Say you'll stay - Channing Tatum

P.37

[Channing]

"Are you ready?"

My focus linger on the now empty cup in my hand. I count the seconds to make sure I haven't lost all of my self control.

"Channing?"

"I am." I say and briefly meet her eyes before standing up.

Grabbing the cup I follow her back to the entrance and wait while she gathers her things and unties her apron. The brunette by the register stares at me the whole time but I pretend not to notice.

"I can take that for you." She says after a moment of consideration.

I bite down while handing her the cup. "Thanks."

She continues her careless examination of me while I keep my eyes on the only thing of interest in here. I know many agree. You'd be surprised how much you learn by watching someone interact with others for a few hours, even from across a room.

I have learn that half a step is all it takes for people to notice her. Add one more and they have given her their full attention. I have learnt that she's always the first to say hi and ask them how they are, even when the timing is completely off and she's halfway through the door to another room. She listens when people speak and asks relevant questions when others usually would settle for a nod. She smiles, teeth showing and all while sounding like a broken record, apologizing for dropping the eight mug in her third hour in. I couldn't stop laughing, which in turn made her drop one more.

If she were to quit, the shop would go bankrupt in less than a month.

"It was nice meeting you." The brunette says after us when I move to push the door open, making the bell go off.

"You too." I nod and wait for Brooke to pass in front of me. As soon as the door has closed behind us, she bumps into my side.

"I'm sorry you had to wait." She apologizes and looks up at me.

"Me too." I smile smally, knowing well I would've waited longer if needed.

"You don't have to lie."

She waits for me to respond with something equal teasing. For me to say it was horrible and that I had to stop myself every fifth minute from getting up and leaving or something among those lines, but I don't, and I notice her eyes falling when she realizes that silence has come between us. I bite my tongue.

She stays close as we make our way towards the car. More people than usual are out and we pass a few who looks after us once they think we won't notice. I probably wouldn't have if I were alone, but Brookes obvious discomfort makes it impossible not to.

She quickly looks around and has her fingers occupied picking at a loose thread on the arm of her jacket.

I hate that it makes her feel this way. I hate that she doesn't feel safe when out with me when that's all I want and need her to be.

Maybe it would have been different if i had known this world from this perspective a lot earlier. If I had known the amount of anxiety and fear this situation can cause and how little the attention really matter. I've never seen it as a potential problem. I've never even thought about it at all.

I only know this world from the way I have experienced it with others, many being in the same industry or in the public eye in some way. I couldn't give two shits about the paparazzi and journalists, but I've learnt to accept it and somehow grown okay with it, seeing as my friends and family have loved the attention since day one. Even mom who's quite shy has always made a huge deal out of her pictures being taken.. my friends egging the paparazzi on in hopes of getting in or two comes to mind and I quickly push the memories away. Julian loved that shit.