Journey || Erik Durm

♀

CHARLOTTE: 

        WHEN the moon rose, drowning in the darkness of dusk, Erik nonchalantly trotted over to where I was on the counter, and—flashing me a cocky smirk—told me I needed to "lighten up" before I caused a blackout with my "hideous scowl."

I told him he could go fuck himself.

"I just did. Just a few minutes ago, actually," he retorted shamelessly, and I stifled, feeling bile rising in my throat.

"You're gross," I groused, scrunching my nose in disgust.

Erik continued grinning lopsidedly, the arrogance unwavering.

"Just move, Durm. You're holding up the line," I added, impatiently crossing my arms across my chest. I motioned to the line behind him, which had grown a several inches since he'd come around. 

The last thing in the world I currently needed was Erik Durm making my already pathetic life feel even more so. Earlier this evening, Manilla had sent Carolyn a text message saying she couldn't make it due to work difficulties. I have arranged to drop off a parcel for Charlotte to this given address and it should arrive by tonight, she had absentmindedly added, not taking into consideration even that more than the parcel, I desired to see her. It was difficult to forget the hospitality she had graciously offered for the majority of the years of my life.

Ugh, whatever, I thought glumly, dismissing the sappy thought. 

"I'm here to place an order, dummy," Erik said, making me gawk.

"What the hell?"

"That's no way to greet a customer!" 

I continued staring at him incredulously. Was he for real?

"Do I have to call your manager, Ms—" He made a dramatic show of eyeing my nametag. "—Charlotte?" 

"How about you get the fuck off this line, Mama's boy," I projected in annoyance, and the old lady behind Erik narrowed her eyes disapprovingly at me, frowning in distaste.

"Ugh. Fine," I muttered through gritted teeth. Then, plastering an acutely fake smile, I asked, "How may I help you?"

Erik brought a finger to his chin, pretending to think as he grazed his eyes through the menu. After what felt like eons, he finally said, "I think I'll take a raspberry flavored fizzy lizzy juice spritzer, please."

I hastily scribbled the order in my notepad, ready to prepare it when Erik decided to say, "Oops! I changed my mind. I'll take a medium sized iced latte with whipped cream and caramel instead."

Annoyed, I crossed out the order of the fizzy lizzy juice spritzer and replaced it with Erik's new order, which I was sure he wouldn't drink. I'd been examining him in the past few days, taking in his habit of swallowing bitter coffee, so I knew this was all a twisted joke. I despised him enough to involuntarily clench my jaw multiple times as I prepared the latte.

When I was finished, I slid the order down the counter. "Have a great night," I muttered unconvincingly.

His eyes widened in pretense as he purposely failed to catch the latte, which wound up sprawling over the tiled floor. "The customer service is atrocious!" Erik cried, looking unimpressed. He faced the lady behind him, who looked as if she were ready to dash out this very minute. "Did you see that, madam? I think you should think twice before approaching this one!"

"Maybe you're right, Mr. Durm," the lady responded, shaking her head disapprovingly.

I didn't question how this absolute stranger knew who Erik was, but rather simply proceeded to shout, "This is your mother's diner, you stupid fuck! Why are you purposely screwing everything up?"