Indifference
"Here," a light voice said, jerking James attention away from his essay.
Lily stood in front of him with a book thrust in his face.
"What's this?" he asked, leaning backwards.
"A book," she replied innocently.
"I can see that, thanks," James said sarcastically. He took it. It was a brand new edition of The Wizard and His Hat. His very favorite book in the whole world.
He looked up at Lily, completely bewildered.
"Why—?"
Lily shifted nervously where she stood. She twisted her fingers into her red locks.
James didn't understand what was going on.
"Lily?"
"YousaidInevernoticed," she burst out in a rush.
"What?"
She took a deep breath. "You said that I never notice anything. About you. The other day." She let the when we fought hang silently in the air between them. She cleared her throat awkwardly. "Anyway, I do. Notice. And I noticed that your current edition of The Wizard and His Hat was getting really torn up, so I thought you'd appreciate a new one."
James looked down at the book and then up at Lily. "Lily, erm, I don't know what to say."
"Open it," she said, twisting her fingers even more tightly into her hair.
He opened the front cover. There, on the first page-
Thank you for being a loyal reader.
I hope this book gives you even more hours of joy.
Dominic Turner
"It's signed," he breathed.
He looked up at Lily. She was beaming.
"Thank you," he said with all the sincerity he could muster.
Lily smiled once more, softer this time.
"You're welcome," she said.