I scan the bookshelves, searching for something that catches my eye. I’ve spent the summer doing this. Reading a few books, coming to Barnes & Noble and getting more. I don’t think I could enjoy my time any more if I was doing what most of my peers are doing during the break. This is just the most appealing option. I am lonely, I guess. I just don’t know anyone. I’m too shy.

I make my way to the literature section and run my eyes over the many titles, trying to find something good. The problem is, I’ve read them all.

“Can I help you, miss?”

I turn abruptly to find a boy a few years older than me in a green smock, holding about five books in each of his large hands. He’s… beautiful. His eyes are a lighter shade of the color on his work apron and his brown curly hair is unruly.

“Umm, I’m just trying to pick something out.”

“Do you mind if I make some suggestions?”

“Of course not.”

“Well, give me a minute. My shift’s about to end. Go get us a couple coffees. Just tell them it’s for Harry. It’ll be free.”

He winks at me and carries the books away as I stand there in complete shock. Harry. He’s so hot. And he came up to talk to me. I shake myself out of the daze I’m in and walk to the café area. No one is in line, so I walk up to the counter to find myself face-to-face with a kind looking woman in her thirties if I had to guess.

“Hi, umm, can I have two coffees? Harry sent me over here.”

She smiles kindly and pulls two cups from her stack.

“Of course, dear. They’ll be right up.”

I grin in return and move to the side so someone else can order if they want. A few minutes later, the woman returns with two cups and slides them toward me.

“Careful, hon. They’re hot. Tell Harry I’ll see him tomorrow.”

“Alright, thanks!”

I walk back to the aisle I met that gorgeous boy on and look over the book selection again.

“So, I’m guessing you like romance novels.”
I turn and hand him his coffee and roll my eyes.

“Not particularly. I like mystery and classic literature.”

“Hmm. Doyle fan?”

“Absolutely.”

“How about Christie?”

“Agatha is a legend.”

“So you’ve ready her first series, right?”

“About Hercule Poirot? No, I haven’t.”

He grins and looks pleased with himself.

“Then, I think we’ve solved your problem.”

He waves his hand and I follow him to the mystery section. He easily finds the novels he’s looking for and reaches for one specifically.

“The Mysterious Affair at Styles. First one in the series. It’s quite funny actually; Styles is my last name.”

“Harry Styles, eh?”

That rolls off my tongue nicely. He smiles again, his shiny white teeth showing this time.

“That’s me. What’s your name?”

“Isabella.”

“Isabella. That’s beautiful. “

I grin and take the book from him, sitting on the floor to skim through it. Harry sits next t me and looks over my shoulder, obviously excited to have found a book for me to read. I bring my coffee to my lips and take my first sip. It’s scalding.

“Ow! I burnt my tongue.”

I bite my lip to take the pain away and Harry surprises me by placing his hand over my cheek and turning me to face him. Without warning, his mouth presses into mine and I gasp in shock. While my lips are parted, he takes the opportunity to slide his tongue into my mouth, meeting it with mine. I almost forget that it stings and is going numb as he works his lips with mine, consistently brushing his tongue against mine, sliding it across the roof of my mouth before breaking away.

“W-what was that for?”

“Distraction from burning your tongue. Did it work?”

I giggle and slap my hand over my mouth in embarrassment.

“Yeah, it worked.”

He chuckled with me and turned my attention back to the novel.

“How about I get you this book and when you’re finished with it, you can come get the next one from me?”

He’s brave for a book nerd and it’s intriguing.

“Sure. I’d like that.”

“I hope you read fast because I can’t wait to see you again, Isabella.”

Notes

Here ya go! I hope you liked it! I don't really know what you wanted exactly, so I tried my best :)