Chapter 3: Mrs. Laurry

"Oh, hello Mrs. Laurry. It's been a while! How have you been?" Proclaimed [Y/N] enthusiastically after noticing the familiar face entering the store. She flashes the approaching individual a gentle smile, while standing behind the bookshops wenge wood checkout counter.

–

Mrs. Laurry helped [Y/N] a lot when she first moved here, in the town of Lexiarn. The city barely holding a population of a few thousand people.

The elderly woman happily accompanied [Y/N] everywhere. Showing her around and introducing her here and there.

How convenient.

Mrs. Laurrys children hadn't visited her in a few years and her husband died a decade ago. Hence the reason she quickly grew attached to [Y/N].

Knowing how most youngins preferred a fast and thrilling metropolitan life, over a slow and bucolic rural living. Mrs. Laurry was just delighted to see another fresh face here in Lexiarn.

Obviously nothing wrong with cities but she was simply excited to see another young face among all the elderly ones. Especially when most youngster seemed to be moving away from the countryside, leaving it almost dull and lifeless.

She would often visit [Y/N] on weekends, but for some reason she had been absent the last few times.

—

"Yeah, it has been a while, I realize. I'm doing great actually but how are you sweetie?" announces the lady likely to be in her early fifties with a bright smile on her face, as she strolls towards where the young maiden stood.

"I've been pretty good but even better after finally seeing you again! Also the purple dress you're wearing suits you really well."

"[Y/N] dear, I see you're still the sweetheart you always were."

"You know me, hahah... Well, where are you headed tonight? A date?" Teases the younger woman.

"Mr. Yagi and I got together last weekend..." Red tinted the older womans face almost like she was a teenager in love.

"I never would have thought Mr. Yagi was your type." Shocked at the little revelation [Y/N] furrows her eyebrows in confusion.

"Me neither... life has its way, I guess. But enough about me." Blurts out Mrs. Laurry, trying to divert the attention from herself.

Noticing the older woman not wanting to talk about her freshly formed relationship, [Y/N] doesn't push the subject even though she's very eager to know.

"Now tell me how is it going with you and the lass, who follows you around like a little duckling? Or did you like the stoic one better?" She questions [Y/N] about her own romantic life or a lack thereof.

"Cyril and Zen, you mean? There's absolutely nothing going on between any of us. Both of them are just good friends of mine." Flustered at Mrs. Laurrys implications, [Y/N] let's out a nervous laughter.

"If you say so darling but I know when I see a lovecrazed fella and both of them seem to be." A cheeky laugh leaves her mouth following her own remark.

"What? No, I think you're just misunderstanding the situation."

"I wouldn't be so sure, if i were you [Y/N] dear but I'll leave it be for now, since you don't seem to be too impressed. However be careful, it's only been a little while since you've known them. I mean they only moved here, half a year before you did. None of us really know much about either of them." A look of worry clouds Mrs. Laurrys face for a quick second.

Surprised at her statement [Y/N] can't help but feel a little uneasy. The two of them are just good friends of hers, right?

-

"Almost forgot, got any good book recommendations, sweetie? A nice hardcover if you would and I need it wrapped up as a gift, please."

"Sure but for what occasion and for whom?"

"Mr. Yagi and I are visiting his grandchild today and he mentioned to me once, that his grandson loves to read. Obviously, you were the one that came to mind. Give me whatever you like."

"Hmm, I guess... I would recommend (favorite book)! It's an interesting one. Gets you glued to it from the first line... has you on the edge of your seat from the first chapter. I should have a hardcover of it, let me check."

"I trust your taste, darling. I'm sure his grandson would like it."

—

Finally bidding Mrs. Laurry farewell, [Y/N] closes up the shop. Not many customers today. Business is slow but at least her workload has lessened. Not that she ever had too much work to begin with.

Undoubtedly, [Y/N] is content with her current life. She is here because she didn't want to work another nine-to-five job afterall. Didn't just want to be another robotic worker for a giant company. Couldn't bear to see herself mindlessly slaving away at the cost her own life, feeding all the corrupt and greedy corporations.

She loves that she has the freedom to do whatever she wants now. Lexiarn offers her peaceful ambience that her previous place couldn't. The placid atmosphere calming her mind from going haywire.

Opening up an indie bookshop has always been a dream of [Y/N]'s not because of money or profit but simply because she loves to read (books/manga etc.)

She read her first book at the age 5. It was a cute colorful little picture book and it holds some of her most adorable memories. Even now, at 25 she remembers it very fondly.

Books are her salvation. A safe haven that protects her from her own mind. A bubble where she can escape to, a falsified barrier that provides her with a sense of security. Guarding her from all the horrible truths of the world.

—

And for the first time in months [Y/N] forgets to take her medication before going to sleep.

—

To be continued