Our Inner Demons

Chapter 2

I have been waiting outside of the photo studio for an hour and everyone else was already gone. Everyone else but Connor. He refused to leave me alone until he makes sure I am fine.

"Are you cold?" He asked seeing the way I was shivering with my hands inside the pockets of my coat.

"No, I don't want your jacket."

"I didn't... Offer you my jacket."

"Yes, I know that. But you would eventually if I said I was cold. I have decided to skip that entire process and simply tell you straight away."

"So you're not cold?"

"Yes, I am. But I am not taking your jacket."

"Why?" He asked while taking it off.

"Ugh, just put it back on. It's freezing. I can't even look at you without it, it makes me feel cold too."

"Then just take it. I don't get why is that such a big deal?"

"Ugh, if I told you why I don't want it you would just insist on me taking it."

"How can you know that? Tell me, what's the reason?"

"Well, it's obvious. I am worried that you will be cold if you give it to me. And now you will act all manly and won't stop convincing me to take it, pretending you're not cold but I'll know you are... Can we just skip all of that?"

"Woah, straight to do point. I like women who know what they want."

"Every woman knows what she wants. You are just confused if it's not you."

"Are you talking about me or you're talking about all men? Because you sound a little harsh..."

"It doesn't matter who I'm talking about. I'm talking nonsense anyway... I can't even think properly because my brain is starting to freeze."

"I'm sorry, but I honestly can't believe how could your mother do this to you on your birthday. Have you tried calling her?"

"Oh, only a million times... But she doesn't answer."

"Okay... I have an idea." He rested his elbow on the fence while using his hands to make his point. "I know it might sound weird, coming from a stranger, but..."

"You're not a stranger. I know your name. Unless you lied..."

"Okay, I like the way you're thinking. Well, can I take you for a cup of coffee or something? Maybe we can eat something if you're hungry..."

"I am starving!" I said wondering why didn't he propose that idea sooner.

"Great! I mean, not great... But there's a diner right down the street so that's good news! We can walk there."

"Now I'm loving the way you're thinking."

"After you..." He showed me towards the fire stairs which I have always been secretly scared of, but this time I wasn't since he helped me down them.

_________

While we got into conversations in that cheap little diner I have found out how Connor and I, despite not having a lot in common, except for being human beings and breathing air, also both have a unique way of thinking.

I would never be able to imagine myself enjoying the company of a man that makes 600$ a month, in a diner of suspicious sanitary conditions, but I had the best time of my life. And I let go of all of my opinions about these people that my mother has effectively implanted into my mind over the years.

"So I had a few fights and they just kept getting me from one family to another until I was like ten years old and nobody would even adopt me anymore."