EVERYTHING I HAVE.

CHAPTER TWO.

ELAINE’S POV

I stumbled upon a book store, this particular one had a certain aesthetic to it. I walked in and the place was mostly empty except for the old man at the counter. I walked over to the shelves and searched for some books that piqued my interest. I attempted to reach for a book on the top shelf but I couldn’t reach it. Suddenly, some guy reached it and handed it to me as he took off his headphones. “The wall flower, Aaron Presley, good book”, he said. I just stared at him not knowing what to say. He was a black handsome guy with curly messy afro with eye bags.

“Y-Yeah, I love his books, they have so much personality. I haven’t just read this one”

“By personality you mean edgy, depressing and misguiding, yeah, so much personality”, he replied as we both laughed. Noticing the number of books I had in my hand, he asked, “you must love reading books”.

“Yeah, they help me unwind and escape reality”

“That’s really nice, Miss …?”

“Elaine, you?”.

“Your name’s lovely, I’m Franklyn”

“Thank you, do you come here often?”

“Yeah, pretty much, I work here”

“Oh, that’s nice. Is that like a full-time thing?”

“Yeah, pretty much, well I write too but that’s just more of a hobby”

“I would love to read one of your books”

“I mean, they aren’t that good”

“C’mon, I could be your first fan”

“Oh, fine let me have your number and I’ll send it to you”, he said. We exchanged numbers and while we did, I noticed the phone he had. It was an iPhone 7, putting that together along with how he dressed, it said a lot about his financial status but it didn’t necessarily bother me, he was a rich soul. We handed our phones back to each other.

“So, maybe after you read the book, we could talk about it over a cup of coffee?”, he asked.

“Are you asking me out?”

“Oh, are you not single?”

“No, I am single. Sure, I would love to”

“Well then, it’s a date then”

“I’ll call you once I’m done with the book”

“Ohk sure”.

The night quickly came to an end, I thanked him again for the book and left the store, it was quite late. I hopped in a taxi and on the way, my phone chimed and I saw a notification from him, he had sent the book already. Throughout the ride, I couldn’t help but to think about Franklyn, for the first time in a week I had a genuine conversation. But then again, somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew he was just another guy who probably spoke to any girls he came across in the book store and it was probably best for me to get him of my mind and focus on my job.

I eventually got home that night. Not too long after, I realized that I had forgotten the books I had selected at the book store. I must have gotten carried away with my conversation that I had forgotten them back there. Feeling frustrated I laid on my bed. I really did not want to go back to the store. Then it hit me, I could just call Franklyn and ask him to help me out. I thought that would be weird but after much consideration I realized I necessarily didn’t have a choice.

I took my phone and dialed his number and he answered the phone.

“Umm I think I …”

“Yeah, you forgot your books, I’ll bring them to you tomorrow, is that alright?”

“Umm yes, thank you”

“Ohk just text me your location and I’ll come drop it off tomorrow morning”

“Sure”

So, I texted him my location and thanked him again.

FRANKLYN’S POV

I got off the phone with Elaine and picked up her books. Standing there staring at them, my mind drifted into deep thought. She was pretty, a wonderful, and although, she was seemingly out of my league, her demeanor, the way she talked and acted someone with class. I would have given anything to have another conversation with her and I did have another chance. Even if I knew, naturally, a girl like her would never give a guy like me the time of day, despite all of that, I was still willing to try.

I was still excited about the date and the fact that I got to go to her place, I did not want to creep her out or anything like I usually do with my previous dates, I needed to have a good impression. Eventually, I got off work and took the books along. I took a cab home and when I got home, I picked out what was probably my best outfit. It wasn’t fancy or anything just comfortable and I got some shut-eye in anticipation for the next day.