A Different You: Chapter two: âBut on a Wednesday in a cafĂ©âŠâ/ Edward Lemuel x (Plus!size) Reader
(Gif's not mine, credit to movie-gifs from Tumblr)
Hi! Here's the second chapter of the A different You fanfic! I hope you enjoy it! It was somehow proofreaded but I hope you won't mind small mistakes!
Warnings: mention of su!cide, bad talking about one self, mockery, slight bullying (pointing fingers at someone), some curse words, minors DNI.
This is my work and I don't give permission to upload it anywhere else, to translate it, etc without my permission!
In all your, rather short, life, you never thought you would meet someone who was so similar to you. So much that you would feel as if you had known this person all your life, or even that they would be so much like that you would start to think that you might had known them in a previous one. You've always been one of those people who have trouble making friends with new people, who can't talk to them. You've always been the quiet, shy girl who stood in the corner and waited your turn. You thought you'd never get to know anyone, so when someone did show up, you accepted anything as long as that person didn't leave. Even if it meant allowing them to treat you in a cruel and nasty way, and to push you into the background. You knew they were doing it, but you never left anyway, you were afraid of being alone. This fear ruled your life. It made you feel lonely, even though you had people around you, and yet - something was missing. All the people around you were only with you because you were always available. Eager to help, to chat, to let them cry on your shoulder. To complain about their âmiserableâ lives, when in fact, their lives were far from it. However, when it was you who was having a hard time, no one was there. Ingrid suddenly had many more important things on her mind. Such as going to the beautician, writing a new play, chasing after boyfriends, or partying at the club with her âbetter friendsâ. You were left alone, and when she was in need, she suddenly remembered your existence. It's always been that way. And you had managed to lose hope that this would ever change.
Until Edward came across your path. At the beginning of your friendship, he was withdrawn and kept to himself. The second time you met, surprisingly, was in the park. You were returning from work at the time, and you decided to walk through the park that separated the shop where you worked from your small flat. You had a hard day at work because the customers could be very unpleasant. Particularly older people who think they know everything best and have to question your competence. Fortunately, it was your temporary job, or at least that's what you thought, because it was just coming up to your fifth year since you started working there. But well, times were tough, and you were always short of money by the end of the month. Being almost at the exit you saw Edward walking across the road.
âHey, Edward!â you called out, and he turned around surprised that someone was calling him. However, as soon as he saw you got the impression that he was pleased to see you, or at least that's what you managed to deduce, because unfortunately you had a hard time seeing anything on his face.
âY/N? Hi, haven't seen you in a while.â he said, walking up to you. He shook your hand in greeting, somewhat awkwardly, but you shook it with a smile.
You shrugged your shoulders. âWell, Ingrid didn't need another porter, so I didn't hang aroundâ, you said.
âWhat a pity! I think I had something to carry out.ââ he said and sighed. You looked at him with raised eyebrows. âI'm joking! Of course it was a joke, but you see, I'm no comedian. A horror movie character maybe, but a lousy comedian.â he tried to lighten the atmosphere, but you shook your head.
On the one hand, you appreciated that he was trying to make a joke, but on the other, you didn't like the way he was talking about himself.
âAnd I'm a lousy porter, so I don't think we're both suited to a full-time job.â you said. You started walking down the path around the park, you don't even know when, your legs carried you by themselves. âAnd you're not a horror movie character, you're too nice and special for that.â
You could feel his gaze on you when you said this, but he didn't comment in any way. You continued walking and talking. You told each other how the week had gone and what your plans were. You mentioned to him about the incident with the old lady in the shop.
âFor real! She said that if I don't know colours then she doesn't know what I'm doing here!â you said, gesturing vividly. âAnd she told me to pick out a red nail polish, there are a million shades of red!â
Edward laughed. âWell, I don't know, they all look the same to me.â
âMen...â you muttered, rolling your eyes, sending him a smile.
You had just reached a small bridge, so you leaned on the railing, watching the brook that flowed below. He stood beside you, your elbows touching. âHow was the interview?â you asked at some point. The last time you'd seen each other he'd mentioned having one.
âMiserablyâ he replied, sighing sadly. You looked up at him.
