I'm never alone

You can find me at Un Punto in Tempo Bookstore. | sideblog to xpianissimo|

[frankiecakes]

"Damn, I’ve always wanted to go to Wonderland." Frankie laughed. "Oh sure, I’ll keep an eye out for it." She had enjoyed talking to Tom, it was nice to meet someone and get along right off. It was easy to talk to people for Frankie, but it was rare when she met people like Tom. He was the kind of person she wanted to get to know more, someone who seemed so interesting under the surface.

"I hope I’m not keeping you from working." Frankie said, suddenly realizing how much they’d been talking. She wasn’t sure what being a bookstore employee entailed, but Frankie didn’t want to get Tom in trouble. "You kinda looked like you were about to pass out when I came in."

[bookxddict-blog]

"Me too hence talking you about the key" he chuckled and rubbed the rest of sleepiness left in his eyes. The conversation had been so far entertaining and he was glad to have met someone like Frankie. He was far too focused in the shop and his own self to pay attention to his "social" life.

"If you didn't come in I'd have fallen asleep to be honest." It was a complete truth there, he was somewhat more awake now. "Don't worry, Mr. Ettiore is not around as you know and Paul, he's a nice guy. He gets me so, there's no trouble at all. I was meant to ask, were you looking for a book now that I remember I work here?" he laughed softly shaking his head.

[frankiecakes]

"Yeah, I mean he sounds like a neat guy." Frankie said with a slight shrug. "Most bookshop owners are." She could imagine being able to travel and collect books and experience life and it made her somewhat envious of this Mr. Ettiore.

At the mention of another girl’s name, Frankie wasn’t surprised. Of course this handsome guy had a girlfriend. It was another thing Frankie envied, she’d been alone most of her life, but the idea of having someone was enticing. “Oh yeah, I love that story!” Frankie grinned, her eyes lighting up. “No way, really?” She asked excitedly.

"Oh god." Frankie’s nose scrunched at the thought. "Rotten painting, can’t say I’ve ever experienced that scent, but it sounds awful." She noticed a slight shift in the young man, she wasn’t one to call people out on things, especially when it wasn’t any of her business. Frankie understood the burden of constant scrutiny, and swore she’d never do it to others. Writing it off as just another one of Thomas’ quirks, Frankie attempted to keep things moving. "So, that door, eh?" She said, a small smirk turning up on her face. "Does it happen to lead to Wonderland?"

[bookxddict-blog]

"He is a neat guy.. Yeah" Tom smiled, his gaze getting lost in the table's surface for a bit as a smile tugged up at his lips remembering Mr. Ettiore. He was a good man, the kind of man able to open his arms and home to a little kid abandoned by his parents. 

Shaking that off he smiled up at Frankie. "Rotten painting, yeah, never ever buy scented candles unless you're sure one hundred percent it will work out" the chuckle that came out of him was genuine, bringing Poe –the cat– to his mind and how he'd sneeze.

Drifting the subject to another one, the little door's one to be exact, and trying to keep Hemingway at bay did Tom got excited about the new turn of the conversation.

"To Wonderland?" he chuckled shaking his head. "I wished, if it did I'd have to look for the key somewhere around here. So if you happen to find any small key would you tell me?"

[frankiecakes]

Frankie laughed a little, “I won’t.” she promised. “I kinda want to meet this guy now, though. He sounds like an interesting dude.”

Frankie perked up when Thomas mentioned his glasses. “Really?” She said with a small smile. “Full disclosure here, I must see these glasses at some point. I’m sure your handsomeness will break the scale.” It wasn’t out of the norm for Frankie to be so bold with her words. She didn’t exactly have a filter, it didn’t matter whether she’d known the person for 5 years or 5 minutes. ”Secret passages? Say what now?” If she were a cat her tail would be swishing right now. “This place just gets better and better.”

"It is, it really is. I went through a shop earlier and found a candle claiming to have the captured the book smell." She paused, making a face at the memory. "Let’s just say it was more like canned death."

[bookxddict-blog]

"You do?" Tom smiled, "well he'll be back in a week or so, he's been traveling. Getting more books, you know?"

Handsomeness? The guy was soon to blush, which he took away with a wiping of his nose and some "looking" for papers here and there. He had the thing of just becoming a prisoner of the shop in the mornings, and he didn't really have that many friends, so for him to be called handsome by a girl was out of his daily routine. "– - Michi likes them" he blurted out in a stuttering manner, Michi being his girlfriend and the first to notice there was another guy in the shop besides Paul and Ettiore. "Secret passages yes. You'll like this one. Have you read Alice in Wonderland? Remember that little door she couldn't go through at the beginning, we have one of those" he nodded, his tone excited then like a little kid telling a secret, before the conversation took another route.

