Our Story

@ XxLithiumWingsxX
Rain stepped off the bus and pulled her bag off the last step as the door closed behind her. She looked up at the stange city and she bit her lip trying not to cry. Rain was all alone and she knew little about the country. She spoke english but her french accent was obvious. Rain put a hand on her belly as it growled and she frowned and looked around. She needed a job first then she could think about food. Rain walked down the street and saw a green building with a red door. She smiled and headed to the door opening it up. Rain walked in and smiled seeing a abar. She had been a bar tender in France for the four years she had lived there during college before she took her job at the internship. It would be good to work again somewhere lively. Rain walked up to the bar. "Excuse me." Rain said in her thick accent as she looked at the man behind the bar with the dark hair. When he turned she swollowed hard feeling paralized by his blue eyes. She smiled a dazeling but shy smile. Rain looked back up at him speechless.

Oliver took off his lab coat and hung it up. He was a cemical engineer looking for alternative fuel sources and applications in a new model for one of the largest automotive company in the world. He sighed as he got out of the office. Great pay, great hours and honestly the work wasn't that bad but he was still always glad to get out of work. He headed down the the little cafe he loved and walked in hearing the local band. Oliver walked up to the barista and smiled at her. "My usual Jenny." He said and she nodded. He handed her a 10 and then leaned against the counter smiling at the gental song. They found good talent every time and he didn't know how they did it. He wanted to be part of that buisness but he didn't know if he had what it took.

@ Jinxling

It was a slow night at the bar as Matthew watched his last customer leave behind a crappy tip. Although, he wasn't surprised that it had been a slow night with the weather. Who would want to go out in the pouring rain? He gave a slight sigh before cleaning up the empty beer glasses and napkins that had been left over. The job paid the bills and that was all that really mattered. Matthew turned to place the glasses into the washer behind the bar but heard the sound of the door opening. Hearing a female's voice, he turned to see a stunning girl, rather, woman with striking blue eyes and silky brown hair. Her French accent was prevalent in the two words she spoke. He gave her a smile. It wasn't every day a beautiful foreign woman walked into their bar,"Yes, can I get you something to drink?"

--

Heather gave a frustrated groan and ran her fingers through her hair. Her boss never seemed to be the slightest bit satisfied with her work. The stress and the pressure were only building upon her shoulders. She should have left the office an hour ago but she was stuck redoing a report because too many details were missing. After another moment of staring blankly at her screen, she finally said as she stood,"Screw it." Her boss could yell at her later but she needed some relaxation and coffee. Heather knew of a great cafe that was just down the street and one of their well-known cappuccinos would really hit the spot. Her heels clicked lightly against the pavement as she walked before arriving in front of the shop. It was apparent that she had had a rough day in the office just from the look on her face. "A cappuccino, please." She asked the barista before fishing out five dollars from her wallet. With the drink finally in her hand, she breathed in the smell of coffee grinds and relished in the soft jazz that played in the background.

@ XxLithiumWingsxX
Rain blushed. "Actually I was wondering if I could fill out an aplication. I don't have a resume with me but honestly I can do anything. I was serving for four years a couple years ago." Her bellt grumbled and she turned a few shades of red looking down. "I've worked in a tavern like this before too. I'm a great waitress. Please just give me a trial basis." She said looking back at him bitting her lip. Rain looked down then up realizing she must be rambling and look like a desperate mess. "I'm sorry I just came into town and this place was open." Rain rubbed her arm shivering slightly not realizing she was soaked through and through from the rain. She felt foolish now and really wish he would stop her from talking and making a fool of herself. She suddenly realized he was closing and she would need to leave and find a place to sleep. Rain knew this would be hard butshe had no idea it would be this hard.

Oliver had picked up his coffee and a scone. He was sitting at a table. The place was pretty crowded. He smiled as he sipped at his drink taking a bite off his food. Oliver smiled liftening to the twirling of the notes. He looked up to see an angel looking for a place to sit. She looked tired and in those heels he couldn't blame her. "Uhh I have a seat open if you don't mind joining me." Oliver smiled and stood pulling out thechair offering it to her. "My name is Oliver." He said and offered a hand to introduce himself. He looked at her beautiful but tired eyes and wanted to bring a spark to them, to make her smile. Oliver kept his hand on the chair the other gently clasped her hand gently as her hand slipped into his.