âI hadn't even finished saying my line and they said I wasn't fit for the role...â he answered. âAnd I really tried, but as they said, because of the way I look they couldn't understand what I was saying.â
âBastards.â you said. You smiled reassuringly. âThey don't know what they're missing.â
You guessed from the alignment of his face that he was smiling, and his eyes glazed over. He wiped them stealthily and for a while you stood in silence.
âAnd how's your book?â he asked after some time.
âRejected.â you replied, shrugging your shoulders. You were used to failure. âApparently, tear jerkers are no longer in fashion,â you said.
âBastards.â Edward replied, poking me with his shoulder. âThey don't know what they're missing.â
You sent him a beaming smile. The two of you continued to stand in silence, watching the park. As usual with him, it wasn't an awkward silence. It was nice to spend time with someone who was similarly quiet as you. It gave some peace of mind that you didn't have to change to fit in with someone.
The third time you met him was when you visited Ingrid. You went to see her to retrieve your coat, which you had lent her on your last outing to the bar. As usual, she had dressed inappropriately for the weather, choosing a shorter skirt instead of a warmer jumper, and as you left after the party was over, it started to rain. And as a good friend, you gave her your coat. Of course, she didn't even thank you.
It was your favourite coat, so you decided to get it back. You stood outside her flat, ringing the bell. There was noise, music and sounds of conversation coming from inside. Fantastic, she had guests... Impatient, you pressed the button several times in a row. On probably the tenth time, she graciously opened the door, standing in it with a puzzled look on her face. âY/N?â
âNo, Saint Mary. I came for my coat.â you replied, stepping inside as she moved aside. Inside were three men and two women. Ingrid's friends from work. You greeted them, but they ignored it and returned to their conversation. As you took your coat, you heard them laughing and commenting on you. Ingrid, who was standing next to you, said nothing, smiling âapologeticallyâ. Well, what could you expect from her? You were always just her background serving to improve her image, other people's comments about you didn't matter to her. As long as they didn't concern her personally, of course.Â
You said a quick goodbye and left her flat. As soon as she closed the door, you breathed a sigh of relief. Encounters with Ingrid always made you nervous. You knew you should break off this friendship, but you feared you would be left all alone... Although somewhere in the back of your mind was the thought that maybe that wouldn't be the case, because there was still Edward. You looked sideways at his blood red door. You remembered how he'd complained about them during the walk, but he'd had no choice, it was Ingrid who'd had them put in after they'd been damaged by someone helping her bring in furniture when she moved.
Speaking of Edward, he was just coming up the stairs. You smiled broadly at the sight of him.
âI hope you're not one of those crazy peeping Toms who lurk under other people's flats.â he chuckled, walking up to you.
âBlimey, now it's out to the world...â you replied and laughed. You shook your head, lifting your coat up for him to see. âNo, I came to Ingrid to get my coat.â
He nodded. âWhy don't you come in for a coffee?â he proposed.
âI'd love to, but unfortunately, I have to go. I have the night shift.â you said. You really wanted to stay, have a coffee with him and talk. You enjoyed his company. Maybe even too much...
âThen why don't we meet tomorrow? How about a cup of delicious chocolate at the âWednesdayâ cafĂ©? They have delicious cakes there too...â he asked, not relenting. He too felt a desire to spend time with you.
âSure. Well, I'll see you tomorrow then? I can come here then we'll go together, itâs on my way.â you offered.
âYeah, see you tomorrow. And I don't mind the walk.â he smiled with that smile of his. When he did, his face magically brightened. âEspecially with you.â
You couldn't help but blush. You didn't say anything though, just said goodbye to him and started walking down the stairs. Despite yourself, you couldn't wait for tomorrow.
Before your fourth meeting, you were nervous. You don't know why, but you had a feeling that it was a date. You also decided to dress yourself in a pretty dress. You chose this dark pink one, slightly flared at the bottom. It had little floral embroideries and a V-neck. Nothing too daring, but not too elegant either. You wore shoes with a small stiletto heel and a light jumper over your shoulders, as it was already chilly in the evening. As it is in October. You touched up your make-up one last time and left the house.
