HIS GIRL

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER TWO

ELLA

“You are finally getting the groove right,” I commented, setting down my backpack and grabbing the cap hanging on the hook behind the cashier's desk. It has the logo of the bookstore’s name on it and usually goes with a dark green shirt as part of the uniform but mine had been stained with ink by Mr. Jackson’s youngest daughter by accident. Speaking of which, a new one should be dropped in today.

“Really?” She sounds breathless and a little sweaty.

“Yeah. You just have to try not looking constipated,” I shrugged, sitting as I grabbed my biology book. I may not be a huge fan of Mrs. Bethany or biology, but I certainly do crave some decent grades. Maybe it was knowing that in a few months we'll be joining our last year of highschool, that has opened a fresh can of worms inside my stomach.

“Gee, thanks,” she rolls her eyes, dubbing away the sweat on her forehead with a silk white handkerchief before she approaches me, “You know our dance team is still accepting people,”

“Not happening,” She has been trying to get me to join their team for a while now. Dancing is a dead dream to me now.

“Come on. You are good at dancing. You remember in fifth grade how you would talk non-stop about wanting to win the national dance competition one day and become the world’s best choreographer? Mrs. Hampton was very much certain you will make it big in the dance world, “ her voice drops, eyes a little large and concerned, “What happened to that girl?”

“She grew up,” I answered, hating the constriction in my chest. Before she could prod further, the door flung open, our other co-worker Hikaru, trudging in, his face red. He began working with us about two weeks ago but his ease had him fitting right in.

No lie, Hikaru is a cutie. Once or twice, I’ve noticed several girls repeatedly coming into the bookstore just to check him out. I may not be attracted to him but boy, I’m not blind to that 5.7 inches of hotness and that set of dimples.

“Woke up on the wrong side of the bed?” I jut an eyebrow, amusement written all over my voice.

He sets down his bag then sighs, “Well, I didn’t get into the summer art program,”

“Wait, what? But you are such a great artist,” I’m quite taken aback. Once, he had let me peek in and the guy is not lacking in the artistic department in terms of drawing. Most of it was mostly monsters and had me freaked out but that was how good he was.

“Maybe my mum is right. I should just give up and do something constructive with my life,”He sighs yet again, running his fingers through his hair, “Anyway, still haven't gotten your shirt?”

He clearly didn’t want to talk about it and so none of us pushes on the matter. Afterall, we are just co-workers. Not friends. Petra and I both go to the same school while Hikaru attends Golden Stars High from the next town. It’s far off from our town and well, can you say no to that when your mum is the principal?

“Should be here any minute,” I say.

“Where is Cam and Karen ?” He asks when he comes back from changing into his work attire.

“Karen’s babysitter bailed and so she left early. Cam is getting some coffee but we all know he is just trying to get Olivia’s number,” Petra shakes her head in pity, “ She’ll never give it to him. I wonder why he even tries,”

“I didn’t know he had the hots for Olivia,” Hikaru laughs, grabbing a copy of The catcher in the Rye from the shelf.

“Oh yes, he does. He gets all flustered around her,” I glance at the calendar, running my gaze over the dates, “Next Friday, she is going to come in. She usually comes here every first friday of the month to do grab herself some classics,”

“Now that is something I’d certainly like to see,” he shakes his head, amusement written all over his face, “I can’t, for the life of it, picture Mr. Grumpy looking flustered,”

“I know, right,” Petra chimes in before the room bookstore descends into silence, each of us caught in our own world.

For a few minutes, the bookstore remains relatively empty and so I try to study my ass off on Biology but I still end up not remembering every single detail of the circulatory system. Sometimes I wonder why I even try.

“We are such hopeless cases, aren’t we? Petra still can’t dance to save her life, the art program won’t even give me a chance and you can’t even study for the hell of it,” Hikaru ditches his book, peering over my shoulder, arm draping over it.

“Wait, are you calling me dumb?” I throw an accusatory glare at him.

He is about to retort when the door opens, a few students rushing in and I roll my eyes when one openly throws a flirty smile at Hikaru. This really never gets old and the second before I point it out loud, Adam clouds the doorway. For a second, it feels like everyone in the room can hear my loud heartbeat. It's what his presence does to me. He comes straight to the counter, his backpack slung on one shoulder casually.

“I’m looking for Evan? Evie? Sorry, I can’t seem to remember the exact name,” He began, scratching the back of his head, a frustrated look on his face.

“Maybe a little more detail would help,” I smile politely. Inside me, there are butterflies running wild. It's the first time he has ever spoken to me and I’m very certain there is a slight tremor in my voice.

“Oh, sorry. She is supposed to be working today. My father said I had to bring over a work shirt. Something about hers getting tainted by my little sister,”

“Oh, it-its me and the name is Ella Fawn. I have no idea why I told you my full name,” I mutter, chuckling to hide my utter embarrassment.

A look of relief swept over his features. He reaches for his bag, unzipping it and taking out a neatly folded work shirt which he handed to me. I don’t know if I imagined it but our fingers grazed and there was this jolt of electricity shooting through me. He didn’t seem to notice it and instead went ahead to give me a polite nod.

“Thank you,” I whisper.

“No problem,,” he turns to walk away while I try not to sigh in disappointment but suddenly he turns, a look of slight confusion on his face, “Do you um…by any chance happen to go to Silver Falls High? You just seem a bit familiar,”

I have no idea whether to feel disappointed that he isn’t sure when we are not only in the same school but we share four classes. Or, feel happy that he actually thinks he recognises me from school.

“You must have seen me at school. We share math, english, chemistry and gym class,” That certainly doesn’t count as stalking, right?

“Oh, I’m sorry about that. I’ll make sure to remember your name next time,” his cheeks dipped into a smile.

He walks out and the butterflies in me break into song and dance. Adam Hudson is the reason I can't feel my heartbeat right now.

“Oh, no. We lost another one to Adam freaking Jackson,” Petra mutters, snapping her fingers on my face.