Chapter 414: Coffee Shop

Saturday, February 11th, Morning

They were meeting in a coffee shop that seemed to be their thing. Ellie got up early and showered. After drying her hair, she pulled it back into a loose wavy ponytail. Getting out of the bathroom, she looked through her bags and decided to look rather basic. Ellie ordered an UBER and dressed in cargo pants, a simple sweatshirt; she chose her army jacket and a black knit cap.

She had a few hours to kill before she had to be at the venue. On her own initiative, she texted people to see if they could meet up. So, that's what she's doing in this early morning, meeting up with one of her friends.

The UBER dropped Ellie off near her destination. After settling up with the UBER, Ellie got out and heard her combat boots on metal grating. Slowly, Ellie walked over to the coffee shop and looked in the window.

Ellie smiled and walked into the coffee shop. Walking up to the counter, she looked at the barista. Ellie smiled, ordered her coffee, and found a seat. Eventually, her name was called, and Ellie got her coffee. Upon returning to the table, she looked over to the door as it opened.

Dawson Hickam walked into the coffee shop and went to order his coffee. Once he got his coffee, Dawson came over to the table, sitting across from Ellie.

"How are you doing?" Ellie asked.

"I'm doing well," Dawson said, "What have you been up to?"

"Well, I spent time with my family, and now I'm doing a story down there," Ellie said.

"Yeah? What's the story about?" Dawson asked.

"I can't tell you more than that; it's in my contract," Ellie said.

"Okay," Dawson said.

Ellie nodded, "So, what have you been doing?" she asked.

Dawson shrugged, "Not much; I've been doing walking videos around the city," he said.

"Oh really? What platform are you posting them on?" Ellie asked.

"I've not decided yet, but I'm not sure I want them on YouTube," Dawson said.

Ellie nodded, "I get it, not the most creative friendly platform," she said.

"Yeah," Dawson said.

"What are these walking tours about?" Ellie asked.

"Just a tour of the street in certain neighborhoods," Dawson said.

"That sounds cool; where have you filmed so far?" Ellie asked.

"Mainly the Village and East Village," Dawson said.

Ellie nodded, "Cool, cool," she said.

Dawson nodded, "So, are you back?" he asked.

Ellie shook her head, "No, I'm only here for about a week or so, then back down south to finish the story," she said.

"That sucks," Dawson said.

"It's a living," Ellie said and shrugged.

Dawson shrugged, "Yeah," he said.

Dawson looked around the coffee shop and finally took a sip of his coffee. Ellie stirred her coffee with a small wood stirrer.

"So, what brings you back to the city?" Dawson asked.

"Oh, I didn't tell you?" Ellie asked.

"No, you didn't," Dawson said.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Ellie said.

"Don't worry about it; I didn't ask, but you are avoiding," Dawson said.

"I am?" Ellie asked.

"Yes, you are," Dawson said.

"Are you sure about it?" Ellie asked.

"Yes, I'm sure," Dawson said.

"Alright," Ellie said.

"Why are you avoiding it?" Dawson asked.

"Maybe, well, I'm a little embarrassed," Ellie said.

"Why?" Dawson asked.

"Because of the reason I'm back in town," Ellie said.

"It can't be that bad," Dawson said.

"It's not bad, just embarrassing," Ellie said.

"What could it be?" Dawson asked.

Ellie sighed, "Fine," she said.

Dawson nodded. Ellie looked around the coffee shop and finally took a sip of her coffee. After she swallowed her coffee, she looked at Dawson. "I booked a few runway jobs for fashion week," Ellie said.

"You're a model?" Dawson asked with a crooked eyebrow.

"Not really," Ellie said.

"But you booked a few runway jobs," Dawson said.

"Yeah, well, that's a bit complex reason why," Ellie said.

"You can share," Dawson said.

"Yeah," Ellie said.

"You've never shared this before," Dawson said.

"Yeah," Ellie said, "I'm not a professional model as such. I've never had an agent and only worked for one company."

"Okay, so why did you book these jobs?" Dawson asked.

"The money is good, and some favors were called in," Ellie said.

"Okay," Dawson said.

"Yeah, that's the real reason," Ellie said.

"Can I see the show?" Dawson asked.

"Not for tonight's show," Ellie said.

"You're working tonight?" Dawson asked.

"My first of two shows, my second is a little later in the week," Ellie said.

"Okay," Dawson said.

"I could see about getting you a ticket," Ellie said.

"Okay, thanks," Dawson said.

"You're welcome," Ellie said.

"So, what line are you doing the shows for?" Dawson asked.

"Tonight's show is for Clothes over Bros, and the second show is for Banríon," Ellie said.

"I've never heard of Baríon," Dawson said.

"It's a smaller company; this is their first New York Fashion Week show," Ellie said.

"So, why are you doing that show?" Dawson asked.

"Remember I said favors were called in," Ellie said.

"Yeah, vaguely," Dawson said.

"That was one of the favors called in," Ellie said.

"Why you?" Dawson asked.

"I don't know; I was available," Ellie said.

Dawson shrugged.

Ellie stood up and slipped her army jacket off as she was getting hot. She raised her arms over her head and stretched out. Her sweatshirt and tank top pulled up, exposing the hem of her jeans, which she wore low. The blue toes of her Tarheel Tattoo came visible.

Dawson saw the hint of blue ink on her hip. He studied it for a moment and looked up at Ellie. Ellie stopped stretching and her tank top and sweatshirt covered up. Finally, Ellie sat back down at the table. Ellie looked at Dawson.

"What's up, Dawson?" Ellie asked.

"You have a tattoo," Dawson said.

"Yes, I have several," Ellie said.

"You have a bare blue foot on your hip," Dawson said.

"Yeah, it's a Tarheel, the symbol of the University of North Carolina, the college I went to," Ellie said.

"Mhmm," Dawson said.

"What are you thinking?" Ellie asked.

"The protagonist of the book The Girl Who Always Wears Purple had a Tarheel tattooed on her hip too," Dawson said.

Ellie shrugged, trying to poker face Dawson. "I guess a lot of young women have that tattoo," Ellie said.

"That is tall and blonde?" Dawson asked.

"I'm from the south; tall blondes are a dime a dozen," Ellie said.

"Right," Dawson said.

Ellie nodded and turned down to her coffee. She scratched her head; Dawson studied Ellie and nodded. They drank their coffee in silence. Once they finished their coffee, they left separately.