You entered his building, moving up the stairs to his flat. Being closer, you heard voices. Ingrid was talking to Edward. You felt a slight sting in your stomach, that never meant anything good. You were afraid she would tell him something about you. It wouldn't be the first time she did something like that... Once you were on the right floor, you saw that they were standing next to each other and talking. She was holding a typewriter. Had Edward given it to her? You felt a lump rise in your throat, he had once told you that he would love to give it to someone because he didn't use it, and it just collected dust. You thought you would be that person, but seeing her holding it, you felt disappointed. However, you chose to hide it, you had no right to feel left out because you never let it be known that you would need it. However, you had always dreamed of writing a book on such a machine...
âLook what Edward gave me!â was the first thing you heard from Ingrid when she saw you.
You smiled widely, somewhat forcedly, but quickly changed your expression to a more cheerful one. âGreat, you've always wanted one! Shall we go?â Â you turned to Edward, who nodded.
âSure, I'll just get my jacket on, and we can go.â he said and disappeared inside his flat, and you stood for a moment with the blonde in awkward silence.
Edward came out after a while, closed the door and after a quick goodbye to your friend, you both headed for the exit.
âSo, you gave the machine to Ingrid?â you asked, once you had ordered your drinks and were seated comfortably at a table in the depths of the room.
Edward was right, this café was cosy. It gave the atmosphere of some enchanted place. It was full of greenery, lots of plants. The interior was brown and green, and on the walls hung paintings that the owner had painted.
âYes, I donât give a shit about it. I don't need it.â he replied, clumsily trying to slice a cake. It was somewhat cute. You nodded your head at what he said.
The two of you talked about everything and nothing. Edward told you about the upcoming auditions, he also showed you a commercial with him in it on his phone.
âVery convincing, well done.â you praised how he acted, smiling at him. You were glad he had acted in something, even if his acting only involved pretending to feel poorly in a commercial.
You also told him about your book.
âYou know, maybe I'll end up in it too?â he said. You looked at him.
He didn't even know you had based one character on him. A figure that lit up the whole room when he walked into it. Because that's how you saw him. That's how Edward was to you. You always thought love would be loud, but it came quietly, crept into your heart, and took up residence there. You fell in love with your best friend, irrevocably and for good. However, you would never tell him this. You didn't want to destroy the fragile thing you had. It was so good, quiet and peaceful.
âMaybe you're already in it...â you said, sending him another smile. You hid your face behind your coffee cup so that he wouldn't see your blush.
He was already about to reply when someone knocked on the glass of the window where you were sitting. It was pouring outside, so you couldn't even see the person very well. Only his face with a frightening wide smile. The man was standing opposite Edward and waving in his direction. You looked first at the stranger and then at your friend. You had a shocked look on your face. You couldn't believe what was just happening. You were used to it being you that people reacted by pointing fingers at you... You sent him a sad smile when the strange man had gone. âYou knew him?â was the only thing you managed to say after this awkward encounter.
âDon't worry about it, that's the way it always is. You get used to it.â he said after a while, looking in your direction.
For a moment neither of you said anything. The silence was broken by your voice. You uttered something you immediately regretted, but it was too late to take it back.
âHave you ever thought about suicide?â you asked. You remembered him mentioning his neighbour's committing. And just in your style, you must have asked a stupid question.
He shrugged his shoulders.
You poked him on the shoulder with your hand. You had a concerned look on your face.
âHey, don't say maybe, say never!â you scolded him.
âI'd be like Werther.â Â he replied.
You raised an eyebrow. âWerther missed.â you said dryly.
âWimp.â you heard in reply.
You rolled your eyes. Of course, it's best to turn everything into a joke. You sighed. For the rest of your meeting, you didn't bring up any more serious topics. Just the weather, the Yankees losing, a run-over cat on the road, a trail of spilled petrol in the shape of a dinosaur's head.
When he escorted you outside your flat, you couldn't help yourself. You walked closer and, standing on your tiptoes, kissed him goodbye on the cheek. You hadn't done that since your first meeting. The only thing that was different now was that you felt his arms embrace you. Edward hugged you, tentatively and lightly, but still. You embraced him tighter and said in his ear: âDon't worry about what you have no control over. People will throw stones at you anyway because they will be blinded by the way you shine.â
As you climbed the stairs of the tenement, the thought went through your head that you had always thought that love only hurts, burns from within and destroys everything that stands in its way. That was how you had been taught and that was your experience of love up to that point. However, when you turned to look one last time at the man who had changed your world, you felt only peace.
