"Flipped! I've been looking for this book everywhere." I said to myself. I pulled out the paperback and began to turn the pages. Dan laughed from behind me. I turned to see him sitting on the floor.

"You're so excited about a book," he said, smiling.

I sat down next to him. "It's not just a book, it's a whole new world I get to travel to." He smiled and looked at the ground. "Oh shut up, I know I'm obsessed. But books are my favorite things the whole world. They've always been there for my, even when no one else has."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know if I want to talk about it."

"Hey," he grabbed my hand, "I won't make you talk about anything you don't want to, but if you ever need to talk I'm here."

I looked anywhere but his eyes. My past wasn't something I talked about to anyone, not even to Charlie. She knew the story, but knew better than to bring it up. I could feel Dan's gaze on me. I knew that he was waiting for me to respond.

"Dan… I'm sorry, I just can't tell you anything right now. Maybe someday, but not now. I'm sorry."

"Maddie, you have nothing to be sorry for," he lightly turned my chin to face him. A beautiful smile was spread across his face. "It's none of my business if you don't want it to be. How about we go and find Phil and Charlie?"

"Can we find them later? I'm comfy here." I snuggled into his shoulder and opened my book. He read along with me over my shoulder. I wonder what we must have looked like, two young adults sharing a book on the floor of a store. We must have sat like that for ages. Soon, I felt my foot fall asleep. I jumped up and started dancing around.

"No no no no no," I whispered as I shook it. Dan burst out laughing. "Oh shut up, this is the worst," I glared at him and continued to hop up and down the isle. Too preoccupied with my foot, I didn't notice him sneak up behind me.

"Hey Maddie," he said. I turned and was surprised by his lips pressing against mine. I closed my eyes. His arms wrapped around my waist, and I ran my hand through his hair. The moment was perfect. My whole body seemed to tingle. I kissed him deeper, more passionately. I could feel his tongue trying to slip into my mouth. And then someone near us coughed. We looked and saw Phil and Charlie standing awkwardly at the end of the shelf.

"There you are!" I said. "Where were you guys? You've been gone for ages?"

Phil's face began to turn red, and Charlie looked at the ground. Both were trying to hide smiles. I glanced at Dan. He was shaking his head and laughing silently.

"We can only guess what that means," he whispered to me.

Phil rubbed the back of his neck. "Um, so… Want to get going?"

I sighed and bought my book. I would have to continue reading it when I got home. It was a bad habit of mine. I always had to finish a book the same day I got it, or at least the day after. Books were like my addiction. Charlie often got mad at me when I blew her off to read a book.

"Mads, you've read Lord of the Rings four times already. Just come to the party with me!" she would shout at me through the phone. But we both knew that I was going to choose reading over going out any day.

We walked out to the car, although none of us really wanted to go back. However, Charlie and I had a curfew, and school the next day. The ride back was quiet. I was falling asleep on Dan's shoulder whilst Charlie and Phil whispered to each other. I couldn't make out anything they were saying. My eyes were beginning to get heavy and it was a struggle to keep them open. I felt Dan lightly stroking my hair. I couldn't help but smile a bit to myself. Before I knew it, we had arrived at my house.

"Hey, you've got to get inside," he said softly to me. I groaned and buried my head deeper into his chest.

Charlie shouted, "Maddie! Get up you lazy bum, you have school tomorrow and need to go into your house."

I shook my head. "I'm warm and comfortable here," I mumbled. Dan's shoulder shook as he chuckled. I felt his arms shift and wrap around my back and legs. He carefully lifted me out of the car.

"Dan? What are you-"

He shushed me and had Charlie open my front door. Luckily my parents weren't home; otherwise they would've been talking about the boy who carried me to my bed for weeks. When we had finally made it up the stairs (which took quite a while considering how out-of-shape Dan was) he was panting. I would've gotten out of his arms then, but I loved the feeling of being in his arms. The aroma of his cologne filled my nose every time I breathed. I could have stayed in those moments forever. I was sad when he placed me on my bed.

"I'll call you, okay?"

I murmured an inaudible response and closed my eyes. The last thing I remembered was his lips on my forehead.

chapter complete (level up! *ding ding* success!) ive always had a dream of being kissed in a library, and of being carried to bed. so i decided to include both in a double-whamming-of-fluffiness chapter! and what do you guys think of charlie and phil getting together? i was going to have them together at one point, but should i prolong it a bit more or have them together now? decisions decisions decisions... if you have a preference, just say so. until next time my butterflies!