There's a new worker at the bookstore.

Ben couldn't help but to check her out. She's really pretty but way out of his league. It's not like he's here to check out the dating inventory or anything, the bookstore was his favorite place. He goes here once a week on his Saturdays and had been for years. All the other fellow regulars agree that she's really gorgeous and they're shooting their shot.

Ben doesn't partake in this. She was way out of his league and he doesn't want to be that guy hitting on workers. He knows damn well that she's only friendly because she has to. But goddamn it when he's in her presence it just feels so real. Feels so genuine. There's something about the way she carried herself, she's glowing. Beaming. Her name is Rey and it suits her.

It took him forever to find out her name because he was too shy to look at her nametag. He doesn't want her to think that he's checking out her breasts. It takes him a month to gather the courage to steal a peak at her badge.

He does his best to keep his distance from her, he doesn't want to bother her. He doesn't want to be a creep like the other regulars.

But still, he can't help but to notice her every time he's in the bookstore. He can't help but to notice her ass. She doesn't have much and doesn't try to show it off or anything but he wants to bend her over and fuck her. She's so tiny too. He just wants to scoop her in his arms and kiss her all over.

She looks really young though. Way too young for him. She's probably eighteen, he put together. He knows that the minimum age requirement to work at this store is eighteen - don't judge him, yes he looked it up the second he laid eyes on her. She must be freshly eighteen because it's summer too. She must have finished high school and this was probably her first job too.

He doesn't want to be attracted to her, he really doesn't. She's too young and too pure. And she must have a boyfriend too.

He sort of has been going here a lot buying books just to have a reason to be next to her. He always calculates the line to make sure he gets her as his cashier. That's the only time he gets to talk to her. Even though it's all small talk, it makes him really happy. He likes seeing her smile and seeing her dimples. He likes seeing her be so careful with the books. He likes just hearing her ask him how's his day.

He knows that she's just working but for a moment, he just lets himself believe that she cares about him.

"Hi! You're back! I wasn't expecting you until next week!" she beamed. "How are you doing tonight?"

Ben stared at the counter, just the counter. Damn it, she's catching on. She memorized his routine by now. "I'm doing fine," he placed the stack of books on the counter. He couldn't help but to be flustered. She had a very cute voice. She's everything him and his teenaged self wanted, a very cute bubbly nerdy girl with a British accent. He knows that she's a nerd by all the different graphic shirts and sweaters she wears. Today she's wearing an Avatar the Last Airbender shirt paired off with a pastel colored cardigan.

"That's good, I'm glad. What books are you getting this time?"

He's buying a lot of books to prolong the conversation from ending. His wallet will be damned by the end of next month, but for now he's grateful that she's taking her time looking through the titles of each book.

"A great selection!" she nodded in approval. "Ah Things Fall Apart, such a classic."

"You've read it?" he couldn't help but to be surprised. Not a lot of people have read it.

She nodded eagerly. "Of course! It's so good but so sad. I always like seeing what you get. You always have such nice taste."

He couldn't help but to blush.

"Ah I love Persepolis!"

"I've read it so many times I just have to buy a new copy," he chuckled. "I tend to wear out bindings."

"What's this one?" she asked, staring at the cover. He looked up at her then, watching her eyes examine the book. The book was white with handwritten letters that looked like a child's handwriting. It looked like crayon, every letter was in a different color, spelling the title: Room.

"I haven't read it yet but I heard it's good. It's about a woman trying to conform and cope with society after being kidnapped for years." His face become redder, waiting for her to respond. He hopes that she doesn't think he's weird. He reads a variety of books and was an English professor for that reason.

"Let me know how it is once you're done. I might read it. It looks interesting."

He held his breath, trying not to sigh in relief.

"Rey, he's back," Rose whispered, giving her coworker the look.

Rey looked up from the counter and scanned the store. She spots him, she can recognize the back of his head from a sea of people. It's the third time this week that he stopped by the bookstore. Usually he stopped by once a week but this week in particular was out of the usual. She feels like he's here for her and not for the books. This makes her feel uneasy but a little pleased too.