@ Jinxling

He quietly listened as she pleaded her case but he wasn't the one to make those decisions. Matthew was merely a bartender and couldn't hand out jobs to people; his boss would kill him. He really wished he could help though. It also appeared that the manager had stepped out for the night due to some personal issues so he wasn't in either. Perhaps she could find another bar before they all closed. Matthew went to answer her question but she continued on about needing a job. She was nervous so it was understandable. Once she finally finished speaking, he gave her an apologetic smile,"I am sorry, ma'am, but I can't give you a job... That would be the manager's job but he isn't in at the moment." Matthew felt horrible as he turned her away, seeing her shiver slightly. He looked around at the dead bar, and knew that he had to close up for the night but couldn't send the poor lady back out into the rain. He couldn't give her a job, but he could give her a place to stay, "Miss... I know this may come off wrong but you could stay with me until you find a job. I promise that I won't do anything inappropriate. My roommate moved out so I have an extra room unoccupied. You are welcome to stay in it."

--

Her moment was short lived as there was no proper place to sit. The whole entire cafe had been occupied by other people who seemed to need the break just as much as she did. Heather's feet were starting to ache from standing but no one wanted to give up their spot. She wandered around and was just about to leave the cafe before someone called out to her. Oh, thank god.Heather thought as a man offered her the seat opposite from him. "No, no, I don't mind. Thank you very much. I was upset for a moment that I had to go home." She admitted before taking the spot. Heather sighed as she sat down and relaxed her body. Drinking her cappuccino, she looked over at the band before realizing that he had been introducing himself. "Oh, nice to meet you. My name is Heather." She greeted before reaching over to shake his hand. He was definitely more friendly than other people she had shared tables with.

@ XxLithiumWingsxX
Rain felt her eyes ttearing upl but when he offered her a place to stay she bit her lip listening to his claims. Honestly it wasn't much more danderous to go to his place than to sleep on the streets. Rain nodded. "I would be most obliged." She said and looked around. She honestly wondered why he was closing up so late if he wasn't the manager. Rain had gotten lucky she presumed. She looked at what he had left to do that night. "Can I give you a hand?" She asked atleast wanting to help in some way. It was the least she could do with him offering to let her stay at his place. Rain also kind of wanted an excuse to take off her wet jacket.

Oliver smiled and sat down. "It would have been a shame for you not to be able to listen to this music and drink your coffee." He said and smiled taking a bite of his food then a sip of his coffee to chase it down. Oliver looked at her hen back at the band. "They are good." He said after a while. He relaxed though some how wished he could start up a conversation with her. He just wants that great with talking to women that looked like hey just fell from heaven. He ran his hand through his hair subconciously. It was a nice day out maybe a little nippy but nice enough to take a walk. He smiled hoping that today was his lucky day and it sure was starting to look like it.

@ Jinxling

For a moment, he had thought that she had been offended as her eyes welled up with tears. Matthew was about to take back his words before she accepted the offer and he exhaled in relief. The last thing he needed to do was offend someone, especially the pretty miss. Looking around the bar, he sighed since there was still a lot of work to be done before he could close up the bar: cleaning the floors, counting the money, etc. "That would be great. Do you mind wiping down the tables?" Matthew asked her to start off before he turned to put the empty glasses into the washer. He glanced under the bar before spotting the cleaning supplies and bringing them onto the counter,"Here you go, miss. Oh, I never caught your name. I'm Matthew." It had been rude of him since he hadn't introduced himself earlier.

--

Heather nodded in agreement since it would have been a shame for her to miss out on the atmosphere of the cafe. Resting her cheek in the palm of her hand, she silently agreed, unable to take her eyes off of the band for a moment,"Yes, it's really relaxing." She took in a sip of her cappuccino before moving her attention to Oliver. It would have been rude to ignore the man who had offered her a seat. With him sitting down, she was finally able to take a proper look at him among the commotion that surrounded them. They seemed to be around the same age but something about Oliver told her there was more behind the smile. "Why are you here today? If you don't mind my asking." She started off.

