A/N: Hello! I fell off the face of the earth for a while, but I'm back now, and this time with a multichap. I'll try to be better about updating this... Hope you all enjoy :)
He sits in stark contrast to those around him as he lets out a long sigh, his eyelids drifting to a soft close. The bold scent of coffee slowly creeps into his nostrils and arouses him from his daze. It's 7:30 on a Sunday morning, why would anyone want to be up?
The bell chimes against the door's glass surface as more people walk in, clad in work attire and all mumbling into cell phones pressed up to their ears. They're all the same, he figures. They share the same nervous glance down to their watch, and the impatient tap of their foot as they wait in line. He finds his favorite red pen drumming onto the table as he observes them, a glint of amusement in his eyes.
They're so predictable.
For a second he wonders if he'll ever see a fresh face in this shop. He's been in the city for a month and already inspiration is running low. Travelling overseas was supposed to provide a sense of adventure. Sure, England isn't drastically different from the States, but he came to write about something new, a little piece of culture to compete with his journalist rivals.
Though as he sits alone in this coffee shop, the pages of his notebook empty before him, he can't help but feel homesick. He misses his friends, his family, other loved ones...
With a disgruntled sigh the boy decides to survey his surroundings once more. Not much has changed from the morning rush; men in suits and women bearing briefcases still scramble to reach the front of the line. Though as his eyes flicker to the other side of the room, someone catches his eye.
Tucked away in a corner sits a woman no older than he. She sticks out like a sore thumb amongst the others; her patterned black tights and dark makeup are a refreshing change in scenery. Loose auburn curls fall partially in front of her face as she stares into a large notebook, one hand scribbling furiously across a page. He cranes his neck to catch a glimpse of what she's writing. Drawing, rather.
It isn't a notebook, but a sketchpad...
His eyebrows arch slightly out of curiosity, "An artist..."
He watches for a while longer, each sweeping movement of her pencil observed with a glint of admiration.
Then suddenly, she stands. She walks towards the counter to retrieve her order, sketchpad and pencil now safely hidden away. The young woman grabs her cup of coffee with a forced smile, then walks briskly out the door, her tattered boots hitting the ground with a distinctive clap.
Perhaps it's because he's so bored, or because it's certain he won't find any 'inspiration' here, but something causes the American to stand up, stuffing the notebook into his backpack, then following her out of the shop.
"Hey, wait up!" He weaves through the pedestrians on the sidewalk to catch up to her, grinning as they fall into the same stride.
"Do I know you?" She asks sharply.
"Well, no..." He falters for a moment, unsure of how to respond.
"That's what I thought." Her pace quickens down the sidewalk as she saunters away. It only takes him a few seconds to register what's happened before he's running towards her again.
"You think you can get away that easily?" He smirks, "I'm Eddie Miller. American journalist."
"Does it look like I care?"
"No," Eddie shrugs, "But I didn't want you to think I was some creep."
"It's a little late for that." The girl stops outside a small brick building, pulling a key out of her bag and twisting the lock free.
"So, is this your place?"
"Yes."
"And... are those your drawings?" Eddie motions to the sketchpad sticking out from her bag.
"Obviously." She mutters, her hand tightening around the doorknob as he urges on.
"I never caught your name."
"Probably because I never said it," He gives her a long, hard look to which she sighs, "Fine... It's Patricia."
"Well, it's nice to meet you, Patricia."
"Mhm..." She opens the door and starts inside, having no intention of speaking to the strange man again.
"Wait!"
Turning back to face him, she scowls, "What the hell do you want?"
Eddie pauses for a moment, trying to phrase his request the best way possible. He has a feeling this 'Patricia' is short tempered, and can already sense her patience withering.
"Remember when I said I was a journalist? Well... there's this human interest piece that I have to write while I'm here. And... you seem like an interesting enough human, so - "
"Excuse me?"
Maybe he hadn't said it the best way...
"Look, Patricia, I want to write an article about you... It'd be like a profile of an artist and their work. I'd have to follow you around for a few weeks and do some interviews, but - "
"A few weeks stuck with you? Uh, no thanks."
"Oh come on," He pleads, sounding more like a toddler than a full grown adult, "It's in your best interest!"
"Really?" Her hands settle on her hips as she raises a skeptical eyebrow, "What's in it for me, then?"
Eddie smiles crookedly, "The pleasure of my company, of course. Because we all know how you enjoy that..."
"Oh, please!"
"And," He adds pointedly. "Publicity. People read my articles, they find out about your work. It's as simple as that." The American leans against the wall while a satisfied grin creeps onto his lips.
He can see the hesitation in her eyes as she gives him a second glance, studying him for any signs of insincerity. The features of her face soften a bit when she realizes the boy's offer is entirely genuine.
That's strange...
The nagging feeling in the pit of her stomach returns, years of excruciating caution telling her to pull back now.
And so she does.
"Look, you're going to have to find someone else."
At his crestfallen face she adds an impersonal 'sorry' before continuing into her flat, squaring her shoulders and resisting the urge to look back again.
Though in all this fuss, she seems to have forgotten the trademark characteristic of any good journalist...
Persistence
A/N: Not a very exciting chapter, I'll admit, but I wanted to introduce their situation before their friendship really becomes the main focus... It's been a while since I last wrote a multichap, so any suggestions are greatly appreciated! Thanks for reading :)
