I decided to look at his outfit for more clues but he was really just dressed in casual business clothes like anyone else who comes in. No one like that would even look in my direction let alone be interested in me but hey maybe he can be dreamland Mr. Grey.
"Excuse me" he said for probably the 50th time while I was trapped in my day dreaming.
"Oh sorry can I help you??"
"Well yes that is why I am at the counter" he replied. Oh boy so hes one of those customers. This guy could write how to go from a 10 to a 2.
"I was wondering if you had this Anderson text on BioChem here is the ID" handing me his phone I was surprised by the trust hmmm couldn't I just slide into his dms this way... focus oh my gosh.
"looks like we don't have that one currently but it should be here Thursday or Friday. Would you like me to hold one for you?" His eyes were looking down at me when we locked eyes. I almost fell off my stool when I looked up and saw that.
"uh. Sure could you text me when you get them in." He handed me his business card.
"Sir. We have a company number you could call as well"
"Who said I needed the company's number? Either way I will come to get the book on Friday if you want to text that number which I strongly advise then text that number... regardless of a book." His eyes caught mine as he walked out the door. The last thing I noticed about him was two men in all black suits trailing behind as he made his way down Main Street. Breathing for the first time in 20 minutes I just want to know what the fuck just happened?

...

Hello anyone who reads this. This is my first story so leave comments and let me know your thoughts. Thanks for reading.

Updates coming soon!