@ XxLithiumWingsxX
Rain nodded and slipped off her jacket pulling her hair back. She pulled a hair tie out of her pocket and tied her hair back. "It's nice to meet you Mattew. My name is Elize but please call me Rain." She said and sook his hand. She was soft but even in her softness she was strong. Rain then grabbed the cleaner leaving her bag by the bar and moved over starting to clean off tablss and chairs putting the chairs upon the table before moving to the next. She was quick but efficient. She hummed lightly a french lullaby as she worked. Rain smiled as she finished. "Where's you're broom?" She asked looking up at him sweetly. She was gglad to be doing something.

Oliver smiled and shrugged. "I come in every day after work and stay if I like the music." He said and smiled. Oliver lookedat her. "What about you?" He asked. Oliver sipped his coffee. She pribably didn't want to talk. She looked like she had a hardyday. He felt bad wanting to talk when she rather relax but he might only get this one chance to make a good impression on this angel. He wanted to use some korny lone but decided she was worth more effort than that. He smiled softly looking at thee band a moment before meeting her eyes again.

@ Jinxling

"Okay. Rain, then." He concluded with a small smile on his face as the washer finished up and he started to dry the glasses. Although, he did wonder why she preferred Rain but knew that he probably wasn't in the right position to question. Matthew looked around the room once more before spotting the broom in the corner by the end tables. "It is over there." He gave a jerk of his chin since his hands were too preoccupied to actually gesture. He was pretty impressed with how fast she worked since most of the employees just lazed about. As he finished up with the glasses, he started to place them onto their appropriate racks and shelves. "I don't think I've ever seen someone so glad to be working," Matthew commented as he silently obversed her going about the room.

--

Although he said he came in every day after work, she never remembered seeing him around before. "I just... needed a break. My boss has been driving me crazy so I needed to go to some place where I knew that I could enjoy myself," Heather told him trying to push out the fact that she would probably be yelled at the next day for not rewriting the report. Her boss was practically a slave driver. Looking over at him, she noticed thought that look he was giving her was probably full of sympathy. "It's okay though.. A job's a job, right?" Heather gave a slight laugh as she looked down at her cup and rubbed her thumb lightly against the side.

@ XxLithiumWingsxX
Rain smiled and picked up the broom and started to sweep. "Well then you haven't met someone desperate enough. Or someone trying to make a good impression." She smirked an adorable lopsided little grin that left a playful little glint in her eyes. She lifted her bag to seep underneath and then set it down as she continued. "So if you're not the owner, and you're not the manager, you can't be just a bar tender, you have to many responsibilities. "Plus if you where just a worker you would be upset rather than impressed by my working skills. So shift manager?" she asked grinning. Rain pushed at a stay piece of hair that escaped the loose tie in her hair. Rain smiled as she set the broom aside looking around a little more for the mop. She stopped and leaned against the wall making a face putting a hand to her head. She took in a sharp breath. "You wouldn't happen to have a bottle of water behind there would you?" she asked and bit her lip needing something in her belly. Rain was feeling dizzy. She really didn't want to be a bother and make him dirty a glass for her though.

"Naw a job is made by the people you work with and in your case broken by them. I know my job can be great but really the people there are so boring I feel bad for their spouses." he chuckled. Oliver looked at his coffee not wanting the cup to become empty. No he wanted to sit and talk to her. So he too played with the outside of his cup. "What do you do anyways?" Oliver smiled and looked up from his cup. She made him grin like a fool. He couldn't stop and didn't want to if he could. Oliver didn't really want to say what he did because most people heard his title and thought boring but if they knew anything about chemistry it really wasn't.

