🪻 *     ◟   ❛ BONITA APPLEBUM❜ ,
ISHMAEL BUTLER.

❝ Bonita Applebum—you gotta put me on. Bonita Applebum—I said, "You gotta put me on". Bonita Applebum—you gotta put me on. Bonita Applebum—I said, "You gotta put me on". ❞

The smell of mothballs and crafts glue wafted around the quiet bookstore and various customers of all colors and sizes walked around, their eyes looking for books that they wanted to read.

The only cashier present at the moment let out a tired sigh, sleepiness evident in her eyes before blinking it away. Just one more hour until closing time She thought to herself glancing at the clock wall before looking down at the cashier.

Her name tag read Bonita in bold letters as it was embedded in the graphic sweatshirt she was wearing. Bonita was currently working a night shift at the local bookstore called Jamie's. She'd been a cashier for little over a year now and enjoyed her job.

Since it was night, it was a rather slow day with not many customers coming in. The door's bell jingled underneath it as someone walked in. With a roll of her neck, she mumbles "So much for wanting that last customer." She mumbled.

Putting on her signature customer-friendly smile Bonita smiled at the customer who walked up towards her with a strange look. Bonita couldn't help but eye the woman's attire, it was obvious she was doing a bleach job with her hair still being hidden with the clear wrap and the towel wrapped around her neck proved it even more. Nonetheless, she didn't want to judge knowing she's seen worse and simply asked "Hi, are you looking for anything specific?—"

"—Yes actually. I'm tryna find this book called Girl, Interrupted and I've looked in countless of stores, so do you guys have it or not?" The lady cuts her off abruptly causing Bonita to shake her head.

Still maintaining her smile, Bonita continued "Well, Girl, Interrupted is in section G. So that'll be in aisle seven and if you need help just let me know—okay." Bonita watched as the woman mumbled I got it before walking away.

Instead of getting mad, Bonita simply did a countdown, something she'd always do whenever she had to deal with unruly. customers.

Two minutes later the woman arrives with the book. Placing it on the corner, Bonita wastes no time and scans it so that she can get over with it "Okay will that be cash—"

"Cash. Now can you tell me the price? I got things to do." The woman snapped and that was all it took for Bonita to snap.

"To rent it's 2.50, if you lose it you have to pay a hefty fine of a hundred dollars." Bonita coldly answers while glaring at the woman "Now make it quick 'cause I got a shop to close." The look on her face morphed into shock and then one of irritation as she slowly handed Bonita the cash.

Counter the money, Bonita swiftly places it in the register. Grabbing a small bag and receipt she hands it to the lady "Thank you for shopping." She said with a fake smile.

the lady simply grabbed the bag and receipt from Bonita's hand before storming off. Bonita waited until the sound of the doorbell going off which indicated she left for her to let out a noise out of frustration.

Rubbing her temples, Bonita looked at the clock, "The nerve of people." She whispered bending down to grab some more receipt papers from the cabinet.

"Tell me about it." A male voice spoke with a chuckle causing her to let out a bitter laugh.

"Retail isn't for the weak." Bonita looks up only to see a man looking right at her "Oh."

The guy flashed her a friendly smile and she couldn't help but study him. He was very attractive, to say the least. nice build that hid underneath his baggy clothing, gorgeous features, and mesmerizing eyes. Bonita couldn't help but stare, he checked everything off her list plus he looked oddly familiar.

Model? Aspiring rapper? College student? Singer? The possibilities were endless. Eyeing him for a bit, Bonita narrowed her eyes before filling the receipt box with more papers.

Once her attention was elsewhere, Ishmael found himself eyeing her up and down as he'd never seen someone like her before. So naturally couldn't help but stare.

Ishmael Butler—better known as Butterfly from the trio Digable Planets was currently on a city tour to celebrate the success that he'd been receiving with the trio's debut album: Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space)

They'd just done a show in Houston and he decided why not go sightseeing since he wasn't as familiar with the city and check out the dope places they had so far.

Naturally, he found himself at a bookstore at this late hour and decided why not check it out but he wasn't expecting to see her.

Her dark brown eyes were cast downward as she skimmed through whatever she was looking at causing him to notice the light brushing of brown eyeshadow that peeked from her eyelids. Her makeup look was simple, finishing the look with some gloss and mascara. Her brows which matched her face perfectly creased together almost in a frown matching her look of puzzlement as she picked up a receipt before throwing it away.

It was obvious that she liked the color brown and gold since the minimalistic yet complimenting jewelry that adorned her fingers, wrists, and neck matched the all-brown baggy attire she had on.

Occasionally she tucked away a curl that managed to come out of the slick back bun she wore which only then made her sigh in annoyance.

Amongst her, he noticed that she had to be the only cashier/working in the shop, which made him wonder what time she got off.

"You can take a picture if you want." Her voice causes him to blink back in surprise that she even noticed that he was staring. Placing a hand on her hip, she looked at the man with narrowed eyes, the sound of quiet clicking being heard as she popped her gum "It'll last longer."

Her teasing nature causes Ishmael to rub the back of his neck with embarrassment. Clearing his throat he asks "Well it's obvious that I ain't from here so I was wondering..." He trails off his eyes landing on her name tag "If you'll help me see what'll be good for me...Bonita." He refers to the amount of books that were stacked on the various shelves.

