Autumn (A Tom Odell FanFiction)

ii

Tom.

The next time saw her she was smoking.  Her thin frame was leant up against a wall out the back of a small bar, a cigarette balancing perfectly between her chapped lips.  She noticed me and waved me over, a smile spreading her lips as she took the cigarette out of her mouth,

"Hi Tom!" I smiled,

"Hello again, I never guessed you as a smoker," she shrugged,

"Well it's an old habit that only appears when I''m stressed," I nodded,

"Mind if I join you?" She smiled again before handing me her lighter, leaving me to fish my packet of cigarettes out of my coat pocket.  I pulled one out and after several attempts with her pound shop lighter a flame sprung to life.  I lit the end and then popped the filter end into my mouth, dragging in a breath, breathing in the niccotine.  She tapped some ash off the end of hers onto the pavement below before speaking,

"So what you doing in this part of London?" I shrugged,

"Wondering around really, I haven't been for a walk in a while, it's nice to clear my head after it being jammed up for so long.  How about you Autumn?"

"I live about five minutes away from here, first pub I could find,"

"Why didn't you just stay at home? You don't seem to be here with friends,"

"I like the bustle, keeps me feeling alive," she noticed the cigarette was burning close to her fingers and quickly stubbed it out against the wall, dropping the burnt out cigarette into a bin before rubbing her hands together in an attempt to warm up,

"I need to get going, it's getting colder," she said as she pulled a pair of battered woolen gloves out of her pocket and pulling them on,

"Bye," she smiled,

"It was nice seeing you again, have a nice night!" With that she disappered around the corner and out of sight.

Autumn

The blow-air heater ticked them came to life, blowing some warmth into my flat.  I sighed at my dismal surroundings, how did I end up like this?  The couple in the flat above me screamed again, the sound of their colourful language resonating around the room.  I flopped down on my matteress, I stared up at the ceiling above me, who lives up there?  Surely someone with a better life than this?  I felt that familiar ache in my chest as I thought of home, the promise of a full meal, love and warmth.  I'm living off £100 pound a week, this flat costs me £250 a month, so really I'm living off £50 a week, I spend £15 on food, £15 on electricity, £10 on cigarettes and I spend the rest on other things I need.  I turned off the electric heater at the though of how much it would cost.  I hate having to worry, the constant nagging of the bills, then my job, the long hours and small pay, the knowledge that there are other people they could replace you with if you don't work hard enough.  I put my hands to my head, I need sleep.  I changed into my dressing gown before lying back down and pulling the duvet over me and closing my eyes.

He was standing there, a small smile playing at his lips,

"Autumn," I felt a warm glow as he wrapped his arms around me, I hugged him back and cried into his shoulder, letting him soothe we as he stroked my hair,

"It's alright, you're alright, you're safe now," I stared up into his green eyes and then kissed him quickly on the lips,

"I know, I love you Tom,"

"I know."

I woke with a cold sheen of sweat on my forehead, I sat up and rubbed my eyes, my breath erratic.  What the fuck!?