@ Jinxling

He shrugged his shoulders slightly,"I suppose so." Matthew finished cleaning up the counter of the bar before taking inventory of everything the bar had. It seemed like they were running low on some whisky so he made a note for the manager. He came out from behind the bar to help Rain out with the floor and gave an amused smile. Was it really that hard to believe that he was merely a bartender? "No, I am just a bartender...with a lot of responsibilities. I can assure you. The manager trusts me because I've been here a long time." Matthew explained as he went to stack the chairs on top of the tables but paused seeing her wobble a little. He furrowed his eyebrows as he walked over to her and placed a hand onto her shoulder. "Hey, don't push yourself. Why don't you sit down? There's only a little more left. I can get you some water." He was more concerned about her health than getting help from her.

--

"What do you do?" She asked before taking another sip of her cappuccino. She was interested in what type of work he did. Although, she did think that his comment was a little harsh. Maybe his coworkers were different outside of work but he would never know that. Heather glanced over at the band as they seemed to be finished with a set and decided to take a break. It was a bit odd with the jazz music gone but the barista did turn on the radio to supplement. "I work at the office down the street as a project manager. It can get kind of stressful." She lightly laughed since most people quit the job within a few weeks solely due to the stress.

@ XxLithiumWingsxX
Rain winced at his touch but after a steadying breath she nodded. "Yeah you're right." she said and went to take a step and felt her knees buckle slightly. She grabbed his arm. "Sorry." she said and smiled straightening and walking over to a stool and sitting putting her head in her hands. She hadn't realized not eating for three days could really mess her up. She yawned slightly though she should be fully awake. The time difference from Europe to America was quite substantial. Rain sighed and ran a hand through her hair as she pulled out the tie. "Sorry I guess the traveling kind of has caught up with me." she said. Rain bit her lip and smiled softly though it didn't reach her eyes. "So Matthew just the bartender, how long have you worked here?" she asked smiling as he handed her a bottle of water. She thanked him quietly and opened it up and took a long drink feeling it hitting the bottom of her empty belly. Rain wished she had stayed bar tending. It had been a simple life, at least you knew who the losers where.

Oliver mumbled out his job title though was much more interested in her job. He wondered what exactly people with her job did. "Well you don't look like a quitter to me." he said. "I bet you'll give them a run for their money." Oliver smiled and clapped for the end of the last jazz song. He sighed. It was a pity the live music stopped. This was about the time he left and headed back to his empty house. Oliver didn't want to leave yet. He wanted to know more about Heather. She was kind and smart he knew this. Oliver knew he probably came off as a snob or worse a player. First impressions weren't his thing. He tended to ramble and say all the wrong things and that alone usually made women run as fast as they could in the other direction but one day maybe the right one would look past that and see he really was the kind to stick around. Oliver finished his coffee but didn't say a word about it.

@ Jinxling

Removing his hand from her shoulder, he gave her some space to make it to one of the chairs but held out his arms as her knees buckled afraid that she might fall. "It's okay. Are you sure that you are alright? Are you sick?" Matthew questioned. It wouldn't be surprising considering she had walked inside of the bar completely drenched from the rain. He shook his head since it wasn't something that she should be apologizing for,"Don't apologize. Just take better care of your body." Once she was finally seated, he went to go get her water and came back with a bottle. After delivering the bottle, he picked up where she had left off with cleaning. Somehow, she had managed to clean up half the bar by herself in record timing. "I think this will be my sixth year bartending at this bar. It's been a long time.." He said taking a minute to reminisce in memories before continuing on. "What brings you to America?" Matthew questioning asked thinking that it would only be fair since she had been asking him some questions.

--

His job seemed to definitely be more fancy than hers; the only thing she knew was that you had to be smart. "Really? I hear that it's a difficult job." Heather commented as she thought that he was probably thinking that her job was a bore. "Well, thank you. One of these days, I will get my boss to not complain about something that I do." She said with mock confidence in her voice before laughing. It had been a long time she had enjoyed a conversation with a random stranger. Today, people always seemed to be too absorbed with their own tasks to worry about talking to another people. Oliver didn't seem to be a bad person. She finished up with her cup of cappuccino before glancing down at her watch. It was probably time for her to get back home since she still needed to go grocery shopping and make dinner. "I hate to do this since we have a nice conversation going but I really have to go. I have some errands that I have to do." Heather said in an apologetic tone as she started to stand up.

