The trees were bare, the light snow that had fell yesterday had already started to melt between the cracks of the slippery sidewalk.
No one was around except for a few other shop keepers: a few of them rustling their keys in their pockets as they passed, the small sounds of the keys jingling in their pockets the only sound in the dark of the cold, chilly morning.

As you made it to the corner where your store sat, You noticed the little bit of fallen snow dusting the awning that covered the entrance to the store. You reached up, swiping it from the fabric so the shop name would stand out; Tales Resold, the thread fraying in some places from the previous winters and storms that reocurred on the island.

You took your keys from your coat pocket, opening the door before you stepped in. The bell above the door rang, the small jingle echoing throughout the empty store.
You scanned your eyes across the dark store, the books sitting silently on their shelves. The few books sitting in the display window settled in their casings as you moved them around, situating them so onlookers could get a clear look.

You could see the sun slowly rising over the horizon, the once black street was turning icy blue as a few birds chirped outside. You sat your bag down, taking your coat off as you sat it on the rack, crossing your arms as the chill from outside seeped into the building. You turned the lights on, the satisfying hum of the heater pulled the corner of your lips up into a small smile, heat now circulating as you made your rounds through the varying amount of shelves.

You dragged your finger across the spines of the leatherbound books that lined the shelves, mentally counting each. You checked the different volumes, scanned through a few series of books, and sat down to read a few pages from some of your personal favorites.

This was your paradise. Getting lost in worlds that you could pick up and fall into.  Perhaps it was an outlet of yours, to get away from all of life's stresses.

Life isnt all sunshine and rainbows, and nobody said you couldn't make your own by leaving reality for awhile.

You jumped slightly as you heard the front door open, glancing over the low book case to the front of the store to see who had disturbed your peace.

Thankfully it was only Colby, a little pink haired marine boy who needed a little extra money.

His glasses were set on top of his head, his heavy coat nearly swallowing him before he took it off. He looked around, his eyes surveying.

"Y/n...?"

You stood slowly, setting the book down gently on top of the case. "I'm right here Colby, I didn't expect you to be here so early this morning."

"I know.." His hand went through his hair nervously, his eyes planted on the floor. "But you never really specified what time to be here..and I'm used to waking up this early anyway." His eyes immediately shot up to yours, his chest puffing out. "I'm here to do whatever you need done Ms. L/n!" His hand stuck to his forehead in salute, a large smile planting on his face as his eyes sparkled with determination.

You cleared your throat, scratching the back of your neck as a hand fell to your hip. "Ah, well. I won't work you too hard, I'll give you some easy tasks to take on."

"I can accomplish any task you give me, big or small! Admiral Garp said I had to learn to be under others complete control no matter what." He stood straight, heels clicking together triumphantly. "I want to do him proud and show him I will surpass him in becoming the greatest marine!"

You nodded slowly, smiling softly as you eyed the few stray people outside. "Wonderful Colby, sweep up?" You nodded to the dust pan in the corner, your hand grabbing for the broom. "I need to go organize and I don't need any dirt on this floor."

You watched his chest deflate slightly, his hand reaching out to take the handle of the broom as he wandered to the dustpan. "Yes ma'am, if you say so." He started his sweeping, his eyes trained on the hardwood floor.

With a raised eyebrow you shook your head, turning to the next shelf in the aisle.  Turning back to set the books you had skimmed over on their correlating shelf, you heard the door open; the bell atop jingling.

Without turning back, you continued your work.  "I'm sorry, were not open yet."

"I'm not concerned about that."

You frowned, letting your hand linger on a book as you listened to the deep, gruff voice.  You took a deep inhale, your frown deepening as you turned. "This is a no smoking building.."

"I realize." The heavy boots started towards you, but stopped once you raised a hand.

"What you're going to say, or what you think you're going to say, will not change my mind...I suggest you go back to where you came from." Your eyes didnt lift from the shelves, your hand never leaving the thick spine of the book in your hand. "Because I don't have anything I wish to say to you, Smoker.."