CONSTANT HEADACHE ; EZRA MILLER

eight: the rain

when Chelsea finally awoke on Sunday morning, she discovered through her bedroom window that the warm weather had finally subsided, the sky that was once a bright, blue home for the sun was now a cold, depressing view of grey clouds that showered rain every so often.

Chelsea, who had been pleasantly surprised at the arrival of this, decided it was the perfect weather for coffee and a book, something that single handedly convinced her that the cafe on the corner of ivy street was the only place she wanted to be on this cold Sunday morning.

now, as she sat in the cozy cafe she loved so much, she silently praised herself for such a good choice being made by her, the most indecisive person on the planet, on this cold day. to read her book in silence, her freshly made coffee somewhat enchanting her with the steam that made its way to her nose, that was still a soft shade of red from the weather on the outside of the cafe, was something she hadn't known she needed until she pulled her coat on this morning.

though, as much as Chelsea wanted to savour the silence, most things come to an end.

the ending to her silence was dressed in a black coat today, his dark, tangled hair a damp mess. Chelsea could only assume his state of appearance was from the rain that had still been pouring down since early hours this morning. he had rushed into the cafe, head directed down at the floor. it was obvious to Chelsea that he was in dire need of coffee today, something she understood all too well, staring down at her own, the beverage too hot for her to drink just yet. the usual barista that worked when she was here must have known she'd want her coffee hot as possible, in contrast to the freezing weather she'd been forced to endure as she walked here; something Ezra clearly had to have experienced as well, his entire demeanour a slight giveaway at the very least.

"you seem a bit cold." Chelsea stated the obvious, knowing it would annoy the boy who had both his hands wrapped around the mug in a desperate attempt to warm himself.

"i feel like i've just gone for a swim." he chuckled, looking up at the girl through his thick curls that had fallen down on his forehead thanks to the vicious wind outside.

Chelsea inspected the boy, "how far did you have to walk? my walk wasn't that bad, you drama queen." she lifted her cup to her lips, waiting for Ezra's inevitable bickering to start; it didn't start.

"my bus didn't stop for me today, that old bastard could have seen me from a mile away, too." he sneered at the memory, obviously still pissed about it.

"well, why couldn't your parents drive you?" Chelsea spoke, "sometimes you have to go with a plan B, you know."

Chelsea looked at him, ready for his answer, when she noticed that his cheeks were flushed—an outcome of being subjected to the cold conditions outdoors—seemingly close to how hers did.

"my mum wasn't home, so i went with my plan B." Ezra answered, and Chelsea nodded; she understood the concept of never having her parents home.

"and your dad?" she further questioned, wondering when Ezra would start to get annoyed at her excessive effort to keep asking him unnecessary questions.

"he wouldn't drive me in a million years." he let out a dry chuckle, not wanting to expand on the subject of his father, quite obviously. Chelsea took that into account, still keeping up her series of questions.

"well, then why didn't you stay home?" the look on his face after she said that answered her previous thought on when she'd begin to annoy him.

"why do you ask so many questions?" he furrowed his eyebrows, giving up on her useless game of questions.

"why shouldn't i?" Chelsea countered with yet another question, something that caused Ezra's features to grow seemingly sharper—if that were possible—with annoyance.

"because it's annoying." he answered, seeming to have finally warmed up a bit in the presence of coffee and a warm air conditioner that everyone inside of the cafe was thankful for. though it was quite obvious he hadn't warmed up to Chelsea.

"well, why—" Chelsea started with a wide grin on her face, only to be cut off by a clearly frustrated Ezra.

"if you ask another question, i'm going to leave and sit in the rain." he warned, though he should have known better than to think that would discourage Chelsea, rather than encourage her much more.

"well, in that case, why—"

"stop, please stop, i don't actually want to go out there again." Ezra spoke truthfully, defeat hidden in his tone.

Chelsea threw her head back in laughter, even though she was supposed to be hating every moment spent in the boy's presence. though, today he really hadn't annoyed her too much and Chelsea could only come to the conclusion that it must have been the weather—or perhaps how good he looked in a coat, something she'd much rather die than admit—that she adored. the rain really did bring out the best in her.

"there is a question i'd like to ask, though." Chelsea declared, knowing the look on Ezra's face was one of distaste, a face he held too well. she was beginning to think she annoyed him more than he annoyed her, lately.

"i might have time for one question." Ezra pretended to clean his nails as though he was a celebrity and Chelsea were a diehard fan.

"why did you still come here today if it was such a struggle?" she asked. "the bus, the weather, couldn't you have just stayed home and read comics instead?"

"good question," Ezra had suddenly grown serious—something Chelsea was not used to when it came to him. "i guess i just like it better here than i do at home, you know?"

Ezra's words dawned on Chelsea, who had suddenly gone into deep thought because of this. Ezra had never told her anything about his home life, and it was only occurring to her now that he even had one, that he actually existed outside of the cafe on the corner of ivy street.

maybe his life wasn't so perfect, maybe he cherished this place just as much as Chelsea did.

"and i guess i like rainy weather, too." he broke the silence, glancing behind his shoulder to look out at the weather Chelsea herself had preferred over any other.

"looks like we finally have something in common, Ezra." Chelsea realised, her hands still remaining tightly clutched around the mug that had been half drained by this moment in time.

"isn't that odd for the two of us."

-

hello!!!! thank you all for reading, there has been so many reads as of lately, i'm so thankful. and those that vote, thank you so much. and oh my gosh, thank you for all the comments, you guys are so so lovely!!
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