The Light Behind His Eyes

"I could have sworn I left the damn keys..." My hands were shoved in between the car seats, searching for the keys my uncle gave me. I can't believe I have already lost them-no, I could not have lost them. I put them in my fucking back pocket and they're gone-
"Looking for something?"
I turned to make eye contact with yet another random teenager. He was wearing a white apron full of ketchup? Or maybe tomato sauce? It didn't matter. His light brown eyes met mine, "Well?" I turned my attention back to my car, "No, I'm fine." As I continue to dig through the seats, I can sense his eyes peering over my shoulder. I sighed as I turned back to him, "I said I was fine."
He raised a brow and as if he ignored my snappy remark, he asked, "If you're looking for a pair of keys, they're on the side of that cold coffee or yours." There they were. Plain in sight. I guess I was too focused on finding them I couldn't see that they were right in front of me.
I had the keys in my hand when I realized I wasn't setting up a good first impression. This teenager took the time to most likely welcome me, and I gave him attitude in return. I sighed, "Sorry."
He smiled at me, "Apology accepted." It was quiet for a brief second until he added, sticking out his hand, "My name is Alex. Alex Gaskarth."
I took his hand and shook it, "My name is Gerard."
He smiled as he glanced over his shoulder, "You see that place?" His finger pointed to a pizza shop next door to my bookstore, "My dad owns it. I work there." That would explain the tomato stains on his apron.
I grinned, "You seem so proud."
He chuckled, "Nah, it's temporary, I promise." he looked at my bookstore, "This place has been closed for a while...what's a kid like you parking your car in front of it?"
I smiled, almost admiring the bookstore, "I own it."
Alex gave a "not bad" face, "Cool, at least one of us isn't on a minimum wage job. I have to go, but I'll be next door if you need me."
I nodded and called after him, "Nice meeting you!" And it was nice. He was the first person who I spoke to since I came back home. I don't remember him at all when I grew up. Probably because I was an outcast then and now. I want exactly a very social person.
The keys in my hand spun as I walked toward the door. Before I stepped inside, I peered inside to find books neatly placed on shelves in an organized way. Comics are on the far left of the room, magazines on the far right-and oh my, playboys in the middle. I opened the door, taking in the scent of leather. It wasn't my cup of tea, but I was still smiling. I charged behind the counter and felt like a true owner. I switched on the lights, turned the sign from "closed" to "open" and waited for the first customer to walk in through the door.
I would say it took people two hours until they finally realized, "hey, look the bookstore is open again". A few came in, glancing or taking nothing. This wasn't what I was expecting. I groaned as I slammed my face into the palms of my hands.
"Excuse me?"
I looked up to the sound of a woman's voice.
I smiled, "May I help you?'" please buy a book, or rent a book. Hell, even steal one.
She smiled, "What are the directions out of town?"
Great. I gave her quick directions and as quick as she enetered, she left.
I was about to close up until that same myserious boy walked in. He paused, "Sorry, is this bookstore closed?"
I shook my head, "No, no, it's open."
I can almost see a smile on his face as his eyes searched through the book titles. I thought he would be like the others and just leave with nothing, but he grabbed a book-and another-and another. He headed towards me after. He placed them into the counter, "These two I would like to buy, and this one I would like to rent." I never knew I would be so intrigued by a voice. He pulled out wrinkled twenties from the side of his jeans, "I guess this is enough."
I nodded, "It is."
He was about to carry his three books out the door, but I called, "Hey, so, there's a raffle going on here...do you mind giving me your name so I could enter it?" I lied, obviously. But I needed to know who this boy was.
"What could I win?" His hazel eyes sparked.
"A free book."
He scringed his nose in thought before saying, "Frank, my name is Frank."
His name was Frank.

Notes