kathleen

tyrants

1 month later

kathleen's pov:
i wake up and feel the crisp winter air touch my skin as i pulled the duvet off me. i pick up my phone. 'november 21st'. mine and van's anniversary. well, when we were still together. i miss him. i know i shouldn't, because he hurt me. but i can't help it. i miss his infectious laugh. i miss his sharpness and witty comments. i miss his hugs. i miss him. sometimes i just wish he'd call. or text. just so we could have contact again.

i continue getting ready for work, in the local bookstore. i love books. i'd read a book everyday if i had time. i escape when i'm reading. i check myself in the mirror before grabbing my keys and heading out of the door. God, it's cold. i walk down to work, passing sauchiehall street, where me and van were that night. i reach the bookstore and i go up to the door, and i go to open it. except i don't. the door is locked. i can't see anyone inside. it's tuesday though, it's not sunday. i call up my manager, hailey.
"hey hailey, it's kath, i'm at work but no ones here. the doors are locked and everything"
"oh my gosh, i'm so sorry kath love, i completely forgot to let you know, there was a problem with the orders this morning and we didn't receive any stock so we couldn't open today. the delivery people said that it's sorted now though and we'll get all the extra stock tomorrow. i'm so sorry i didn't let you know love." she says, in a kind and warm tone. hailey is so sweet and genuine. i'm glad she's my manager, but she's more of a motherly figure to me, always looking out for me and giving me advice.
"oh no worries, thanks hailey. i'll speak to you soon." i respond. we say bye and i end the call.
i didn't mind that the bookstore was shut. i wasn't really in the mood for work today anyway. since i'm in the centre of town, i decide to look around for a bit, it's not like i had anything else to do.
i spot a café that i've never been to before up ahead. 'the balcony.'
it was a small little place, on the corner of the high street, and slightly reminded me of france, even here in rainy glasgow. i walk in and order a chai latte, and then sit down at one of the tables by the window, so i could people watch. sounds weird, people watching, but i genuinely love it. the idea that all of these people walking by, all have their own lives that you know nothing about. something about it sparks my interest. the waiter brings over my drink, and i take small sips of it, to avoid burning my tongue, whilst i watch everything outside. i sometimes like to make up stories about what i think people are thinking or doing. for example, maybe that girl on the phone, looks excited because she just got a new job. or maybe that middle aged guy in the blue jacket is trying to find christmas presents for his teenage kids, who all really just want iphones. and that young lad in the leather jacket, sat outside the cafe, is people watching like me too. i can't really see him though, as he has his back to me. i sit watching for another 5 minutes when i see the boy in the leather jacket stand up to take his cup back in. it was van.

van's pov:
It'd be our anniversary today, if we were still, you know, together. i really miss her. i just want to talk to her. to see her face and hear her angelic voice. i want to see her blush, god i loved it when she did that. i want to see her hair, that she hated because she thought it was an ugly colour, but i think it's beautiful. she's beautiful.
i've never really liked people watching. i think it's a bit of a waste of time, but i think that's because i'm constantly doing something. i never really take time to relax and take things slowly, what with all the touring and recording. don't get me wrong i love it with all of my heart and wouldn't give it up for anything, but a part of me just wishes i could slow down every once in a while. anyway, i came here to people watch today, for kathleen. i chose this little new café because i didn't think she'd be here, because i'm not sure what i'd say to her if i saw her.
i take the last sip of my coffee before standing up and tucking in my chair, and making my way back up to the till to give them my cup. i push open the door of the café and it lets out a ring from a bell. i walk up to the till but i don't see anyone behind it. maybe they've gone for a break or something. i carefully set down my cup onto the glass top of the till and turn around to walk out. out of the corner of my eye i spot a small tan girl with long dark hair looking out of the window. is that kath? she turns around. my heart drops.