If only I could have a friend...

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erinandoliver‌:

They headed towards the exit and soon Erin could see the sky and the streets she loved ever so much. “There’s usually one or two new per year. They usually come at the start of the semester, not in spring,” she replied and looked over at Theo while walking in the direction of the cafe. “Oh, that is a great bar,” she said and pointed at a bar that was down the street as they crossed the road. “Super jazzy, if you like that. I do.” She soon got back on track with the subject. “I’ve never really had much to do with the new teacher as I’ve been one of the newest for along time. Mrs. Ford came before Christmas, and I guess there’ll be more in September. At the moment - yes, you’re the newest of the new.” They turned the corner and found the cafe. The Muffin Man. Small, but never crowded. “Here we are.” 

Theo’s eyes kept darting around the streets, as they walked up the exit, as they “surfaced”.  “Oh I see”, he nodded. “It was a rather abrupt decision for me to be honest”, he mumbled. “I didn’t actually believe I’d be transferred that soon, after filling up some papers”, he admitted, that was all he could really say at the moment. “Oh I love that”, his smile widened-he loved jazz and also, loved people that loved jazz. For a moment, it was like he was electrocuted by his own thoughts: he loved the people that used jazz music in that bar, not someone else. He rolled his eyes, with how obscure his thoughts were and he pouted, trying to shake it off. He looked around like he was in Disneyland-it was surely a new place, but behind all that, a new adventure was starting out for him. The Muffin Man-he read the name that was above the door for the place. “Why does it remind me of gingerbread houses?”, he chuckled. “Or is it just me that I have it connected with Shrek?”

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picador777: i don't know either... sorry :((

picador777: if you're not sure it's love then it's definitely not i guess?

picador777: i have, yes. i have been to someone i am attracted to

picador777: i don't know, i guess it creates tension, which i think is sexy

dogmeows591: love is another step, isn't it? You don't know that you love somebody, unless you know them? I don't know him-how should I say that I love him?

dogmeows591: Oh great...yes, it creates too much tension for me to handle.

dogmeows591: how did your situation end up to be?

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erinandoliver‌:

She had read it. A long time ago. Huh. His smile almost turned genuine at the fact that she had. He liked that. The feeling was soon gone as she continued talking, and his face turned into a frown, a skeptical look was showing her way. “My intentions?” Oliver raised his brows. He chuckled a little sarcastically, looked down as he licked his lip. He raised his head, looked directly at her and took a step in her direction, being fairly close to her now. “Why would you think I have any, March?” He narrowed his eyebrows, a small smile on his lips. “You’re just a costumer in my bookstore,” he put his hand on his chest, “as much as I was a guest at your opening.” His hand went from his chest to pointing at her, his finger slightly touching right under her shoulder. 

“Are you for real?”, she blurted out, not taking her eyes from his face. It was intentional, because she didn’t want tlose any kind of reaction from him-he was quite a sight when he was mad. Especially when she had riled him up herself. Guilty as charged. Her feelings were all over the place. “So you’re forgetting what you did when you came in mine? Was it so obscure that it caused you amnesia?”, she asked, her smile was turning wider and wider, but her tone was a mix of teasing and sarcastic. She tried to roll her eyes subtly-as subtly as she could-as his finger almost touched her. “I demand you to come to my bookstore and not judge it, as you did the first time. Be the bigger person, like I am right now”, it was almost challenging as her face leaned closer to his. Not many seconds had passed, as she pulled away taking the books she was going to buy. “If you can, of course”, she said breathlessly, not realizing that when she closed the distance, she had forgotten how to breathe.

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picador777: yeah like is that person having the same feelings as you or do they just don't like you?

picador777: it's a thin line wth

picador777: it's a fucking weird coping mechanism though... being mean to someone you like

picador777: love is hard

dogmeows591: I don't know that. And I don't know how I can make them reveal that?

dogmeows591: coping mechanism okay

dogmeows591: HEY...Love...is not what that is. Love is the very top level of what's happening. I don't think that I love him...wait..

dogmeows591: It's just attraction. Stupid and superficial attraction.

dogmeows591: have you been through that?