"If there's something I'm pretty sure of, is never ever believe in those scented candles" he began "only if you're buying on a legitimate place. I once bought some for my place, they said it was lavender scent... The place smell like rotten painting for at least three days"  it wasn't three days, said Hemingway, appearing just in time behind the girl.

"Yes it was three days" he repeated rubbing his eyes for a second, "Peculiar scents can't be bottled... takes away the magic."

[notbloodredbutscarlett-deactiva]

A Fish Out Of Water || Open

Suitcases unpacked, office acquired, shirts ironed, Scarlett had made her new home. Her first few days had been spent in a desperate attempt to drum up business, calling firms in the area, visiting businesses, large and small alike, and even putting up advertisements in every public building she could find. The lawyer was lost in such an unfamiliar neighborhood, quaint and small and everyone knows each other around here. Her hair was pinned up, the mask of polite helpfulness as daintily applied as her makeup.

The sky held a tiny of orange when Scarlett approached the final few places on her map. The atheist prayed to some kind of God for the non-believers and the immoral, hoping that at least one of her random outreaches would prove fruitful. Just one client (supported by the one that brought her to this village that barely matched its self-proclaimed town status), would be enough to keep her afloat, enough to stop her boredom and help her sip champagne to her heart’s content.

The last building she would visit tonight was stepped into, and she immediately saw someone who looked like they worked here. "Good afternoon," Her potential-client voice was different to her lawyer-voice, sweet and friendly, accompanied by a light smile. "Have you got a few minutes?"

[bookxddict-blog]

"I'm not going to do that. Whatever you are thinking of. No I'm not. I could light up the whole place in fire. Are you insane?" Tom talked to 'himself', whatever crazy ideas from his hallucinations were now bugging him as he walked around the hallways placing books in place. The poor guy had the luck that Paul, his coworker had called in sick and he was free to ramble and talk "alone" all he wanted, as soon as there were customers in the shop that was. His time of talking aloud and alone had ended when he heard the bell at the door ring, that little bell had saved his life so many times from looking like a complete lunatic, and so, Tom hushed his voices and walked over to the counter.

"A few minutes? Yes of course, how can I help you?" he gave the best of his smiles, one of those smiles Mr. Ettiore had told him to give. It makes people feel in a friendly shop, they'll come more and buy more books. If you treat them well, they shall return, Tom swore he could hear the Italian's voice echoing in the back of his head each time he smiled the way he should.

[shadowxxwriter-blog]

I'm Home / Michiru + Tom

[shadowxxwriter-blog]

Michiru knew Tom. She knew how he was. He loved to sleep, and the gentlemen in his head would keep him awake at all hours. Or his gambling, which she tried to diminish, but only slightly. She never wanted to tell Tom what to do, or make him feel sufficated. It was her problem, being scared of being too clingy, too involved. So scared that she would lose Tom like she lost her father and her mother. Because she became too attached.

But Tom seemed to love her just fine. Her and all her flaws, her broken family, her busy life. He even helped her with the Unbroken sequel, because he had wonderful ideas that she valued more than anyone else’s. She valued her little family of cats and her tiny apartment over a bookstore in America with him over anything she used to have.

Hearing the door open snapped her out of her thoughts and she giggled, watching as Tom ran over the steps, looking frantic. She gave her watch a quick look, shaking her head. Right on time, she had only waited ten minutes. Neko meowed loudly on her shoulder, leaping into her lap to kiss at Tom’s face in happiness. She was excited to see her Daddy again.

Michi put her hands to Tom’s face, thumbs running over hsi cheeks as he rambled, getting familiar with everything she had grown to miss dearly while she was away. She let him ramble, smiling at his words. Because he was just so cute while he was nervous and rambling. The small “I miss you” made her heart swell and she nearly jumped into his arms, her lips kissing his own deeply. How she had missed the feel of him against her, of being in his arms and kissing him. She felt on the brink of tears, being away from Tom was the utter worst to her, no matter how short the time she was away.

Stepping back, she wiped away her tears and smiled up at him, ignoring Neko meowing loudly in jealousy from atop her suitcase. “I missed you more..” She whispered, hands going back to his cheeks. “My darling love..”

