Books are Amazing!

A young girl with oversized glasses said to her, “Why don’t you try picking up some books around her.” She said as she pointed in the book covered room. “You might find something you like. 

It has been twenty minutes since Rosemary and her parents arrived at their old house where her grandmother and the young girl she stayed with. It’s a tradition for the family to go on vacations every summer. Last time they went to a cold fishing village where dad’s families are, but this time they were in the middle of a forest, in the middle of nowhere. 

Rosemary has been staring at her surroundings for a few minutes now, books in different sizes and colors painted the floor. Some are stuck together like legos, and some are in boxes; others are in bookshelves stored like canned tunas. 

“What are you doing? Why is the room so messy?” she directed her voice to the girl occupying the room. 

“Can’t you see I’m reading and You should introduce yourself first before shouting at me,” she said calmly as she fixed her glasses. 

“My name is Maryrose, and my parents are here because they want to.” 

“Rosemary, I see my name is Lily.” 

Maryrose wants to comment on her name being called wrong, but she was tired. She just got here.

“.....”

“.....”

They both stared at each other for a moment, and then Lily buried her eyes in the book she was holding again.

“Wait, Lily. My mom told me to sleep here. Can you show me the bed? I’m tired.”  

“If you want to take a rest, go ahead. The bed is there.”  

Rosemary followed Lily’s fingers, pointing at a spot where a lot of books were right at the top of each other. 

“That’s nothing, but books right!” she shouted at Lily, looking at her as if she’s stupid or something. 

“No, No, the bed is under the book, idiot! Just put the books in the box under the bed,” she said calmly, flipping the pages. Rosemary, wanting to rest, did what she asked to. She put the books in the box, reading the titles as she slowly put them in one by one.  She recognizes a few ones where her teacher mentioned it in English class, but most of the title sounds boring to her. 

“Do you need some help, Rosemary?” 

“It’s Maryrose, and Yes, it’s your mess in the first place.” 

Lily closed her book, putting it gently in the chair where she sat. She placed herself next to Rosemary, who was clearing the bed. 

Lily quickly shoved the books in the box with one swipe. Half of the books were already in the box; some are on the floor. The rest of the books are being stacked on top of each other. 

“There, that’s done Rosemary, you can rest now.” she patted the bed feeling proud of herself.

She then returned to her chair, picking up her book, and laid down next to Maryrose, who was getting ready to sleep. 

“What are you doing?” she said, looking at her face. 

“My back is getting tired, and I want to take a rest too after this.” She said, slowly flipping the pages. 

“What are you reading, by the way. Is it good?” 

“Rosemary, when people see other people read, they tend to get curious.” She closes the book, now looking at each other. 

“If you want to know if the book is good or not, why don’t you read it with me. Rosemary.” 

“I’m tired right now, so maybe tomorrow. Why don’t you sleep with me, Lily?” She said, Grabbing the blanket towards her chest.

“Yes, that’s a good idea. I’m tired anyway.” Lily pulled the blanket towards her. 

And they both drifted to sleep. It was the sound of Lily getting up that breaks Maryrose's sleep. 

“Good Morning, Rosemary.” 

It was still around five in the morning, the house was quiet, and the room was cold. Maryrose wants to drink something warm, but since they slept early the other night, breakfast was not ready yet.

“Good Morning, Lily.” They both greeted each other, still half asleep.

“So do you want to read with me? This is the book I was reading.” She slapped the book on Rosemary’s tummy. 

She made a strange noise, Lily let out a small giggle, she kicked her in response. 

And Then There Were None was written on the front cover. 

“What’s this about? Hide and seek.” Maryrose asked.

“HAHAHAHA!” she let out a rather annoying laugh. 

“No, it’s actually about murders. It’s good, trust me.” She composed herself. 

“Do you like playing detective? Rosemary.” 

“Well, not exactly, but I love to play hide and seek.” 

“Then you’re going to love this” Lily jumped next to her since it was a small book. She sticks next to Maryrose feeling the warmth in her arms. 

Lily opened the covers, and they both started reading silently, soundless whispers filled the room. Maryrose doesn’t want to read books that much, but seeing Lily read silently beside her, she feels like reading as well. Time went slow, and artful words fill her head; one-second later, she was riding a train towards Soldier Island along with the few guests. 

It was her first time feeling like this, being sent to a new world just by reading a few words in a dusty, dirty room filled with books and tall bookshelves. She can feel her body moved in tension as the guest began to feel in danger. She can feel her brain reading faster, wanting to turn pages quicker. Last thing she knew, she was flipping the pages quicker, completely forgetting about Lily, who was reading beside her. 

Lily let out a small giggle, but Maryrose was glued to the pages. Next thing she knew,  the sun already rise in through the curtains.  Melting the cold air that covered the room. 

“Rosemary, It’s time for breakfast.” Lily pats Maryrose’s head, disturbing her from reading. 

“You see, books are amazing, right they take you to many places, help you feel emotions you don’t usually feel. It’s amazing how forming words to creative sentences can make you feel different emotions.” 

Maryrose nodded in agreement, and they went to have a good breakfast together, bringing her favorite book with her and her newfound friend reading.