"Mom! I'm home!" I yelled through the front door, using my foot to shut it.

No response.

I jogged up the stairs and peered my head into my mom's room.

"Mom?"

No response.

I puffed at the emptiness of the house and made my way back to my bedroom. As I was kicking off my shoes my attention was caught by a blue sticky note on my vanity mirror. 

"Sudden meeting for work. Call me as soon as you can. Will be home late again. Love you."

It was around 3 o'clock in the afternoon which meant my shift started in 2 hours. I had lost track of time when I was with Michael, I didn't really care though. I just enjoyed the time spent.

His hoodie still clung to my torso, his familiar scent still lingering. I pulled it over my head and tossed it onto my bed. I was in a major need of a hot shower to release some stress and I also had a bit of time to kill. I made my way into my bathroom and immediately reached for the shower faucet. After turning it to the highest heat, I kicked my t-shirt and shorts to the side and hopped in.

-

My nights at the book store were quiet. I mean, not just because it's basically a library, but because it was a small little place that didn't get much attention. It was really only used by older women getting cooking recipes and teens looking for a summer reading book, and since it was later in the day no one really took the time to come in.

I enjoyed my job though. It put me at peace. I always felt less stressed out and calm, and it was simple. I just restocked what we needed and kept things in order. Being the reader myself, I was always able to buy how ever many books I wanted from here with a discount. 

I pulled and replaced the few books that needed to be and flipped a few around. My phone started buzzing in my back pocket which I immediately pulled out.

Michael.

I hesitated to answer knowing that I could get in trouble for talking on the phone while working. I peered both ways making sure no one was paying attention and I picked up.

"Yes?" I asked quietly.

"What are you up to?"

"I'm at work, why?"

"Where do you work?" He ignored my question as his voice changing back to his normal tone.

"The book store a mile from my house." I switched my phone from my left to my right ear, continuing the cycle of pulling and replacing.

I heard him snicker on the other end, causing me to groan a bit.

"So you like books I'm guessing?"

"Yes actually, they're great. But I'm not quite sure you even know how to read, Clifford. So you wouldn't know."

"Tell me why. Tell me why they're great." His toned turned more serious and things fell silent for a second and I took in a breath.

"Well, for me it's like a sense of security. I know everything is fiction, but I can't help but get this vibe that maybe, just maybe, I'll get a happy ending too. That I can take on all these challenges and tackle them and then let things fall into place perfectly. I don't know, it probably sounds stupid."

"I can be that challenge."

"...What?" I was taken back by his statement, not fully aware of what he meant.

"Well, I can try. I can try to make things as fun or as unexpected as you want. I can try to give you a happy ending, but I don't exactly know what yours is yet. I'm still trying you figure you out, Maddie. But like I said, I can try." 

I smiled to myself and dropped my head, letting the kind words sink in.

"Nicely phrased." I told him.

"Thanks." I just knew he had that same goofy half smile as he always did when he was pleased with himself. 

I picked my head back up when I heard a jingle from the door.

"Hey, uh, a customer just walked in so I'll call you when I'm off work, alright?" I moved my head away from the view and lowered my voice.

"Alright," He sighed. "Don't have too much fun!"

"Bye Michael." I hung up the phone, making my way to back of the room as a smile crept on my face.

-

I woke up to the blinding sun that soaked through my curtains. The smell of cinnamon rolls from downstairs mesmerized my growling stomach. I sat up, loosely braiding my hair. I grabbed the nearest jacket on my bed and trudged down the steps.

"Morning." My mom chirped with her back facing me. "There's cinnamon rolls in the oven and I'll make bacon if you want." She turned to me, her hands resting behind her on the granite counter top. Her eye brows furrowed nodding towards my torso.

"Whose is that?" 

I pulled out the bottom of the jacket, scanning the print on the front and instantly recognizing it.

"Remember the boy who took me to breakfast? Louise's grandson? Yeah, his. It was freezing inside and still a bit drizzly from the night before." I said nonchalantly.

She nodded her head slowly, turning her attention back to our breakfast. I watched her fumble with a few pans under the stove, finally pulling one out. 

"That's a nice gesture." She mumbles. I lowered my head, half smiling at her words. "But Louise told me why he's there." She said, flicking her eyes over her shoulder to me. "He's a trouble maker, sweetie. I don't want you caught up in all of that." I caught her gaze and looked away quick.

"I know he was, but I talked to him about the situation. He said he hasn't been in trouble since he got here." I looked at her with hopeful eyes, wanting any type of approval from her. She stayed quiet, letting me continue. "He even asked me to tag along to Ashton's party this weekend. Julia, Lue, and Annabel are all going and you know they don't get in trouble. I think it's nice of him to offer his company..." I trailed off, not sure what to say next.

"What type of company are you referring to?" She peered over her shoulder once again, flipping the bacon over. 

"Mom, oh my god, no not like that. We've known each other for 5 days!" I buried my head in my hands as she laughed at me, knowing she asks those questions to embarrass me.

"Well I'm glad you've found a friend that isn't so...well, a girl." She put her hand on her hip and shifted her weight into her right leg. "Does he at least have a car?" I rolled my eyes at her statement, she was always a bit materialistic when it came to boys.

"Yes mom, that's how he's picking me up on Saturday." I grinned at her as she brought a plate of cinnamon rolls and bacon towards me.

She pulled out a chair and sat next to me, pulling apart the steamy treats.

"Well, I'll have to meet him them. To see if he really is all you say he is." She raised her eyebrows at me, having a sudden interest in Michael.

I tilted my head to the slightly to the side and sighed. I met my mother's eyes and shrugged my shoulders. "He tries."