Favorite Book
Pairing: Dave Hodgman x Reader
Author: @ninja-stiles
Words: 1877
Author’s Note: This is the first drabble of Dave for The Princess Squad and the prompt was: “You keep reading that same book. There’s so many other books, why that one?” And instantly got bookworm vibes, so here we are! It’s short (it sucks) but I think it’s super adorable? Who knows. Enjoy!
I was labeled as the book worm by the kids that went to this school. Doesn’t matter what’s happening, I’ll more than likely will have a book in between my hands, eyes roaming the words on each page, drowning in the story. I’d walk down the halls, my books clinging to my chest, gaze looking at the floor so I can avoid eye contact with the people here, since some of them can be a little meaner than others. One person I’d notice that seems to be nice to everyone, no matter who they are and he’s absolutely amazing. I’ve always had some sort of thing for him, but not once in my school years have I gone up to him and talked to him. If we were characters in books, I’d be all up in that, because my character would be more confident than my actual self. That one person’s name is Dave Hodgman and he’s a senior, a grade higher than me. He’s got chestnut colored hair that’s looks incredibly soft and it’s spiky in the front, honey brown eyes that glisten in the sun, which makes me melt everytime I see him, lips that also look soft and are a pinkish color. He’s literally the character in a book that everyone would want to be with, the guy who’s incredibly sweet and also super attractive.
I walked into my corner of the library, setting my books onto the table, letting out a sigh of relief as the books the school gives you are super heavy. I strolled through the fiction sections, looking for another book by Sarah Dessen that’ll peak my interest. I had just finished Lock and Key and I fell in love with it. I have a certain type of book that I absolutely love to read, the cliche books where the main character falls in love with a guy who’s never noticed her and they fall in love, living happily ever after. Something that would never happen in the real world. Guys are too uptight about what they want in girls that it’s made it quite difficult for someone to get to know me. They don’t read what’s past the cover.
I bumped into someone as I kept my gaze on the bookshelf, stumbling over the lanky being, muttering an apology as I bent down, picking up the book I had dropped out of my hand. I glanced up at the person I had bumped into, my eyes widening as I realize that I had ran into Dave, himself. He gave me a small smile as his eyes glance down at the book in my hands.
“Lock and Key, huh?” He asked, looking at my face as I nodded my head, not being able to find my voice. “Have you read that one?” Once again, I nod my head as I looked at the cover at the book, mentally cursing myself to talk like a normal person would.
“Y-Yeah. It’s really good.” I whispered quietly, almost thinking that he didn’t hear me. He put out his hand, silently asking me if he could look at it and I hand it to him, our fingers brushing ever so slightly, my skin burning at the feeling of his touch. He opened the cover of the book, glancing at the words that vaguely described the book on the inside of the cover before looking back up at me.
“Can you tell me a bit about it?” He questioned and I furrowed my eyebrows, confusion on why he would want to read this type of book. He seemed to figure out what I was thinking and clarified himself. “I have to read a book for Ms. Martin’s class and it has to be fiction.” He shrugged and I nodded my head, understanding why he’s in this aisle, now.
“Well, it’s about a seventeen year old girl name Ruby, who was abandoned by her mother. She couldn’t wait for her independence when she turned eighteen, so no one could put her in foster care. She had a good life where she was living, had a job at an airport, grades that were high enough to stay under the radar of the administrators, and also had a friends with benefits.” I paused, collecting some of the story from the book, continuing, “Ruby was found living in a hotel and state services ended up sending her to live with her sister, Cora. So, she started out at a new school, and became friends with a guy named Nate,a handsome jock, who had lived behind her. Basically, she falls in love with Nate as they become closer all the while as she tries to figure out how to make her life better.” I finished, smiling as I looked up at Dave, seeing a small smile on his lips as well.
“That sounds really interesting. That’s kind of weird to say since I’m a guy.” He chuckled while I giggled, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear. “But, I don’t think that’s the right one for me, so you can keep it. I assumed you’ve finished it already?” He questioned, glancing at other books as I kept my eyes on him, surprised with myself that I’ve been able to hold a conversation for this long.
“Yeah, I finished it a couple weeks ago and I’m trying to find other books like this that are from the same author, but I don’t think we store any here.” I mentioned, glancing up at him, wondering why he decided to talk to me. “Can I ask you a question, Dave?”