It's not the first time that a regular had a crush on her but it's just weird to her that he hasn't tried to make it known that he's interested. Or maybe it's just all in her head because Rose says he's been a regular for years before Rey was hired. Other regulars that liked her flirt and try to ask her out while he doesn't do those things. Instead, he asks her for book recommendations and from time to time they talk about books they read.

It was really hard to read him.

He doesn't say much but when he does, she couldn't help but to be drawn to him. He was very passionate about books and they shared the same tastes in reading material. They liked the same comics and novels and poetry.

She's not really sure if she likes him to be honest. He's very awkward looking but there was charm to his features. He was a large man, tall and built. Dark hair and dark eyes and everything about him was long and sturdy. He's always coming into the store wearing nothing but long button ups and slacks. All he ever wears were black and dark colors. She wonders what he does for a living but she likes to be professional so she never asks him.

He doesn't smile much.

He's older than her too and that fact alone makes him even more intimidating.

"Oh." She doesn't know what else to say. She could feel her cheeks becoming pink. Rey doesn't know why she's blushing. She doesn't like him. She barely even knows him. He was so weird looking but there was something charming about that.

Rose smiled. "You should help him."

"I don't like him."

"I'm pretty sure he likes you."

Rey couldn't help but to look at her. "What makes you think that?"

"I've been working here for two years. He barely says a word to workers but with you, he actually talks. He never asks for help either unless it's you. And that's something because he basically knows our entire store layout by heart. Even when we change the layout here and there, he knows."

Rey's eyes widened. "You think he asks for my help just so he can talk to me?"

Rose laughed. "Well duh! It's pretty obvious that you kinda like him!"

Rey blushed. "I don't. I don't even know him."

Her friend takes no time in pushing Rey to the general direction of him. She doesn't even know his name either. He looked up from his book. He was startled and then his face returned to his indifferent expression. "HI!" she quickly said. "I was wondering if you needed help." He was so tall - was he always this tall? He towered her.

"I'm fine - I um, finished the book."

"Oh how was it?"

"It's a hard read with its subject matter but it's really something."

"Do you think I'll like it?"

"I think you will it's just it'll make you feel sad. I don't really want you to be sad."

"Well do you have any suggestions of reading material that's light hearted?"

"I do it's just depends on what you're looking for."

"What do you think I'm looking for?"

"I don't know, you tell me."

Her heart skipped a beat. For once he was looking at her, eye contact and all. He's always staring elsewhere, everywhere but her. She didn't know how dark his eyes were or how intense his stare was. She felt like she was the only person in the room. She was about to open her mouth until she sees a customer going to her. "I-I sorta have to -

"Work? It's okay," he commented. His lip twitched.

Rey noticed this. It almost look like a smile.

"She's so into you," Hux smirked in approval.

Ben scoffed at the absurdity of it. "She's not. She's just being friendly because that's her job."

"You're so blind man," Hux shook his head. "I've been trying to go after her but I think you might actually have a chance." Hux was a fellow regular and the only regular that Ben knew by name. They don't talk at all when they're at the bookstore. They weren't even friends. In fact, they hated each other. They just had a mutual agreement to just coexist in their safe place.

"What makes you think that she's interested?" Ben decided to humor himself. Just hearing Hux say those words was the most ridiculous thing he's ever heard. Rey was way out of his league and basically everyone's league.

"Rose practically pushed her to you!" Hux said smugly.

And just like that, Ben's reminded why he didn't talk to Hux. Hux was a creep that knew all the worker's name by heart and even kept a list on his phone.

Ben's ears became hot. "She's probably messing with Rey."

"I can read lips and I know what they were talking about. Rose was trying to convince Rey to talk to you."

"Again, she could be messing with Rey." There was no way that a girl like that would ever see him in that light.

"You're so dumb. I'm trying to help you out okay. You might actually have a chance so don't fuck this up."

"She's way too young for me."

"Hey that makes it more fun."

