Steve woke up pretty early so decided to go on a run to clear his head. The town was even more deserted than yesterday, no one was around and the stores were shut with no sign of opening any time soon. Taking in the crisp air he smiled as he kept on running the wind making his eyes water slightly.

On his return from his run he noticed that the stores were slowly opening and the only diner in the place was opening for breakfast. This place defiantly ran at a slower pace than the city it was now 8am and only the diner and a small food store was open. He liked the calmness of this place. Walking into the diner he sat at the counter as he scanned the menu. A young red haired women looked at him with a smile "Not from around here are you sugar?" she asked as she took another look at the man.

Steve shook his head and smiled slightly "From out of town, just passing through"

"Well that's a shame sugar." She frowned slightly as she answered Steve "What can I get you?"

"A black coffee and pancakes please." Steve smiled

"I'll get your coffee sugar. Little long for food ok sugar." She stated as she walked away.

Steve nodded as he sat looking at his hand for a moment before a mug of coffee was place in front of him. He couldn't help but smile it was in a real mug, not one of those glass things or odd shaped mugs. Steve noticed that it seemed like everyone in this diner knew each other and made small talk with the servicing staff. The girl who had served him was currently asking an older gentleman about his son who it would seem was currently at college in DC. He smiled at the family ambiance this place had.

The waitress smiled at Steve as she placed his pancakes in front of him "Her you go Sugar you enjoy." She pulled out a small jug of syrup and put it in front of him "Butter?" she asked

"No thanks, this is fine. Thank you." She smiled to leave but Steve spoke again stopping her in her tracks "The book store, when does it open Ma'am?"

"Name's Jen Sugar. Ell's shop?" She turned away from Steve before she yelled "John when does Ell's shop open?"

Her yelling startled Steve a bit.

"Ell's shop? Opens at eleven why?"

"This guy wanted to know when the book shop opened that all. Thanks John." She turned back to Steve "Eleven." She smiled "Why you want to go to Ell's shop? Hum?" she asked raising an eyebrow.

"I like old books. " he found himself stuttering slightly

"Then I guess Ell's shop is the place for you. She is wasted here the poor girl."

"How do you mean?"

Jen rose her eye brow at Steve "You not met Ell?

"I have. I didn't know her name till now though."

"She will be stuck here forever. Not much for her here considering."

"Considering what?"

"Well you know. You've seen her." Jen raised an eyebrow at the man in front of her

"I don't understand."

Jen smirked as she giggled "It's nothing. Ell's great you need help with a book she will help you out. You enjoy your breakfast Sugar." She winked as she walked away leaving Steve in confusion.

Instead of waiting around in the diner where the regulars had started to talk to Steve and ask questions, he decided to leave to go back home and shower and return to the book store after.

It was now half eleven and Steve made his way to what everyone seemed to be calling 'Ell's Shop' he smiled knowing the towns people obviously thought highly of her.

Looking at the store from the outside he noticed it was called 'Ell's books' he laughed slightly but liked the simplicity of it. Walking in he heard the bell as he walked through the door. Looking to the desk he noticed a familiar girl sitting there with a book in her hand. She looked up when she heard the bell and smiled "You." She stated as she took out the book Steve was reading yesterday "Here for your daily read sir?" she giggled

Looking at her desk he noticed it was very cluttered, it seemed she had a lot to do and not a lot of time to do it. "Lots to do?" Steve asked as he reached out taking the book from her.

"You have no idea. I thought opening a store would be a good idea. I knew the risks of course. Books just don't sell, not in this town making enough to keep this shop open is hard, but alas I have my ways and plans to get out of this rut. Just wait and see this shop will thrive." She smiled from ear to ear as she looked at Steve.

"My name's Steve. Ell right?" he asked suddenly slightly shy

"It's Ella but everyone calls me Ell." She smiled "Nice to meet you Steve."

"Nice to meet you Ella." He smiled as he held out his hand she smiled as she shook his hand giggling a little as she did. "What?" Steve asked confused

"So formal. Next your be bowing and saying M'lady." She giggled once more as she leaned back in her chair.

Steve couldn't help but laugh at her antics "I'm going to start reading." He stated as he held the book up watching as Ella nodded in return before returning her attention to the forgotten book on her desk.

Steve couldn't help but steal glances at the blond as she read her book watching as she smiled, frowned, laughed or blushed as she read the pages in front of her. Steve found it sweet that she showed her emotions a lot of people he knew hid theirs and here she was showing all of her emotions.

"Ell!" a familiar voice yelled as the bell rang "Some tall drink of water was asking about your shop."

Ella didn't say anything just looked over at Steve and back to Jen. Jen looked over seeing Steve and started to blush "Yeah him." She laughed as she looked at Ella. "Brought you some pancakes. Why did you want me to come give them to you? You usually come get them."

"Erm, sorry Jen been busy." She said as her smiled faded and she looked down into her lap.

Jens eyes widened as she nodded "It's alright Darling." She leaned closer to Ella "Cant hid it forever Ell."

Ella nodded as she waved her friend goodbye as she left the store nothing but the sound of the bell and the smell of pancakes being left in her wake.

Sitting at her desk she picked at the pancakes as she carried on reading.

Steve looked over confused her demeanour had changed drastically since Jen's visit. She looked uncomfortable and slightly sad. Closing his book he looked at the clock hanging on the wall it was already three o'clock in the afternoon he knew he should head back before the guys start searching for him and thinking the worst.

Walking up to Ella at the desk he couldn't help but smile as she seemed to mouth some words she was reading before Steve cleared his throat getting her attention.

Her eyes shot up at the sound and she giggled slightly "Sorry about that I was in another world."

Steve smiled remembering he had said the same thing yesterday "I should head off before my friends start thinking I have been kidnapped." He laughed dryly not really wanting to leave. He leaned on the desk slightly looking at Ella's book "Good book?" he asked as he pointed to it.

Ella nodded as she handed it to the taller man for him to get a better look. Looking at the back he smiled it was a romance comedy it seemed the pages were crisp so it was a new book and the cover was white with pink paint marks it seemed placing something in the page he shut it with a smile. "Looks good." He handed it back to her. "Bye Ella." He smiled waving as he left the shop.

Taking a breath she smiled as she opened her book. Surprised by something falling out, looking at her desk she notice two twenty dollar bills which were not there before, she laughed slightly as she thought about Steve. He was a really nice guy but he scared her, ever since that day nothing in her life was the same. Boys no longer wanted to talk to her and most of her friends were scared to be around her and no longer wanted to spend time with her and everyone else felt sorry for her, even her parents didn't know how to look at her.