Mileven One-Shots

coney island

A/N: This one-shot was heavily inspired by coney island off of Taylor Swift's brand new album, evermore. I love this album, so so so much and I'm so happy my ears have been blessed with it. I'm probably going to end up doing multiple song-inspired ones, not just from evermore but other albums too, I just love Taylor and her music so much! I will probably also be doing music from other artists too, so keep a lookout for that!

(Third Person POV)

Mike sat in the desolate booth, crumbs scattered across the table and the leather of the seats cracking. His fingers hovered around his condensation-coated glass of water, the ice mostly melted at this point. His glossy eyes were distant, staring at the empty seat in front of him. His mind was elsewhere, wandering between a multitude of things, all of them drawing back to her. 

A tear trickled down his reddened face, dropping onto the table, creating a little salty puddle next to the water ring formed from the still-full glass. He found himself tearing at the cheap, paperlike napkins mindlessly, creating a landfill of shreds that strangely resembled his heart. 

"What can I getcha? You want anything besides that water?" Her Brooklyn accent was heavy, and his gaze was directed toward her, probably somewhere in her late 20's with a ponytail and apron, as well as a name tag that read 'Gloria'. 

"Uhm, uh, no thanks- actually, maybe some fries, please?" he stammered, trying to remember how to order without someone right by his side. She nodded and went on her way, jotting down the order in her hand-held yellow notepad. 

Mike's thoughts once again drifted off, eventually coming to a crossroads between guilt, wondering how he could be so stupid, and how something so incredibly dumb could've happened because of him, but also anger, infuriated because she didn't understand what he was going through and how deeply he needed her. 

His knee was bouncing up and down, causing the keys inside of his corduroy pocket to jingle. He checked his watch and was only a little surprised to discover that it was well past 2 am. 

Gloria placed the fries on the table in front of him, along with a check, assuming he'd probably forget to ask for it if she hadn't, solely based on the visual state he seemed to be in. He absentmindedly shook the ketchup bottle that was preset on the table and made a little puddle in the corner of the tray, just how she liked it. 

He couldn't unhear her laugh, unsee her smile, unfeel her touch. He needed her more than anything, but he was far too stubborn to break down and call her. He simply could not, at least in his mind. 

~On the other side of town~

El was perched in a coney island booth, her left knee brought up to her chest, her chin leaning on it, something Mike teased her for doing so often. Her eyes were far past empty, having cried more times than she could fathom, she had gone way past what she thought was possible. 

Each tear that had fallen out of her eye felt like another stab to the back, simply because they were over someone who she knew she shouldn't be so sad over, someone who hurt her more than she thought would ever happen. 

The crusty area she was in had dim lighting, witching hour not allowing much light other than that of the yellowy hue that came from the restaurant's bulbs and the thin crescent of shine that the moon illuminated. 

He hurt her, deeply, ignoring her for weeks on end just to spite her, then crawling back to her only when he needed her most. He caused her so much pain, causing her to wonder what she did wrong, how she could fix it, and what she could do to get him to get back to her. 

Then, she realized she didn't need him. She didn't need his pity, his tomfoolery, his ignorance.

She realized that she could float elegantly and rise above without him, realized that what once was beautiful and perfect, was broken beyond repair, a mirror that used to reflect joy and innocence that was now shattered in a million pieces.