Summary: Blaine seeks help in a 7 day book plan that offers him full satisfaction for a good love life. Never has he stooped to such an abnormal level of guidance to help with any problem. Read how one book full of deception and false information can change the relationship of Blaine and Kurt for the worst.
Author's Note: I've re-written my previous story called 7 Days of Pure Romance. It's now called Romanticize Me. You'll notice several changes to the plot and characters, but the overall product is much better than you may have read before. If you're new to this story, please tell me what you think, as I do appreciate comments and idea given to me!
Disclaimer: Glee belongs to Ryan Murphy and Fox, not me!
Romanticize Me
This story is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or events is purely coincidental.
They are productions of the author's ingenious and creative imagination.
The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this non-copyrighted work is kind of illegal.
Chapter One:
A cashmere scarf hung limply from the frail teen's shoulders as he shuffled through countless amounts of books on the shelf in front of him. He dug his chin into his scarf, his hands into his pockets, trying to warm himself. The cold temperature inside the book store was nothing compared to the freezing temperature that was outside. The glass windows were even fogged from such temperature change. He could have easily drawn tons of pictures on the window, just like he once did as a kid.
Used to, the teen would come to this exact book store and buy the newest book he could find, one worth spending the entire week reading, just to come back to get another. Once he turned a certain age, all childish things he did were lost. He grew up and became more prone to the dangers of being in High School. He earned great grades, many friends, and a boyfriend that he planned on never letting go of. In fact, that was the reason he was visiting the book store that day.
His love life had turned to ice; perhaps the same temperature as it was outside. Granted, he's just a teen and getting your boyfriend to agree to "go to the next level" is difficult, his love life only consists of the occasional kissing, which isn't even PDA, or the uncomfortable kisses on the check from girls who crush over him from school. (They don't get the clue that he's gay and just not interested.)
He'd searched all sections of the store, from homo-erotic to hopeless-romantic, but anything he found was either overpriced or just not worth it. He managed to find other books he wanted to purchase, but not ones to help with the predicament he was in.
The book store owner walked up to the teen, holding several books in his hands. He assumed he was just shelving the new shipment the book store always received on Thursdays. The man couldn't have been but a few years older than he.
"Can I help you, sir?" the man said. His big blue eyes were shining from the glowing florescent lights from above. His name tag read 'Riley'.
"Uh, yes, please, Riley. I'm Blaine."
"Blaine, what can I help you with?" he replied, switching the way he was holding the stack of books.
Blaine lost track of the conversation quite quickly; he started to read the spines of the books Riley was holding.
"Earth to Blaine," Riley said as he waved his free hand into Blaine's face.
"Oh, sorry, I'm looking for a book."
"Well, do you care to be a little more specific? What kind of book?" Riley switched which hand he was holding the books. He looked uncomfortable.
Blaine reached to help and said, "Here, let me—"
"No!" Riley jerked back and tripped over his own feet. He fell down along with the piles of books he was carrying.
"I'm sorry, Riley." He placed his own books on one of the shelves, and then bent down to help Riley up. He reached a hand and Riley took it. Blaine bent back down and gathered the books that had fallen.
"Where are we taking these?" Blaine was being very generous; he had nothing else to do for the day.
"Oh, you don't have to do that! " Riley said. He felt helpless, but also felt lucky a cute boy like Blaine would help him. "Okay, right here is fine."
Riley pointed to a table near an empty shelf. "This is where I like to put all the new releases. I'll just keep them here for about a week, then, I'll move them."
"Oh, well, okay." Blaine placed them on the table that Riley pointed to, then made a few stacks out of them, making sure they wouldn't fall onto the floor again. "So, I'm looking for a book—of love, maybe."
"A book of love?"
"Yes, like to help you with love?"
"Ah, okay. Follow me."
Riley lead Blaine to a section of books he must have passed, though, there was a sign in big red letters saying 'Gay Love'. The sign was kind of cheesy, having big hearts all over it, with two cupids, each pointing their own little bow at one another. It was cute, but Blaine was more worried that he'd missed such a vibrant, right-in-the-way sign.
"Here are the gay love books. They are on sale this week."
He didn't know how Riley knew he was looking for a gay love book, but he accepted that it was probably how he was dressed. Kurt picked out this outfit for him, so he figured it must be a little over the top.
