One Shots

Patricia&Niall

“You’ve got to put your book away, you’re going to get in trouble with the boss” my coworker hisses at me as she passes by. I stick out my tongue sliding the paperback back into my apron pocket as I grab the tray of food the kitchen provided and headed toward the table I was supposed to be waiting.

“Here ya go” I say absentmindedly sliding the food onto the table, not even waiting to see if they needed anything before pulling the book back out, turning around to head back to the kitchen. I wasn’t normally this bad of an employee. If I were, I’d have gotten fired long ago. It was just that I’d gotten this new book on the middle ages and I couldn’t set it down. I was so close to being finished that I’d brought it with to work, hoping I’d be able to sneak in a page or two between tables.

“Watch it” my coworker says again as I barely manage to duck a tray of food flying over my head.

“Sorry” I say wide-eyed. That could have been a disaster. If we had collided, we would have both been covered in what appeared to be peri peri chicken and pizza. I back up, my eyes still on my coworker as I stare at what could have been a huge mess. I turn around to walk forward again when I run into something dropping my book.

“Oh sorry” I say quickly before looking at what I bumped into. My face turns red when I realize that it was a wall.  I hear a chuckle from the table near me and look over to see the top of a blond head, picking up my book, which had slid under their table. He flips it over, reading the title, before looking back at me confused.

“Medieval Warfare: A History?” he asks confused. I nod grabbing the book back as he offers it.

“You know… gotta be prepared” I say jokingly, my face still red from being seen not only running into a wall, but apologizing to it as well. And considering the book I was reading, he probably thought I was crazy. He smiles at my reply though which relieves me slightly.

“Do you normally read books like that?” he asks. I nod.

“I like history” I say with a shrug. He thinks for a second before replying.

“The only book I’ve read is To Kill a Mockingbird. That’s kinda a history book right?” he asks with a grin. I laugh rolling my eyes at his hopeful expression.

“Sorry bud” I say shaking my head no.

“Bummer” he replies with a grin. “I’ve never been much of a reader” he says with a shrug. The other people at his table snort, holding back a laugh, making me realize it wasn’t just the two of us there. They shake their heads, sliding out of the booth and I realize they are done eating.

“Well I’ll let you guys get going then” I say stepping back from their table.

“Wait” he says and I turn back around to face him. “It may not be as good as a book, but would you maybe want to go see a movie sometime?” he asks hesitantly. I smile and nod my head.

“You coming or what Niall?” one of the boys he was with calls from the door. He turns and looks at the dor.

“Just a minute” he replies before looking back at me. “Awesome, Friday night” he says with a smile before turning and jogging to catch up with his friends.