@ XxLithiumWingsxX
"No I'm not sick just tired is all." Rain said trying not to make her problems his. She winced slightly when he told her to take better careof herself. She was trying to but it was hard. She smiled watching him as he mopped and reminisced. Rain smiked as he talked. She bit her lip sudeenly looking like a scared rabbit as he asked her about being here. She looked st the door taking a drink and looked down thinking of what to say as she slowly relaxed seeming as if she was forcing it. Rain had to remind herself that she was free and to calm down. "Uhh how do you say..." she bit her lip. It was a beautiful shade of red as she let it go. "Starting over? I think that is what I mean." She said glad that being a foreigner here would help her to not raise some susspition. Rain looked up and smiled a shy smile a light blush on her cheeks. Rain finished the water and sighed laying her head on the bar. That helped some but she was still hungy and tired. Rain would deal with it and not burden this man anymore then she needed.

Oliver smiled. "Difficult... hmm your the first to use that discription." He grinned as he listened to her. He chuckled. "I honestly believe you will make your boss see your good work." He said and watched as she finished her drink. Oliver tried not to frown as she said she had to go. "It was nice talking to you." He said smiling, standing as she stood. He offered his hand to her in a good bye shake. It was short but then he watched her turn to go. "Heather." He liked he sound of her name on his lips as he called out to stop her as she had only moved a few steps. "Since it's to soon for a stranger to ask for your number prehaps I can suggest an accidental bump. Maybe next week I happen to come in like normal around the same time, and prehaps you happen to stop by.... maybe we can share a table again." Oliver said and smiled softtly his eyes hopeful.

@ Jinxling

Matthew glanced over at her not completely sure he could believe her statement; she looked as pale as a ghost. "I see." He nodded along knowing that many people did travel from places to have a new start at a new life. Why she needed to come to America wasn't his business. "Well, I hope you get your fresh start." He told her as he finished sweeping the floors and went behind the cash register to count the money. It would definitely be a problem if there was some money missing from the register. None of the waiters/waitresses had to the guts/nerve to take anything, luckily, so the amount was there. "Let's get you back to my place. You need to take a warm shower. You're shivering." Matthew said as he gave her his coat before taking out the umbrella to shield them from the rain. Opening the door, he gestured for her to go first,"After you, Rain."

--

She was surprised to hear that she had been the first to say that. What other characteristic could possibly be describe it? Giving him a smile, Heather started to put on her coat and pulled her hair through so it pooled around her shoulders. "Yes. It was nice talking to you." She reached out to give his hand a quick shake before grabbing her bag. Maybe she would see him around again. Heather gave a small wave and turned to leave. Although, she only made it a few steps before hearing her name being called by Oliver. She turned to glance behind her wondering if she had forgotten to grab something. "Perhaps then." Heather responded leaving everything up to chance. She turned for the final time and left the cafe. Walking down the street, she rummaged around her bag and found her keys for her car before driving to the grocery store.

@ XxLithiumWingsxX
Rain smiled and thanked him both for his kind words, acts and his jacket. She slipped it on gathering her things then moved to his side walking out with him. To stay dry she had to move close to him. Rain looked up at Matthew and smiled as he locked up. She kept her bag close to her as hey walked in the night in the rain. She looked back down at the ground to be sure she wasn't walking into a puddle. Rain moved with grace despite being a little shakey still from the lack of food and the shivering from her wet undergarments. She hadn't thought she had been in the rain that much but she guessed she had been.

Oliver bit his lip watching her go hoping she would come back next week. She didn't seem to get he was asking her to come back next week to see him but maybe she did. He sighed and then headed out. Oliver headed tto his car and made the 10 minute drive home. He could technically bike to work but then his cloths would be messed up and unprofessional. Oliver sighed as he got home and tossed his keys on the table.

@ Jinxling

He locked the door behind him before popping open the umbrella for both of them. As he breathed out, he saw it dissipate before him and frowned since it definitely wasn't good for her to be out in the cold weather. Matthew hurried off to his car that was just parked a few streets away. Parking was always so difficult to find in the city. As they reached the car, he unlocked the doors and held it open for her to go inside. To him, this was standard procedure to treat a lady since is parents taught him how to be a perfect gentleman. Once she got inside, he hurried off to his side of the car and closed the umbrella before throwing it in the back of the car. "Alright, buckle up." He said as he pulled the seat belt across his chest before clicking it and starting the engine of the car. Luckily, his apartment wasn't far from the bar and they would be there in ten minutes. Matthew stepped on the gas peddle before driving back to his place.