[bookxddict-blog]

Tom had petted Neko when the cat had nuzzled his face, but his attention was completely focused on Michi. He had missed her, she was one of the few that had lasted long in his life, but no one could beat his ghostly friends though.

His hyper and excited did only come out with those he felt close, and Michi, poor Michi did she had to bear his vast ramblings. She loved him for what he was, with voices or without them, with his gambling problems, his weird personality... everything and he couldn't feel more blessed.

His eyes grew wider at Michi's body colliding with his as she jumped into his arms, he knew it was coming but he always missed the right moment to be ready. His lips meshed against hers as his eyes closed for a brief moment, just swelling in the reunion and the feeling of her body now being embraced within his arms.

His smile was warm against her lips as the kiss broke and their closeness was opened a little. He chuckled softly wiping her tears away with his thumb before turning to the meowing cat. "I'll be right with you in a bit Neko, Poe can't wait to be with you too. He's on the window right now" Truth be told, if anyone looked up at the building behind them they could see the black figure sitting at the window sill.

"I'm with my girl right now" he said, blue eyes staring into Michi's. "I missed you more. Come, let's go upstairs. I'll try making something for lunch, Poe might have eaten my breakfast by now" he chuckled going to pick up Neko with a hand and the suitcase with the other.

Reaching the door he stood aside and waited for Michi to go inside first.

[milesoftemperedhell]

That time, she was sure he’d said something. It was just under his breath, more of a whisper but louder than a murmur. Confused eyes glanced quickly around to see who he was referring to, but there was no one around. Her eyes fell back to him once he announced he’d found the book.

"Wow!" Darcie exclaimed, glean in her eyes as she took in the look of the antique book. She was almost too afraid to reach out and grab it. It had been her favorite book as a child, and as she grew older, one of her favorite movies, and that attraction stuck with her throughout the years. She was still waiting for a dirty blond haired boy to sneak into her window at night and take her away to a land where she’d never have to grow old, and all she’d have to do was play and have fun fighting pirates, chasing the natives, and dancing with fairies. Gently, tenderly, she touched her fingers to the cover, "How much?"

[bookxddict-blog]

He had noticed it, the confusion in her eyes and even after she had picked up the book. He'd been to obvious, but it was hard to ignore the voices at times, they wouldn't shut up. He wasn't any kind of psychopath or anything, for his disorder was clearly harmless to anyone but himself, but Tom was so afraid of people noticing it that he did all in his hands to pass as a "normal" person.

He had to pull that out now, no more muttering, no more weird stuff. Tom remained aside, watching the awe in her eyes as she graced the top cover. He couldn't help a soft smile tugging at his lips, she seemed to have a connection with the story and the book itself, the magic of words.

"Let me check" he was quick to respond, taking a folder nearby checking the information needed. "One thousand and two hundred dollars it says here" Tom said, when a yawn came to interrupt his words causing the softest shade of red to attack his cheeks. "I'm sorry"

[misscharlottevans-deactivated20]

Charlotte looked up when she heard the voice, smiling appreciatively as the man approached with a stool before stepping to the side, allowing him room to mount the stool and grab the book for her.

"Thank you, Tom." She said, accepting the book. It hadn’t been particularly surprising when he revealed he was an employee; he certainly looked the bookish type. Stereotyping people felt wrong, but her brain still did it seemingly on its own.

The book she had been struggling for was the only one she had come to the store in search of, but entering a book store and leaving with only one item was practically impossible.

"Do you… have any recommendations?" This was a question she would normally never ask. When she entered a store her modus operandi was to get in, get what she wanted, and get out with as little interaction as possible. Sometimes she would genuinely need assistance, but rarely ever felt comfortable enough asking. In this circumstance, however, the employee had approached her and the out of character inquiry had come easily.

[bookxddict-blog]

"You're welcome" he smiled and nodded gently, focusing his attention to some books that he quickly rearranged before posing his eyes back on her. Whenever he was in the book store with the main owner, Mr. Ettiore, out of town he usually made every effort possible to keep the shop in the best presentation. It was truly his second home, one Tom liked to remain comfy and well organized –besides scolding could come get him if he didn't–

"Recommendations?" he parroted, giving a slight tilt of his head in thought. The whispers of a certain nagging writer were distracting him from the mental research of books.

Extraordinary Narrations, Poe whispered. Tom turned his face to the side and muttered, "I'm not making you any promotion Poe"

A clear of his throat was usually enough to cover up his own monologues, or at least it would look like it to other people, Tom looked up at the client in front of him and smiled.