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erinandoliver‌:

She wasn’t bad at this. It annoyed Oliver how good she seemed to hold it together with her almost equally smart comments back at him. She chuckled and for a moment Oliver wondered what it would look like if she laughed for real. A genuine laugh. The thought disappeared as fast as it came and he raised his eyebrows in her direction. Her question made his head turn from her and to the cart in front of him. He picked up a book written by Paulo Coelho. The Alchemist. “Add this to your list and I’ll admit you have good taste.” But of course she could add it to her list and read it, but in order to impress him she had to like it. Understand it. Not just read it. “If you manage to get through it full heartedly.” A witty comment yet again. 

Waiting for Oliver’s response, she turned her herself to stare at the spine of books and basically hold herself and not make a scene. She turned instantly to look at the book he was talking about. This was making her so mad for some reason. “I don’t need your approval that I have taste”, she muttered under her breath, looking at the book and raised her head to look at him. “And I’ve read that. A long time ago, if that’s what you want to know”, he expression was more serious, before changing-a small smile appeared on her lips. “Do you think that if you think hard enough, the universe will make my book store burn to the ground?”, she smirked at him. “Unless that’s not what you want”, she made a pause, “What are your real intentions here, Stuart?”, she asked, not taking her eyes away from his.

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erinandoliver‌:

“Perfect.” Erin smiled happily, and that’s what she was - happy. She mostly was as she rarely found reason not to be. “We’re here.” She turned around and went for the nearest door. The underground was quite full and a lot of people were going off here, but as soon as you were outside the actual tube, space were found again. “London is crowded,” she said and turned around to make sure Theo were right behind her. “Let’s get up on the street.” 

Theo widened his eyes slightly and followed Erin, as much as he could-lots of people seemed to be heading to that area, so he tried to follow her with his eyes and slowly walk out. “A little too much yeah”, he nodded, as he had finally reached her and looked around, feeling kind of like a kid, learning new routes. “Let’s”, he said almost  too excitedly and headed where the exist sign showed. “Does our school usually have new teachers? Like me?”, he asked. “Or like..I’m the newest of the new”.

[smittcnshadxw]

erinandoliver‌:

Oliver’s eyes stayed on every little move she did. As she walked towards him and stopped next to him, he licked his lips and pressed them softly together. “Best sellers are for the mediocre,” he replied to her smart comment and took a few steps backwards, pushing the pushcart behind him. Now he stood a little to her side. “And I’m not here to please the mediocre. My customers are more, well, intellectual.” He took a glance down at the books she held in her arms. “And you’re not too bad there, I guess.” Almost a compliment. It wasn’t exactly meant as one. His eyes went up again, following from the hair on her back and up to her face. He hated that she seemed too good at what she was doing. The books. He hated how similar she might be to him. 

Letting out a scoff at his words, she didn’t really resist to just turn to look at him again. Her eyes lingered a little bit too much on his. “Well, amateurs learn and basic people can grow into intellectuals. Although, if your customers are the same kind of intellectuals as you are, we’re doomed as a society”, she chuckled and turned her head again to look at the books. She liked being next to him-somehow, in a way-he had managed yet again to challenge her. Maybe she felt his eyes at him too, and turned her head abruptly, being completely right about her assumption. “Oh so not too bad...”, she chuckled. “What other book would you suggest me to read? Considering those three I’m definitely going to buy”, she said wtih a smile. She tried her best to keep it cordial and be the bigger person, but she was feeling she was going to crack any second now.

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picador777: caught me kissing her bff. jk, i dont remember why. we don't like her now.

picador777: pulling hair is essential anytime

picador777: hmm that sounds conflicting

picador777: i do know how you feel though, i guess humans just are this way??? super complicated

picador777: but how will this certain someone you are attracted to know if you're mean to them? will they ever know? that's what you should ask yourself

dogmeows591: oh my god. I would kill you for just a second, but okay. We don't like her.

dogmeows591: i still don't understand it, though.

dogmeows591: because they are mean back to me. I don't even know if they're even attracted to metoo. Like...AAAAAAAAAAAAH.

[smittcnshadxw]

erinandoliver‌:

“Asking the important questions.” Erin tilted her head and looked up at him, smiling. She had to think, wondering if she really had a good answer to that. Erin had found her favorite places, of course, she was a person who liked the predictable. Not that she wasn’t open to change and new things - how should she find new things if not? But on normal days she went to places she knew she liked. “You’re right - there’s way too many options. I usually go out in the area where we’re heading now, so we’ll walk past a few great places, both to eat and drink and other things.” She smiled, her eyes wandering over a woman standing outside the next stop. Only one more stop and they were there. 

