I'm inconsistent. This story is probably going to be unfinished. But you can stay for the journey. I'm a romanticist fuck, you'll get used to it. I doubt my writing style will stay the same. The characters are older than they are in canon. Anyways I hope you're in for some Darling x Rosabella. Remember what you read is a story. Not real.
Disclaimer: I don't own EAH. and so on.
He's not really doing anything which is somewhat unnerving. He's only staring at me, frowning. He looks like he wants to say something. I don't know why he doesn't. It's just the two of us, in silent, drying glasses. Then he exhales, loudly. "I know you were with her, that night."
"Hm?" I don't know why I said that. I heard what he said clearly. I know exactly what he means. I just don't want to admit it.
"You were with her, last Thursday." His voice is lower, and he's speaking more slowly now.
"Yeah I was. What about it?"
"What about it?" He's annoyed now. It's justifiable. I would be furious right now if I was in his position; it's amazing he's not screaming right now. "What about it? She's your EX!" He's hissing now. The glass that was in his hand was placed on the table hard. Not enough to crack it, but enough to scare the shop owner upstairs. "You promised me, you promised yourself you wouldn't get back with her again." I know I did. "You told me if you saw her you would walk right in the opposite direction!"
"Alright children! Time to re-open the shop!" Fortunately, Mr. Hatter the shop owner came bursting in. All that tension dissipated, and Chase and I returned to our posts, without even looking near each other.
"Darling!" Madeline Hatter came bursting in.
"Maddie! Hey! You almost surprised me." I didn't hear her arrive. When did she arrive? Did she hear all that? I might've been staring for a while, because she throws me a smile. I'm glad Maddie's working on the till with me. I doubt I would've been able to handle it on my own. Not after what Chase said. Now when I'm feeling like this.
It was late to begin with. That might've been where I went wrong. Going to the local store at around 11 wasn't my wisest move, but I was thirsty, and desperate for a hot chocolate. So desperately, I left in my pyjamas, but in fairness I did put on a dark hat, and a large black coat. Either ways I wasn't expecting to see anyone, nor did I expect anyone to see me. If my Dad saw me now, he'd frown in disapproval. I chuckled to myself at the thought. I was at the store. It was usually open up until about 1 in the morning. But not today. I groaned. "Out of all the days, it had to be today they closed for cleaning." I slumped against the door of the shop. "For god sake Costa is closed!" I think at this moment, everything I had been bottling in just came out in the form of a waterfall. I must've looked so stupid sniffling against the door of a corner store, with puffy red eyes, mumbling to myself.
"Darling?" I froze. It was her voice. Was this real? Or was this just me hearing her voice in the wind again. I looked up, and suddenly I felt my heart squeeze in my chest. It was her.
"Rosabella?"
"What're you doing here?" She was wearing her favourite dark yellow overcoat, and those dirty white Adidas shoes. God she looks the same as she did two years ago. All those feelings I had for her that I thought I got rid of came flooding back.
"I just wanted to buy some hot chocolate. But the store's closed." She looks like she's thinking for a moment. But I can't really tell. It's dark. And I'm tired. And I just want some hot chocolate.
"Would you like me to make you some?" I could never say no to Rosabella's hot chocolate. Before I knew it I was in Rosabella's old apartment sipping hot chocolate with her across the table, in complete silence. I'm pretty sure the car journey back was silent as well. Truth be told it was awkward. The person that had left me in the most fucked up state for over a year came back and offered me hot chocolate and I accept? How did I expect it to go? What are we meant to stay?
"Hey, are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm just tired, I have this presentation due in tomorrow, and I haven't finished it yet."
"Oh."
"What about you? How's that debut album coming along?"
"It's finished. We're releasing it next month."
"You can take a nap here if you want - if it helps." It was just a platonic request. I can say yes. Chase won't get mad.
"Thanks, it helps." Initially I was lying on her couch, covered in an old blanket that I didn't mind having. But I don't know why I couldn't fall asleep. My eyes were crying with fatigue, but my mind was wide awake. I was stuck staring at her blank ceiling. Thinking about all the memories we shared in this apartment, like that time I wanted to try changing the lightbulb, but I couldn't reach. So she put me on her shoulders, and I ended up kissing the floor.
"Hey, hey why are you crying?" I don't even remember how I got to her room. I need to stop doing that.
"I'm just tired." I won't tell her my true feelings. Not anymore.
"Here come in." She's holding the duvet, inviting me in. The bed's as soft as it used to be. I'm grateful for that.
"I think I'll have a nap for half an hour or so before I go."
"Okay." She says it softly. "You can leave whenever you want."
"Okay." It's weird because now we're both phasing in and out of sleep. Sometimes her fingers trace over my thigh in a circular movement. I might've said something if it wasn't so soothing. We're both too tired to care anyways. Her fingers are as gentle as I remember. Now her eyes flutter open. Her eyes are gorgeous. It took me a while to process the feeling of her lips on my forehead.
"It's okay. You can stop crying. I'm with you." I hadn't even realised how much I missed her until this moment. She's embracing me hands are stroking me, trying to calm me down, and it's working.
By the time we actually fell asleep it was nearly the morning. We woke up in the afternoon.
"Darling? Are you okay? You've been stuck on that order for ten minutes now."
"Yeah, sorry. I think I need some air." She gave me the thumbs up, and I went out into the back. The air was cool, it was a nice feeling. Surprisingly Chase was there, leaning against the short fence, staring upwards into the sky.
"What're you doing out here?" He asks.
"I just feel overwhelmed right now."
"Sorry."
"It's not your fault. I'd do the same thing if I were you." He looks confused, as if he wasn't expecting that answer. Or maybe he just can't hear what I'm saying.
"You deserve to know the truth. When I was with her that night, we slept together." He runs his hand through his hair, and aggressively inhales. "But we didn't have sex." He's silent possibly because he thinks there's more or he's still trying to process what I said. "We had sex that afternoon."
"God Darling, why? You told me you were over her. You told me you wouldn't go down that path? Why are you? "His voice is strained.
I knew I was making a bad decision when I let her make me hot chocolate. I know the next morning when I wake up the feeling of being separated from her will crush me. So why did I accept?
It's stupid really; I still love her.
"I love her."
"You love her? She sure as hell doesn't love you."
"Don't say that."
"If she loved you Darling, she wouldn't have left you."
"I know."
"I think she's just using you."
"Well she wouldn't be the first." We both laugh at that. "I know many people who'd want Darling Charming the daughter of rich business man Mr. Charming and sexy model Mrs. Charming. I'm one of the Charming triplets."
"That's pretty weird calling your Mum sexy. I doubt your worth has gone up now you're an ASBO."
"Stop being so serious." I give him a fake punch.
"I'm only messing with you." He's laughing at me now. "But seriously though, how is it you getting an ASBO was kept a secret. Everything with you blows up, but now people don't even know your Instagram name."
"My Dad was worried this might ruin his reputation, so he paid a bit of money here and there."
"What?"
"Legally, I mean. Everything was legal."
"You're not being paid to say that right?"
"Ha. So hilarious."
"Come on, I tried."
"Darling, are you done with your breather, I kind of need your help. The shop's getting a bit hectic." It's Maddie.
"I'm on my way."
"Wait Darling." Chase calls for me and I pause. "I'll get some Five Guys later yeah?"
"Yeah." Honestly speaking, even now that my ex is back in town. I think I'll be okay.
"Darling? Is that you?" Oh shit. Not her.
Make sure you comment, it's good at motivating unmotivated writers, and helping them improve. Also if you spot spelling mistakes, grammar and all that, let me know. Thanks. 400.