A/N: Thanks for reviewing this fic. Btw, in this update you'll get to know who's POV it was in the previous chapter.
Chapter 2
I've been a closeted romance novel reader. When I reached puberty (at the age of thirteen), my teacher gave my class the infamous sex education talk and the next thing I know I was more curious about sex than I ever had been. I remembered it was the trip to the nearest bookstore – which was probably a life altering moment. I've always headed to the young adults section in the bookstore, deciding between the latest Judy Blume's titles or whatever book that was on discount. But somehow that day, as I was reading the synopsis on the back of the book, my eyes wandered over to a lady so engrossed with the book she held closely to her chest. I realized she was standing in the romance section – probably the one person there. Somehow, I was compelled to dump the Judy Blume's book back on to the shelves and head over to there. But being young and innocent, I was too embarrassed to do so, so I waited and waited and waited for the lady to leave. Finally around half-an-hour later, my prayers were heard.
Swiftly I made my way to the section, I tried keeping a low profile and everything – when I reached to the shelves, I randomly picked one of the romance title before heading back to the young adults section. Once there, I choose an A4-sized book, flipped to the center, promptly I placed the romance title (Her Loyal Bodyguard) – believe me, my eyes almost fell off the sockets when I saw the cover and read the title. Before I know it, I was hooked. Seriously, what's not to like about the romance novels – it has a typical girl is depressed start, girl meets hunk, girl sleeps with hunk, and then the plot thickens, lastly, the happy ending. It was a good mix of agony, ecstasy, elaborated illustration of sexual scenes…it broadened my horizons.
Oh, don't get me started with what happened when I paid for the book. Let's just say, I still have it implanted in my head the look that the cashier gave me.
Now, probably you're wondering how I ended up joining a romance novel book club? Even if you're not interested, I'll tell you anyway. Since that day onwards, I've became an avid romance novel reader. A closeted one I might add. No one knows about my hobby, truthfully I felt ashamed about it. It all changed a year ago when I was at Barnes & Noble, reading a copy of Let Sleeping Rogues Lie (with a very suggestive cover), so I slid it into a Paulo Coelho's. I was so into the material that I jerked when I said a woman whispered, "You're not the only one. I read romance books too." That's how I met Taylor Townsend, who ultimately convinced me to join a book club. Why? "So you could share your thoughts with others openly, and not be ashamed of it," she claimed.
So that was how I ended up at the front of Anna's door. She's a stereotypical East Village artiste (with her CBGB shirt and tight jeans). Except for the interest in romance novel, which she still keeps a hush-hush. I knocked on the door as I heard Anna's voice boomed from inside of the apartment. "I'm coming!"
I heard the click of the door lock and expected to see Anna, but no, it was her roommate - the, who I observed silently from afar.
Dude, she's hot.
"Oh, hey there," she greeted me with that raspy voice of hers. She gave me a crooked smile before I muttered a soft hello. Something that you should know about me, when I'm around or speaking to someone that I find attractive, I switch to my autopilot mode – I remained courteous but somewhat aloof. I simply do not blush. I have no clue why I acted the way I acted, it just comes naturally.
Anna's roommate let me into the apartment. As I made my way to the sofa, a realization hit me.
I find Anna's roommate hot. And she's not a guy. Omigod.
I decide to blame the article I'm writing about.
"So um, Anna would be out in a second, she's just fixing her hair," Anna's roommate uttered. I took a fleeting glance at her and nodded. Did I mention she was gorgeous? She was just like Anna, a stereotypical East Village artiste. Usually, before the book club starts, she would excuse herself out of the apartment. She never fails to carry an acoustic guitar.
How can you not swoon over a person carrying a guitar. Never heard her play, but knowing she has one was good enough.
"Erm, do you want a water or something? A beer?" she asked, the girl had her hands in her jean pockets.
There's one more thing you should know about Anna's roommate. She's extra pleasant to me. And she gets all fidgety when we're the only ones around. That is just something I observed.
"No thank you," I answered with a small smile.
"Oh okay." I swear she sounded upset. "Well, erm, make yourself at home." With that, she turns around and made her way to her room. "Oh, erm, Alex…" she began as I cocked my head to the direction where she stood.
"Yeah?"
"…nevermind…" she waved her hands off. She stood there, I saw her contemplating on something. "…uh, do you like music?"
"Do I like music?" I echoed.
"Yea…" she uttered nervously.
"I guess…" I drawled.
"Oh good, cos' I want to ask-"
Anna cut her off as the spunky blonde made her way to the center of the room. "Hey, Alex. Sorry I kept you waiting, I'm such a bad hostess. First one to arrive as usual." She let out a soft chuckle at her comment.
"No, it's fine. Marissa was being a pretty good hostess."
"She was!?" Anna sounded amused.
"We were having a conversation," I added.
"You were?!" Again, Anna raised her voice. "Marissa was speaking with Alex…" I heard her mumbled to herself. Obviously, it was not soft enough that I could hear.
Anna turned to her roommate who just her a death stare. "What? Oh, sorry." She gave Marissa an apologetic look.
"Erm, I'm just going to head out for some smokes," Marissa said as she starts getting fidgety again. She turned around abruptly.
