The Day We Met (Alastor x OC)

Chapter 2

Juliette

Days turned into weeks working at the diner. Once again, routine became my life and my life fell into routine.

To an extent it was nice, but there is a fine line one must walk in order for routine to not become mundane. Somewhere along the way, I'd tripped and fallen over that line.

Grief became something that just seemed to accompany me instead of something that was trying to suffocate me.

I lived with the reality of my situation, and made the best of it.

Familiar faces came and went, and the days continued to pass and blur into one another.

I'd found myself standing still in a moving world.

Trapped in a cycle of distraction and repetition.

Focusing on keeping myself from crumbling under the weight of sadness while also trying to rebuild myself from shattered pieces.

Sometimes I felt hopeful... others, hopeless.

But most of the time I just felt dull. Grey. Numb to the world, and to anything that may try to hurt me.

Unknown to me, I'd become a shell of my former self, and grown comfortable in a state of constant gloom...

Today is just like every other, smiles, greetings, and orders being taken and delivered. Even through conversations and friendly words, somehow, that empty feeling prevailed.

The bell rang to indicate the entrance of a customer, and I returned the cup I'd been shining to its proper place before turning to greet whom I assumed was someone I'd seen a million times already.

Instead, I was stricken with surprise by the tall, dark haired man that stood in the entrance. He gazed around the room before his sharp eyes landed on me.

For the first time since I'd come home, I felt an emotion other than despair. Pure curiosity pickled my nerves and a tight ball formed in my chest as the stranger approached.

The closer he got, the more apparent it became that he was gorgeous in a way that seemed like it shouldn't be possible.

Tall, dark and handsome didn't begin to cover the pure respect his presence commanded.

He was dressed in fine threads that looked brand new, without a crease nor kink to be seen.

Hair dark, smooth and swept perfectly into a style that suited his defined features.

Eyes dark, and looking directly at me through stylish eyeglasses with thin gold rims.

Another thing I was able to observe was his smile... almost too perfect, it was a little bit intimidating.

His skin reminded me of my father's, sun kissed and tan, though it held a more youthful texture.

"Good morning, sweetheart!"

His voice snapped me out of my daze and a heat began to prickle my neck and face when I realized I'd just been staring at him rudely.

"Oh! My apologies, sir, good morning to you as well. I truly am sorry for staring, this town is rather small and I just didn't recognize you is all..."

Quickly, I rounded the counter to lead him towards a table.

He let out a laugh that seemed like he'd practiced it, and I could hear his shoes clicking on the tile floor.

"Oh, my dear, don't fret! A brand new face in a bleak hick town like this is sure to be a shocker!"

He chuckled at his rather offensive joke, and slid into the seat that I'd lead him to.

Although I should've been rubbed incorrectly by that remark he made, a smile quirked on my lips instead. It was odd that he voiced my exact feelings towards my hometown within minutes of entering the diner.

"That's a fact, I actually am glad to see someone fresh... what can I get for you, mister...?"

"Alastor! And what a pleasure it is that my first dining experience is with a fine gal such as yourself... coffee, black, darling."

That smile never left his face. He actually seemed skilled at changing his expression while continuing to flaunt a cheery grin.

With a smile of my own and a quick nod, I turned and headed back towards the bar to retrieve a black coffee.

As I waited for the pot to brew, the soft sound of the radio permeated the lobby. Though, another sound, much clearer, accompanied it.

I realized quickly that the stranger, Alastor, was humming along. His voice was clear and smooth, even through humming alone.

While waiting, I continued to steal glances at the mysterious man. He was reading a paper while he waited, and still that grin remained on his lips.

Finally, after a couple of minutes that seemed like years, I was able to pour his cup and deliver it to him.

"Freshly made, just for you."

I set it down in front of him and waited with a smile on my face for him to speak to me once more.

"Thank you, sweetheart, it smells lovely."

He continued to hum and went back to reading the paper as I turned and trotted off back to my place behind the counter.

Suddenly, it felt like time was moving again.

~*~

To my joy, the man continued to visit.

Every other day, he'd return and turn the grey world bright for a few moments. With every time he left, he'd leave the world a little brighter in his absence.

I hadn't even realized my own change of pace until Ms. Melinda spoke up.

"I haven't heard you sing in a long while, dear."

Looking up, I blinked in surprise. Had I been singing?

When I failed to respond, Ms. Melinda merely smiled.

"I'm happy to see you in good spirits, darlin'... that young man you been eyeing is comin' by today, no?"

The tease in her tone made my cheeks puff and my collar burn with embarrassment. Playfully, I swatted her with a towel.

"I have not! How crude, Ms. Melinda!"

With a huff I turned away from her and crossed my arms indignantly. That is, until the bell chimed and I turned into a giddy little girl as I practically floated back to the front lobby.

There he was, just on time as always.

And brighter the world became.