Familiar
She pressed the oh-so-crinkly pages of her book to her chest, the front cover worn from years of reading it. Standing on her tippy-toes, the teen just managed to see inside the crowded bookshop, and sighed at the stupid author who was signing his novels today.
It wasn't even him that she wanted into the shop for. It was the new book by one of her own favorites.
But going around the building to the back, she knocked on the kitchen door of the cafe connected to the store, and asked for Blue, to no avail. He must've skipped out during lunch again.
"Damn," the girl swore, and tucked her book back into her bag, looking sadly one last time at the stuffed shop nextdoor and going back to her motorcyle. Maybe she could come back later.
"I thoguht you'd be in there getting that book you've been frothing about all week," the voice said as she got on and put the key in.
After the inital fright, Naomi managed a black scowl as she turned to the dark-haired teen, handlebars suffering her rage aswell.
"Where have you been?" she gritted out, but started to immediately relax like she always did. She always forgave him, and he always apologized sincerely.
"Sorry, Nao. I got caught up by some guys behind the food court," he looked away, turning his face to point as the bruises blossoming on his cheek and and peeking out from under his shirt close to his neck.
Jumping back off, she grabbed him in a fierce hug and sighed into the soft fabric of his 'dark side has cookies' shirt, guilt welling up in her throat.
Then, holding him gently at arms length, she scrutinized him and asked quickly, "Are you alright? Nothing broken?"
Blue just sighed for a moment, and shook his head.
"No, but I'll never understand woman. First you mad because I couldn't let you in through the kitchen, and then you're hugging me and asking if I'm sure I'm okay. Not that I'm complaining," he added hastily, and grabbed her in a fast embrace, kissing her forehead.
The yelp over surprise fell silent for a moment, as he didn't look at her, a flush creeping up his neck cutely.
"Blue...do you want to go get something for those bruises. Maybe lunch?" she was also scarlet under her jacket and wifebeater, but steeled herself for his answer, not expecting at all what came next.
"Sure. Let me get my bag from inside, and we can go to this great pizza place I know of downtown. Hey, Naomi?" She looked up, eyes meeting his uncertainly.
He just smiled, the edges of his eyes crinkling like usual and his crooked grin that made her blood set to fire. Maybe there was hope for him yet.