My Saviour - Tanner X Woods

Chapter 1 - The Mysterious Man

I went and chose a tall, black chair that was carefully placed underneath a high wooden table. Three other chairs, similar, if not the same to mine, were also tucked away. The same black chairs and wooden tables were dotted strategically around the cafe.

I decided to sit by the large window at the far side of the building so I could watch people as they went about their day. People rushed in quickly fiddling with their wallet or purse to reluctantly hand their money over before speeding away, trying not to spill the drink they just bought.

Two women sat at a table that was just next to mine. They were laughing and joking between themselves before carefully getting up and walking out, still giggling. 

On another table nearby there was what looked to be a family of five. Possibly a mother, father, and three kids. The mother was wearing a smart, white shirt with black jeans with small rips in the knee area. She had her hair tied up in a small messy bun that showed all the golden brown streaks within it.

Her presumed partner was wearing black tracksuit bottoms with a logo on the front pocket along with a light blue coloured shirt with a pocket on the front chest area. From what I could tell, he worked out. He had a lot of muscle on his arms and legs and looked quite chiselled underneath his shirt. The two boys were wearing black jeans and white t-shirts while the young girl had a red polka dot dress on. She had a small bow in her hair that safely secured the wispy bits out of her face. She seemed to look at her parents with complete adulation. It was so amazing to see.

As I looked around, nobody was paying attention to anybody else. Everyone was so busy sorting out themselves that they were far to busy to notice anything else around them.

On a far table close by the door, there was a tall man wearing a pink hoodie and black ripped jeans. He looked very casual and seemed to keep himself to himself. He just gazed out of the window watching the world go by, not bothered by the sound of screaming children or people laughing loudly. He was away in his own world. As I looked away from his direction, I noticed his head turn to look my way. I slowly glanced back over and sure enough, his eyes were burning into my skin. Luckily, the slam of the door behind him dragged his attention away from my burning red face and ending the painful encounter.

I quickly turned my head and began to drink my coffee, hoping to seem natural. I saw the man bend down and grab his bag before slowly walking over to my table.

'Hello there, I noticed you seemed to take an interest in watching people'
'Well erm..' I wasn't sure what to say, I just stalled. 'When you put it like that it sounds weird'
The man chuckled at my comment before gesturing to the chair that was just across from me. I nodded and he sat down.
'So what's your name?' He asked
'Woods' I replied nervously 'How about yours?'
'I'm Tanner. Nice to meet you.' He smiled briefly at me before slightly shuffling in his chair. 'Do you come here often?'
'I don't actually. I only get to come here once a year. I don't live here you see. I just came to visit a friend and I always call in here on my way home.' I wasn't sure what to do. I felt really awkward when talking to people.
'Oh right, I didn't think I recognised you.' He gazed over at my right arm. 'Tattoos huh? What does it mean?' He said as he stared awkwardly at it.
I smiled and a lot of memories came flooding back into my mind. 'It's a tribute for my sister. She died two years ago in a car crash. I decided to get this because she adored her pet cat.'
Tanner looked quite upset and smiled a small bit. 'I lost my best friend last year in motorbike accident. He was like a brother to me.' He said quietly before placing his hands on his lap and lowering his head slightly.
'Hey, it's okay' I placed my hand gently on his shoulder as a few tears rolled down his cheeks.
'I just... I just miss him. He meant the world to me and now he's gone and I have no one.'
I stayed silent before quietly getting up and sitting down in the chair next to him.

I felt him slowly shuffle himself closer to me. I reached out my arms and hesitantly brought him in for a hug. At first he seemed startled by the sudden contact but soon after, he placed his arms around me and grabbed onto me like he was never going to let go. He cried into my shirt and we stayed like that for a while.

After a few minutes, he slowly lifted his head off my shirt and apologised. He grabbed his stuff before hurrying away. I ran after him and grabbed his arm. He looked up at me and stared looking like he felt complete abasement. 'Hey, look it's okay. Why don't we meet up again some time?' He smiled widely and nodded. We exchanged numbers before he left. I went back and sat down by the window and watched him walk down the street and turn the corner out of sight.

I sat for another hour or so just watching people frantically walk in and out of the cafe.

Unknown number: Hey. Sorry about earlier. Wanna meet up on Friday? -Tanner

Yeah that would be great. I will text you where we could meet later. Have a nice day :)
-Woods :)

I got up from my chair, grabbed my cup and placed it on the counter and thanked the person on the till. I practically skipped out of the place. I walked a for few minutes until I reached my car and sat just thinking about everything that had happened. I soon got lost in my thoughts but I was brought out of them when I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. It was Tanner.

Tanner:
Hey. I was wondering if you were still in the area you could come to my place for bit. It's okay if you have to get home though.

Woods:
I'm still here. If you want. I mean I don't really have much to miss at home.

Tanner: Okay I'm walking back to the cafe. Will see you soon :)

I drove back to the cafe and waited for Tanner to arrive. I saw Tanner appear from around the corner and honked horn at him. Tanner jumped and laughed before walking quickly over to the car.
"Hey. Can I jump in?"
"Yeah I mean we are going to yours right?" I asked.
"Yeah. Well that's what I said didn't I?"
"Ah yeah of course. Sorry" I chuckled a small bit and drove where Tanner guided me.

We arrived at his house and I slowly pulled into the drive and then turned off the engine. We sat in silence for a while before I turned and noticed Tanner was staring directly at me. I suddenly felt incredibly uncomfortable. Was this man really who I thought..