“Of course.” He smiled, looking down at me as I become a little nervous, swallowing visibly.
“Um, well, I was wondering why you’re talking to me. When I bumped into you, you could’ve just apologized and walked away, but instead, you started up a conversation about books. D-Did someone tell you to do this?” I stuttered, my heart pounding against my chest, looking around for someone to pop out, laughing in my face. I felt his hand rest on my arm, my gaze turning towards him, a small smile on his lips.
“No one put me up to this, Y/N.” My lips parted as he said my name, surprising that I didn’t even think he knew my name. “I decided to talk to you because I’ve seen you around school and not talk to anyone. I-I just thought that maybe, you wanted a friend.” My heart swelled at his kindness, putting a hand over my heart.
“Oh my god, Dave. T-That’s so sweet of you, really.” I smiled, taking my lip between my teeth. “I’d love a friend if you’re still offering. No one’s ever asked or tried to be my friend.” I frowned a bit, lowering my head slightly.
“Well you have me now, Y/N. I’m here whenever you need me and I’ll sit with you at lunch, alright?” He questioned and I nodded my head, a large grin on my lips.
Dave and I had gotten really close and we became the best of friends. We knew absolutely everything about each other, even about the crush he had on Jane, but he claims that he doesn’t anymore. Dave had graduated that summer, which kinda sucked because next year I’ll be the girl who has no friends again. I haven’t seen Dave in a couple weeks since him and his family had gone on vacation, so I began to read again. I started reading Lock and Key for the third time, a smile on my lips every time I read it.
“You know,” Someone’s voice rang out and I jumped, pressing the book to my chest as I looked to the door, seeing Dave leaning against the doorframe, a smirk on his lips. “You keep reading that same book. There’s so many other books out in the world, why that one?” He asked, walking into the room, sitting on the edge of my bed as I put the bookmark in the crease, putting the pook on my end table, shrugging my shoulders.
“Well, I’ve always been a sucker for romances between two different types of people. For example, a bookworm falls in love with a popular guy and the popular guy feels the exact same way, but doesn’t say anything because he doesn’t think he likes her because of his status, or he doesn’t want his friends to make fun of him then realizes that maybe those aren’t his real friends type of deal.” I smiled, crossing my legs together as Dave smiled at me, scratching his jawline.
“How do you feel about a non-popular guy falling in love with a bookworm, but he doesn’t know how she feels because her nose is always in a book, while her mind is in fantasy land. Even though he’s desperately tried everything to get her to notice him.” He scooted closer to me, my eyes widening as his face was inches away from mine, feeling his minty breath hit my face.
“T-Those are high up on the list as well.” I muttered, my cheeks heating up as I look up into his eyes, seeing a look of passion as his eyes were already on me. Dave smiled, reaching his hand towards my face, grazing his thumb against my cheekbone before brushing some of my hair out of my face, my heart pounding against my rib cage. His hands land on my hips, moving me closer to him, our noses brushing together as my breath hitched in my throat, looking up at him through my lashes, my eyes fluttering shut. Dave’s lips brushed against mine, jumping back slightly, eyes widened. “I-I, what?” I stuttered, confused that he tried to kiss me.
“Isn’t this how you pictured your first kiss?” He whispered, his hand moving across my lower back, glancing down at my lips. I shyly nodded my head, moving my hands to his chest as he closed the gap between us. I trailed my hands up to his neck, moving my lips against his as his grip on my hips tighten, pulling me onto his lap. He ran his fingers through my hair, tilting his head sideways a bit, deepening the kiss. I pulled away from him, panting slightly, trying to catch my breath.
“O-Oh my god. That just happened.” I muttered, staring at Dave as he smiles at me, pressing his lips to my forehead. “That was better than anything I’ve read in a book.” I whispered, feeling Dave’s fingers intertwine with mine.
“Good. That was the plan, Y/N.” He smiled and a grin broke out on my lips, touching my lips with my free hand, loving the feeling of his lips against mine. “I was wondering if maybe, you wanted to go out on a date or something?” He asked and I nodded my head, pressing my lips against his. His eyes glanced at the book on my night stand, leaning over to pick it up. “You can tell me more on why you love this book so much.” He smirked, making me giggle, taking his face in my hands, giving him a loving kiss.
“I might not need the book now that I’ve got the real thing.”