Memories

Memories: Chapter 12

Kinda' short, I know, sorry, but it was the perfect ending. Please give me feedback, I'd really appreaciate it. Thanks guys, love you lots!

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A couple days went by of the same old things; I went to work in the morning, endured Derik — though lately, he was unusually quiet, ignoring me — for a good hour or so, went to school, then after school, went to my other job before heading home. Except, most of the time I wasn’t so alone.

Jason would follow me, down the hallways, to my classes, join for lunch, and keep me company at work after school. He would just coincidentally need to buy a book, or want a coffee, or have question about when our next sale was.

It was nice, to have someone to talk to. Other employees at the book store stared at me, not used to hearing me laugh. Jason constantly distracted me, asking me the silliest most off topic questions. He’d then apologize after asking me something casually personal, “Sorry, I’m being really nosy, aren’t I?” Though, I didn’t mind.

It was nice, having someone interested.

It had almost been two weeks since we met — a week and four days to be exact, not that I was counting — when he asked me something really personal though. We were at the book store after school on regular Friday evening. I was surprised that he was still sticking around. Maybe it was out of pity? But the smile on his face was so genuine. It was why my grin was so real in return.

I was just walking around, checking to make sure the right books were under the right categories and with their own series and in the correct order. This was as close as I came to being organized and, of course, it was with the most treasured item, in my eyes at least. We had never talked about family before, just interests and favorites. There were many, “Have you ever been to”s, and “Would you rather”s, and such things of that nature. He chose to bring it up this time though.

“So, do you have any siblings?” he asked, leaning casually against a book case that was stood up against a wall. I tried not to seem too frozen after registering what he said, though my moves were slower. I swallowed hard, not sure if I could answer that.

He noticed.

“Oh, sh— I’m sorry, I think I’ve asked enough questions. Look, I didn’t mean to bring up anything that you’re uncomfortable with,” He said, soundly sincerely sorry, though he didn’t know why he was apologizing. Neither did I.

I found my voice eventually, “. . . No, no really, I’m — it’s fine.” I was trying to reassure him, but it was really me who needed to be told things were alright.

He gave me a wary look. Not like he felt bad for me or thought I was crazy, it was . . . caring.

“It’s alright, really,” I told him, my confidence I higher than before. May not have been much more, but it still counts. He crouched down beside me. Looking down at me under his hair, he asked me softly, “Want some help?” A small smile spread on his face when I gave a soft nod.

He leaned closer, helping me with the books. A few times our fingers would brush or he’d stretch his arm over me to put a book away and it’d come around my shoulders. At first, I was sure that it was on accident, but after the seventh time — and yes, I did count — I looked over at him to find him inching closer to me.

My cheeks tinted, a soft sliming lifting up onto my face. I bit my lip, afraid to say something stupid. He smiled back, so bright and beautiful that it shouldn’t even be real. What was it about him? Just really, why couldn’t I look away?