Sandy's PoV

She squinted into the window of the local book store, trying to see their selection. The sign on the door read, 'closed until further notice', and her face fell in dissapointment. She needed to find a book for her college English class, since their teacher decided to give them a book report. Sighing, she took her frustration out on an empty soda can that someone had disposed onto the sidewalk. Bringing her long leg back, she kicked the can and sent it flying right into the messy brown head of a tall man on his cell phone.

He dropped his phone onto the concrete and rubbed his head in agony. She gasped and ran over to him, her short, choppy orange hair striped with brown hung in her eyes as she looked down in shame.

"Excuse me," she said, "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to hit you in the head with that can, sir. It was totally an accident."

"No," the man replied, "Really, it's okay. If I might ask, why is it that you kicked the can at me in the first place?"

She looked up at him, and was trapped in the sight of his deep brown eyes. "I..uh," she blushed and rubbed her arm, looking away again, "Um, well you see, I have a college book report that I have due at the end of the month...so I totally planned on going in the local book store, only to find that it is closed down. So like, now I don't know what I'm going to do. I got mad and kicked the can, which just happened to knock you in the head."

Upon glancing back up at the man, whom she realized wasn't much older than herself, she noticed him smiling at her. He replied, "Poor soda can."

Hearing those words, she burst into laughter, "You mean I hit you in the head, and all you're worried about is the 'poor soda can'?".

"Yeah," he replied, voice full of amusement, "It seems to me, and my head, that you have a pretty mean leg on you. I imagine that you must play some kind of sport."

Her eyebrows raised, fascinated at the fact that this man could figure something so personal out by just getting hit in the head by her. "Yeah," she said, voice full of interest, "I actually play soccer for Mizuke University. How'd you know?"

Smiling, the man responded, "Just an educated guess, I suppose. Actually, just to let you know, my name is Maxwell Jones. I'm the owner of the...closed...book store."

"Oh," she said, "Well, hi, Mr. Maxwell! The name's Sandy Fields, and I'm like the captain of the Mizuke University soccer team!"

He smiled, and something popped snapped in Sandy's head. "Y'know, you look totally familiar..."

"Don't call me Mr. Maxwell," he laughed, rubbing the back of his head, "I'm not much older than you. I'm actually working in the Library at Mizuke University to try and earn enough money to reopen the book store. My father left it to me when he passed away a year ago."

Sandy's smile faltered and she looked down, "I'm so sorry. I had no idea, Maxwell."

"Hey, it's fine," he smiled gently, "You didn't know. We've never even talked before today. So, look. The closest book store is about forty five minutes from here. Tell you what. I'll unlock the door and we'll go pick you out a book."

Her face lit up at his words and she gasped, "Really? I mean, I totally understand if you were in a hury to get somewhere. After all, it is like closed down."

"I insist," he spoke kindly to her, his eyes squinted in a smile.

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Upon entering the book store, Sandy gasped at the sight. It was indeed dusty and needed a lot of repair. Some of the shelves were nearly falling apart, and the floor boards were coming up in some places. The ceiling looked about ready to cave in at any minute, and the air was musty.

The amount of books had her captivated, though. She never spilled it to her friends, but she was a sucker for Sci-Fi and Romance books. To the outside world, she was your typical, popular valley girl. To herself, and her twin brother, Stan, she was nerdy and athletic; a mix that guys didn't like very well. She could dominate Stan at video games any day, and outdo him in most every sport.

"I know it isn't much to look at, but I hope that you find what you're looking for in here," Maxwell said, voice full of embarrasment.

Shaking her head, Sandy corrected him, "No, it's amazing! I mean sure, the place could like, use some work, but it's totally cool!"

Maxwell's ashamed frown curved into a smile and he beamed, "Why thank you! I...what kind of book are you looking for?"

"Do you have any Sci-Fi?", Sandy asked curiously, looking away. She pretty much kept her nerdy side to herself.

His eyes grew wide and he exclaimed, "Of course! I mean, not to brag but I do own the place. It wouldn't be a book store owned by The Great Maxwell if I didn't have Sci-Fi as a selection!"