Theo had to chuckle at Erin’s comment. His eyes kept wandering around at the people around the tube, wandering if there were other people that they had just come to London, like him. He didn’t know how he got so philosophical-shaking his head. “Great, then”, he nodded. He held himself tight on the pole and looked at the name of the places and wished he would come sooner there. He had so many questions to ask-either related to their common workplace or interests, but he kept it to himself, thinking it’s best to just wait and bombard Erin with questions. He was partly afraid that he might scare her away but on the other hand, he was really in need on a friend or someone to talk to-small talk even.

[smittcnshadxw]

erinandoliver‌:

Since the opening of Sophie March’s new book store, Oliver had felt a bit odd. He was still mad that someone would come like that - open a new book store so close to his. So close to his book store, his grandfather’s book store. So close to his whole livelihood. But he went on with his days. He still had costumers. They didn’t go down. Not yet. Still he felt there was something wrong with it all. 

And there, on a normal Thursday, he saw her.  He stopped to look at her, a small pushcart in front of him filled with books. She fit perfectly in with the colorful shelves in her dress. His sight should be frozen. Frozen into a picture and hung up on one of his walls. It was a beautiful sight, he had to admit that. He could have almost smiled at how aesthetically pleasing it was. Almost.It seemed fair that she’d come eventually. After all - he had come to see her’s the moment she opened. Why had she taken so long. He felt almost happy to see her. Yet, the odd feeling he had carried for weeks reminded him how irritated he also was with her. “Sophie March,” he said, surprised, yet determined. “What a pleasure seeing you here.” His voice filled with sarcasm. He could have been nice. Left their last encounter behind and started over. But no - she owned a book store a few blocks away. Something in him had to be rude. Sarcastically nice and rude. “Here to see what you’ll never accomplish?” He raised his brows. 

And here he was. It took him long enough to approach her. Sophie didn’t even have to turn. His voice was stuck in her head, since their conflict. She pulled another two books from the shelves: The Night Circus and The Book Thief. There were books she should have read centuries ago, but here she was drawn to them in her rival’s book store. “Pleasure’s all mine, Oliver Stuart”, she said and finally turning to glance at him. There was something about him. Something idiotic. Idiotic and classic. And his expression always challenging her. “I’m here to help this old bookstore have some kind of sales, seeing that its customers don’t buy best sellers anymore”, she held the small pile of her three books against her chest and walked past him, to check on the shelves, right next to him. Almost intentionally.

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picador777: never nice

picador777: i once lit candles around a fireplace and made a picnic. it was romantic. didn't have that girl for long though, dumped me a week later...

picador777: i have been a few times, yeah. it's lovely. but the grammar sucks hahah.

picador777: i guess? used to pull the girls' i liked hair when i was little. very mean.

picador777: why do you ask? have you?

dogmeows591: AH...sucks to be her, as it seems. Why did she dump you?

dogmeows591: IT DOES! I know.

dogmeows591: my grandma told me this-when boys like you, they pull your hair 0.0

dogmeows591: as of recently, yeah...I don't know what it is but...

dogmeows591: I am very mean to someone that I'm attracted to and I find myself conflicted. I don't know how normal that is.

dogmeows591: how masohistic the humans can be????

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erinandoliver‌:

“Change is good,” Erin agreed with a nod. “I see. It’s definitely worth it, depends what you want to do there.” She smiled. Her eyes went out the windows as they were on a stop. “Two more stops.” She looked up at him. The tube normally went by fast, but mostly she didn’t take too long trips on it. She lived close to almost everything. “You’ll learn the underground system soon. It seems complicated, but it’s not. You just have to crack the code.” She smiled sweetly, tightened her grip on the pole. 

“It is but...still didn’t think much of the consequences”, he chuckled. “I mean, change is always good, but not as easy”, he commented. “Two more stops”, he followed Erin’s gaze and nodded. “I bet-it’s all a matter of getting used to it”, he chuckled. He tried to figure out what else they should talk about and looked around the people in the tube.  “Where do you usually go when you go out? I mean, it’s a cliche question to ask, but...London has too many options, I guess”, he said, trying to make small talk.

