After a long, hard Friday at work, there's nothing better than heading down to Pulp, the local book store. To me, curling up with a good book in their little reading corner is the perfect thing to start the weekend, especially since they're open all night. Now, normally, going to a book store simply to read with no real intent to buy would be frowned upon, but there's a few factors here in my favor. For one, there's nobody at the place at night anyway, so it's not like this is a rampant thing or anything like that. Also, I'm a regular customer, so while I might not be buying today, I will be in the future. And finally, I'm on a first name basis with every employee in that place, which are happy for every actual person showing up there so they're not bored out of their skulls and have someone to talk to or share a cup of coffee with.
By the time I get there, it's already 11 PM and it's totally dark—perfect reading conditions! So just like has become a tradition for me, I let the machine prepare a cup of coffee at the little reading corner—it comes out way too hot for me anyway, so it can cool off while I pick out what I want to read. After all, last time I was here, I finished up the last book I picked out, and that means it's time to hit up the new releases section. Digging through it, I spot several promising novels, but really, I'm just not in the mood for something heavy and narrative right now. Instead, I find a short book about pastries through the ages, which is somehow intriguing and completely uninteresting at the same time, so that's perfect.
As I return to my particular little spot in the reading section, I find my coffee ready and cooled down just right, and I allow myself to slump into one of the bean bag chairs. Now this is what life is all about. For the next half hour or so, I quickly become engrossed in the history of pastry. Who knew that there was so much to these things? But while I am quite into my reading, it is quite noticeable whenever somebody else shows up to the place—especially since the place has an old-fashioned little bell that rings whenever the door opens—and so I notice somebody coming in. Surprisingly enough, it's Elias, one of my friends. He never struck me as the type to check out a book store, especially late at night... he's more of an athletic type. So what's he doing here?
He doesn't seem to notice me, though the reading corner is a bit off to the side, so it makes sense. Quietly, I watch as he looks around nervously before heading over to one of the employees. He seems to be asking something, but I can't hear anything because he's being real hush-hush about it, which really makes me wonder just what he's looking for. And when he apparently gets his answer and takes off, I see why... he's heading right for the adult section. Now, really, I shouldn't stick my nose in things where it doesn't belong, but I just can't resist wanting to know more.
When a few moments have passed, I get up from the bean bag chair and follow him into the adult section, where it doesn't take long for me to spot him again, but it's where I spot him that throws me off. There he stands, Elias, my sporty friend that I would figure could be swarming with girls if he wanted to... looking at gay romance novels. He then spots me and visibly freezes up, nervous as hell. Trying to stay calm, I give him a soft smile and say "Hi, fancy meeting you here."
A bit of a blush crosses his cheeks, but he's not panicking, so that's good. All that comes back in response from him is a mumbled "Um... hi."
As to not let the conversation die there awkwardly, I continue, "So... want me to help you pick something out? We could read it together if you want...".
Elias knows that I'm gay, so I'm walking a fine line here, trying to be friendly while not coming off like I'm immediately hitting on him. Thankfully, he doesn't seem to be reacting negatively, giving me a tentative little nod and replying "Y-Yeah... I think I'd appreciate that. Thanks."
With that, we begin looking over the shelves, with us eventually landing on one book in particular. We both give each other a nod, and I take the book back over to the reading area, where I put two bean bags together so Elias and I can sit right next to each other. As we sit down, I get the impression that there's a bit of relief in his expression... I'm sure he's glad I didn't laugh at him or anything like that. Instead, he gets to get comfy with me and read this book, a light, fluffy gay tale. Before long, he's enraptured, his eyes locked on the book, and it seems pretty clear to me he's into this whole thing. And I'm going to support him all the way.
While we read, Elias's arm creeps around mine, and before I know it, we're almost snuggled up together.