she way out | m.h

1.

[Elllis]

I loved this city, but i needed to get out. I often pictured my escape from Seattle. Each time the way i did it got more and more unreal. Like last week i decided i would join the circus but not as someone cool because let's face it, i have no talents whatsoever. I would meet the ringleader of the circus. He would be tall, making me feel safe. He was four years older than me making him 23. I decided we had met on the street. He was collecting money for a trip to New York. I set a five dollar bill into his basket. Our eyes met and he decided he was in love with me. We then would make out passionately on the street leading to him inviting me to go touring with them, for free. I would work the concession stand at the show. In the end i figured he'd cheat on me with the female trap-ease artist. Figures, she was blonde and beautiful. Today's escape was completely different but just as exciting. I would stowaway on a ship heading to the Caribbean. They'd find me four days in but the chef liked my ingenuity and figured i would make a good crew member. I don't know why they thought this, because i was useless at everything and often got seasick.

SMASH!

A law textbook fell off my desk. I looked around to see every face looking at me. The lecture hall was silent except for a few snickers in the back. I scrambled to pick up the textbook, slowly placing it back onto my desk. My professor eyed me angrily. I loved this city but i hated this university. The lecture dragged on for another half an hour. I managed to slip out quickly and headed to my van. The halls were crowded but I made my way outside as quickly as I could. I slide the side door open and hopped in. I proceeded to throw my bag to the far back which gave a thud from my heavy textbooks. I then pulled my shirt off and replaced it with my work uniform. I had ugly green stripes on it and a giant cup of coffee on the back. The cup happened to by personified having arms and legs as well as eyes; it was dancing. I made my way into the drivers seat and grabbed a hair tie from the middle console. I put my hair up in a messy bun before pulling out of the car park. I began flipping through the radio stations before giving up and sliding a CD into the stereo. Micheal Jackson started playing loudly through the speakers. I bobbed my head while tapping my thumbs against the steering wheel along to the beat.

After driving for fifteen minutes i had reached Headly's Cafe. I slide the mandatory ball-cap with the cafes logo onto my head slipping my hair up into a pony tail and fished it through the hole in the back. I kept it tight not letting any hair fall into my face. I learned the hard way that people don't like hair in their baked goods. I jumped out of the van and entered through the back door. After saying a few 'hellos" to my co-workers i started my shift. The atmosphere was dull in here. I worked the afternoon/evening shift and hardly anyone came in to get coffee that this time. We did serve other things but most people preferred the coffee. I was soon the only left at the cafe since everyones shift ended. This was my favourite time because i had no one watching me. First off i took my stupid hat off and let my hair down. I grabbed my phone and placed one ear bud into my ear allowing music to fill the quietness. On my first day i realized i had a lot of spare time here so i soon found a spot to chill. A soft couch in the corner of the cafe. I set my feet up on the table beside it; i was the one who had to clean the tables so i didn't care if this was unhygienic. I was exhausted so i rested my head on the seat of the couch keeping my feet elevated.

I woke up to the door slamming shut. Shit i fell asleep. I ripped the ear bud out of my ear and sat up. A guy stood there. He was taller than me. He looked tired. His curly brown hair was in a mess and hung over his eyes slightly. He was wearing a black hoodie and black skinny jeans with rips in the knees. I glanced outside. It was completely dark outside apart from the street lights. What time was it? I looked down at my phone, 11:23pm. I was meant to close up hours ago. The boy looked slightly confused.

"Sorry we're closed," i said to him.

"That's not was the sign said," he smirked.

Great, so he's a smart ass. Also he was English. I was not going to fall into that trap, the 'hot English boy' trap. I didn't need any distractions. I needed to get home but i guess one more customer wouldn't take very long.

"Fine," i muttered walking up to the cash register. "What would you like?"

"What's good?"

"Everything." I said without thinking. That's what we were taught on day one to say. It sounded really stupid to me but it became somewhat of a habit. "Sorry I have to say that."

His chuckled under his breath when i admitted that.

"I'll have black coffee i guess," he said after a few seconds of silence. "And.. em do you have sticky toffee pudding?"

What the hell was that?

I guess he noticed my confusion and said, "didn't think you would, it's an English thing."

He stepped closer and began looking at the baked good. I looked him over. His eyes were blood shot and though i hadn't noticed before he seemed to be having trouble standing. Weed, that was it. That also explained why he was getting baked goods at eleven o'clock at night. Whenever i smoked pot i got very snack-ish.

Eventually he settled on a slice of raisin bread. He went to sit down at a table but before doing so he asked, "do you mind if i stay until I'm finished? I won't bother you."

"Yeah sure," i said while bringing him his coffee and raisin bread.

I walked to the front door and flipped the sign around to say closed. I didn't need any more stoners coming in for a snack. I went into the back room and looked at the time: 11:34pm. I grabbed a towel and walked back into the front. I started wiping down all the surfaces.

"So what's your name?" the guy spoke.

"I thought you weren't going to bother me?" i mumbled.

He looked me up and down. Jerk.
"You look like a Natalie to me," he spoke ignoring my comment. "So Natalie, do you need any company tonight?" I knew what he meant. Sex.

"No, but it seems you desperately do if you're sinking low enough to ask a girl who's name you don't even know." That shut him down.

I went into the back and got a broom and dustpan to sweep up the crumbs.

"So your name isn't Natalie," he said.

"No shit."

"Definitely Candace then." i nodded. "Really?" he smiled, proud of himself.

"No," i giggled.

"Grace?"

"Nope."

"But how am i suppose to have chance of bringing you home with me if i don't even know your name," he spoke with desperation in his voice.

"It's Ellis, but you're not bringing me home."

He smirked.

"That's a beautiful name," he spoke slowly. His voice was serious, and deeper than before. He stood up handing me his mug and plate. "It was nice meeting you, Ellis."

Chills went down my spine when he said my name. Shit. He leaned in and kissed my cheek before leaving. I was now standing in the middle of the cafe alone. My cheek felt warm. I set the mug and plate on the counter. I felt my cheek where he left a wet little kiss mark. Wait! That fucker didn't pay.

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Sorry this is really terrible. I am trying to get into the grove of writing again. Hopefully it'll get better as it goes. Comment if you'd like it or if you didn't because I desperately need feedback!