Bookworms

Scar loved his library. It had the best location and best books in the whole town. Or so he liked to believe. Despite the minimum wage and poor revenue, he loved being surrounded by walls and walls of books. Each one telling their own story, stacked side by side, shelf by shelf. He took pride in his library. And the best part, he got to be his own boss. When he wasn’t busy with maintaining the place and restocking books, he got to read on his own time.

If any book caught his eye, he’d grab it off the shelf and begin to read the pages, taking him a day to a week to finish depending on the type of book. He found his favorites to be fantasy novels. He found the whimsical nature so comforting and the books paired up nicely with a warm cup of tea. He’s read other genres before as well, he’s a don’t knock it till you try it kind of kind of guy. Or he had to become one. He almost finished off the entire fantasy section forcing him to pick up new genres. In hindsight, this was a good thing as now he could give better recommendations to people looking for something new to try other than just one genre.

His other favorite thing about owning a library are the people that come in and out of his store. History buffs, suckers for romance, murder mystery detectives, people in college looking for a quiet place to study and young kids searching for a book with a colorful cover. They were all unique.

He liked to imagine every person that walked through those doors, as a book. Just a cover that’s waiting to have their pages read and story told if you just gave it a chance. No matter how they came off or how they looked. He was never one to judge a book by their cover. It was actually kind of fun when Scar learned their personalities. He liked to guess what kind of books they’d pick out before they came to check out. It was like he was making bets with himself. He loved that he got to be social and talk. He loved connecting with others and he wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity to get to know a new person.

Today was no different, most regulars come in and he chats them up for a bit before they either leave with books in hand or head to a nook to relax and read. It was nice outside and he expected to see a few extra people today and maybe some new faces. And he did. A couple of new people that he talked to and helped when they needed. Making people feel welcomed was like a skill he had learned over the years of owning the library.

After a bit, he looked at the return pile and got a trolley cart to put them all on. He then took it around the library, shelving each book back where it belongs. It was a hassle but it had to be done. As he was putting away some sci-fi novel, he caught a bit of red out of the corner of his eye. It caught him off-guard a bit and he turned to see what it was, but when he looked, he found nothing. He figured whatever or whoever it was had just moved around the shelf to his left.

Walking over to the corner, he peeked out of curiosity and saw a man. He was on the shorter side, wearing a red turtle-neck sweatshirt. His dirty blonde hair bounced as he cautiously walked around shelves. Scar could only see the back of his head until he turned to look up to read the sign above a particular book shelf that designated which genre of book was right there. Scars curiosity got the better of him and he left the cart still full of books in the section he was in. He walked over to him with a bright smile and tapped the man on the shoulder. “Well, hello there! Welcome to my library!” He says in his chipper voice, catching the eyes of the new stranger. “Is there anything I could help you with?” The stranger turned to face him, allowing Scar the chance to catch the features in his face, taking in a sight. He wasn’t one to normally notice a person’s physical features, but he would admit that this man is handsome.

The stranger gives Scar a glance over, trying to read him. He takes just a couple more seconds before he finally answers Scar. “Actually, I'm looking for the romance section, but I can't seem to find it.” He gives a small smile, trying to be polite. Scar smiles back at him, noticing that he’s got an accent.

“Oh how fun! Here let me show you! I’ll give you a little tour of the place and you’ll know where you're at in no time!” Scar gives him a reassuring smile and gestures for him to follow, showing him every section and what it has to offer. Even stopping by the reading nooks to show what he’s set up for his readers. Throughout it all, the shorter man seems in awe of it, picking up a couple of books throughout their journey, and Scar can’t help but take pride in everything he’s worked so hard to create.

It took Scar so long to get this place to where it is now. Every book and every shelf took a lot of work and effort that he could never redo all by himself again. He loves this place as if it were one of his cats and he doesn’t think he could ever imagine a world where he isn’t where he is now.

He finishes the tour at the check out station. “And this is where you come just before you’re ready to get going! So, what do you think?” He smiles leaning up against the counter. “Wanna make this place your go-to library?”

The smaller man smiles at him. “I actually do! I had been going to a different one but the owner couldn’t take care of the maintenance and unfortunately had to close his doors.” He places three books down on the counter for Scar. A romance, a horror, and a fantasy. “And you have some of the books I’ve been dying to read for a long time.” Scar smiles and gathers them up.
“I'm so sorry to hear that but I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself here. Would you like a library card? I’ll take the first month off your hands.” He gives the short man a small wink in a playful manner.

“Oh you don’t have to do that! I don’t mind paying for it myself.” He begins to reach for his wallet and Scar stops him.

“Nonsense! You’re new and it’s always good to see a fresh face around here. I just hope I’ll get to keep seeing it. It’s so refreshing when I meet another person with the same interest in books as me. I love that I’ve been given the chance to share this with others.” He logs into the computer just next to him so he can register this new person for a library card. While he’s doing this he decides to make some small talk. “Are you new around the area?”

“Oh, sort of, I’ve been to this town before, but I’ve just officially moved here. I’m liking it though.” There's a small pause before he decides to ask his own question, “Do you like it here? Is this a safe place?”

Scar can’t help but feel that the question is strange. “Why? You're scared about googlies coming for you?” Scar chuckles at his own remark, but stops when he sees the man's face. It’s a serious one, one that was expecting a real answer. So Scar clears his throat and continues. “I mean, I’ve never had any break ins, not that anyone wants to steal books. Well, what I mean is, it is pretty safe here. The police tend to respond quickly to calls and there shouldn’t be much to worry about. Do you live nearby or are you on the outskirts?”