"It may depend on your likings, I'm sure I could find a book that could match if you'd like. We have a top list also, one for new books and the other for classics."

[shadowxxwriter-blog]

I'm Home / Michiru + Tom

Stepping out of the taxi, a smile grew on Michiru’s face. She was home, finally home. The European leg of her book tour took longer than she wanted, and it had led to her and her agent having… Words. It wasn’t the same as when she just promoted her mother’s books, or even when she first came out with her own. She had been alone, she had been having flings and men in her bed that never lasted long. This was different. She finally had someone to go home to. And no one seemed to understand her determination to get home.

A tiny meow took her from her thoughts and she got Neko from her cage in the taxi, the man removing her things from the trunk. The small cat curled into her neck, huffing out a puff of air in annoyance. Neko was not one to like the cold. Michiru laughed, nuzzling the cat’s fur. “No more cold, soon. We will be inside soon..” She kissed the cat softly, the cat purring, before paying the man for his help. He smiled at her, tilting his hat, before getting into his taxi and leaving.

The place was just as beautiful as she had left it. The book store looked busy and magnificent, all around covered in a thin blanket of snow. Her apartment, their apartment, sitting above, and she could smell breakfast. Tom was up, running late, of course, when wasn’t he? For work, she knew he thought that was his concern of being late, but it made her laugh to know the real reason. He was supposed to get her from the airport.

She had anticipated it, of course, Tom often got lost in the voices and forgot to be on time. His boss was kind about it, and Michiru loved it about him. She knew he would be late, hence the taxi. Bringing her things to the stairs, she dust some snow off, sitting. Neko jumped into her lap, kneading her, wanting to be pet, which she got soon after Michiru got comfortable and took off her gloves. “Shall we do a count down to see when Daddy will come running down here?” She purred to the cat, laughing to herself when Neko meowed loudly.

[bookxddict-blog]

He was supposed to wake up early, but his alarm never rang. Time was something that escaped past Tom's mind some times, having his head stuffed with so many things and people at once he barely could keep up with his own life.

His day had began as followed, the skinny man sat up in bed rubbing sleep off his eyes; hair disheveled and spiking small curls everywhere. Stretching and standing up he made his way to the kitchen to prepare something to eat, a good pile of book was waiting for him to rearrange and he thought he couldn't waste another day in procrastinating. The smell of eggs, one of the few dishes he could do, was thick in the air.

"I'm doing fine, just fine. There's no need to be so picky. I'm the one eating it right? I like this way so you could just... hush Shakes" he mumbled, quite irritated because of his voices picking at him now and then. He was never alone, never. Shakespeare telling him how to cook and not make an ill-roasted egg, Poe there pacing around the room, Hemingway... talking about passion and trying to make a fit with Poe. His hallucinations could be the most entertaining or the most irritating ones, if only the three writers had met in person Tom knew it could or not be a lot different to what his mind made him imagine.

Poe, the cat, had jumped to his back to top it all and made Tom jump in his place. It was just what he needed to make his patience crumble.   

   "Enough is enough, one can't even have a decent meal at..." his blue eyes drifted over to the clock, realizing the hour his eyes widened and his face went pale. "What day is today?..." No, no, no... He had forgotten it, how could he?! It was the day she came back to Alexandria and he was supposed to pick her up at the airport. Thank God Michi knew how forgetful he was. Turning off the stove he picked up his keys to lock the door and running down the stairs he made his way to the door of the building.

Tom quickly jumped the three steps avoiding the person sitting on the side of them, he almost tripped in his rush to get out that he didn't notice it was Michi the one he had passed by until he turned around to apologize.

It took him a couple of minutes to react before going to her and kneel right in front of his girlfriend.

"Michi! You're here! I'm –- I'm sorry, I lost track of time and days and I just... You know how i am, I'm so sorry love. You're here now! How was the flight?" he asked, his tone rather happy and excited to have her before him, his rambling went on and on, until he calmed down and let out a soft "I missed you"

[sawyerfallan]

A few people in my mind that didn’t let me sleep really. That could mean a  number of things, but Sawyer wasn’t up to the task of figuring it out. Instead she let herself believe it was all about simply thinking about people, going over past conversations and trying to figure out how to be more witty, ect. Anything about a disorder didn’t cross her mind. After all, everyone must be perfect people. Mustn’t they? As the topic turned to books her interest dropped. Thinking about acts and people, now that was information worth prying out of someone. A good book? Now that was a story to put one to sleep. The last book she had ever read must have been years ago. Unless scripts or magazines count, Sawyer wasn’t much of a reader. She preferred more visually stimulating entertainment.

