I Just Wanted to be Edgy Too

Chapter Five

Ellie

The hotel we were staying in boasted a coffee shop that was just big enough to disappear in. I chose a seat in the back and opened my laptop to work on a piece for a blog. It was supposed to be on Barns, but after Catfish and the Bottlemen's soundcheck a few days ago, I found myself listening to and reviewing their music. I didn't know much of their old stuff, having only heard of them when Barns called to tell me he'd be opening for them. I should say I had heard of them, just never gave them a fair listen until now. I wasn't sure why.

I shuddered a bit at the thought of Barns. We'd had a messy fight last night, and he was still dead to the world when I ducked out this morning. It was common for him and I to bicker when he was drunk, but last night had been a different level. I checked my phone nervously, knowing when he woke up and I was gone, he'd assume the worst. He'd be sorry today, and try to spend the day making it up to me, it was the same story just told a different way. I loved him deeply, but I hated how he made me feel.

I tapped my fingers against the keys and paused only to reach for my coffee now and again. I scrolled through the few pictures of the band I had uploaded and found myself staring at the way Van would arch his back into a solo, or the way he would pay no mind to whatever was around him and just toss his guitar over his shoulder. I stared at the photos longer than I should have before going back to the article I was working on and adding more guts to it.

My coffee was nearly empty so I stood up to stretch and have the barista refill it. She smiled at me as I handed her the cup. Someone cleared their throat behind me and I turned to see a very tired looking Van, hands shoved into his pockets.

"A bit early for you to be up idnt it?" His accent was thicker than usual and I couldn't tell if it was because he was tired or hungover. He looked to be both, with deep purple bags under his eyes and hair that needed washed.

"I could say the same to you." I let my eyes give him a once over. He was wearing the same clothes he had on last night when he paused for a short conversation in the hallway with me. I turned away from him then, wondering what sort of night he had, recognizing the familiar pang of dissatisfaction rush through me. It shouldn't have. I shouldn't care what he did or does, he was just another musician.

"Steve's going to kill me today." He shook his head and pinched the bridge of his nose. I wasn't sure if he was talking to me or to his conscious.

I smiled and thanked the barista as she handed me my coffee and returned to my table. I sat back down at my laptop and dove back into my story, doing my best to ignore Van standing a few feet away.

I heard him thank the barista and watched him pivot on his foot to leave, but then he paused, took a sip, and began walking to my table. I closed out of the screen just as he sat down.

"What are you so focused on, love?"

I shrugged. "Just music related articles for a blog."

"Barns did say you write some good things. How long've you been doing that?"

"On and off for a few years. It was a fun hobby but sometimes other sites pick up the work I've done so it became kind of like a job I guess. Writing kind of became my full time focus."

Van nodded and took another sip of his drink. I frowned at his appearance. He looked worn out, and not just because he was hungover in last nights clothes. He followed my eyes and looked down at himself, the corners of his lips pulling downwards.