📔| you loved books, and had grown up reading books from your aunt’s bookstore.

and by the time you were in highschool, you spent your days in the bookstore helping your aunt.

most days it was quiet, only a few kids or old people came in for book clubs and coffee.

which, truth be told, made some very interesting conversations that you got to overhear.

but it wasn’t all that bad once you convinced your best friend, Carlie, to work with you.

so everyday after school it has become a ritual to go to your aunts bookstore with Carlie and talk to her the whole time.

it’s another boring day at the bookstore, but your birthday was tomorrow so that was exciting.

you sat at the front counter as Carlie wiped down the coffee machine.

“So, miss sweet sixteen, what are you doing for your birthday?” Carlie asked, coming to sit down next to you.

You shrug, “you know my mom always plans a dinner.”

Carlie rolls her eyes.

“Oh come on, it’s your 16th birthday, dude!” She continues, “my brother is going to this bonfire on the lake tomorrow, maybe he could take us.”

“There’s no way he’s going to let us come.” You respond.

it was a fact.

tate carlington was Carlie’s twin brother, but you wouldn’t know.

tate was one of the most popular guys in school, and was never seen with Carlie, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t protect her when he had to.

“I have blackmail on him. he’ll definitely let us go after I tell him.” Carlie twirls her hair with her finger.

“So what do you say?” Carlie asks.

the idea was.. well, exciting but scary.

you would be at the lake with kids from your school that didn’t even know you, which that wasn’t even the scariest part.

the fact you would have to stay in a car with tate for like, 20 minutes scared you.

you’ve had a crush on Tate Carlington since you were like eight.

Carlie knew it, and so did Tate of course.

which may not seem that bad, but it has been since he rejected you a month ago.

you weren’t sure what you were thinking in the moment, but you said that you liked him, and he didn’t feel the same.

how embarrassing.