Leaving Time The Book Novels & Stories

he checked the clock hanging opposite to him, “It’s been late, your friend is probably waiting for you…” It was almost 11 pm he jumped up to leave when Nick stopped him, asking to wait a second. He walked to the shelf. He came back with a torn out book, with a yellow dandelion painted on the cover, in a blue font drawn over it, ‘Love of Youth.’ Nick handed him this book, asking, “Read this. You’ll like it,” patting on the book. That whole night he read the book with a tiny sleep of four hours in the dawn. He came back to the shop next morning, reading the rest of it there, completely drown in the book. He didn’t realize someone came in.

My mind need to be settled for tomorrow. Despite skimming, I knew I had to read this book properly another time. By sunset, I realized I was alone. It was time leave. “Leaving already?” Mrs. Baldwin asked, getting off a call. She was all smiles and blush. Maybe her husband. Silly thought. “Yes.” Ken was coming. Laura had plans. I had to go. “Did you like the book?” “Like is an understatement.” “Then bring it back.” I hesitated, then held her hand. She should know that I was leaving. To hell with Henry talks, she needs to know about my job.

“What if I don’t want to leave anymore?” He stroked my hair. “I wish you could stay. But the price is too high Elara” But before I left, I found a thin, glowing book tucked away on a high shelf named “Futures Unwritten.” It showed two visions. In one vision, I stayed forever, lost in endless nights of pleasure with Lucian why my real life was fading away. In the other vision, I walked away and returned to loneliness, the magic slowly dying inside me. As I finally slipped out just before 1 am, the grandfather clock in the main hall seemed louder than usual.

Some people felt joy, some felt sorrow. Benedict had to leave for Valois that night after the dinner party. Tessa couldn't go with him. When the banquet ended, Benedict helped her into the car. Tessa fastened her seatbelt and turned to him. "What time is your flight?" Benedict reached out, brushing her cheek, his voice hoarse. "1:00 am." He glanced at his watch—it was 10:00 pm, which meant he still had an hour and a half.

He paused. "Didn't you make these mugs yourself at the pottery studio? Why did you throw them away?" "They're leaking. I don't want them anymore." Charles grabbed my hand. "What are you trying to say, Cindy?" "Nothing." I wrest my hand out of his and said expressionlessly, "I thought you had an important event today. If you don't leave now, you'll be late." Charles glanced at the clock on the wall. His expression darkened with anger. "Why didn't you wake me up earlier? Do you have any idea how important today is for me? Just wait. I'll deal with you when I get back!"

Back to the fun and games of physics. Leesa closed her blue book and exhaled deeply, stretching her arms out in front of her and enjoying what felt like her first real breath in almost two hours. A glance at the sweeping second hand on the old-fashioned clock on the classroom wall showed she had a whole thirty seconds left before time was up. She had barely made it, but finished was finished—and boy, did she feel finished.

“Yeah. You’ll need this for your book anyway, right?” My breath caught between relief and emotion. “Thank you ” Liam smiled faintly, then looked at the book in my hands. “Let’s get lunch now.” I blinked quickly and checked the watch on my wrist. My eyes widened. “Oh my God it’s almost one.” I couldn’t believe how fast time had passed. It felt like I’d only entered the library ten minutes ago. Liam stepped closer, gathered the few books he was holding, and walked toward the counter. I followed behind him, carrying the beautiful-covered book, afraid that if I let go, it might disappear.

Five minutes before our time was up, he pushed the book across his desk. He slid his glasses from his nose and laid them on his desk. "This is an awfully bold move, Jude. Are you prepared if it doesn't go the way you hope?" His tone was inquisitive, yet encouraging. The truth was, my answer was yes. It would hurt like hell if Portia kept her distance, but I refused to live in the shadow of doubt any longer. It was time to pay the piper. And either way, I had already planned to return to Maine at the beginning of June. The bookstore cut back on staff when the college students left for the summer because their sales tanked with the dip in the local population, so it was the perfect time for me

In the years that followed, I poured all my love and care into little Olivia. Watching Olivia's parents slowly heal day by day, a weight lifted from me. I felt I had, perhaps, atoned for my past errors. Years later, Lily died in the psychiatric hospital, and one quiet evening, old and frail, I took my final walk and left this world. Finally, I was able to reunite with Olivia and deliver the apology I had carried in my heart for so long.

Did he sense something. Did he notice that I wasn't really reading the book? I thought, looking at the book in my hands (My Life Saver by Lilian Finn). What a weird coincidental name for a book. Twenty minutes past eleven p.m. When did time fly so fast? I survived today, tomorrow is going to be another day. "Let's get ready for it." I said, resting my head on my pillow and hugging the book, My Life Saver. ***Day eleven***