Disclaimer: I don't own anything except my OC
Fridays were always so quiet, especially in the afternoon to night shift. It's not like there were many people that wanted to spend their night going to a very strange bookstore in a barely populated part of town. That's how I spent most of my Saturday's though and I didn't mind it really. I only worked at the bookshop on Tuesday, Thursdays, Saturdays, and sometimes Sundays. I usually worked with other people, mostly Ben, but as graduation grew nearer, he worked less to accommodate his increased studying. On the other day's I would be at the school helping Kathy out and being trained. Working the late shift meant that I often had a lot of time alone lately. Alone time in which I usually used to make preparations for school but Kathy hadn't given me anything more to do and I was bored. I had already swept the floor, cleaned the back room, brewed tea and then drank it, and so I resorted to something else. Something that I knew was a fruitless effort.
I resorted to attempting to sort the shelves again. I had just taken the entire bottom row out from one of the bookshelves and stacked them in a tall pile next to me. I diligently made my way through the store shelf by shelf and was already on the second aisle when I heard the entrance bell ring.
My head turned automatically, looking at who had entered from my place on the floor, still surrounded by books. Golden eyes caught mine and he made his way over to me, looking at me questioningly as he gazed at the clutter around me.
"I'm sorting" I explained to which he nodded, seemingly accepting my answer.
"I can see that"
"Did your son or daughter place an order? I can go and get it" I said, beginning to get up from my cross-legged position on the floor.
"No, no, sit, continue, I was just going to look around" I nodded, gesturing to the other aisles of books. He gave me one more smile before walking off into them. I shook my head, willing myself to refocus on my task. I couldn't get distracted now when I was so close to making it to aisle three.
I got back into the groove of sorting a few minutes later, clearing my head of the man walking around the store. Well, that was until he decided to take a seat in the chair by the wall, a book in hand. He wasn't looking at me or even making any noise but it was entirely too distracting. I couldn't get any work done with him just sitting there reading silently. Why was he even here? It was 5pm on a Tuesday. Who even went to a bookshop at this time?
"Why are you here?" I asked suddenly. His eyes snapped up, looking at me a bit taken back.
He raised an eyebrow. "I wasn't aware that it was a crime"
"I'm sorry, it's just don't you have other places to be, friends to see and all that, it's a Saturday night"
"You're here too"
I turned fully toward him, shaking my head. "It's my job, you didn't even come in here today with any book orders for your son or daughter"
He looked at me with an expression I couldn't quite read before shaking his head. "You're good company"
My eyes widened, I was surprised by his answer. I suddenly had an epiphany. "Carlisle, do you not have other friends?"
"I have friends" he assured.
"In Forks?" He went silent and I smiled triumphantly, I had him there. I couldn't believe it. How had this charming man not had any friends? He was clearly liked by everyone he met or interacted with. It was impossible for him not to have any other friends. "Haven't you been here for three years? How have you not made any friends during that time?"
"I'm very busy, with the hospital and my family" It suddenly all made sense. Why he was so interactive with me and wanted to be my friend, why came in so often. He was just lonely, craving interaction that wasn't from someone at work or his kids. That made way more sense than the several theories I had begun to contemplate. I had even begun to think he might like me at one point. Well, I could just throw that theory right out the window now. Everything would remain strictly platonic, it was better that way anyway.
"I can't believe I'm your only friend, it's flattering really" I said, teasing him slightly. I didn't want to make it seem like I didn't want him here. I did. Honestly, I did, he was someone I had never thought I'd connect with but we had and it was wonderful. I didn't want to lose that. "I don't mind you being here, really, I was just curious as to why you did"
"I really do pick up my children's orders"
"Almost 4 times a week within the last month?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at him. He had been coming in an awful lot more lately. It made me wonder…. but no, now I knew the real reason.
"You've got a very strong point, although I do have friends, just in other parts of the world"
"Other parts of the world?" I questioned. Where exactly had this man lived before.
"I was born in London"
I was not expecting that. "You don't have an accent"
"I've spent many years in the states and its faded over time" he explained simply.
"Why did you move?"
He seemed to hesitate before answering. "I just decided that I wanted a different life than the one I was living there and it's worked out for me, I found Edward and then Rosalie and then the rest just sort of came naturally into our family"
"What about your family in London?" An almost pained expression passed through his features and I regretted asking immediately. I didn't want to pry into his personal life, it wasn't my place to do that. "I'm sorry, you don't have to tell me about it"
"No, it's fine, I just haven't explained it to anyone for a long time" he said, shaking his head, his eyes seemed almost sad. I scooted closer, almost unconsciously, to his chair which was now only a foot away. "My father raised me alone, my mother having died in childbirth, my father was a strict man, not approving of some of my more forgiving acts as I trained under him to become a pastor as well, I knew he loved me, in his own way at least, but he wasn't the most understanding person, he was much more fire and brimstone than I was and after," Carlisle hesitated, considering his words before continuing. "After I did something, that changed me, changed who I would be, I knew that I couldn't go back and so I never did" He looked at me as he finished, trying to gauge my reaction.
"Have you ever thought to go back now? Just to see him again"
"He passed away a very long time ago and even if he were still alive, I'm afraid he could never forgive me"
"I'm sure that whatever you did could be forgiven, Carlisle"
He shook his head, "You've never met my father and no I don't think he would ever be okay with what happened"
"I'm sorry" I didn't know what to say or how to comfort him in anyway. He didn't seem entirely sad but he didn't seem entirely fine either. I moved hesitantly, shuffling a bit closer before I reached out, placing my hand slowly on his.
My entire body reacted without any conscious effort as I touched his cold hand. It was the first time we had ever touched. It felt like my entire body had been charged with energy, all at once shocking me. It made me never want to let go. I had no idea where this was all coming from, after all I had only just meant to be comforting.
Carlisle's eyes snapped to mine almost instantly, a mix of uncertainty and something I couldn't recognize clouding in those golden orbs. He stood quickly, breaking our connection. I looked up at him, I didn't know what to say or do and just watched as he walked off, muttering that he had to go. I still sat there, confused, as I heard his car start quickly and then drive off, leaving me alone once again with my books.
Hey I finished another chapter, I figured it was time to throw this pair a bone and have them touch hands (Scandalous, I know). Haha anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter, I read every single review and love getting feedback so always Read! And Review!
