The Other Side (A Sebastian Stan Fanfiction Story)

This Side - I Can't Have Nice Things, Can I?

When her business fell through the shit hole, Charlie had accepted her life's truth that she wasn't meant to have nice things. After all, just when she thought something good was bound to happen to her by way of her blossoming friendship with Ian, the first one she made after her unfortunate circumstance, the blasted guy decided to go dark on her without any word. She even didn't want to hold on the hope he would at least still be reading her story. She was relieved and disappointed at the same time when she found he deleted his account at the site. Upon discovering that, she blindly deleted his number as well from her contacts, not bothering even for one second to try and memorize it for future reference. As far as Charlie was concerned, Ian didn't want any sort of future that involved her.

Instead of wallowing in the disappointment that is the loss of Ian's friendship, Charlie doubled down on her job, making sure everything Christian required for the young Tom Holland was satisfied to a shiny T.

Which brings her to an early morning out and about with the abovementioned personal trainer.

Charlie smiled as Christian handed her a cup of freshly brewed coffee. She took a moment to savor its aroma before taking a small sip. She groaned quietly in delight at the steaming goodness.

"Good morning," Christian greeted Charlie as she returned her attention to him. "Ready?"

"Yeah," Charlie nodded as she fell in step beside him. "Thanks for the rocket fuel. I should let you know I'm not the best morning person so it's great of you to have something to bribe me with."

"Noted," Christian said with a smile. "No coffee means cranky Charlie in the morning then?"

"You could say that."

The pair continued walking the ever so busy streets of downtown New York, both of them attracting looks as they passed. One lady was so enamored by them, she gave Charlie 2 pairs of red and white roses.

"Oh my gosh, thank you! They're gorgeous," Charlie gushed as she smelled the roses.

"Not as gorgeous as the one holding them," Christian said as his gaze bore into her. Charlie felt like her neck was licked with fire that she felt had spread immediately from her neck to her cheeks.

"We um...we should go," Charlie replied softly, thanking the lady again before continuing to walk, leaving Christian to catch up with her. She couldn't believe two weeks into meeting him, Christian had already made a pass. Not that she minded of course, Christian was shaping up to be an amazing guy as she got to know him more over the last few weeks. It just had been so long since anyone showed interest in her that way. She felt a pinch in her chest upon remembering his ex, Kevin, was the last guy who'd taken an interest to her. Look how that ship sailed, she thought bitterly.

In the few seconds she walked ahead of Christian, Charlie tried to recompose herself to ensure the morning stays as normal as possible. She plastered on the easiest smile she could muster and faced him even though her heart was hammering in her chest.

"Where are you taking me anyway?" she asked as she focused her interest on their surroundings. Brownstone flats lined the other side of the street while on the one they were on were full of stores still closed. Fewer people were milling around, mostly from the stores who were just beginning their day. Charlie loved the early morning tranquility this street emanated, she was in awe that there was an area in New York that was this calm at the start of the day.

Christian stopped beside her, turning to his left as he looked up. Charlie stopped as well to see what he was looking at.

"Here we are," Christian declared with a grin.

Charlie let out a gasp of delight as she saw they were standing in front of an organic market. She had been itching to find one since she got to this city, missing the one she frequented back in Los Angeles.

"Oh my god," she squealed and pulled Christian inside, the awkwardness she felt earlier about his unexpected compliment immediately forgotten as she looked in awe at the multitude of items in the store.

"Okay, this is going little too well than I expected," Christian muttered jokingly as they perused through the aisles. "I didn't know you were a fan of the organic stuff."

"Are you kidding?!" Charlie looked up from where she was crouching down. "I've been wanting to find a store like this ever since I got here. Back in LA when my catering business was still running, I would try an incorporate a little bit of these stuff into my food and my clients don't even notice the difference." She walked to the front to get a basket when her eyes caught sight of someone that looked familiar.

"Oh my god," she felt herself hyperventilate at the sight of...Sebastian. He and Charlie had only meant once, but that charmed encounter was enough to allow her to recognize him wherever, whenever. He was already ingrained in her brain even before they met. She still couldn't believe she met him all those weeks ago.

"Charlie is everything...alright?" Christian appeared beside Charlie. "Who are you looking at?"

Sebastian slightly turned to one side and Christian immediately recognized him. "That's..that's Sebastian Stan isn't it?" he asked Charlie quietly and nudged her shoulder. "Tom mentioned you met him weeks ago, why are you standing here and not saying hi?"

Just before Charlie could say anything in response, a strong male voice boomed behind them, causing the pair standing to almost jump in surprise.

"Sebastian! Your stuff is ready!" He was loud enough for Sebastian to hear despite his earbuds. The chair he was sitting on swivelled to their direction and Charlie's throat constricted as soon their eyes made contact.

"Charlie?" Sebastian said incredulously as he approached her.

"Hi, Sebastian," Charlie responded meekly. Her heart nearly broke at the sight of him; there were prominent bags under his bloodshot eyes, like he wasn't able to sleep well. She desperately wanted to ask how he was doing but the other two men in the store with them caught her attention. Christian was tapping her shoulder while the man behind the counter was still calling for Sebastian for his groceries.

"Yeah, Enzio, coming, sorry. Charlie, I..I have to go," Sebastian said as he hurriedly took his stuff and speed walked his way out of the store.

"What was that about?" Christian asked a few minutes after Sebastian left. "Tom said you met them at a dinner once in his place. He kept inviting him back, but he always bails."

Charlie sighed and went back to check out the grocery store items. "I don't know, to be honest. I didn't even know Tom kept asking him to visit."

I guess I really don't deserve all the nice things, Charlie thought sadly to herself.