It's Only Temporary (Sherlock fanfic)

Chapter 2 • Coffee with an Old Friend

With a steaming cup of horrid coffee in my hand, I made my way down the street to this cafe/sandwich shop that a friend here in London recommended to me. I had to leave my apartment to meet up with him with morning. There were drunk bodies lying all around the living space and I had to step over so many of them. My roommate, who still remains nameless, was lying in her bed with this man hanging over the edge. It disgusted me.

Many people walked by me in the cold winds. Only a couple accidentally bumped me. They both said hey were sorry, which is more than you would get in my hometown.

I currently have my earbuds in playing one of my favorite songs to play at a place such as a cafe. It calms me and readies me for the day ahead. I'm not into much of a hyped start. If that were the case with a very energetic playlist going, the rest of the day might as well be very boring compared to my playlist.

Taking a sip of my coffee (regretting the taste), I crossed the street with a small crowd of people. A taxi went by and dropped off a couple who headed into a building just in front of them with giddy smiles on your faces. I wished not to think about why they were smiling about.

The smell of pollution and coffee filled the air with a slight mix of cigarette smoke. I was starting to believe that moving here wasn't the wisest choice I have ever made. With this air, I could be dead in a week.

Finally, I had arrived at shop and looked up. In white bold letters read SPEEDY'S on a red background. I looked into the window to see my friend on his laptop and holding a yellow file open. I watched his fingers pick at the papers inside and flip them up as he skimmed them before looking back at the screen.

I walked in and took in the smell of meat and coffee grounds. My hands dug into my scalp and shook my hair from it being awkward-looking by the wind. I pulled it in a side pony tail before looking over at where my friend sat.

The man seemed so focused on what he was working on. Not wanting to disrupt, I went up to the counter and waited behind a tall man. He immediately left when I walked up.

Once I got up to the register, I was greeted by a woman with blonde hair tied in a low bun. She smiled sweetly at me. "Hello," she beamed.

"Hi," I said sheepishly. I took my earbuds out.

"Is this your first time here in London?" She asked. I nodded with a small smile. "How are you liking your visit, then?"

I forced a laugh. "Actually, I just moved in not too far from here. I'm meeting an old friend."

The cashier nodded slowly and puckered her lips. "So what can I get you?" Her hand landed at the top of the register as she changed her weight.

My eyes scanned the board behind her to see what I want. It all looked so good.

"How good is the coffee here?" I asked her.

She gave me a look. "It is very good in my opinion, but why? You have one in your hands there." She gestured towards my cup.

"Yeah, but it's awful." I walked over to the trash can near the front and dumped it. "Should make a note not to drink from the lobby brewer." I stifled a laugh. The cashier smiled as I returned. "But I will take cup of your coffee instead."

She chuckled. "You poor thing." The girl pushed a few buttons and looked back up at me. "Anything else?"

"Maybe one of those muffins. What flavor?" I pointed to the glass container with the stack of five muffins.

"Cream cheese, actually. They vary by day."

I nodded and raised a brow. "Interesting."

The cashier pushed a few more buttons and took out the muffin, placing it on the open space beside the register. "Is that all?" she asked.