"I suppose I should have assumed you were one of those people. You do seem to work here after all. I don’t think I’ve ever found something that doesn’t involve human interaction that makes me loose track of time and stay up all night without realizing it.” 

[bookxddict-blog]

One of those people? The frown that appeared on Tom's face was quite remarkable. His blue eyes, though as sleepy as he was, had been fixed over the blonde girl in front of him. He was not one to judge, the guy was completely a mess in his mind to even had it in himself to make remarks about people but the comment had poked at his pride.

"Well, you'd be surprised. There's plenty of things that can make you loose track of time and they are not precisely books or people. And as I do work here, is there any book in particular you're looking for?"

[frankiecakes]

"He even has a fancy name. Ettiore, I liike that." Frankie said. She definitely liked this place, of all the places she’d been through so far this one was by far her favorite.

Frankie laughed, “All you’re missing are little bifocals and a Mr. Rogers sweater and you’d be the ultimate cliche of shopkeepers. Although you look way too young to be the typical little old shopkeeper.” She pegged the guy at maybe 23 at least, but there was something about him that said ‘this guy is an old soul’.

Frankie’s eyes widened, she had always loved the smell of rain, especially near the harbor in New York. A small pang of nostalgia poked at her just thinking about it. “I love the smell of rain.” She said smiling softly. “Maybe it’s best not to try and bottle something like that. I’m starting to think what makes them so wonderful is because they aren’t around every day. They’re precious because they’re rare.”

[bookxddict-blog]

"Right? Just don't tell him he has a fancy name or it will grow on him and I'm the one that is most of the time with the man" Although, he was quite careful with his comments to other people, more with the ones he didn't know much, the fact was true. Uncle Ettiore as he called him outside the shop, was quite the figure.

"I– I do have a pair of glasses... so I'm not that far from the look" he chuckled with a shake of his head. "I've been in the business for a while now, so I know every corner of the store and even the secret passages"

"There are secret passages Hem, I'm sure about it" Tom murmured to himself before looking up at Frankie with a silly smile, hoping that if she heard him she'd disregard it.

To Tom the bookstore was more of a haven whenever he needed it, and for a moment or two it did seem to merge with his voices that made the complete refuge whenever he had needed it in the past; since the last year he had found it in himself to go out more.

"Isn't it one of the best smells in the world?" he smiled, sleep still poking at his eyelids. "That's true though, what makes them special is that they come in the moment they're needed."

[milesoftemperedhell]

The young brunette perked up once the exhausted looking male began to lead her. She’d come by this way before but hadn’t seen what she was looking for, of course it was entirely possible she’d overlooked it, losing patience after a few moments of looking at musty book titles and old names that held no meaning to her. She heard him mutter to himself, and though it caught her attention, she didn’t mention it, attributing it to his being so tired.

"Do you think you have a first edition for Peter Pan? It’d be incredible if you did, but if not I’d be happy with a slightly younger one. I just want one that wasn’t printed in this decade." Her nose wrinkled at the name that left the male’s mouth. "Mr..Etire?"

[bookxddict-blog]

The bookstore wasn't that big, it consisted of two floors, but you could easily see the main door standing next to the last shelf in the first level. It took Tom a few months to find his way through the organizing system and the inventory lists, Ettiore was a rather picky man.

"I think we do, I remember him telling me about how he got it..." Tom mumbled, rummaging through the book piles carefully. That part of the book store had the most important books in Mr. Ettiore's collection, so it was kind of hidden. 

"I know... I'm trying to find a book here Poe." he mumbled once more under his breath, almost muffled by a yawn. "Oh here!" He picked it up, analyzing it for a while. "Yes, first edition. 1911, Hodder & Stoughton. It has a bit of wear in the pages, cloth with edge wear. The first name of the story was Peter and Wendy, but yes it's the same book" Tom smiled sleepily holding the book to her, "It's a bit pricey though, if you'd like I can find some other options. Oh, Mr. Ettiore, he's the owner of the shop. I just work here really."

[frankiecakes]

Frankie was relieved to see a happy (although sleepy) face after navigating through a few less than kind shops. She looked around at the set up of the shop, “It has character, though. Pristine book stores feel so stuffy, this one feels kind of like home.”