Ben wanted to punch this guy out. There was so many times he had to pull Hux away from borderline harassing the workers. He's done this plenty of times for all of the female workers, a handful for Rey.

"He was totally flirting with you!" Rose exclaimed.

"No he wasn't," Rey shook her head. She kept her voice low. She doesn't want anyone to hear especially since they were literally working.

"I saw it girl, he was totally giving you bedroom eyes and everything!"

"He's way older than me Rose."

"By not that much! You guys have so much in common though! You guys have the same taste in books!"

"Doesn't mean anything though. I pretty much read everything." She always talked to every customer about the books they were getting. From picture books to even magazines.

"So does he. You guys will be so cute future librarian and whatever he does."

Rey laughed. "I love your spirit girl."

When he's here, he's here for a few hours. Sometimes the whole day. He doesn't purchase his books until near closing tonight. He must be well off, she thinks as she's ringing him. He's always buying books by the shelf each time.

"You must have a library at home," she chuckled.

"I'm getting there," his tone is light for once.

She goes through the covers. Tonight he's getting biographies on 20th century writers and books on politics. "That'll be one hundred and thirty five dollars," she said as she put the books in a paper bag for him. She's stopped charging him for bags since he's always here now.

He takes his card out and for once she's looking at his card in the chip reader. She's trying to sneak a peek of his name but the whole process was quick. She hands him his bag. "I hope you have a nice night," she gave him a smile.

He took the bag and handed her a small folded slip of paper. "Same for you."

Rey froze in place. She still takes the paper and as he walked away she immediately stuffed it into her pocket. Rose and Rey wait until closing time to inspect the note.

"Did he? Did he give you what I think it is?" Rose clapped.

They were alone. The other coworkers were in charge of the back tonight while they were in charge of the front and counters.

Carefully Rey unfolded the paper. She read it, marveling at his penmanship. He wrote so neat and intricate. Rose raised her eyebrows. "What is it?"

"It's a list of book recommendations," Rey couldn't help but to sigh. She couldn't help but to be disappointed.

"Oh my fucking god. What a fucking nerd."

"Are you sure he likes me now?" she asked not so kindly.

"I don't know to be honest but it's pretty clear that you really, really like him."

Rey groaned. She doesn't want to but she does. There's something about him, like a fictional character brought to life. "What are you trying to say?"

"That you should do something. It's the real world after all and I don't think there's anything wrong with a girl making the first move."

"No way! That's so embarrassing! What if he says no and then it's going to be awkward. He practically lives here."

"Why would he say no?" Rose raised her voice in exasperation. "You are so precious and cute," she gestured at Rey's attire. Today Rey was wearing a light warm beige blouse with UP balloon prints all over and paired it off with a turquoise cardigan. On her cardigan she has the Ellie badge on and was wearing blue jeans and brown combat boots. "He has to be a new form of stupid to say no to you. You are way out of his league and he should be on his knees being thankful."

"No, nuh uh. Not going to happen."

Rose sighed. "Fine." She sighed again as she thought of what she can do next to help Rey out.

When the next week came, Rose waited not so patiently for him to get here. Rose was dead set on ambushing Mr. Emo Guy and giving him a word or two. "Hey," she snapped.

He looked up from his book. "Um, hi?"

"First off what's your name?"

Ben's eyebrows furrowed. "I don't think that's appropriate for you to ask as a worker -

"I'm tired of referring to you as Mr. Emo Guy. I know you have a name."

"Wait what? You guys have a nickname for me -

"That's besides the point! What's your name?" she demanded. "Don't change the subject!"

"I'm not giving you my name," his expression was unfazed.

Rose grunted in frustration. "Okay look Mr. Emo Guy," she touched his shoulder. "Do you like Rey or not?"

"What?"

"DO YOU LIKE HER OR WHAT?"

"I don't know her -

"Well she likes you and if you like her you better not be stupid."

Ben's face fell. "She -she likes me?"

Rose watched as he became flustered. For some reason it made her more pissed off. "You're so stupid. Do you like her or what?" she said as if it was life or death. Which it was.