[smittcnshadxw]

She found herself in front of Secret Garden Bookstore. It had been weeks since the opening of her own bookstore and until then, she literally struggled to figure out doing a lot of things at once. Until she put up an ad for an assistant and everything else was literally solved. She finally had free time for her master’s assignments. But here she was hesitating to go in the cute rival book store.

Sophie was going to show him what the March family was made of-was one of the things she thought as she entered the bookstore, just to be instantly mesmerized by the aura of the book store itself-like any bookstore she went in had. The aura of wanting to touch, read and probably smell books. She headed towards a section, grateful that it was the fiction one and stopped in front of shelves, that had books with especially lively colours in their spines. She instantly pulled one of them-feeling quite happy about her choice : The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. She had it in her bookstore, as well-but now things were different. She kept caressing the cover and spine, kind of exhilarated. She suddenly felt too self aware with her own attire, as her mustard-yellow dress and black leggings made her feel like a bee. She held the book on her chest, like she already owned it and looked at the colourful shelves again-a smile spreading across her face. She had almost forgotten she had to meet Oliver there. 

[smittcnshadxw]

picador777: correct - nice boys don't hook up in bookstores hahah

picador777: almost? interesting

picador777: ooh c'mon, i am romantic.

picador777: yeah, i guess it is nice :))

picador777: stuck on that part? i love that part. i'd also be stuck on that part.

picador777: i'm just reading so much different now. i can't find that one, new book that just amazes me. can't find it, i need something new.

dogmeows591: Oh so you're not nice?

dogmeows591: Yeah, thankfully...it was almost.

dogmeows591: what's the most romantic thing you've ever done for someone?

dogmeows591: I wish i could go to France, at some point. Have you ever been to France?

dogmeows591: I love it as well-although it's not for that reason. My brain is probably so tired with the new grammar and vocabulary that I showed it and it's like...nope.

dogmeows591: Well, keep searching...you won't know what you find.

dogmeows591: just a question..

dogmeows591: have you ever been mean to someone that you're attracted to?

[smittcnshadxw]

erinandoliver‌:

She wasn’t easy on him back. Oliver had hoped that she’d maybe back up now, but still he was happy she hadn’t. He knew he deserved to get talked to back, and it was nice to see that she had the balls to do so. “Good to know we’re both professionals then,” he smiled jerkily and took a sip from his glass. “Can’t wait.” His sarcastic tone was no to get wrong now. “I’ll be there, welcoming the shit-talk with my open arms.” He narrowed his eyebrows when she sighed. Okay, now he was highly offended. Who did she actually think she was? He had owned a bookstore his whole life, kind of, and here she came, believing she owned it all now. Oliver watched as she walked away from him and towards the counter. He didn’t want to argue more now. Or play this game. He needed a break. He just stood there, a glass in his hand and eyes following her. “Oliver Stuart.” Someone he knew from high school was suddenly there and in the mood for small talk. Oliver took a sip of his wine and changed his mood from unfriendly to, well, friendly. He kind of didn’t want to be here anymore. He had seen enough.

Sophie let out a chuckle-not really expecting the professionals comment coming from him. Just realizing that he was playing along with the bantering, as well. “Great”, she huffed and her eyes shifted to his arms, like he wanted that-his posture was unbelievably delicate, as well. Was it attraction? Was it? Sophie shook her head, as she headed to the counter, only to finish up another glass of wine. Already feeling her tipsy persona up on the surface. He didn’t follow her, which she was partly grateful, but something itched her to turn around. What was wrong with her? He was too mean and acting up like a child that stole his dinner. She’d gladly give him a tour at the moment and change his opinion. Was it too much for him to just let her and the bookstore be? She didn’t feel competiitve with him-she just hated the way it was created. Maybe he felt threatened. Maybe it wasn’t a personal thing. She didn’t realize how one of her other friends had dragged her back to the same table, her eyes always trying to steal a glance at him-but she wasn’t going to let it happen. Her glass was filled again and her friend was rambling up about what was her plans for the bookstore and-again-she wasn’t willing to share too much with Oliver too close to her. Her eyes caught him talking with someone and she literally touched her own cheek, to turn her own head back to her frend. She wasn’t even paying attention to what she was saying. “So, yeah...I probably need to wait for a week or so to see how I’m handling things and next thing that I should do is hire an assistant. Or two...if I get to extent the place”, she said with a smile on her face-and suddenly, she felt hopeful again. And day-dreamy. “Then, I’ll be able to give a tour to anyone really”, she said with a smile to her and deep down, she didn’t know if she wanted her mortal enemy to listen. Why was she still thinking about him? He didn’t matter-she barely knew him. Grow up Sophie-you’re drunk~were some thoughts in her head.