Sandy giggled and her emerald eyes sparkled as she followed him. He was pretty handsome for a book store owner, and she smiled. Catching herself in the reflection of a broken mirror that hung on the wall. She really didn't think to put on something attractive when she left her dorm room today.

Her short hair hung down in her face and stood up in some spots, but she figured she could pass it off as being a wind swept look. Her emerald green eyes peeked through her bangs as she stared at herself. She wore a pair of athletic shorts that stopped about an inch above her knee, showing off a portion of her tanned legs. Her shirt was a pale blue color and it read 'M.U. Soccer Team' on the front, and on the back, it read 'Fields 28', 28 being her number on the team. She wore a pair of black and lime green DC's on her feet.

I look like I just stepped out of a tornado. Good going, Sandy. You could have met Mr. Right today. Nobody's going to want to look at you when you dress like a hobo.

For the first time, she really took Maxwell in. He was indeed a very handsome fellow. He wore a pair of faded blue jeans and a black polo shirt. On his feet were a pair of penny loafers. She smiled at his nerdy yet well dressed appearance, and blushed.

I bet his girlfriend is beautiful, and he treats her right. Lucky girl. I wish I could meet a guy like him. 'Boss' was...well Derek wasn't what I really wanted. I don't miss him one bit. And 'Jingle', I mean yeah Matt was nice, but he was just too focused on his music, and he seemed too distant. Ugh! What's wrong with me? I get dubbed the 'prettiest' girl on the team, yet I can't keep a guy for more than a week. I've never even kissed a guy for cryin' out loud!

"Ah, here we are," Maxwell said, turning to her, smile on his face, "My finest collection of Science Fiction novels. Feel free to look."

As Sandy began thumbing through the first book she pulled off of the shelf, Maxell questioned, "So you're a senior, right?"

"Yep," Sandy replied, nose shoved into a book, "I'm totally nervous about graduation, though. I hope I pass this year. Math isn't really like, my strong suit."

Maxwell nodded, "Can I ask what you're going for?"

"Art," she responded, looking up at him, "You probably like know me as the preppy girl on the soccer team, surrounded by friends and living the life. Honestly, though, I'm totally not all that people think I am. I uh, like I enjoy video games and stuff. Don't get me wrong, I love soccer, but I can't get through a day without doing some kind of drawing. It's who I am."

His eyebrows raised at her response, and a goofy grin stretched across his face, "Don't worry, I won't tell a soul."

"What do you mean?", Sandy asked, looking surprised that Maxwell knew what she was thinking.

He looked at her with an unreadable expression, "You hate how people liked the fact that you were good at soccer, and pulled you into their clique. They expect nothing but athletic and social perfection from you, or else you fear that they will walk away and that you will be alone. That's why you never let anyone get that close to you. It's why nobody knows how much more you love art than soccer, and it's why you take your art classes at night."

Sandy stood there, dumbfounded. Maxwell had pretty much hit the nail on the head. He held her gaze as he sat in the chair, arms crossed while looking out the dusty, broken window to his right. "H..How did you...how did you know that?"

"Well," he said while chuckling, "I'm a really good people person. I greatly enjoy trying to figure people out, it's something I'm good at. I went to Mizuke University, so I know how the people there are. I graduated two years ago. As for the night classes that you take, I know about them because when I'm leaving my job at the University's Library, you're walking into the art building. Sorry if I sounded creepy, I promise you that I'm not."

Sandy giggled and went back to selecting a book. "So what about you? Like, what are you wanting to do with this place? What are your friends and girlfriend like? Do you have any family close by?"

"Well, I'd love to get this place up and running, remodel it, and maybe put in a little coffee shop up front. My friends are, in a way, like me, but they're not. I'm the intelligent one, they're the normal ones who keep me sane. You know one of them, he's in your grade. Dexter Williams?"

"Yeah, I know him," Sandy replied, eager to hear more.

Maxwell smiled, "He's my best friend, and probably the only smart one that I'm friends with. We push each other to our limits, we try and outdo each other. As for a girlfriend, I don't have one. I never have been much of a ladies man, as I've never had a girlfriend. I'm much too weird for women to take notice of me. I'm much too tall and lanky. I'm a simple book keep. As for family, I've already told you about my father. My mother lives about an hour from here, and hasn't remarried. I feel like a disappointment to her, though, as she always tells me she is 'waiting for grandchildren'. I know she doesn't understand that today's society is very judgemental, and it's what image you hold that matters now, not who you are."

