FALLING IN LOVE AT A COFFEE SHOP | D.H [✓]

Forty One

I wake up to the sound of the alarm going off and for a split second I think it's going off because I have to go to work. A moment later the realization hits me and I feel my stomach drop. A part of me was hoping this actually wasn't happening but another part of me was also extremely proud and happy for Dan.

I get dressed into a pair of leggings and a t-shirt and make my way downstairs. Grace is already up and pacing slightly by the front door.

"You okay?" I ask her as I put on my converse.

"Hm? Yeah, just going to miss them is all. I was fine with all of it but I think it's actually sunk in that they're leaving."

"We'll get through this together though, it's all going to be okay."

"I know it will be," she says confidently, "now let's go meet up with our boys."

We reach the airport and a warm feeling washes over me as I remember coming here to go see my family with Dan. Last time we were flying away together and this time he was flying away to chase his dreams with his best friend.

Grace and I make our way through the crowd and spot them easily. I mean, it wasn't too hard finding two tall boys with matching fringes.

"Hey, love." Dan says softly as he pulls me into a hug. I was going to miss this. His hugs truly were the greatest hugs I've ever experienced and not getting one everyday was going to suck.

I made a mental note in my mind to stop complaining and be happy for him. Constantly complaining wasn't going to change anything and all it did was make me annoying. "I'm so proud of you, Dan. I really am. You deserve this opportunity more than anybody."

"I'm going to miss you though."

"I'll miss you too but, like you said we can call each other almost everyday and even if we don't, there won't be a day that goes by that I won't think of you."

"If anyone else said that I'd cringe at how cheesy that was."

"That was pretty lame actually, you're allowed to cringe."

"And you're allowed to cringe when you see what I left you so we'll be even."

"I'll probably think it is super cheesy but knowing me, I'll love it anyway just because I'm a secret hopeless romantic and it's from you."

An announcement comes on telling everyone to start boarding the plane to London and I start to feel panicky. He pulls me into another hug before kissing me for the last time in who knows how long.

"I love you, Aria. More than anything in this world and I promise you that I'll at least text you everyday even when I'm busy. You mean so much to me and I'm so proud that you got into uni and we're both making our dreams come true even though we'll be apart. One day we'll see each other again and who knows, maybe you'll move to London one day as a big shot publisher or even an author. You did promise to write about me after all."

"If I ever were to write a full book the only person I would be able to write about is you so don't worry about that. I love you so much, Dan."

And with that, he and Phil said their final goodbyes and went to board their plane to London. Grace and I headed back to the apartment in silence apart from a few attempts at small talk which died out quite quickly. We would probably spend the day doing nothing and get back into our routines tomorrow morning.

I go into my room once we get back home and see a small box on my bed. I assumed it was what Dan was talking about and Grace and put it here right before we left. My curiosity got the better of me and I started to untie the ribbon. Inside was a USB and a folded up piece of paper.

Dear Aria,

    This has got to be the most cliche thing I have ever done in all my life. Normally, I wouldn't be caught dead doing anything remotely close to what you're about to see, well listen to. Now I don't see myself as the romantic type at all. Before the most romantic thing I could do was reply to a text but, you're an exception. I don't know what it is about you but, cliche things don't seem so lame anymore.

    Inside the box you'll see a USB filled with a bunch of songs that remind me of us. *pauses for laughter at how lame this idea actually is* I hope you aren't too repulsed at how cringe worthy this gift is.

    I put this playlist together because every single song reminds me of you in some way and know that it may or may not have filled me with some major feelings. I hope that whenever you're missing me, you'll listen to this playlist knowing I'm doing the same.

    I love you so much and I'll see you soon, Dan xx

-

It had been about a month since Dan had moved to London and I was missing him like crazy. Sure we talked on the phone, skyped, and texted as much as possible but it wasn't the same. Nothing beats actually being with the person and I knew that once I was at uni, talking to him would become less frequent.

Whenever he had a radio show I would listen along and watch all the YouTube videos he uploaded. Just seeing him and hearing his voice put me at ease and I knew that he was happy with what he was doing. Both his and Phil's careers were picking up and I felt extremely proud of both of them.

Regulars at the coffee shop often asked where Dan was and how he was doing. I'm pretty sure before I said he moved to London they thought we had broken up or something. I think some of them actually thought he moved because we broke up. In my opinion that was absolutely ridiculous but I never knew what went through people's heads to come to certain conclusions.

Morning coffee was filled with people watching alone once again, the walk to work was silent, work seemed to drag on when I knew I wouldn't have someone to look forward to meeting afterwards. My old routine was back except I at least had him despite him not being here.

Whenever I got home I would automatically check if Dan had left a voicemail or was online on Skype. If he wasn't able to talk I would play his playlist and write. I'd write about him mainly and the songs he picked gave me inspiration. Nothing I wrote actually connected at the moment but maybe one day they would.

All I knew was that I missed him.

-

(Dan's POV)

Phil and I had finally settled in London. The first few weeks were filled with procrastination in unboxing everything but finally things were in place. London seemed so much busier than Manchester and I was still absolutely terrified of going outside even though it's been a month. Office workers would literally trample you without an apology if you so much as paused for a millisecond.

It never really hit me that Phil and I had a radio show until we completed our first one. I don't know why they allowed two awkward people in a small booth with about a million different buttons to press but, we didn't mess up too bad, not yet at least.

As happy as I was doing what I was doing, I missed Aria. Talking to her but not actually being with her was awful. Hearing her voice made me happy but knowing I couldn't hold her and kiss her just seemed cruel. The days I couldn't talk to her at all were the worst.

The amount of times I have listened to that cliche playlist is ridiculous. I never knew I would miss her so much that I had to listen to the same 20 songs at least 5 times a day.

I found a little coffeeshop that I know she would love if she were here. I'd go there every morning but it wasn't the same. Funny how much a person could change how an experience went. Often times I would get her order just to try and feel closer to her and I'd people watch and make up scenarios on where they were going.

I also found a bookstore that reminded me of the one she worked in but again it wasn't the same simply because she wasn't there. I'd buy her favourite books and imagined seeing her own book here someday. I'd be first in line to buy one.

Everything I did lately reminded me of her and I never realized how deep I was until now. Someone once told me distance makes the heart grow fonder and they were certainly right.

All I knew was that I missed her.

a/n two chapters left omg