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“But who else would I blame?” Charlie asked playfully, his smile a constant response to hers. There was just something about her, a certain grace she held herself with, an intelligence in the way she spoke that was so pleasant to be around. Easy even. Naturally, he didn’t want to steal too much of her time, there was most probably a reason why she had been sitting alone at the table and reading a book. “My name is Charles. Pleasure, “ Charlie returned, his smile widening as he reached out to connect her hand with his and shaking it. He laughed softly at her next words, cocking his head slightly to the side as he looked at her. “So you sitting here, reading at an empty table is a clever marketing ploy to get customers into your book store?” he teased before taking a sip of his coffee. “I’ll be sure to come by. It’s important to keep one’s brain in shape too after all and I feel like mine would be in good hands there”.

“Touché.”  Melina laughed lightly. “I’d be inclined to say blame the author, but that might be because I wouldn’t want to receive the rough end.” Honestly, she was very aware that everyone had their own preferences when it came to reading, and there had been times when she’d received poor feedback on a book suggestion - and vice versa. It was part of what made the art of writing so interesting. She offered a simple smile as he took her hand and nodded. Unsurprisingly, it was a firm handshake. “Well, everyone needs a little bit of an ulterior motive, no matter how unassuming they may look.” Her lips curled up into a small smirk. It wasn’t her true motive, but it was the cheapest form of advertising she had, so she’d be a bad businessperson if she didn’t take the opportunity. “I can guarantee it would be.”

“They can definitely be quieter than town sometimes, especially if you’re wanting to get away from all the oldies in the library,” he laughed, placing his finger between the pages he was on to hold the book closed as they spoke. “I will be out of your way soon enough, though, I don’t have much left of this so.”

Melina laughed and nodded in agreement. “Lots of oldies in the library today then, I assume?” Granted, there was almost always oldies in the library in her experience -- not that she spent an awful lot of time there these days. Melina stepped further from the path. “No need to hurry off -- there’s plenty of other spots around here I can go to read.” 

sent to: roommate goals (@theghost-saf & @thistlejamie)

ASK MEME - IMAGE 9

As much as he hated being compared to his namesake, Aiden had come to love the woods. It was easy to get yourself lost and he had definitely spent twenty minutes walking around in circles before but it was also a pretty great place to escape. Despite how much the name annoyed him, and how much the name followed him around, it was easy to not exist within the wood. Sometimes Aramore was just too loud and it was easier to get away in the forest than it was anywhere else. That was why he was there today, managing to find a relatively dry tree to turn into his chair for the next few hours so he could chill out and read his book.

He was in the middle of the last chapter when he heard the rustle of leaves and the crunch of snow. He slipped his bookmark between the pages and sat himself up a little straighter just incase there was some wild animal that no one had told him about but was instantly relaxing back into his original position when he saw Melina. “Long time no see,” he greeted with a smile, “What brings you to the forest this wonderful day.”

Melina pushed herself passed the brushes that hugged the trail she’d been walking along tightly. A small amount of snow brushed off on her jacket, but that was expected just about everywhere you went these days. And, regardless of the snow, she was not going to pass up on the opportunity of peace and quiet in the woods. It was where she did her best thinking, writing and reading. It was quite the all-rounder, really. As she pushed passed, she saw a familiar face who seemed to relax a little at her presence. She imagined it would be a little disconcerting to hear other people in the woods -- especially with weather like this. But, the woods had always been something of a constant to Aramore residents and it was usually far from empty. 

“Hi, Aiden.” She greeted with a small wave and an accompanying smile. “Much the same as you, actually.” She replied, gesturing to his book and laughing lightly. “I find the woods to be a more peaceful place to read, or just focus.”

“You looked fine, don’t let them get to you.” Jamie was just grateful that she had managed to talk Melina into helping her considering the last minute request for an Elsa to also attend. “You looked better than I did and I am blonde.” She teased with a roll of her eyes. “Of course, I promised a favour of your choosing for doing this for me.”

Melina laughed and shook her head. “I don’t think that’s strictly true.” Though it was true that Jamie made a great Anna instead. “Then good -- expect me to cash it in.” 

“I shall consider reading it too then,” Charlie decided, a quick glance on the cover telling him the title again. Aside from his own interest in finding new materials for himself, he was also always on the look out for new themes to discuss with his students in class and in his after school clubs. “I should let you get back into it,” Charlie realized with a chuckle before he leaned closer to the woman, giving off a slightly mischvious vibe. “But before I do that, I think I was offered another first impression”.

“Just don’t blame me is it isn’t your cup of tea.” She laughed lightly, a smile gracing her lips still. Melina was about to nod and tell the man it was nice to meet him, before he’d reminded her of the second first impression she had offered him. “That might go hand-in-hand with the first.” She stated, noting how any conversation could provide a first impression of a person, and surely an initial conversation centred around books allowed a glimpse into what kind of person she was. Though, she reached a hand across the table, realising that she hadn’t properly introduced herself. “I’m Melina, it’s nice to meet you.” She said with a smile. “If you’re ever looking for a conversation about books or the like, you’re welcome to stop by the store, Cover To Cover, in Morning Rise. Or, you can get good coffee there too.” She hoped that was an appropriate introduction to what she did for a living, though it may have sounded more akin to an advert. 

I’d have to say Jamie at the moment. You can’t live with someone and not feel close to them. 

If Kat asked, I wouldn’t decline.

Having a discussion about The Great Gatsby, only to find out they had only watched the 2013 film, while I was talking about the book. Absolute nightmare. There’s not much of an opinion you can have if you’ve only seen the film, I’m sure you know... 

Or when I was in halls in Uni and we were about to make that first step and a roommate burst into the room half naked and drunk and passed out on the floor. Needless to say, it killed the mood. 

Sitting down with one of my favourite books, a good cup of coffee, and a lavender scented candle (reminds me of my grandma). 

A crush? No, not really. Not the all-consuming kind of thing anyway. But there are a lot of attractive people in Aramore. I suppose there’s something in the water.