The man has to think for a moment, but answers, “No, I live in town.”

“Good, then you should be pretty safe. It’s easier to get robbed when you’re on the farther side from town because it takes longer for the police to get there. Don’t stress about it though, our googlies are too scared to take a bite.” Scar gives him a smile to reassure him. “You can trust me, I’ve lived here for a good bit.” Scar smirks and gives him a small wink.

Beside him he hears a soft chuckle that sets him at ease. “You’re funny.” Something about that makes Scars heart beat a bit faster.

“Do you like reading?” Scar asks to continue their conversation. Scar didn’t want to stop hearing him talk.

“I love reading. I love that people can put their imaginations into such beautiful words that tell a story that reaches you in just the way the author intends.” He pauses and looks at Scar, his ears slightly red from embarrassment. “Sorry, that was a weird thing to say. I just get a bit excited when I meet another bookworm.”

“No, I think you’re exactly right.” Scar thinks the same. Reading makes him wish he had the talent for writing. “Now, stranger, can I have a name to match the face with?” He turns back to the computer, hands hovering above the computer, and waiting for an answer. “My name's Grian.” Scar types it in and turns to look at Grian. The eye contact is gentle and Scar can feel himself trying to read the man’s expression. There’s a smile on his face and his eyes seem genuine to him. Like someone who could do no wrong.

Scar breaks eye contact by turning back to the computer. He asks for a bit more information like his phone number and other personal details. It gave him a chance to calm himself and refocus. After not too much longer, everything is ready for a library card. “Perfect, Grian. You all set up now!” He scans the small card with a reader before scanning the three books. “Oh and here!” Scar bends under the check out station table and grabs a white book bag with green and red stripes across the cross-body strap. “A token of my appreciation! And I put a little gift inside of it.” Before Grian could say anything to protest the gift, Scar put the books inside of the bag and handed it to him. “You’re welcome to stay here and read if you’d like! I could see if any of the book nooks are free for you!” Scar wanted him to stay longer, to talk for longer.

“No, that's quite alright. You’ve already done so much by making me feel welcome. Thank you so much.” Scar smiles at him and nods in response.

“Just be sure to come back! Oh and you’ll get an email confirmation asking you if you’d like book return dates sent to you by email or phone number. I like to recommend everyone do that just so they don’t forget to return and don’t end up with any late fees. Other than that, you’re free to leave.” He smiles and is about to head back to putting books away before he is stopped.

“Wait,” Scar meets Grians gaze again giving the man his attention. “I never got your name.”

“Oh! How silly of me. It’s Scar.”

“Thank you for the warm welcome, Scar.” Scar can’t help but like the way his name runs off Grians tongue with his accent.

Grian gives a small wave goodbye before turning towards the exit door, a book bag slung over his shoulder.

All Scar can do is return a small wave that he knows Grian can’t see.

“You got something on your mind?” Cub asks Scar. After closing up the library, Scar headed over to his friend's house to hang out with him and just chat. They usually did something once a week if they weren’t too busy. It was like a ritual they unconsciously invented.

“Kind of,” He paused for a moment, he’s had Grian on his mind for a while. He doesn’t know why but something felt so comfortable about the way they talked together and how their brief conversation felt natural. He could have been reading too much into it and imagining things, but he liked to daydream.

“Wanna talk about it?” Cub asks with a bit of a worrisome tone.

“No, it’s not serious, I just have something stuck in my head.” He tries to brush it off as nothing, but Cub knows him and pushes a bit further.

“C’mon Scar, you know me. You can always talk to me.” Scar makes eye contact with Scar and Scar can see the minute Cub can read his expression and he begins to regret.

“Scaaaarrr, I could be wrong but are you sure it’s something and not someone?” Cub is snickering as he says this, teasing Scar to get a rise out of him. Scar turns away not saying a word, furious that knowing Cub this long has basically given his friend the ability to read his thoughts. “You’ve got a crush, man. It’s written all over your face.”

“That is a lie! How can you even tell? I don’t even know if I like them like that so why would you know any better?” Scar is being a bit defensive but still playful with his friend.

“If you have to think about them like that, then don’t you think you might actually like them like that?” Cub says in a matter-of-fact way. Scar knows that's not how it works but doesn’t say anything knowing Cub might actually have a point.

“Listen, I only just met them today. I can’t know anything for certain. Tease me all you want but I will sit on this rock that it is nothing more than a friendship. And even if I did have a crush,” Scar says the word with a bit of humor, “how would I know they even liked me back?” Scar crosses his arms to prove a point, hearing Cub chuckle.

“Whatever you say, man. I’m gonna be here the day you decide you want to get off that stupid rock. And then I’m gonna laugh when I’m right.” He gives Scar a smug look and Scar just rolls his eyes.

After a bit more time has passed, Scar decides to head home. Thinking about what Cub said. Is it really a crush? He finds Grian fascinating and wants to know more about him but does that equate to a crush? He doesn’t think about others he meets this way, but then again, he doesn’t think most of them shared the same kind of passion he did with books like Grian says he does. Most people tend to come for a week or two before cancelling their membership and Scar doesn’t ever see them again. Is Grian going to be like those people?

All he knows for certain is that he is moving too fast and thinking too much about a person he just met.