"You can just smoke here. Why do you have to go out? You've always smoked in the kitchen Marissa," Anna mused.
"Yea…yeah, but I feel like having a cigarette downstairs." The lanky brunette gave her roommate an annoyed expression. The girl hurried into her room and seconds later, she dashed past Anna and I, muttering a quick goodbye before exiting the apartment.
Anna piped, "Excuse her. She has a major crush on you."
Huh?
Anna probably caught the shock look on my face as she said, "So you're oblivious of it." She breathed out a sigh. "Ever since the first time Marissa saw you, she told me she harbors a crush on you. But she's too chicken to make a move b'cos she thinks well, a girl who reads romance novels like you doesn't swing that way and oh yeah, you're unattainable."
Huh?
"Marissa's intimidated by your beauty. Says she doesn't have the stones to hit on you, something along the lines of you being too gorgeous not to be attached."
I let out a nervous laugh. "I'm not that pretty seriously."
"Seriously, you should go check yourself out in the mirror and do some re-evaluation. Oh, one more thing you should know, Marissa thinks you're just not the type to be hung up on what others think of yourself and that's a good thing. You're her type."
Silence fell between us for a moment as I thought about what Anna just told me. I was right all along, Marissa was just too fidgety around me, and now I have a concrete proof why.
"And Alex, don't tell Marissa I told you this. Keep it to yourself."
&
I bopped my head along to the song as I waited under a shade. When the book club ended thirty minutes ago, I was looking forward to Summer's cookies when I reached home. But no, rain came pouring heavily out of nowhere, and I was left stranded. Left with only one choice, I had to take the cab – but somehow luck was not on my side, not even a single cab had stop.
"So I felt like the biggest asshole," I sang along to the S.O.A.D's song. "Felt like the biggest asshole, when I killed your rock and roll." Who knew I could imitate Daron Malakian's voice. "Mowed down the sexy people…" I trailed off for a while, as I watched another cab drove past. "Damnit." I knew I would have a better chance getting a cab if I were to stand nearer to the side of the road, however, the thought of getting drenched or catching a cold could be pretty sucky.
"Eat all the grass. Eat all the grass that you want. Accidents happen In the dark. Eat all the grass that you want…" I stopped singing midway through the bridge when I felt someone tapped my shoulder. I snapped my head towards the left only to find Marissa giving my a lopsided smile. I saw her mouth moving but due to the loudness of the music blasting into my ears, I could not hear what she was saying.
"I'm sorry, what was it that you've said?" I asked as I took out both sides of the earphones.
Her face broke into a silly smile that I found adorable. "I said, I didn't know you're a metalhead."
"Yea," I started bashfully. "S.O.A.D is hard not to like." My eyes fell to her chest as I noticed the Motorhead imprinted on her graphic tee. "Seems you're a metal fan too." I gestured to her top.
"They're like, one of Britain's foremost heavy metal groups. I dig the trio," she answered. "You familiar with their stuff?"
Without missing a beat I replied, "Ace of Spades is my personal favorite from them."
Marissa chuckled. "Oh wow…I've never would have thought that you listen to such a genre."
"What? You think I'm bubble-gum pop?" I teased, definitely liking the fact that I made her flustered.
"Oh no!" She exclaimed. Then in a softer voice she muttered, "No that. It's just with the clothes you have on, it doesn't scream metal listener."
I arched my brow. "So, I have to dressed like you?"
She shook her head. "No. I like how you look. It's just…well, it's kind of a surprise."
"Is that good or bad?" I probed.
She blushed at my question, staring down at the ground for a moment before lifting her head to meet my gaze. "It's a good surprise. We have something in common."
The smile on my face turned into a frown when I remembered Marissa wanted to ask me something earlier on. "What was it that you were going to ask a while ago back at your apartment?"
"Oh, that…nothing," she waved off. "You wouldn't be interested in it…" Then she changed the topic launching into a new question. "So, why are you standing here?"
"I'm waiting for a cab," I let out a sigh. Before I knew it, Marissa ran into the rain as I called, "What are you doing?"
"Getting you a cab!" she shouted as I saw her raised her arm.
She's beautiful and considerate. Sweet.
I smiled at Marissa's thoughtfulness. "In order to be a better writer, you must go through some experiences. In this case, you need to sleep with a girl." Hold on, did I just heard Summer's voice in my head? Oh, no. I'm in trouble.
"Hey Alex!" Marissa called. "Your ride home is here." I heard a hint of pride in her tone.
I rushed towards the cab as Marissa opened the door for me, muttering a quick thank you, I slid into the backseat. I waited for Marissa to close the door but instead, she hunched down.
"So um, I have a gig, well, not me but my band, this Thursday night at the Cake Shop on 152 Ludlow. I was thinking, if you'd be interested to watch it?"
She's in a band. Swoons.
"Um, maybe. I might have something on. I'll try to make it though."
"That'll be great." She gave another crooked smile before closing the door. As I gave the cab driver my address, I saw Marissa waving at me, still standing in the rain.
The girl's is going to catch a pneumonia.
&
A/N: This you guessed right?