A Collection of Odds & Ends

Bad Habits, There is Just No Breaking Free (Liam Hemsworth)

because, who doesn't love Liam Hemsworth?

In the header, there is the song "Secondhand", which is what the story idea is based on. This one has been a long time coming, since Cassadee Pope released her EP in 2012. I finally found the right fit, so here it is.

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"Sorry, we're closed." You hear the new guy inform somebody at the front of the store.

"Oh, uh, sorry." You hear the all too familiar voice reply.

"Wait!" You shout, hoping they two men in the front heard you. Not bothering to wipe the sticky syrup off of your hands you make a mad dash, rounding the corner careful not to bump into any trays that are placed in the way.

Appearing from the back room, you call out to the tall figure as his hand lands on the door handle. "Liam!" you catch his attention, smiling widely at your friend. "It's cool, Brian, he's with me." you smile at Brian, the new recruit.

Taking your word for it, the high schooler shrugs it off and goes back to his job of wiping down the coffee counter. Sliding your hands against your apron, you grimace at the realization that the syrup is going to be hell when you wash it.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cause any trouble." Liam spoke, his hands sliding into the pockets of his jacket. "You off soon?" he asks, his Australian accent drifting through the empty coffee shop.

"I am. Are you okay, Lee?" Your brow furrows and you tilt you head, as if it will help you get a better read on his expression.

He looks so...sad.

His shoulders lift and then fall in a shrug. His blue eyes are almost a shade of gray and you're pretty sure they are red rimmed, had he been crying? No, oh please no. You silently pray that his eyes are just red from allergies or something silly. Not again. Liam's shoulders sag while he leans against a table, his usually happy and outgoing personality is almost non-existent at the moment.

Everything about his presence tells the tale. It is a tale that you know all too well. One that you'd rather not relive, yet you always seem to find yourself going through it time and time again. Every-fucking-time it was the same thing and no matter how much you didn't want to be a part of it, you found yourself right back in the middle. Fights between a couple shouldn't be your concern, even if they did leave your dear friend feeling dejected and completely useless.

"I just need to finish filling up some supplies, give me five minutes?" you hold up a hand, indicating five minutes. Liam nods and moves to sit in the chair beside the table that he is using to hold himself up.

With a stroke of luck, it takes you half the time to finish up your final closing chores, the things you can accomplish when working double speed. Pulling off your apron and dropping it into your designated work bag, you grab your jacket from the back closet and call for Brian, telling him it is officially time to lock up. Gathering Liam, you successfully lock the cafe and wave good bye to the young man, climbing into his mother's waiting car.

"What happened this time? She decide that she isn't happy with your career? Maybe it was the fact you wore the wrong shoes?" You dive right in. After all, it isn't a secret as to why the handsome man next to you randomly showed up.

Liam drew a deep breath, adjusting the zipper on his coat, blocking the bit of wind from biting his neck. "I'm gone too much and I don't make time for her."

You frown at his reply. "Come on." You link your arm with his, leaning into him and shivering a little. Having your apartment less than a block away from work came in handy, on so many levels. On this particular day, it was nice not having to walk so damn far in the slightly chilled winds that whipped around you."I'll make you some hot chocolate and we can talk."