"Thank you, Riley." Blaine said, and Riley walked away. Before it was too late, Blaine called him once more. "Riley! When did you start working here?"
"When I bought it, I guess." Riley gave a small giggle and started to explain. "I guess it's been 8 months, now."
Blaine thought to himself. Eight months had been a long time, but before then, Mr. Ackley, the previous owner, had only been thinking of selling the place. Blaine just thought Mr. Ackley loved it too much to do it, so he must have retired when he fell through with the sell.
"Oh, so you own this place, now?" Blaine confirmed.
"Yes, Blaine that is what happened when I bought it." Riley used sarcasm like Blaine had never heard of before. He found it cute and seductive, but a little annoying, too.
"Look, I'm really busy. How about I give you a call sometime?"
"Uh, sure. I guess you need my number." Blaine reached in his pocket to pull out the receipt he got from buying coffee earlier.
"I don't need it. I'll just call you when I want." Riley winked at him and once again walked away.
"But—" Blaine had no idea how that was going to happen, but he ignored it and began to shuffle through the section Riley showed him. He read each spine, waiting for the perfect title to catch his attention.
Two Lovers, One Bed. No.
You Are Who You Eat. Gross.
Gay Sex for Dummies. Doesn't need that just yet.
Couples Retreat, A Gay Novella. Not helpful.
Romanticize Me: 7 Days of Romance. Perfect!
He grabbed the book off the shelf. Romanticize Me: 7 Days of Romance. It was covered in sparkles, decorated like an 8 year olds diary, complete with the lock-and-key on the right side of the book, opposite the spine. Of course.
Blaine tried opening the seal of the book, but the lock was real. At first, he thought the lock-and-key was just for looks. He turned the book over and read what it had to say.
You're about to read a book that will help you with your love life, your sex life, your life life, and all the things that come with having a life. If you dare read this exciting, classical book with a gay twist, please purchase your copy today!
Blaine walked to the check-out counter, but no one was there. He placed the book on the counter and started to look around. No one. He began to look at the knick-knacks they always place at check-out. That old scam where you see something that looks neat and it only costs a dollar extra, so you end up buying three of them! Well, that was Blaine for you. There were pens. He picked out three, each a different color, and then laid them on top of the book he was going to buy.
Still there was no one at check-out, so he rang the little bell that was on the counter. Ding!
Out of nowhere, Riley rises up from behind the counter. "Oh, hello."
Blaine jumps and says, "Riley! You scared the shit out of me!" He really did.
Riley looks at Blaine, and practically sees his heart jumping through his chest. "I didn't mean to scare you that badly, I just wanted to surprise you.
"You accomplished that, then!" Blaine looked sternly at him then pushed his items forward. "I want these, please."
"You know these pens are just a waste of money." He held his hand up to the side of his face and leaned in to Blaine's ear and whispered, "We just put them there for people to see as they check out. We can earn a few more bucks that way. But, we don't want that happening to you." He touched Blaine's shoulder. "Do we?"
He thought for second how Riley's touch was nice and comforting. Then, Blaine busted with awe, his words getting jumbled as he searched for the right words to say. "If I didn't know any better, Riley, I'd say you are flirting with me!"
"And, what if I am?" Riley said, words coming out of him nice and calm.
Blaine looked at him once more, in his bright blue eyes and said, "Well, Mister, I'm taken! So, if you just check me out—with this book and these pens—I'll be on my way, okay?" He was upset, the feeling he got when he didn't know how to react to the situation. He'd never truly been hit on before, so this was new, intriguing. Different.
Riley scanned each item without looking at Blaine. With each beep, the computer would make a dazzling sound to indicate the item had been submitted to the computer.
Still without even glancing at Blaine, Riley reads the screen. "Your total is nineteen dollars and twenty-three cents."
"What? That is expensive, too much. Is this pay back?"
"No, sir. You see, the pens are three dollars each, making your book only ten dollars. I told you, Blaine, the pens are not worth it."
"Fine!" Blaine reached into his back pocket and pulled out a twenty. "Keep the change!"
Blaine walked out of the store so fast; he didn't even give Riley a chance to bag up his new book. He'd forgotten how cold it was outside. He rushed to his car and locked the door behind him; didn't want Riley coming out to meet him there, too.