Unscripted Love • A Tom Hardy fanfic

Chapter 1

Fiona grabbed her bag from the back seat as she got out at Tulip Caffe in Burbank, California. She had graduated with a bachelor's in English, then applied to an exchange program while doing her master's for a chance to see California. Every day after her last class she would have herself a coffee and do some of her homework at the local cafe. She was going to school for education but she was also working on a story for the last few months, nothing really professional, just as a hobby.

She lugged her books and tablet into the coffee shop. Her Android slide phone in her hand, she texted her sister back home in New York.

"It's so hot here, it's almost unbearable," her fingers tapped her keyboard. Out of the side of her eye, she saw this hot stranger again. He was tall, broad shouldered, dark hair, and full lips. He looked like the kind of guy who was on the football team in high school, although he was around 30, she imagined. Fiona had seen him at that coffee shop at least 3 times, which wasn't all that uncommon, everyone had their routines. She looked down at her phone again and sent another text, "At the cafe and that guy is here again… he's so hot, I'll try to sneak a pic, haha."

She ordered her coffee and grabbed a seat against the wall as the barista crafted her iced caramel latte. She placed her bag on the table and set back to wait for her drink. She got to the counter as the tall, brown haired man finished his order. He thanked the cashier as he moved over to the second counter. She could hear his British accent and she felt herself staring at him as he walked towards her. Fiona snapped out of it and realized he was smiling at her. She flashed a smile and turned away, unable to hide her blushing cheeks from him. He smiled widely to himself. 

"Fiona," the barista called out, sliding her cold drink on the counter.

"Thanks," she said sweetly with a smile, and snuck a look back at the British man. He was handsome and it made her nervous. She walked to her chair, sipping the coffee from the straw. Every inch of the way, she was very aware of her feet and hoped she wouldn't trip, or that she was walking normal. 

She felt relief as she got to the metal chair. She was intrigued by this man, however, and took the seat on the opposite side so she could watch him for a little bit before he left. She pulled out her phone and turned her camera on. She made sure the flash was turned off, which it usually was, this wasn't her first stalker picture. 

She pressed the button a few times, one of them had to be good. She slid her phone down and got out her textbook, trying to act nonchalant. As she pretended to read, she saw him looking at her in her peripheral. She licked her lips and took a sip of her coffee, looking up as she did. Her heart pounded in her chest.

The man began walking over to her. Fiona's hands shook slightly as she held her book, she put it down and looked up. She wasn't unattractive, she was shorter than most, about 5'4” slender but not petite. It wasn't foreign for a man to want to talk to her, nor would it be that crazy for her to go up and talk to a good looking man, but for some reason this was different. 

"Uh hey, I notice we tend to be here at the same time and well, maybe, we could get to know each other? If you want that is, otherwise you can tell me to fuck off," his accent making the obscenity sound funny rather than harsh. 

"No, have a seat," Fiona laughed. She moved her books to the side of the table and hung her back on the back of her chair. 

"I'm Tom, by the way," he held out his hand as she was rearranging the table. She awkwardly reached for his hand with her left hand, the right tucking her phone in her purse. 

"I'm Fiona," her smile was warm and inviting. She was so far the warmest person he's met in Los Angeles, but she was also the only one he actually spoke to.

"Are you going to university around here?" He asked in reference to the books. He took a small sip from his hot paper cup. 

"Uh, yeah I'm doing a program at the college right up the road here, for now. I'm on an exchange program" she nodded. "I'm assuming you're not from here either?"

"What gave it away?" Tom asked with a smirk, his hazel eyes gazing into hers. His brown hair was short and had some product in it to make it look swept slightly to the side. "I'm from London, I'm an actor, I have to finish up some stuff in the states." 

Fiona felt slightly let down to realize he was another typical L.A. inhabitant. She had encountered numerous people over the last few weeks who had the dream without the talent. She knew after a year or so most, if not all, would go back home in defeat. He was however British and handsome, so she figured he had a nice head start on the industry.

"Have you done anything I may have seen?" She asked, sipping on her latte. 

"I've done more work in England than anywhere else," he thought out loud. He didn't necessarily feel like name dropping some of his minor roles in the US right away. "The movie I just wrapped up comes out sometime next year."

"My only knowledge of British tv is Doctor Who," she laughed, the nerd in her coming out a lot earlier than she would have planned.

He let out a laugh, "I have not been in that unfortunately. Tell me more about you."

Tom asked Fiona about her schooling, aspirations, and home life. He enjoyed listening to her American albeit slight New Yorker accent. He watched as her hair continually fell into her eyes, wanting to be the one to tuck it behind her ear. He couldn't believe how beautiful she was, now that he was finally up close to her. Her dark brown eyes complimented her plump pink lips. 

Fiona's cellphone buzzed and she slid it open. She ignored the text and the screen closed, revealing her photo gallery which included some stalker photos of the man now across from her. She quickly flipped it over. Tom saw, but he pretended he didn't and continued their chat, inside he was excited that she may fancy him too. 

It was getting dark outside, they had sat talking and drinking in that coffee house for almost 4 hours. 

"Oh my god, it's almost 8. I should get going," Fiona hated to admit that, she wanted to stay but she didn't want to end up boring him. "Will you be here tomorrow?" 

"I think I'll definitely be here tomorrow," he smiled. He didn't want her to leave but of course it had to end some time. She began packing her things. 

"Oh, and what's your last name Tom? So that I can Google you when I get home," she laughed as she stood up. She was telling the truth, even how awkward that may have come across. He  stood up too.

"Hardy," he scratched the back of his head.

He smiled as he watched her walk out the door. He sat back down in his chair and put his hands behind his head. He watched her through the window, as she pulled out her phone from her purse. 

Fiona opened her phone to read her text messages from the last few hours.  Her sister sent 4, asking for the pic, followed by 3 photos of Fiona's nephew Nolan who would be 2 in a few weeks. She sent one of the photos from earlier which did capture his face but with only an 8mp camera it didn't do him justice. She followed up her text with a call to tell her all about the details. 

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