Once Upon A Time | EAH

Bruises

Based on the song, "bruises" by train 

 Daring swiftly walked down the busy city street. He tried his best to tune the city out, it wasn't working. The bustling city of Ever After never seemed to stop and Daring was tired of it.

He walked around a corner and entered his favorite coffee shop. He smiled as he stepped in. He hated everything about the city, everything except this coffee shop. He took a deep breath in through the nose, the smell of coffee beans flooded his nostrils. And memories flooded his mind.

In Daring's senior year of high school he worked here part time alongside his best friend, Cerise Hood. Back then, the two were inseparable, they did everything together. (Daring had even let Cerise tag along on one of his dates.) So when Cerise told him that she needed a job he quickly joined her in the search.

Daring had no need for a job thanks to his wealthy parents. He applied for the job simply because that's what Cerise was doing. The two goofed off more than anything-often getting in trouble with the manger. But, Daring never regretted working at the Hocus Latte, the little coffee shop was home to some of Daring's fondest memories.

After ordering Daring waited for his coffee at a small table in the corner of the shop. He played on his phone to pass the time. 'This place can't run smoothly without me.' He thought to himself.

"Daring?" A familiar raspy voice immediately caught his attention.

He shot up to find exactly who he thought, Cerise Hood.

He eyed her up and down. 'God she's still beautiful.' He thought to himself. She sat in the chair across from him. She smiled at him waiting for him to say something. But Daring just sat there dumbfounded. His brain filled with so many questions all at once. He snapped out of his daze.

"Cerise," he trailed off, "What are you doing here?" He asked.

She sighed a breath of relief, glad to know that Daring could still talk. "I actually moved back here. About a month ago."

Daring wondered why his sister didn't inform him of this. Darling and Cerise stayed close, so of course Darling would know that Cerise was back. But it didn't matter now. All that mattered was that his best friend was back.

"I haven't seen you since high school."

"It's been ten years." He fired back.

She looked shocked. "Ten years? That's really what it's been?"

"Yeah," he chuckled, "hard to believe isn't it?"

"So, What has the great Daring Charming been up to? I bet you're rich as hell."

He chuckled. 'Same old Cerise' he thought. " I actually quite my job last month. I couldn't take it any longer. But, enough about me. I bet you're the one with the more interesting life."

She laughed. "Well after college I got married, but you already knew that."

He shook his head. He remember vividly. After high school, Cerise moved states to live with her aunt. While attending college there she met some loser that Daring never approved of. But she went off and married the guy despite Darings warnings.

He hadn't seen Cerise since, Until now.

"So how's he doing?" Daring forced himself to say.

"He left me two years ago. I haven't seen him since."

Daring squeezed his eyes shut. He was afraid something like this would happen. But why should he even care? It's not like he loved her. Or did he? Whether he admitted it or not, deep down he always had feelings for Cerise. Every time he'd muster up the courage to tell her, something would get in the way. She had no idea how he felt.