make you stay (g.d.)

two

elizabeth:

"uh, what?" he looks at me questioningly.

grayson. he—he looks just like grayson.
my words turn to jelly in my mouth, and i feel lightheaded.

my mouth is too dry to speak, so i just motion around to the counter, silently asking his order.

while he looks around, i glance at him more. the hair is different, and so is the freckle placement. this isn't grayson.

wait—he has a twin.

composing myself enough to speak, i say, "sorry about that. you just scared me, a bit."

he smiles down at me after hearing my voice. "from the states?"

i nod. "yes. is there anything i can get you?"

"uh, two blueberry bowls, please. that'll be it."

as i ring him up, i rack my brain for what his name is. the plane ride four months ago seems almost as if it was a dream now.

"what's your name for that order?"

"i'm... i'm the only one here?"

shit. right.

i fumble with my words before squeezing out, "protocol. my manager gets mad if i don't ask."

"ethan," he smiles slightly. "i'm ethan."

a light switch turns on in my head, and i feel like smacking my forehead. ethan. how could i forget?

i can't help but smile and stare for a second at the face i thought i'd never see again. "let me just go grab the bowls."

i walk back to the freezer, some pep in my step. ethan must've extended his study and grayson's long gone, i'm sure, but it's nice to see a familiar face.

i hand him the bowls and he slips something into the change jar before he leaves.

i inspect it, like always, and gawk at it. $20 aud?

usually i get a 50 cent coin here and there but wow.

"thank you!" i call out, knowing that he can't hear me outside. still had to try, at least.

as i move back into work, i feel weird, like it was a sign or something. i quickly shake off the feeling before it can distract me from anything else.

grayson isn't in aus anymore. he said he was only staying for a few weeks. it's been four months.

i feel the need to constantly remind myself that as i finish up my morning shift and my coworkers start to flood in for the afternoon lunch rush.

"bye, roy!" i call as i slip my apron off and grab my bag.

"don't be late tomorrow!"

"no promises!" i call back, missing my usual cheery and joking tone.

god, i feel weird. i wish i never showed up to work today. my system's thrown off and i can't tell if it's good that ethan showed up at the place i work or not.

i make my way home, still tossing the thought in my head.

"hi," i mumble, throwing my keys onto the counter. charley looks up from her book and smiles.

"g'day."

"i've never heard anyone else here say that. i'm convinced you're stretching out your accent to confuse me," i tease, plopping on the couch next to her.

"loads of us say it," she emphasizes. "you just haven't met that many people."

i scoff. "'course i have."

"roy and the painter boy don't count." she deadpans.

i roll my eyes, not having a good line to shoot back with.

"by the way," she says. "i took a skirt from your closet? hope you don't mind...?"

"nope," i yawn. "take what you want but don't run away with it."

"you'd know all too well about that," she jokes and shoves my shoulder.

i laugh and remember the night i came to live with her. i told her everything and she said i could move in with her. she's been my closest friend ever since.

"i saw him today."

her face turns white and eyes as wide as saucers. "no way. you saw grayson?"

"no," i almost laugh. "his twin. ethan."

"oh. well, that's still cool right?"

"yeah," i say softly, not really sure if i believe it.