[smittcnshadxw]

erinandoliver‌:

Erin had never toured another new teacher around school before, but she enjoyed it. She remember being new here herself - moving to the city, a new apartment and a new job. She was totally confused at first - got lost all the time. But suddenly she was known and used to it all. They had gotten through the building quicker than she had expected, but she was pleased with it. “I do,” she replied with a smile. Okay, so he was new to town, as well. “We’ll have to take the tube though, if that’s all right.” They started walking out of the school area and down the street. “Really? So you’re totally new to all this. Exciting. Then we definitely have to go to the best coffee ship in town.” She took a turn, and they were almost by the station. “Straight from Manchester? You lived there?” 

Theo nodded. “The tube sounds okay”, he smiled, stealing glances at her, as they walked next to each other. “Yeah, besides the usual school London trips, when I was a student myself. This is completely new”, he explained. There was something he couldn’t explain-he didn’t believe in love-at-first-sight. But it was somehow like....destiny? That he met Erin-someone so helpful and nice. And also willing to hear him out. “Straight from Manchester”, he nodded. “Yeah. I’m from there, actually”, he made a pause, placing both of his hands inside his coat’s pockets. “I worked for a pharmaceutical company there for quite a while”, he sucked his inner lip a little, looking down. “Are you from here?”, he asked her, turning to look at her.

[smittcnshadxw]

erinandoliver‌:

She was definitely something. What she was - Oliver didn’t know, but something. His face actually turned more genuine as she continued talking. There was that something about her when she talked that really amused him. At the same time, he felt utterly and completely annoyed with her. “No, I’m not,” he shrugged and placed his wine glass in his other hand. He raised his brows. Oh. It’s on. Now his smile faded, at least the genuine one. “The book dragon doesn’t think this guy already has fire alarms in his book store?” he said and sighed as she decided to turn away from him. He walked around her and on the other side of the table, on which she was searching for water. Pointing at her with the same finger he held the glass, he continued talking. “You should tell Burnett to tell you that you definitely don’t have to swing by my bookstore. I wish she had told me that it was wasted energy to swing by yours.” Ouch, that was mean. But he couldn’t help it. All of this annoyed him. The new store block away from his own. And her. There was just something about her. 

“Not if I Daenery’s up your ass-the fire-alarms won’t get to work”,she chuckled, holding not to laugh a little more: she was enjoying this so much. And who would have thought-a rival would appear, diss her bookstore and then start a quarrel with her, the actual owner-which was still to unbelievable in her head. “Ha”, she started, but then, couldn’t hold her next giggle. His finger though, pointing at the water bottle, made her raise her head and glare at him. It was so delicate and by itself it was such a delicate move-but he was the one doing it. Without giving it a second thought she took another open wine glass and poured some in it. Not going to let him win that either. “Look, mate...”, she smiled, trying to regain her strength and not start shouting. “I am going to do whatever I want. And when I do come to your bookstore, I’m going to follow the professionals. I’m going to walk in, put that stick up my ass and comment whatever I find annoying, without even getting to walk inside not even a little bit”, she chuckled, her tone being overly collected but at the same time, challenging. “Oh and”, she held her glass of wine and raised her finger from the other hand, in some sort of eureka kind of moment. “I do hope there’s a cute Irish girl there at your entrance and I’ll shit-talk your Burnett bookstore all day”, she giggled again, not sure what she was doing. Her eyes wandered around the place-thankfully nobody has noticed all that. Letting out a small sigh, kind of imitating what Oliver has done once he firstly came in, she started walking towards the cashing counter-she did want him to follow her-at least one part of her-but at the same time, she needed to get a breather from this all.