The Unlucky One

Chapter 12

My head raised slowly to the familiar voice. My heavy eyes strained upward to meet his. He looked down at me, his eyes panicked and scanning over every inch of my body. His mouth remained agape and his eyes didn't leave mine.

Great Elodie! You have managed to totally and completely let down the one person in your life that understands what you're going through. Wow, he must really think I'm a piece of shit. Sitting by myself at a diner, in the early hours of the morning shitfaced. He probably expects more from me.

Hell, he told me that things in his life were getting better, so why can't that happen for me? Why am I cursed with nothing but unhappy endings? I blinked my glossed over eyes a few times, awestruck at how nice he looked. Okay Elodie, be civil. Be normal, don't mess up. Do not embarrass yourself. You're waiting for a friend, to have breakfast with? Because normal people eat breakfast at midnight.

"Sup Harrison." I drawled, propping an elbow onto the table and lazily setting my head in my hand. Perfect. He gave me an extremely confused looking, a look that seemed to be him examining my bruise.

In perfect timing, the older lady form behind the counter carefully slid a steaming cup of coffee my way, smiling at me lightly before turning to Mr. Edwards. "This guy bugging you?" She asked in a concerned matter, her eyes turning beady as they burned holes right through him. I quickly shook my head, waving my hand dismissively... maybe a little too much.

"Oh no, he's-s *hiccup* great." I stated. Her eyes remained on him for only a moment more before the hobbled back into the kitchen, leaving him and I alone in a silence.

I grabbed the cup, my hands curling around the bend of it and warming up instantly. My shaky hands brought the cup up to my mouth and I sipped ever so carefully at the steaming goodness. I hiccuped some more, nearly spilling the hot brew all over my jeans.

"I had no idea you drink." He mentioned as his fingers tapped on the counter. I shot him a surprised look, eyeing him up and down while hiccuping some more. "Everyone
d-drinks Harry, it's only coffee." I piped up, sipping some more. He let out a laugh I've never heard before, his pearly white teeth revealed as he shook his head at my statement.

I shakily rubbed my cheek, which felt significantly warmer than my coffee.

"That was adorable." He he said a little quieter, sighing a bit. His fingers continued to tap away and I suddenly felt the urge to stop it. I covered his fingers with my hand to cease the tapping, and he gave me a puzzled look.

For a moment I let my eyes settle on him, looking over every perfect feature. He watched me do this without a word, almost like he was letting me do so. "I love how soft your hand is." I blurted out. This secret had been dying inside of me for so long and I could not contain it any longer, it had to be said. His face broke out in the color of red as he grinned to himself, mentioning a thank you.

Out of the blue realization kicked in. Where I was, why I was here, why he was here... why was Mr. Edwards here with me?

I asked him just that, watching his features wash over with a gloomy shade of desperation. What brought that on? "I could tell you, but it's a long and tiring story of how stupid I am. Maybe I can tell it to you another time, when you're actually sober." He chuckled at that last part as I rolled my eyes. I noticed my hand was still touching his, only his thumb and forefinger were gently pressing against my palm. No matter how drunk I was in that moment, the butterflies in my stomach were always alive and rambunctious, waiting for perfect moments like these.

"Now, why are you here? And how did you get that bruise?" He asked in a more serious tone. Instead of answering right away I sat, staring off into his eyes and thinking of an excellent excuse for it. I did not want to worry him, so I had to think of a good story quick. To my demise I took too long.