darkest before the dawn

“Yeah, no worries, I know what you’re like when you’re surrounded by books. Besides, you can’t knock me down that easily,” Brooks joked, giving his ex-girlfriend a playful wink. “Is it just me, or is this place like a maze, though? Are you guys trying to prevent customers from leaving book hell?” 

Gillian smiled and shook her head. Brooks always had a way of making her feel completely at ease, even when he wasn’t trying. “Well, I’m glad to hear that,” she said. “Well, I wouldn’t necessarily call it a maze. The shelves just happen to be really high, and that means that some people can’t see their way around.”

Araminta was on her tippy-toes, trying to reach for a book that was a little high on the shelf for her. Just a little more—if she’d been in the right shoes, she wouldn’t have hesitated going en pointe. She was too focused on trying to get the book that she failed to notice the other girl, and at the small collision, she let out a small yelp. Araminta stumbled back but kept her balance, straightening her clothes as she regained her composure. “I’m alright, but you probably shouldn’t go around bumping into customers.”

Of all the people Gillian expected to see in her bookstore that day, Araminta certainly wasn’t one of them. Sure, Araminta’s family owned the mall that the bookstore was located in, but Gillian always that Araminta had better things to do than to buy physical books. “Alright, okay,” Gillian said. “Though I actually have today off. I just really like the discounts they give me, so I came buy to pick up a birthday gift for my dad. What are you doing here?”

“of course not. what dante and i had was in the past and should stay in the past, and i hope that nicole is doing well.”

“i went through my own personal grieving process, just as everyone else. though i didn’t cry all that much, i sure wasn’t happy that he was gone. is it that obvious?”

“i don’t think so. i like to believe that no one here is capable of full on murder.”

“nope. if you don’t to be with someone, you should leave them, and if you do want to be with someone, then you need to commit yourself to them.”

“well, if i had choose a windsor, maybe araminta? she’s really pretty. and of the nietzsches, probably mars or wesley? no offense to alek, but i just don’t think he’s my type.”

“i’m inclined to believe that this is all a misunderstanding, and that he really did die in a car crash. however, dante was not the most kind person, and i definitely see why someone would think that there was foul play involved.”

jini has always been those people who loved the harry potter franchise but has also never picked up one of the books. she never really planned on reading it, at most considering to purchase the audio book, but that changed after leaving school. she was in her english class and the professor asked everyone what they read over the summer. she was the only one without an answer. it caused her to wonder how important reading was. so, she went to the nearest bookstore and decided to purchase the series. she was just about to grab the set when she felt a jolt, ❝ you’re good, ❞ she laughed, collecting herself and looking over to see gilly, ❝ oh, hey, gilly! i’m fine; are you okay? ❞

Gillian smiled widely when she realized that it was Jini that she had bumped in to. “Oh my god, Jini, I haven’t seen you all summer,” she said. “I’m good, but how have you been? How was your vacation? You need to tell me everything.”

Sterling: You know all that shit-talking you like to do about Dante?

Sterling: Stop it right now.

Sterling: The police is reopening his case.

Gillian: okay i don't think you sent this to the right person but

name: gillian blair scott (gilly to her friends)

age: 17

gender: cis girl, she/her pronouns

clubs: band, poetry club, book club

sexuality: bisexual

connection: the ex-girlfriend #3