So far London has been a dream come true but also a nightmare; from amazing sightseeing and shopping to shitty guys and having to work most nights during the week. I came to London from the States to live with my best friend Jason and seeing him has been amazing. I have been here for almost 5 months now and I’m really considering never going back. Jason and I just recently rented a new apartment closer to the center of London so I could just walk to work instead of having to take a bus.

Today I was meeting up with one of my best friends from back home who came to see how I was doing. We had decided to meet in one of my favorite coffee shops. I walk in and am immediately greeted by her smile.

We were talking for what seemed like hours about how our lives were, what music we were listening to, our new favorite movies, and everything in between. I kept noticing a guy near the back of the room glancing towards us every time we would mention a band we liked or spoke about our most controversial topics.

“I would definitely want to live in the late 60’s early 70’s time period.” I said to my friend, Jillian.

She scoffed at me, “Bitch why? I’d go back to the 20’s, that’s when they had the best parties.” She said dancing in her chair.

“Are you kidding me?! I want to be there the moment Fleetwood Mac first sang together. And the fashion during that time was undoubtedly the best of all time. Plus, I could finally get that Chevy Impala I’ve been wanting for years,” I tell her, “But maybe I’d only stay for like a month because women couldn’t be independent back then and we both know I NEED to be independent.” I say laughing.

Jillian laughs, “Yeah don’t remind me you’re the most stubbornly independent person I’ve ever known.” She picks her phone up to take a look at the time, “Omg I gotta go or I’m gonna miss my flight! It was so nice catching up, and don’t forget to text me back bitch, you’re awful at answering people.” She said as she tugged on her coat and slung her purse over her shoulder.

After hugging and saying our final goodbyes, Jillian jogged out of the coffee shop; her suitcase bobbing down the sidewalk behind her.

Once I had finished my coffee, I set down some money on the table and got up to shrug my coat on. I looked over towards the guy at the back of the shop to see if he had stopped eavesdropping on us, but right when I looked over he flung his head back down into the book resting on the table in front of him.

From what I could tell he was a pretty attractive man. The only part of his face I could really see was his mouth and I felt that was enough to gauge his attractiveness level. He was wearing a black t-shirt underneath a long black coat, a pair of black skinny jeans, an expensive looking pair of black Chelsea boots, a black fedora, and some sunglasses. Sunglasses? Inside?

Leaving the table, I stride to the door putting my hand out to open it when another hand beats me to it. The guy from the back table now stood in front of me opening the door.

“After you, please.” He says as I walk past him out onto the busy street. Turning right to keep walking towards my apartment I’m stopped by a hand on my arm, “Hey, I um heard you talking to your friend, I really liked everything you talked about.”

Staring at him I said, “Wow, I’ve never met anyone so open about eavesdropping on an entire conversation.”

“I-I. Shit yeah that was a bad way to start a conversation. I’m just a really huge fan of all the stuff you like.” He said obviously embarrassed.

“Well if you’d like to share your opinions I’d be happy to listen.” I laugh. “Just as long as you promise you’re not a creepy stalker dude.”

He smiled, “I promise I’m not a creepy stalker dude. Scouts honor.” He says saluting.

We walked over to a bench on the sidewalk facing a cute little park and began talking. Nearly an hour later I checked my phone to see it was nearing 5 o’clock. The sun had begun to set and the air was beginning to chill.

“This has been wicked entertaining but I should probably be getting home, it’s starting to get dark.” I say swinging my bag over my shoulder and standing up.

“Oh yeah, I guess so.” He said sounding disappointed. “Um, would you maybe like to get coffee tomorrow? We can finish our conversation?” He stood up next to me.

“I don’t think I should,” I sigh. “It’s not you, I just can’t really be doing this right now.”

“Oh, sorry, I just thought we got on really well, but obviously if you don’t think so I totally understand.” He turned to face the street.

I did really like talking to him. We had the same views about basically everything: music, movies, tv shows, religion, politics, everything. I did think we clicked really well, maybe I could just try it and see what happens?

“Why couldn’t you have bumped into me literally 2 weeks ago?!” I huff.

Obviously confused he looked back towards me. “What? Why does that matter?”

“Well, I would definitely say yes if it were under different circumstances, but my resolution this year is to give up on romantic relationships…so if you’d like to wait around for a year and then bump into me again, I would 100%, positively, absolutely say yes to coffee, but until then, I have to say no…sorry.” I say starting to fiddle with the rings on my fingers.

He let out a small laugh, “Ok, well I guess you’ll just have to be stuck being my friend for a year and then we’ll see where it goes,” He said with a smirk, “If that’s ok with you, obviously.”

“No, no. I’m just having a me year. I always go back on promises I make to myself just to make other people happy and I know if we’re gonna be all buddy buddy this year something is going to happen.” I say turning away from him.

He grabs my arm, turning me to face him again, “And why would you think something would happen?” His smile spreading across his face again.

“Oh, don’t act like you don’t know how attractive you are. Arrogance is not a good trait to have,” I say rolling my eyes at him, “And besides, I need to spend most of my time working while I’m here and I won’t have time for friends.”

“So, you’ve come to London to discover yourself by working 24/7? That doesn’t sound very productive.” He says laughing.

Smiling at him I reply, “Obviously I’m not just going to be working. I’m actually legal to drink here so I’ll be spending most of my nights drunk so I can forget how lonely and miserable I am.”

His face turns slightly more serious, “Well at least get drunk with people you can trust. You never know what creeps are just waiting for lonely girls to get a little too drunk.”

“And you’re assuming I’m going to trust you?” I laugh at him.

He gives me a slightly embarrassed look, “Well we have been chatting for over an hour so I’d hope you trust me a little bit. Just come to this club at 10 p.m. tonight if you get tired of being lonely, ok?” He says, handing me a business card.

Taking a look at the business card for a club called “Cargo” I reply, “Thanks, I’ll think about it, but I should probably get situated in my apartment before I go out clubbing.” I turn the card over and see there’s a scribbled phone number on the back.

“Well if you change your mind,” He says pointing to the number, “Just text me and I’ll come let you in.” He smiles.

I toothlessly grin back at him, “Ok, I will, but I’d better go or I’ll have to walk home in the dark and I already have no idea where I’m going. Bye, thank you!” I say turning and walking away.

Catching my arm again with a smirk he mumbles, “I still don’t know your name love, and I won’t be able to get you into a club without knowing your name.”

I’ll never be able to get over how amazing British accents are, especially when the person attached to it calls me ‘love’. How could I forget the most basic part of meeting a new person?

Blushing ferociously at my stupidity I reply, “Oh god yeah sorry. Elle. My name’s Elle. It was nice meeting you…?”

“Harry.” He says.

“It was nice meeting you Harry.” I say smiling before turning around and walking home.

Notes

Sooooo this is my first story!! Let me know if you guys like it (if anyone actually reads it).