Cafe Letters | Ethan Torchio

"The Response"

Aurora walked back to her apartment while ignoring the friendly waves from her neighbors. She couldn't help but think about the conversation with her brother. He didn't seem all that mad at her, maybe the rest of her family was like that too. She would have to ask Matteo more about what happened after she left the next time they talk.

Unlocking the door, she headed straight for the bathroom. It was a hot summer day in Milan and between her call with Matteo and her walk home, she was in the sun for 40 minutes. To say she felt disgusting was an understatement. She took a shower, the cool water and music she had turned on before stepping in helped clear her mind.

When Aurora dried herself and her hair, he threw her hair in a bun, put on a white tank top and underwear, and applied a face mask.

liked by EliteMilan, CarliValentini and 54, 983 others

AuroraBianchi self care is important, don't forget to give yourself a little love

CarliValentini WIFEY😍😍 love you babe
          →AuroraBianchi love you too😘

EliteMilan looking forward to more shoots with you🔥
          →AuroraBianchi can't wait🔥

User1 AHHHH YOU'RE SO GORGEOUS

User2 OMG I SAW YOU LEAVE THE CAFE RIGHT BEFORE ETHAN CAME IN
          →User3 no wait, i was there too. can you imagine them together, they would be so hot
          →User4 I would totally ship them

Laying on her bed and scrolling through Instagram, she replied to some of her comments. Ever since Aurora and Carli met at a photoshoot a month ago they have been best friends. She was about to go and take off her mask when a few comments caught her eye. They were talking about a guy named Ethan. Aurora did not know who Ethan was but that comment did remind her about the paper she left. The last thing she wanted was for someone to read that letter. Aurora washed off her mask and got dressed into a black tank top and soft gray shorts as quick as she could, hurrying out the door after putting on sneakers.

Rather than wasting time walking, she waved over a taxi who got her there half as fast. Aurora went over to the table she sat at earlier, praying that despite it having been two hours the letter would still be in its original crumpled state, or maybe even somewhere in the trash. Her eyes fell on the table, searching for the paper. Not finding it, she searches the ground. Maybe it fell, she tells herself.

A tap on the shoulder makes her jump and she turns around to see the same barista who was working earlier.

"Are you looking for that paper you were writing on before?" Aurora's eyes widen and she nods hesitantly. The barista goes behind the counter, grabbing and then holding out the crumpled ball.

Aurora was surprised that she kept the paper, which the barista noticed. "A lot of people come in here and write, like you did, and also like you, some tend to forget and come back after. Ever since we noticed, we've started throwing them in a basket behind the counter."

She thanks the barista and checks out the paper. It looks to be in the same condition. Maybe slightly bigger but Aurora knows she can't remember exactly how it looked when she left it.

After thanking the barista again, Aurora takes another taxi home.

Now sitting on her couch, Aurora unballs the paper. She froze when something dropped to her lap. There was another paper inside. That meant someone read the letter AND wrote something about it. That was Aurora's worst nightmare when she started writing, that someday someone would see her words.

Dear Rora,

I know I shouldn't have invaded your privacy and read your letter, so I apologize for that. I must have sat down at the table you were at and when I noticed your letter, it was crumpled up and I was unaware of what it contained. Naturally, I got curious and when I started reading, I just could not stop.

I am truly sorry to hear about your mother and family. I hope I understood correctly that they did not accept that you were bisexual. Personally, I can not relate, but my friend Victoria is bisexual and went through something similar with her family. I would give you her number if I knew this letter would actually get to you, but I can not make sure of that.

I think you should go see your home city, maybe go when you know your mother will not be home? And if you do happen to see your mother, show her how much better your life is now that she is not in it. Make her feel bad for her words said to you. Even if your life is not better, just pretend.

I am happy that you are the happiest you've been in a while, like you mentioned at the end of your letter.

I hope this letter finds its way back to you and that you are not too mad at me reading your letter.

-Ethan

Not knowing why, reading Ethan's letter made her tear up a little. She was not as mad as she thought she would be, but the realization that a complete stranger can support her in something that her family could not made her upset. She reread his advice about going to see her family. She thought he was right, that she should go and if she happens to run into her mother, she will make her regret their fight.

For the rest of the night, Aurora could not get his name out of her head. Ethan. She doesn't know any Ethans in the area, yet the name seemed so familiar. She thought about it as she cooked dinner. As she sliced some potatoes, it clicked. She opened Instagram and scrolled through the comments on her last post.

User2 OMG I SAW YOU LEAVE THE CAFE RIGHT BEFORE ETHAN CAME IN

Aurora wondered if this was the same Ethan. She sent a dm to User2 and asked who this Ethan was they were talking about.

As she waited for a response, she went back to cooking her dinner and when she finally sat down to eat, she phone chimed.

User2 HOLY SHIT, OF COURSE. ETHAN IS THE DRUMMER OF THIS AMAZING BAND, MÅNESKIN. HIS INSTA IS @ethaneskin

Aurora sent him a message before going to bed since it was already midnight, hoping that in the morning he would have responded.

AuroraBianchi
Ciao Ethan, hopefully you see this. This might sound strange, but did you happen to go to a cafe earlier today and write a letter in response to one you found? If your answer is yes, can you please tell me something you wrote about? I just want to make sure it is actually the person who wrote back, haha thanks, sorry to bother you
read 00:47

Aurora had gone to bed before seeing that he read the message almost immediately and sent a message back.

_______________

WOOHOO I FINALLY UPDATED. SORRY ITS BEEN A FEW DAYS

I hit 150 reads and that is crazy to me. I was at work when I saw and I got so excited. I am going to try and write longer chapters like this, or longer if you guys want.

I would love to hear from anyone reading.

Please Comment and Vote💖💖

Next chapter is going to be so fun!! I might start writing it tonight but it is already 1 AM so I'll see how I feel after I publish this.

-Sophie