"Thank you." It was the first welcome Frankie had received. She wasn’t accustomed to people being so nice after living in New York City, it was easy to get used to grouchy shop owners just looking to make a quick dollar. "I have, yeah. Although, my real hope was to find a bookstore with a sleepy shopkeeper. They’re my favorite." She added.

"That sounds so cool though, living above a bookstore, I mean. Especially if the place smells like old books. It’d be to die for." Frankie said picking up a book from a stack next to her. It had to have been decades old, but the scent of the pages brought a bright smile to her face. "They should really bottle this scent, although I’m not sure how they would since it’s just the gradual breakdown of the cellulose and lignin in the paper and it produces all these different organic compounds. Kinda fascinating, really." Frankie stopped when she realized she was rambling, she wouldn’t be surprised if she had put the guy to sleep. "But I’m sure you know all about that stuff." She said, sheepishly setting the book back on top of the pile.

[bookxddict-blog]

"Well this is like... messy stuffy, so to speak" he chuckled softly, beginning to pile up some papers of the counter. He had to do something at all time not to fall asleep, his eyes went to her once more matching a smile to his lips. "It does feel like home, and that's good, I think Mr. Ettiore wanted that when he first opened. He owns the shop" 

"You're welcome" Tom smiled soft and sheepishly at her comment. "Seems you got your hopes granted, for I'm a very sleepy shopkeeper" he laughed scratching the back of his neck. Thinking about the apartment made him remember he'd had some to-do list upstairs once the shift was done, so much for craving a nap that seemed slipping through his fingers.

"It doesn't smell that strong but I do have some books I've bought for my own collection. Besides it's easier to go to work everyday." The thought of bottling the scent was interesting, for a moment he got lost in thinking how he could keep a small bottle with him everyday, maybe a label that read: for happy times or some sort.

"It would be the same as in bottling the scent of rain, wet ground... It even has it's own word to describe: petrichor..." he began, "I guess they are those kind of scents to enjoy only when you can, whenever it rains and when you actually own an old book" 

[bookxddict-blog]

Personally, I’d love to hear more about his hallucinations. I think it’s a really cool storyline!

Eeeeeh Thank you!! >w< I'm actually reading a bit of the writers atm so I kinda "write" them how they should be XD <.< >.> haha

[bookxddict-blog]

Will be working on replies :3 As many as I can as I'm going out of town tonight. BUT, I wanted to ask something.

Do you guys think I should write what the hallucinations "tell" Tom as an inner monologue for a better understanding on what's going on in the threads?

[bookxddict-blog]

Annie here! Drew and Tom. I gotta go to class but will be back later tonight ;3 (I really hope so) I'm moving to the wifi-less classroom. Booooo lol

misscharlottevans frankiecakes I owe you two nwn and Maddie! teacupxmusician

[milesoftemperedhell]

Slender fingers tapped against the soft cover of the book beneath her forearms. “If you insist,” she picked up the  book to show him the cover, “I’ve been looking for a different edition of this book,” the title on the cover read in intricate writing Peter Pan. “I could only find this edition and I was hoping to find something older, a little more closer to the original.”

[bookxddict-blog]

Blue eyes with heavy lids settled upon the cover, his mind racing as fast as possible through his mental inventory. The owner of the shop used to travel round the world in the search of books –that's what he told the young Tom–, of course that included the recreation time for the Italian.

"I think... we have one. This way please" he said going round the counter and led her through the hallways, his feet dragging a little bit to be honest. "I know Poe..." He muttered quietly to his inner ghostly companion who was up to bug him already and Tom hoped the one following him hadn't heard him talking to 'himself'.

"We have a first editions and whatnot at the back. You could even check out our other books, Mr. Ettiore brings them. I lost track of how many we've got"

[sawyerfallan]

"Something fun at least keeping you up?" Sawyer asked him, taking in his scruffy appearance. Talking to whomever this boy might be would certainly be more interesting than actually searching for a book in this bookstore. She wasn’t even sure what she was looking for in the store if she was being honest. "That should be the only excuse for a missed night of sleep."

[bookxddict-blog]

"I wish, I had a few people in my mind that didn't let me sleep really." he rubbed his eyes a little bit more, too sleepy to realize he wasn't making any sense to her as she was clueless about his  disorder. The very few that knew about those ghost personages that appeared to him were his parents, Mr. Ettiore, his co-worker Paul, his friend Maddie and his girlfriend Michi –it was hard to keep the voices a secret when in a relationship–.

"But there could be other reasons worth staying awake, a good book for example, sometimes you never notice the time flying away and when you least expect it it's already morning"