I met her in a book store. A small, beaten down, smelly, one. She shivered as her dark brown hair stuck to her wet face from the rain. Her grayish eyes seemed lost and broken. Like all hope was gone. But her lips held a small, delicate smile. It wasn't a real one, but enough to tell you she wasn't completely gone.
We didn't speak, but I stared at her awhile. Wondering who she was. Not like her name. But her story. Who she was and wanted to be. She didn't ask for attention, she didn't need to. Her beauty drew plenty of attention, yet she looked so lonely. So hurt.
I never saw her until a week later at the same shop. She seemed to of worked there judging by the uniform and name tag. It read Hannah. A lovely name.
I didn't understand why she wore that guilty sadness on her face. I hoped deep down inside that she was ok. Even though it was unlikely.
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I lived in a small, one bedroom apartment outside town. I never went to college because of family and money issues, but I was happy. Alone, but happy. I guess everything was ok. I hadn't seen my parents in a month or any friends for a matter of fact. After my sister died in an accident, I just distanced myself from everyone. She was my best friend and only sibling. And she was gone in an instant.
I was happy though. Things were ok. I wasn't poor. I didn't need anything, until now. I needed something deep down inside me. It hurt. It was the same feeling I had for my sister. It was love. I needed love.
I found myself walking to that old Book shop again. It was rainy and cold outside so I took place by the fireplace in the corner.
Hannah sat on a couch staring blankly into a ragged grey book. Her eyes traced along everyword intensely. Before I knew it, I was standing in front of her.
"H-hello." I said shakily, clearing my throat.
She jumped at my words, awakening from the trance the book held her in.
Then smiled a bit before looking me over.
"I'm uh-my name is Calum" I forced, putting my hand out to shake hers.
Her hand reached out and took mine. It was cold and small, and she had a dark blue painted over her nails.
"Hannah" she said softly. "Did you need help finding anything?"
"Oh, no um I just wanted to uh..talk." I said letting out a shaky breath.
She seemed to lighten a bit as she sat up and placed her book down. Though her sad eyes confused me.
We talk for an hour until she got off work. Hannah waved goodbye before running off into the horrid rain outside.
I couldn't help but grin the whole way home. Something about her quiet easygoingness enlightened me.
I looked forward to seeing her tomorrow again so we could talk like today.
Then next day was cloudy and warm. I felt the emptyness inside of me fade a bit as I made my way to the Book store, a block or two away from my apartment.
As usual the store was quite empty, after all who read books anymore? Life was digital. I walked over to the couch where she sat and sadness overcame me when I saw her. Her lip throbbing and red. There was a small bruise creeping up along her neck too. Yet, she smiled like nothing was wrong.
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Hi again, I wanted to warn you all. This will be a very sad and emotional story. Obviously it takes place in an a/u (alternate universe) because, yes Calum is Australian and is in a band in real life. I hope you enjoy this though, I put a lot of thought and hard work into it. It will move along a bit slowly but you won't be disappointed=)
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