Words On Paper (Lauren Cimorelli Fanfiction)

Part 4

Tyler's POV

I stayed up late last night thinking. Some about how I felt alone but mostly about how I had hope that maybe I wouldn't be for long. Yesterday gave me hope that maybe Lauren could just be someone I have on my side who won't leave me.

Since I stayed up so late I was exhausted at work today. My shift started at 8 and by now it was 2:45. I started to feel nerves build in my stomach and I wasn't sure why. I couldn't possibly be this nervous to see Lauren. I don't get nervous. I fake confidence so well that sometimes I even think I feel that. Besides I barely know this girl.

But even though I barely knew her I found myself growing more and more nervous by the minute. I kept looking up at the clock excited to finally see her again. She was cool and nice, was able to hold a conversation which so many people aren't able to do now. It was close to 3 o'clock and yesterday she told me her favorite drink her was a strawberry refresher. So as it got close to that time I started making her drink .

Lauren's POV

I pulled into the parking lot of the coffee shop more anxious than I imagined being. He seemed really sweet and genuine from the first impression he gave me. I got my stuff together and decided to head inside. As I walked to the front of the coffee shop I could see Tyler sitting at one of the tables through the glass door. I smiled slightly to myself knowing he was waiting there for me. But I was also confused as to why he was sitting because I thought his shift was right now.

I walked in and he instantly glanced in my direction. When our eyes met he gave me a sweet smile and stood up to give me a hug hello.

Tyler- "Hey! How are you?" He said happily.

Lauren- "I'm good! I thought your shift started at 3 don't you have to work right now?" I said while laughing lightly.

Tyler- "No it actually ended a 3 I just needed an excuse to get you here so you'd sit and hang out with me." He said with a side smirk growing on his face. As we sat down he pushed my favorite drink towards me and spoke up again.

Tyler- "I did make you your favorite drink though so hopefully that makes up for me telling you I work at 3."

I laughed and spoke quickly after.

Lauren- "No need to make up, I'm really glad you're not working so we can actually hang out." I smiled over at him as he took a sip of the milk shake he was holding.

Tyler- "So tell me something about you. I know nothing but I'm interested in finding out more about you." He said sweetly.

Lauren- "Hm well I have 11 siblings, 5 sisters and 5 brothers." A look of surprise washed over his face as he cut me off with a shocked smile.

Tyler- "Whoa no way 11 siblings?! That's crazy!" I laughed at his surprise that wasn't negative just genuine shock.

Lauren- "Hahaha but what about you? Do you have siblings?"

Tyler- "I'm actually an only child, and I know what you're thinking. He probably has only child syndrome," he said in a funny voice as he continued, " but I promise I don't! I'm actually a very good sharer. You'll see, especially with food."

Lauren- "Wow a good sharer I expected nothing less! Haha you seem like quite a good sharer to me. Just cause you're an only child doesn't mean you can't share." I said while laughing then spoke up again. "Did you like being an only child?"

Tyler- "Mmm I don't know because I really don't know any different. I think I'd like to have siblings because it's someone to relate to that you can hang out with all the time, but honestly it's not something I could know. I was just used to it being only me."

Lauren- "Wow it's so opposite for me. I'm never used to being alone, I'm always around people. If I ever am alone it's super weird. It almost never happens."

We sat while talking and joking for 3 hours. He ordered a second milkshake as well as one for me. He insisted that I tried one too and told me that even though this was just a cafe that the milkshakes were amazing.

He told me about how he had just moved here and how he worked this job to help him pay for school. He didn't mention his family much and it seemed like a touchy subject. I'm not sure what the story is behind that but it seemed like he had a lot of pain. But I couldn't even be certain if there was because he hid the pain so well. He seemed confident and secure and very happy. But there are little glimpses of pain when we talk about his past that he covers up almost immediately.

I didn't want to focus on his past too much until he wanted to talk about it. I'm so fresh in his life that I'd never expect to be told all about his life instantly. I truly believe you have to earn your place in someone's life. Earning a place means taking time to invest in them.

So since I wanted to get to know him I decided to keep it light hearted for now. As he was drinking his milkshake I told him to pose and he did without question.

I took this picture and smiled. He was so kind all day long, he paid for everything and genuinely seemed interested in who I was.

He made me forget about how much pain I was really in. I loved that.

Authors note!
I'd love if you guys could comment and let me know what you think! I love hearing your feedback and it is greatly appreciated! Thank you for taking time to read this update!