"Yes-

"Then ask her out! Treat her right! You better appreciate her."

Before he could respond, she walked away. He couldn't help but to be taken aback. He started to walk around the store. He's not sure if he's trying to look for Rey or trying to avoid her. He wasn't entirely sure himself. He's trying to process it. Could it be possible that a girl like Rey could possible like someone like him? He wasn't an extrovert. He kept to himself. He wasn't the best looking guy either. He was hard to get close to and he knew it.

It didn't feel real that a girl like her could one actually like him and two actually be unsure that her feelings would be reciprocated.

He sees Rey from a distance. He immediately went the other direction.

Rose couldn't help but to sigh.

These two were hopeless.

"I change my mind," Rose announced to Rey during their fifteen minute break. They were in the breakroom, eating their snacks. Rose was eating a granola bar while Rey was eating an orange. "He's too weird for you. He's such a social shut in. You deserve a real man. Probably a fucking virgin too."

"I don't think he's weird. I just think he's shy. What made you change your mind?"

Rose quickly took a bite of her bar. "No reason."

"He's really cute," Rey commented quietly.

"Mr. Emo Guy with the big ears and glasses?"

"I like his ears."

"You definitely picked the right major for yourself Ms. Future Librarian."

"I always wanted to be a librarian. Ever since I was a kid. I didn't have much and all the librarians in my life were so kind and always introduced me to exciting books. Sometimes they let me keep the books that I liked so much."

Rose smiled at her. "You're adorable."

"Well like I said before, I think it's best not to say anything. I don't want to make it awkward for me and him. I like working here. I like being able to be around books and talk to people about them."

"Well I hope the first guy you do date will be good to you. You are really something special, do you know that?"

"Thanks Rose."

"I kinda told him that you liked him."

"Wait what?!"

Two weeks later, it came as a surprise for the both of them that Rose gets him as a customer at the registers. He always gets Rey, always. Could he be possibly trying to avoid her? It must be because Rose and Rey hasn't seen him in two weeks since Rose told him. "Oh wow, my scanner isn't working suddenly," Rose feigned innocence. "This is so weird! Hey Rey can you ring this customer up once you're done?"

Rey flinched.

And so did he.

Rose couldn't help but to smile.

"Sure, of course," Rey said simply.

"Thanks I just need to restart my register," Rose doesn't hesitate to turn off her register. You have to make the lie believable even though there was a line.

"Hi, did you find everything alright?"

Rose bit her lip. Rey sounded nervous. Maybe this was a bad idea.

"I did, thank you."

"I read all the books on your list. I liked all of them."

"Really?" he seemed surprised but pleased.

"My favorite was Maus. I love the art so much. What books are you getting this time?"

"Nothing much. Just some artbooks."

"I'm so jealous. I want to look through them but you kind of have to buy them," she poked at the plastic covers that concealed them. He was getting a Mary Blair art book and Spirited Away art book.

"I can lend them to you once I'm done," he offered.

Rey beamed. "Really?"

He hesitated and Rose sensed it. He was desperately trying not to show an emotion but Rose could see his lips twitch. He wanted to smile except Rose wasn't sure if he knew how. She had seen him around for two years and has never seen him look this happy until now. He's been so lonely, so distant. He never talked to anyone except for Rey. "It's not an issue - I uh - I really like having someone to share books with."

"Me too," Rey smiled.

Rose watched as his gaze soften.

Rey and him were staring at one another as if they were the only ones in the room. The only ones that mattered.

"Well Rey's off in twenty minutes," Rose added conveniently. "There's a starbucks in the plaza that doesn't close until midnight. Maybe you can wait for her there and read together?"

"I would like that," he said quickly. His tone was uneven. He sounded so much of a boy. A lovesick boy. His gaze was still on Rey, unwavering. "If that's uh okay."

"That's perfectly okay." Rey pressed her lips together, trying not to squeal. "But wait," her face fell. "I'm closing tonight -

"No you're not," Rose interrupted. "You and I decided to switch remember?" Rose gave her a wink.