--

Heather never liked food shopping it was something that seemed to be trivial. Sure, she knew that humans needed to eat food but it was just.. annoying, for lack of a better word. She had to take time out of her schedule to go and buy food instead of sitting in front of the television eating food and relaxing. As she pulled into the parking lot of the grocery store, she sighed hoping that it wouldn't take long. She went inside and grabbed the essential before leaving and driving back to her house. It had been a long day and she just needed dinner followed by a shower. That was really all she wanted. Lately, she had been feeling tired and wasn't quite sure if sleep was even helping anymore. It was probably nothing more than stress though. Heather put the groceries into the refrigerator before pulling out some pre-made salad. She sat in front of the television to watch the news as she munched on her greens before taking a shower and calling it a night.

@ XxLithiumWingsxX
Rain sat in the seat looking at her bag he had let her put in the back. She buckled up curling into his jacket. A shower sounded nice but a hot shower sounded even better. Rain smiled and looked over as he got in. "Matthew..." she was honestly joping she might be able to incovinence him for a peice of food. She would pay him back when she could. Rain just didn't know how to ask. She knew she seemed a little off but she had gone through situations that lead her to be extra precautions. Rain knew how not to aggravate people but not how to alsoo survive wuile doing it, well not survive well. She looked at his nice car though it was strange to see the driver side on the other side.

Oliver made dinner then sat at the table listening to music as he ate. He really was into music. The latest hits where his passion. Oliver cleaned up after dinner before going and working out. It felt good to be out going. He ran around the neighborhood a while brfore heading home to a shower. Oliver finally finished everything he did daily and sat down reading some. He knew his life was pretty mundane but at least it was something.

@ Jinxling

Matthew glanced over at her as she called out his name with slight unease,"Yes? Is there something that you need? Don't be afraid to ask." He wouldn't be upset with her request unless it was something that was completely outrageous. Matthew's goal was to make her feel as welcomed and comfortable as possible with him. As they stopped at a red light, he turned on the heat so that it would warm her up a little bit. He rubbed his hands together to create some warmth before returning them back to the wheel to start driving again. It wasn't long before they arrived at his apartment and he took his assigned parking space. Matthew reached back to get the umbrella before coming over to her side of the car and opening it for her.

--

As she laid down on her bed, Heather looked up at the ceiling finding herself unable to sleep. It was a bit odd that she had been completely exhausted but when it actually came time to sleep...she couldn't. She sat up in the bed before turning on the light with a sigh. This was her life. Heather glanced over at her bookshelf trying to find something that could keep her interest and pulled something that she had read numerous time. It was a classic for her. After about ten pages, she felt her eyes starting to droop, finally, and turned off the light. It took her about another five minutes to finally fall asleep.

@ XxLithiumWingsxX
Rain bit her lip looking down. "Can I have some bread before a shower?" She asked sfotly shivering with delight when the heater came on. She put her fingers up to the vents and sighed seeming to melt with releif as she finally got it all out. She had been wanting to ask for somehing to eat since he asked if she wanted a drink. Rain looked out the window as the car stopping in a parking spot. She frowned as the heater was cut off. She grinned as he came around and opened her door. Rain blushed as she stepped out. She looked up at him. Rain didn't know how he caused her cheeks to heat so much. It had been so long since a man had made her feel alive. She got her bag and moved with him to the front of the building.

Oliver went to bed after a long time and he lay there thinking over the day and smiling as ye thought of the pretty little girl, Heather thathe had met that day. Oliver sighed and closed his eyes. He had no idea how she could be so captivating to him. She had his attention and he didn't know how she got it. He was probably no more that a passing thought for her. He sighed and stretched rolling over hugging his pillow before looking at his clock and counting backwards falling asleep slowly.