He doesn't have a girlfriend? Oh my!

"Funny," she said while giggling, "You struck me as a ladie's man with that polo of yours."

"Hey," he said while grinning, "This is a very nice polo, thank you."

"And that personality of yours," she added while laughing, her green eyes sparkling in the sunlight that came in through the broken window.

He looked at her and smiled as she held a book to her chest, "I take it that you've found a book that suits your interests?"

Sandy nodded and smiled at Maxwell, who stood and motioned for her to follow. He led her back to the front desk and she pulled out her wallet, only to be shot down by Maxwell.

"Don't worry about it," he said kindly, "Consider it on the house."

Shaking her head, Sandy replied, "Nope. You need the money and I need this book. It wouldn't be right for me to just take it from you."

"Sandy," he said, "Seriously. Just take it. Please?"

"Like, no can do," she said while smiling, "I was totally raised better than to accept gifts from strangers."

He laughed and finally said, "Okay, Sandy. I know how we can come to terms on this and it won't be a problem or concern for either of us."

Raising an eyebrow and crossing her arms, Sandy smirked, "Oh really? And how do propose we do that?"

"Ahem," Maxwell cleared his throat, smoothing the wrinkles out of his shirt, "How about I let you borrow it until you get through with it, and when you're done, you can just return it to me?"

Smiling, Sandy replied, "How do you know that I won't keep it and like not return it?"

"I don't," Maxwell admitted, "But if you don't, I do know where to find you, Sandy."

Laughing, Sandy said, "Okay, you have a deal. How will I know whether or not you're here? I mean the store is like, closed down."

Maxwell pulled out an old, dusty notebook from his desk, and a pen from his pocket. He jotted something down, tore the paper out, folded it up, and handed it to her neatly.

"What's this?", Sandy asked, curiously.

He smiled, "That's my number. Call me when you're ready to return it, or if you just want to talk. I don't know if I have proved it today or not, but I do understand you, and I can be a very good listener."

"Thanks," she said shyly, giving the man a small smile, "Well, I guess I'd better get back to school and start reading.

"You'll enjoy it," he smiled back at her, "Eragon is an extraordinary book, especially if you like dragons."

"I love dragons," she said, walking out the door, "Bye, Maxwell. It was nice meeting you. I'll see you in a few weeks."

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Maxwell's PoV

His days usually weren't very eventful. He just went into town to get some coffee, and headed to Mizuke University, where he worked in the library until seven. Afterwards, he usually stopped by the local Sub Shop and purchased a roast beef sandwich, with extra cheddar.

Today, however, was a Saturday, and as Maxwell settled down on the couch with a book, he smiled. He had been off work today, and unlike most Saturdays, he actually found something worth while.

Her face was embedded into his giant brain, causing a smile to form on his lips. She had been pretty, no, she had been beautiful. She dressed like she hadn't a care in the world. Her beautiful orange hair was streaked with brown, and her eyes were so pretty. They were like diamons, only green. Emeralds.

Her figure wasn't too flat, but not too curvy either, and that was just fine with Maxwell. She was perfect in his eyes. Her laugh, her smile, the way she poked fun at him, it was all so much for him to take in. He'd never felt this way before, and in a sense, it scared him.

Each time she had smiled at him, it made his heart beat faster. Each time she laughed, it made him warm inside. Every time she looked at him, he couldn't help but smile. Just thinking about her made him giddy and nervous at the same time. His palms were becoming sweaty as he gripped the book in his hands.

Sandy Feilds...what have you done to me?

He didn't understand what he was feeling. All he knew is that he couldn't wait for Sandy to return the shop's book back. It clicked in his mind that he'd at least get to see her walking into class on Monday and the rest of the week.

He groaned upon realizing that tomorrow would be Sunday. That meant he'd have to wait a whole day before he could see her beautiful smile again.

I have to make up an excuse to see her again, before she returns Eragon.

For once, Maxwell was lost with ideas, and sat there on the sofa, contemplating what he should do next.