Who Run the World? Girls.

19 - A Friend in Need

At last, the final customer left the coffee shop, meaning that Chloe was free to leave. She had worked the whole day in order to earn as much money as possible. Despite what Beca said, Chloe was not going to let her pay all the rent for her. She went to the back room to fetch her stuff, before rushing out of the café to her freedom.
"In a hurry?" a familiar voice came from behind her. She smiled broadly, before whirling around to see Dylan, standing with two cups of coffee in his hands.
"You actually came?" Chloe asked in awe. She had texted him earlier asking if they could meet. "Why didn't you answer my text?"
"I thought I'd surprise you," Dylan grinned. "Plus you didn't use any emojis, which told me you were desperate."
"I'm not... desperate. I just-"
"Needed a friend? And here I am. We might not have known each other long, but I've figured you out. Now, skinny latte with one sugar? That's what you always get, right?"

"Why is this guy not my boyfriend?" Chloe couldn't stop herself from thinking. She realised that she staring at him a little too dreamily, and so pretended that something caught her eye elsewhere.
"Yes, thank you. You have a good memory," she mentioned as she took her coffee.
"Ha, so I have been told. Anywhere specific you want to go?" he asked her as they walked.
"Anywhere away from that café. I've been working my arse off in that place for weeks now," she said.
They ended up walking to the park where they found a bench by the pond and sat down. Chloe sipped at her coffee as they watched a bird fly across the water.
"So, what's bothering you, Chloe?"
"I don't know. Everything?," she laughed uncertainly. "I just want a solid career. I want a secure future with a job and money and a boyfriend and I don't have any of those. Look at Beca, she's producing music, earning more money every time she learns something new and she has Jesse."
"Right, and that's where you have to stop. First, stop comparing yourself to Beca. That'll only put you down more. She's the best friend you could ever have and her success should make you happy, not worthless. And your possible career in music? It's not over. You just have to wait a little longer than you hoped but just think that this time next year you'll be on the same level as Beca." Dylan told her.
Chloe nodded, twirling the coffee cup in her hand. "As for a boyfriend, you-" he started. What had she done? Her lips were resting on his and she'd realised it was the most stupid thing she could've done straight away. Even if it was completely subconscious. She pulled away as quickly as she'd came in and brushed a bit of hair out of her face. She wouldn't look at Dylan at any cost, especially now she felt her deep blushing coming on."It's okay," was all she heard him say. Why was she such an idiot. He must have thought she was so needy."No, it's not. I'm sorry. I'm so out of order-"
"It's my fault. To tell the truth I would have kissed back but..."Chloe turned to face him again, not sure if she wanted to hear what was coming next. His eyes were firmly placed on the concrete beneath them, his hand gripping his cup so tightly that it could bend and spill his coffee at any minute. He took a deep breath, before looking at her. "You need to understand that I do like you and none of this is on you. But I haven't had a girlfriend for six years. In my life, I only ever dated one girl and she was the one, you know? Like, I knew then I wouldn't need anyone else. We were childhood friends; our families went on holidays together all the time," he smiled at the memories.

"She was called Alice. It wasn't until I was 16 that I realised what she was to me though. But, yeah. We dated properly for three years. When we left high school we were going to travel anywhere and everywhere. I'd bought an engagement ring and I promised myself that when we reached most awesome place in the world, I would propose. It was going to be perfect, and it would begin my new life in the best way possible. But then, two days before we were to leave for Peru, Alice was diagnosed with cancer and two weeks later she was dead."

A tear rolled down Dylan's cheek, before he put his face in his hands. Chloe didn't know what to say so she put a hand on his shoulder. She was overwhelmed by everything he had just told her and processing it all was very hard. Had she been leading him on all this time? Was she just breaking his heart by being around him? If she'd have known...He sat up straight again and wiped his face. "I'm sorry, you probably don't appreciate me spilling my guts out to you. Especially not on something as depressing as this. But the thing is, I haven't moved on. I walked past all the girls, never turning my head for six years. And then I met you."

Chloe did a double take when she heard that last sentence. No. Way. What was she to do in that moment? This whole conversation was tearing her apart.
"Chloe, it may seem like this whole explanation has been a rollercoaster for you. But can you give me some time. I need to get over her. I need... I don't want you thinking that we're living in her shadow, that's all."

Chloe sighed and nodded. "I understand. I'm sorry. I need to go, but thanks for the coffee," was all she could blurt out. She knew she was unreasonable by just walking away like that. But she felt physically sick and completely unsure on how she was supposed to be feeling. In all truth, all that information had just made her even more stressed out than before.

She took the bus home and watched as the sun set and darkness surrounded the city. The lights flickered on inside the bus and she saw her own reflection in the window. She looked so depressed, but then again she didn't feel any different.

A/N
Hello! It's been a looonngg time now, but my phone broke :/ I'm not used to Wattpad on the PC and the paragraphs are like wtf. Why are they so annoying? Anyway, I watched Pitch Perfect 2 for the millionth time today because I'm sad like that and it really helped with my storyline. (It also helped me point out my flaws but I won't mention those ;)) Thanks for sticking around if you have done and all the new votes I have are very nice of you :) Remember to comment any suggestions or things you like because it really helps me as a writer. Hope you're all doin' fine!

Jo :) x