Bonita eyed the man and swiftly turned the left, taking a corner step before exiting the cashier station. With a finger curled upwards, she gestures for him to follow her.

With him walking beside her, Bonita once again put on her customer service voice "So, what do you have in mind?" She asked looking at the array of books before meeting his gaze "We got thriller, nonfiction, fiction, fantasy, supernatural, romance if you're into that..." She looks at him one moment before pausing, "Nah. As I was saying we also have poetry."

"Poetry. Yeah, I'd like that." He said once she brought up the genre. It made him laugh at how she quickly dismissed the idea of him liking romance. Although it was true, it was still amusing.

"Gotchu." Taking another turn Bonita leads Ishmael to a section in the far back. Walking down the hallway she stops "Here is where you'll find all the books catered to poetry."
Her fingers glide against the old spines belonging to the books "When you find what suits you, you know where to find me." With that, she sauntered away back to the cash register.

Like water, her hips swayed side to side its rippling effect making him grow dizzy with intrigue. Reminding himself that he was just there to get a book and dip he did just as such turning his attention elsewhere.

Bonita found herself standing behind the cash register once again. Letting out another sigh she couldn't help but wait until she was able to go home, take a nice long hot shower, and go to bed. The only thing on her mind was clocking out.

Hopefully, the guy was the last customer who was planning on coming into the shop. She hoped it was because sleep was gonna take over at any minute.

A yawn threatened to escape her glossy lips but she held it back with a smile once the guy came back to the cash register "You find everything?" She asks.

"Yeah." Ishmael nodded handing her the book, in a mild second their hands grazed one another and Bonita's hand naturally jerked back.

Covering it with an awkward laugh, Bonita proceeded to scan through the four books that he'd chosen "You must like reading."

"I do actually."

It soon grows quiet the occasional sound of a scanner beeping. Bonita paid no mind to it already growing used to the sound. But the sound itself causes Ishmael to shift around awkwardly. To try to get past that he attempts to make small talk "So how's it like working here?"

"Borin'." Bonita answers quite bluntly "But I like boring so yeah." She shrugs at the end not finding anything better to say.

"Cool. So you around here or sum'? 'Cause you got the accent going on?" He noticed that she had a slight drawl when it came to accentuating certain words and cadences.

Looking up at him Bonita "Yeah I'm from here. Born and raised? Why? You're not on that stuff, are you? 'Cause I ain't into that.—"

Bonita has had her fair share of dealing with people who wandered into the store high off drugs of some sort. She didn't want to use the word crackhead since she found it belittling since they were still people at the end of the day.

Ishmael quickly shook his head no "Oh! I-I'm not into any of that kind of stuff." He answers knowing what she means.

"Cool. Just makin' sure." She continued to scan the books occasionally jotting down the name for it just to be sure when it had to come back "So what's a guy like you doing 'round these here parts?" She made sure to exaggerate her southern drawl which made him laugh in the process.

"I'm here on tour." It sounded basic coming from his mouth but Bonita was more than curious.

"Tour? So you're a musician?" Looking at him he did fit the whole musician look perfectly "Who you perform with."

"Digable Planets." He couldn't help but grin once she saw the look on her face.

Bonita had to double back "Digable Planets? See that's why you looked familiar! I've heard about y'all, got some dope songs by the way."

Bonita was into the whole jazz-infused hip-hop music hence why she listened to a lot of A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, and Souls of Mischief. She's heard Digable Planets' music on the radio but wasn't into them to the extent of calling herself a fan.

"Yeah we're just out here doing what we love to do and that's speaking our truth through music." It came out humble and that caused her to smile a little because most artists nowadays aren't.

"Humble I like that. It's rare." She smiled. It was rare to find a celebrity who wasn't full of themselves so to hear it coming from him was refreshing.

"So." She placed all the books in a bag, "What's your name? 'Cause I gotta write it down in case you fail to bring the books back in time." She asked pulling out a pen and receipt.

"Ishmael." With a nod, he watches as she swiftly writes his name in smooth lettering on a receipt.

"Well, here you go Ishmael." Their hands brushed against each other causing both young adults to look up with a shy smile.

Grabbing the things he bought, Ishmael was about to head to the exit when he suddenly turned around, "Before I leave cause they waiting for me outside, I was wondering if I can get your number?"

"Mmmh, I ain't into niggas who in the scenes like that..." Bonita trailed off contemplating for a bit, "But here's my number that I wrote down for you. Hit me up whenever you're in the city."

Taking the small piece of paper he nods, "Yeah—Yeah I'll do that." Turning his heel, Ishmael eventually leaves the bookstore.

Bonita watches him leave right before giving a small wave once she catches him looking through the glass window. Little did both know it would soon turn into something that would benefit their lives for the better.

𝖎. Surprise! An update. I know that is has been a hot minute since I've updated this book, three months exactly. So after some contemplation I decided to finally give this book attention and update it. Don't jump me but this alongside the other drafts has been in drafts since September. But I feel like this is kinda meh but that's all I got for right now. Anyways lemme know your thoughts and I'll catch you on the flip side.