the time thief (part two)
Pairing: Robert Pattinson/Kristen Stewart
Rating: PG-13
Length: 1,105 words
Summary: An aspiring writer, Rob comes to New York City after graduating university and stumbles upon a used bookstore and the beautiful girl that works there, Kristen.
So, why is this place called The Time Thief? Rob asked as he and Kristen went over to the register so that he could buy the Fitzgerald book.
Because you lose track of time while you’re in here. I think it’s the atmosphere. You just slip into another world. She rang him up on the antique register, the clack of each button echoing throughout the store.
He handed her ten dollars. Is everything in here really old?
She nodded, her bangs falling into her face as she counted his change. We don’t even have a credit card machine. Mabel-the owner-thinks it ruins the authenticity of the store. The newest thing we have in here is Shayla’s nose. Rob raised his eyebrows in surprise and she flashed him an embarrassed smile. Don’t tell her I said that. Even though you can totally still see her black eyes.
They laughed together and Rob listened to the musical chime of hers. He wanted to write a story about the way she laughed.
Well, here you go, she said after taking a breath, handing him his book and change. Thank you for visiting The Time Thief. Come back soon.
He thanked her and stuck the book under his arm as he went to leave. But his inner voice bellowed at him, No, what are you doing?! You can’t just walk away!! He turned on his heel and came back to the register. Have dinner with me.
Her eyebrows went together. What?
Have dinner with me. Tonight, or whenever you’re free.
She dropped her head, shuffling papers around nervously. I’m-I’m sorry. I don’t date.
He wouldn’t give up that easily. He knew in his gut that this was the girl of his dreams. Then it’ll be completely casual. I just want to talk about books with you some more.
She was silent for a moment, those beautiful eyes sizing him up. I don’t have anything to change into.
Wear that. And I’ll wear this. Casual.
She bit the corner of her bottom lip-the lip that Rob wanted to kiss so insanely much-and said, Okay. I get off at seven. Meet me back here.
He wanted to jump in victory, but he somehow contained himself. Okay. Seven it is. See you then.
&&&
Rob approached The Time Thief just as Kristen came out of the door. True to his word, he hadn’t changed his clothes, but he had showered because he released that he still smelled a little like airport. His jet lag was killing him, but he refused to not have the perfect night that he had planned out in his head, which did not include conking out in half an hour because he was so exhausted.
Hi.
Hi.
You aren’t wearing your glasses, he said, noting her distinct lack of frames. Without them, he could see her cream-colored face clearly, her eyes free and bright.
Contacts. The light in there just sort of hurts my head so I wear glasses to work. She took her hair out of the braids and shook it out so that it fell back around her shoulders in loose, golden waves.
Rob really didn’t think he was going to make it through dinner without trying to kiss her. Every move she made was just so cool and relaxed, like she didn’t even have to try.
Come on, she said, and he fell into step beside her. I know the perfect place to go.
She led him to a little diner called Shakey’s Vibe. They only served milkshakes and the waitresses brought them to your table on roller-skates. Kristen ordered a mint-chocolate-chip one and Rob decided on strawberry-banana.
Why are they on roller-skates?
She shrugged. Americans like it when their food is served to them on skates. The waitress brought them their shakes and then wobbled away precariously. Kristen took off the maraschino cherry and before popping it in her mouth, she said, Basically, I’m really glad I work at a bookstore. Because you’ll never see me on skates. So, she said, changing the subject, what brings you to New York?
I just finished graduate school in London and I wanted to see this place before I get shuffled into some office job that I can’t stand.
What is it you want to do?
He stirred his shake with his straw, the whipped cream on top mixing in a little. I want to be a writer, but I don’t think it’s going to happen.
Why not?
I don’t know what to write about. And writers who don’t write are just unhappy dreamers.
She held up the stem of the maraschino she had just eaten. Make a wish. He just looked at her. Make a wish and if I can tie this in a knot with my tongue, it’ll come true.
Okay…I thought Americans wished on turkey bones.
We wish on a lot of things, whatever we can. So, do you wish to become a great writer?
Yes. No, I wish to be with you.
She put the stem between her lips and after a moment, pulled it back out with a knot in the center. Wish granted.
Then they fell into talking. First, about what her plans were (to continue working at The Time Thief, start at Columbia in the fall, and study literature). Next, about how really fucking awesome their shakes were. After that, their favorite writers (Kristen worshipped Keats and Rob could quote Shakespeare like it was his job).
They laughed for hours and sipped their milkshakes until the glasses were dry and their feet touched under the table. When they finally left, their cheeks flushed from happiness and their stomachs full of milk and ice cream, they went to leave.
Rob offered to walk her home and Kristen, surprised and a tiny bit flattered by his chivalry, accepted. After walking the two blocks to her apartment, she turned to face him, her green eyes sparkling in the lamplight.
I had a really great time tonight.
Me too.
His eyes fell from hers to her mouth and he wiped away a bit of milkshake in the corner of it. Suddenly, she was on her tiptoes and pressing her lips to his and she tasted like milk and cream and girl and he was so happy that he could’ve cried.
When she pulled away, he said, I thought this wasn’t a date.
It wasn’t, she replied, her fingertips on her mouth.
Do you work tomorrow? She nodded. Do you want to go on a casual, not a date, thing with me again tomorrow? Another nod. Okay, bring a change of clothes this time.