Passing Time

[Specs]

Specs shrugged, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "Nothing specific, really... I just like looking around and picking out what looks good to read. Any suggestions? It's your turn this time." He smiled; he was never usually this friendly.

[Tag Along]

Tag blushed immediately. The last book she read, A Lover's Secret, was far too embarrassing to suggest. It was really quite a shocking novel!

"I read a rather nice account of the battle of Gettysburg the other week. But... My favorite book is Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. It's quite girly, but it reminds me of England."

[Specs]

Specs nodded. He heard about Pride and Prejudice before but was always hesitant because it was... well, girly. "What's it about?" he asked, wondering if he'd give it a chance.

[Tag Along]

"A girl, Lizzie, and a guy, Mr. Darcy, who hate each other. Basically." Tag chuckled nervously, running her finger up and down the spine of her pirate book. She then hugged it to her chest, determined to check it out.

"You don't have to read it, though. I won't be offended."

[Specs]

"They hate each other? Hm, well.. that sounds interesting enough. Sure, I'll give it a try," he shrugged, smiling. Hey, why not? It'll give them something to talk about. "But I'm looking for you once it gets sappy!"

[Tag Along]

Tag laughed softly, smiling brightly as she did so. "That it does."

She looked over her shoulder, knowing exactly where Pride and Prejudice was. "Uhm... Follow me." She said quickly before setting off to her destination.

[Specs]

"Alright," said Specs, following the small girl in front of him. "So, uh, you're from around here?"

[Tag Along]

"No, I'm from England." She whispered, glancing over her shoulder. "Doesn't the accent give it away?"

This was Tag's attempt at flirting. Pretty awful, really.

[Specs]

"Oh," muttered Specs, blushing. Well, that was smart. "What brings you all the way over here, then? I'm sure England's a lot better."

[Tag Along]

"My dad got offered a job here about a year ago." She turned down an aisle, her voice distant as she searched for the exact spot in which the book was located.

"Aha. Here it is." Tag grabbed it and held it out to him, barely meeting his gaze. She hoped he didn't ask more about her family. It was still too soon to talk about them, and she barely knew this Specs guy.

[Specs]

"Thanks," he smiled, taking the book and thumbing through a couple pages. "I'll let you know if I like it. But wait... if your Dad's here, then why are you a newsie? I mean, if you don't mind me askin'... I can definitely change the subject if you want."

He held the book tighter. His mouth had a way of running away with him. This one was one of those moments.

[Tag Along]

"Are you ready to check out? Because I am. It's gotten quite stuffy in here, don't you think?" Tag walked past him, making her way to the check out desk. She bit her lip, trying not to think too much about her family.

[Specs]

"Um, yeah, I am..." he said, lowering his eyes so he wouldn't have to look directly at her. Great, way to spoil the mood, Specs.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to pry," he whispered, touching her lightly on the shoulder.

[Tag Along]

"It's fine." She tried to assure him, but she sounded anything but confident. "Don't worry about it, honestly."

Her shoulder tingled where his hand had touched it.

[Specs]

"It's just when I get really comfortable with people, I get curious... sorry, I'm not really good with boundaries. Hope you like your book," said Specs dejectedly, turning around to look for somewhere to hide.