Returning Love

Bea had finally left work and she actually got to leave early. She biked home and took a shower. Thankfully, her parents weren’t home, so she wouldn’t have to answer the random questions her dad had always drilled her with. Bea wrote a sloppy note, threw it on the fridge, and left for the book store.

She could see The Hidden Nooks Bookshop right around the corner from her favorite family restaurant and saw Theo’s car parked farthest away from the door. She smiled, locking her dark red bike up and walked in, playing with her hair.

She scanned the front, but didn’t see Theo, so she decided to look around for a bit. She headed straight for the teen fiction, fantasy section and searched for her favorite author’s new book. Bea had been wanting it for a long time, but thought it was too expensive online. “Dang it, I can’t seem to find that book anywhere.”

“What book are you looking for?” Someone asked next to her. She jumped, and looked over to see Theo stocking some books.

“Um, hey. Didn’t think I was going to see you,” she giggled, pushing her hair behind her ear as she avoided eye contact.

Theo laughed, “I told you, you’d see me. I’m here till nine today, I’m not sure how long you planned to stay.”

“I brought homework, so I can stay if you want me to. I don’t know if you’re going to be hungry after working or not, but we can always go out to that little family restaurant down the street after you’re finished.” She offered. “I–I mean if you want to…”

Theo dropped the books he was stocking. Don’t over react. Breathe. It’s just hanging out. Not a date. Relax. Act cool. He told himself “Um…yeah. I would enjoy that. Is it like a date then?”

Bea turned red, “N–no!” She responded. Theo looked at her a little hurt. “I–I mean…it can be if you want. I just didn’t want to rush into anything…” she picked at her cuticles while looking at her feet.

“Bea, it’s okay. It doesn’t have to be a date. The pressure is so nerve wrecking anyway. It can be just two friends hanging out. No pressure.” Theo grinned and picked up the books he had dropped. “When I am finished putting these away, come with me to the front. I have something for you.”

Bea felt her phone vibrate in her pocket, ignoring it. “Alright. I will be here, so come find me when you are done. And Theo, you didn’t have to get me anything.”

“I know, but you have given me so much coffee cake and coffee for free, I figured I’d pay ya back.” He grinned.

“Thanks. I don’t want to keep you from stocking, so we can talk more after work or on your break.” Bea smiled.

Theo nodded and turned the corner to finish putting his books away.

Bea had taken her phone out of her back pocket and noticed her mom texted her. ‘Please be safe and let me know your plans after you are done studying. Your father may not be pleased, but I will deal with him. Love you.’ She smiled and poked her head around the corner, dreamily staring at Theo.

‘I will be home late. I am studying at the bookstore and then my friend and I are going out to dinner after he is done at nine. Don’t worry mom, I am safe and he will bring me home. I love you too.’ She sent it and she was caught staring at Theo, by Theo.

“What are you staring at?” He chuckled.

“N–nothing.” She stuttered and went back to the other side of the shelving. She sat down and leaned against the books gently, taking deep breaths. She was so nervous around him, when she wasn’t at work. Her hands shook and her vision was going in and out of darkness. “Not again…”

Theo poked his head around the corner, and noticed Bea’s actions. “Hey, I will be right back. Someone needs my help.” He spoke over the walkie, taking the earpiece out and sitting down next to her. “Bea, I’m here,” He took her hand and held it gently.

Bea nodded and handed him her phone with a text written. ‘I’m sorry. I got dizzy so I sat down. My vision is going in and out, which means my iron is low. I have iron pills in my backpack.’

Theo grabbed her backpack and looked in the front pockets, finding the pills. He read the directions, handing her a single pill and her water bottle. He helped her guide the pill to her mouth and poured some water into her mouth. “I’ll wait right here until you are okay. I promise.” He handed her a granola bar to snack on until she was okay to stand up.

“Thank you,” Bea managed to muster in a whisper. She put her head on his shoulder, slowly sipping on her water.

“I know what you’re thinking. How did I know?” He felt her nod. “My little sister has an iron deficiency, so she has episodes like this on occasion in public. She is so embarrassed by it, I wish I could do something to help her.”

“I–I can try and talk with her s–sometime.” Bea offered.

“I’m sure she would like that.” He saw his manager walk by, with raised brows, “A friend needed my help. I will be back to work in a second.”

“No worries, Theo. We are slow anyways. Take your time and make sure she is going to be okay,” he told him. Theo nodded and grabbed a random book that seemed to be the first book to a series. 

He opened it up to the first page and read it outloud softly, to try and relax his crush. It’s what he did with his little sister all the time. 

Bea closed her eyes and just listened to his voice as he read. It was so soothing and calm. She smiled and began to relax. She was feeling a bit better, but she didn’t want to move. “I should let you get back to work…”

Theo glanced over, stopping in mid sentence, “Go sit in the back and get some homework done. The chairs are comfy, so you might fall asleep in it. I will meet you back there with your gift in a second.” He smiled, standing up. He held his hand out, and she took it getting to her feet.

Bea headed to the chairs in the back of the store, stumbling a bit. Theo followed her, helping her get to one safely. Once she sat down, he went to the back, to his locker and grabbed the book he had bought her. He hurried over to her and handed it to her. Bea looked at the book and back at Theo, “You didn’t have to do this, Theo.”

“I know, but I wanted to.” He scratched the back of his head.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I will see you in a few hours and we can go to dinner, if you are still up for it. If not, I’ll wait until you are feeling better.”

“I should be okay by nine to get a late dinner with you,” Bea smiled shyly. “Go back to work, before you get in trouble.”

Theo laughed, kissed her on her cheek and left to get more books to stock.

Bea touched her cheek as she watched him leave with an ‘in love’ smile. She opened the book and read the note written on the title page. ‘This book is for my favorite bookworm. I hope you think of me whenever you pick it up.’

She smiled even bigger and watched Theo gradually put books away. I cannot believe how sweet he is. He is so amazing and I can’t wait to tell him how I really feel about him. She thought.