CHAPTER 1

Everyday I wake up, 

I wake up next to Her, 

Rosie, 

She is supposedly the love of my life. 

I can't say I don't love Her, 

She's the only one I've ever loved. 

But I can't take much more of this, 

No more of this abuse. 

Ever since I first met Her 

She's always had me on alert. 

Ever since that day 

So many years ago. 

Back then I was lonely, 

No friends in sight, 

My family saw me as nothing, 

I had never loved, nor been loved. 

I'd frequent libraries, 

Though only for a peaceful read. 

I'd take my own books, 

I'd find peace within the lines. 

One day I stood as usual in the library, 

Holding my book, but looking at the shelf. 

I felt a presence nearby, then I heard that voice, 

"Hi, do you have any recommendations for a book? 

She was a pale girl, no concern for Her looks, 

With jet black hair, wiry and unkept. 

She had dark eye bags, behind round cloudy glasses, 

And dry, chapped lips, thin and unmarked. 

She dressed Herself in baggy clothes, 

Joggers, hoodie, and some grey fingerless gloves. 

At first, I was confused, 

Stunned and shocked. 

Then I began to think, 

For there was no true way for me to know Her taste. 

She could like romances of great couples, 

Between the most chivalrous of men and most beautiful of girls. 

She could like mystery thrillers as many do, 

About killers, rapists, kidnappers and scum. 

So I asked Her, 

"What do you like?" 

She pushed Her thin finger into my chest, then asked, 

"What do you like?" 

I was taken aback, 

Out of nowhere She'd touched me. 

A complete stranger. 

She touched me! 

She gently smiled, 

Reached towards my hand, 

My heart was racing, 

Then She took my book! 

She took my own book! 

With my name inside! 

How dare She! 

I had to chase Her. 

I ran and ran 

Past confused onlookers and bystanders. 

Then I saw Her at a bus stop, calmly stood, 

So I ran to Her and try to snatch the book, yet to no avail. 

I angrily spoke to Her, 

"Why the hell'd you do that? 

It's my property!" 

She giggled softly behind my book, Her pale skin glowing with a blush. 

She softly spoke to me, 

"I saw your name inside it, it's nice. 

I've been watching you read for a few weeks, and now I know your name." 

She passed the book back to me 

Then She began to walk away. 

But quickly before She did, She came back, 

Only to lightly kiss me on the cheek. 

She lonesomely wandered off into the cold streets, 

Leaving me 

For the first time in my life, 

Lovestruck. 

I eventually snapped out of my daze 

And opened the book, though I saw something new. 

Next to my name was a phone number and a name, 

Rosie.