I lean against the wall by the front doors as I wait for Drew to show up. My knee is actaully really starting to bother me. I rub it, felling the slight lump from it swelling. Drew rounds the corner just then and makes his way over to me.

"Your here early." He says as if he's actually surprised.

"No, I'm not. I came at the time we were ment to."

"Right."

"Don't you have football practice?"

"Cancelled."

"Oh. Just so you know I only have maybe an hour or two today so let's get going." Dad is leaving tonight so I want to be able to say goodbye before he's gone.

I push up from the wall and limp along with Drew.

"What happened to your leg?" He asks noticing my limp.

"Nothing." I say.

"Let me help you." He comes closer and brings his arm around my waist for support. I jerk away self continously not wanting him feeling my stomach.

"It's okay. Really. I don't need help." His face looks of concern and he steps closer.

"Barbie, come on. Let me help you."

"Drew I'm fine." In my haste to get away I stumble on a random rock that just decided to show up in that exact spot. But I don't reach the ground because Drew's arm catches mine and hoists me back up.

I come painfully clear with the fact that not only is his arm still holding mine but our faces are mere millimeters apart.

My breath catches in my throat as I stare into his eyes. His lips curl into a smile and I shake my head out of the trance, taking a step back. My heart is pounding in my chest and I'm sure my cheeks are blazing.

"You owe me now. So tell me, what happened." He says voice slightly huskey. I let out a sigh, knowing I have to answer.

"Some Caitlyn girl tripped me. On purpose may I add. She's really just a bitch." His eyes go wide and instantly break contact with mine.

"Do you know her?" I ask curiously.

"Yeah, she's uh my girlfriend." This time it's my turn to be shocked.

"Your girlfriend? She's so shallow. How could you date someone like her?"

"She's great once you get to know her." He defends.

"Yeah, once you get in her pants I'm sure she's fabulous." He stops walking once we reach his truck and turns to me.

"I don't see you having a boyfriend so I don't really think you're in a position to judge." I puff up my chest and narrow my eyes

"Actaully, I have a date tomorrow." I say proudly.

"Do you now? And who may I ask is your Ken, Barbie?"

"Ryan Mellow." His eyes widen than narrow and he clenches his jaw while making fists.

"Your going out with Ryan Mellow?" He says through clenched teeth.

"Yeah, what's the problem?"

"Ryan and I have some major beef. You think I'm the player? I'm nothing compared to him." I think of Ryan and can't possibly think of him as a player. Even though I barley know him, I can tell he's not the player type.

"I don't belive you." I say. He lets out a sarcastic laugh.

"I don't care if you belive me Barbie. Just know he's nothing like he seems to be. And I suggest not going out with him."

"Drew you do realize I can't really take your advice seriously with the reputation you have built for yourself right?"

"Okay, don't belive me. But don't come crying to me when you little heart is crushed. All I'll say is I told you so."

I stare at him dumbfounded. What could they possibly have against each other. They aren't even part of the same crowd. Drew is a jock always surrounded by hot chick's and football players. Ryan is more of a loner and more down to earth. Not to mention pretty damn great at pre-calc.

"Let's just not talk about it anymore. Where should we go?"

He lets out a chuckle and looks at me sideways.

"What?" I ask self continously.

"It's just... Nothing. Forget it. We could go to the last book store."

"The what?" He brings his hands to his cheeks and pull his hands down his face.

"You. Have. No. Life. My god. Just follow me in your posh little car, it's not too far from here."

I let out a huff and make my way slowly over to my car.

□

After a half hour drive we pull up to a building in the middle of Los Angeles. I park on the side of the street behind Drew's truck. I meet him at his truck leaning against it.

"So a bookstore?" I say unconvinced.

"Just follow me." He turns on his heel and makes his way inside of the store. I follow and am stunned into silence once I step inside and stand frozen in place.

It's a giant room full of books from the top to bottom, the shelves situated in random ways. There are large white pillars around the room from ceiling to floor. The lights are dimmed giving it a homey feel, and across one wall is a wave of books. In one word? Beautiful.

"So, what do you think?" Drew asks giving me a cheeky smile.

"I'm.. I uh.. it's.. I'm.."

"Speechless." Drew finishes.

"Yeah. Speechless." I agree.

"You haven't even seen the best part." I follow Drew through the maze of isles and books. We finally stop at a dome like, cave like structure made of books.

"That's so neat!" I exclaim running into the cave. I'm usually not one for books, but you can't help but not love this place.

"Move out of the way and I'll take a picture." I come out of the dome and Drew brings his camera up to his eye. He moves around alot trying to get the best angle and snaps the picture.

"Got it." He whispers, as if not wanting to disrupt the picture.

"I wish your camera had a screen so I can see. What would be the opposite of that anyways?" I ask.

"Mm I don't know. Maybe a cave of computers." I let out a laugh at the thought of that.

"We'll think of it later. I want to explore."

□

"How did you find this place anyways?" I ask running my finger along the spine of a book.

"My sister Darbi loves to read and so my mom found this place online for her to come to. When she saw it she fell in love. She used to come here almost everyday and sometimes drag me along with her. That girl is a readaholic."

"Ah, so the tough football player has a soft side for the books, aye?" I tease.

"Not me, Darbi. But I don't mind." He says sheepishly.

We fall into silence but it's not awkward or many thing. Just us enjoying the Last Book Store experience. And then some guy has to ruin it.

"Hey are you Matthew Roberts daughter?" He asks.

"Yeah."

"Oh man! Is he here with you?" He asks excitedly.

"Nope. Just me."

"Oh, that would have been awesome. I love that guy." I roll my eyes as he goes.

"Are you alright Barbie?" Drew asks.

"Yeah I'm fine."

"Well last time someone asked about your Dad you got really pissed."

"I am pissed, I'm just trying to let it go." I say trying to control my breathing.

"Oh, I'm gonna go get some more pictures done. You can roam more if you want." He says awkwardly. Once he's gone I sink on to the floor and bury my head in my hands.

One day people are going to remember me for me, and not my father. And not the fat girl that can't get her life together. And not the poor little girl that lost her mom at a young age. And not the rich girl that gets anything she wants.

Their going to say, hey that's Ashley Roberts the girl with the killer voice.

All of a sudden an arm is wrapped around my shoulder and startled I jump up. Drew stands there looking uncomfortable, his cheeks red.

"Um sorry. You just looked sad and I uh wanted to help and-"

"It's fine." I interrupt. "Thanks but I'm fine." He physically relaxes and shoves his hands in his pockets.

"So you ready to go?" I nod.

"Thanks for bringing me here. It's really awesome. Rustic."

"Your welcome Barbie." He smiles and we walk to the front of the store to leave.

************************************
Here's another picture because this place is so dang cool. Thanks for reading!