Original Love

Erica’s POV:

The rows and rows of supplies seemed to be endless as Erica stared trying to decided what to do. This seemed to always happen when she was at a art supply store and it was frustrating because no matter how many times she told herself exactly what to get and then walked in and wanted to get so many other things too. It was one of the horrible curses to being an artist and she only allowed herself to go into stores like these when it was completely necessary. And unfortunately, the reason she was in there was a necessity. She had filled up her last sketch book the night before and she knew that she wasn’t going to be able to focus on anything else until she got a new one and had the comfort in the fact that she had it in case she needed to draw on the spot to get rid of all these confusing thoughts in her head.

It had been nearly a week since she had last called her mom, and since she changed her number and got a new driver’s license to officially state that she was a citizen on Baltimore. But even though she should feel happy that she accomplished such things, her heart was still torn. Even though her mother and her never really got along, she was still her mom and it was hard to cut off all ties with her family. No matter how much she really didn’t like to be around them. She was still going to miss them. But slowly but surely, and three sketchbooks afterward, she was beginning to let go of things and move on.

In the middle of her struggle to decide on which brand is better, she saw someone also walk down the aisle, standing a few feet away from her with the same expression on her face. When they made eye contact, Erica blushed at staring at the girl but the girl just smiled widely and stepped a few feet closer and pulled a pack of drawing pencils from the shelf.

“I always hate coming to these stores,” the girl said as she pushed her blonde hair away from her face. “I end up always leaving with more than I planned.”

“I can relate all I needed was a sketchbook and an eraser but now as you can see I found more than that.” Erica replied with a laugh as she gestured to her basket in hand.

The girl’s eyes sparkled as she looked up from examining her basket, “you have a southern accent! That’s so awesome! Where are you from? I’m from Oklahoma but moved here about three years ago.”

Erica smiled as she caught on to the slight southern accent the blonde girl had and had the familiar southern belle look to her. She had the long blonde hair that had a slight curl at the end and the innocent bright blue eyes and a pretty floral patterned skirt and cute shirt and of course the cowboy boots also. Now she was a little disappointed in herself for not realizing sooner. But she couldn’t help but instantly like the girl since they were both southern girls and made the ache for home a little duller.

“Texas, I just moved here about a month ago.”

“Aw, you’re so new to here! I’m Cassie by the way, totally forgot to mention that. I’m a little scattered at times. What kind of artist are you?”

“It’s nice to meet you, I’m Erica. And I draw and take pictures too. That’s actually what I do, photography. I’ve actually managed a few shoots since I’ve gotten here. At first the plan was to get a random job but somehow landed a few photo shoots and decided to stick with it? What about you?”

She couldn’t believe she was opening up this easily to someone else. Usually it took her much longer to do so but there was something about Cassie that made her feel at ease and that it was ok to open up to people. It had even taken her a few months to fully trust and open up to Tony. But here it was so different and she really liked this new Erica that was appearing.

Cassie smiled wider, “Oh that’s so cool! I actually draw and paint mostly. I’ve tried to do photography but I can never understand how the darn camera works. Though I only paint for fun, I’ve never really made it my career yet, but I do want to someday. I work at the coffee shop down the street actually. It’s this funky little place that used to be a church then the owners turned it into a coffee shop? I don’t know if you’ve heard about it. It’s not that well known but it’s so great! You should stop by sometime!”

“No actually I’ve already been there! It’s s great! This guy I met invited me to get coffee with him and that’s where we met up. It’s an awesome little place! I was planning on going to grab something to drink after I finally decided on what to get here.”

Cassie started laughing at that, “That’s funny; I’m actually making a stop quick before my shift there. Funny how these things work!”

Erica couldn’t help but agree. First meeting Jack at the grocery store and then getting hired for his shoot at Glamour Kills and now this? Meeting a quirky girl from the south who happens to also be an artist and work at her favorite coffee shop? Fate has a funny way of bringing people together and she was really beginning to realize how good the idea to move to Baltimore was turning out. She had been worried about choosing here to move but fate was showing that it had been a really good idea. It was funny how well life was turning around for her.

And that’s how she found herself agreeing to Cassie’s plan to go to the coffee shop together and talk some more before the other girls shift. They continued to talk as they both finally decided on their supplies and then headed to the checkouts. Then once they were outside, got into their cars and headed to the coffee shop and then Erica found herself at a table with Cassie across from her while both of them had a steaming cup of coffee in front of them as they continued to talk.

Erica honestly couldn’t remember the last time she felt so relaxed while talking with a friend. Sure they only knew each other for two hours at the most but she could defiantly see herself becoming close friends with the other girls. She was so easy to talk to and didn’t give her judging looks as she told her about herself and what her interests were. They actually had a lot in common besides being from the south and both loving art. And when Cassie announced she needed to go since her shift was beginning Erica tired to keep the frown from her face. But Cassie quickly reassured her that it usually didn’t get busy during that time and that if she wanted to she could stick around and continue their conversation when Cassie had some free time when she wasn’t too busy.

She quickly agreed and silently thanked herself for deciding to bring her laptop and camera with her when she had left her apartment earlier that day. She had been meaning to go through the photos on it and organize and send the ones to the person who hired her a few days ago. They weren’t late but they would be if she didn’t start going through and photo shopping and fixing the ones that needed it. She had promised them to the guy by the end of the week which would be in exactly two days so she had better get going on them now.

Running out to her car, Erica reappeared inside the coffee shop moments later and began setting her things up. She didn’t bother putting her own music on since the music playing through the speakers was actually exactly what she liked. And it was unusual since she had such a strange taste in music that she hardly ever liked anything that was playing in public places. But this place was different, and was one of the many reasons she loved it so much. Although the top reason for loving it so much was because Jack had first told her about it. The boy was still on her mind at all times and loved it when they randomly talked on the phone or texted throughout the day trying to plan the next time they could meet up. But seemed to be difficult since he was preparing to go back on tour and he had so much to do. Although he did promise to meet at least once more before he left for England and to talk as much as possible when he was away.

“I know that look anywhere,” Cassie said suddenly making Erica jump. “You were thinking about a boy! Now c’mon tell me everything!”

Erica blushed and shook her head trying to play it off as no big deal. But when she caught sight of the familiar face smiling at her on her computer screen she just blushed more.

“It’s nothing.” She mumbled making Cassie roll her eyes.

“Honey, I’ve seen my fair share of people with love struck looks on their faces and let me tell you darling you’ve got it worst!”

Erica had just been taking a sip of her coffee when she all but choked on it and quickly set the cup down before she spilled it and tired to get her breath back. Love!? How could she possibly already look like she was in love when she had known Jack for a total of a month? They were nothing more than friends at that point and they hadn’t even discussed the possibility of a relationship yet even though she would be willing to. Just not yet that is.

She tried to play it off as nothing again but Cassie just wasn’t buying it. “Either spill or I go through your phone and find out for myself.”

Erica was about to reply that she didn’t even have her phone on her when Cassie smirked and wiggled the device in her hand. How had she even gotten it off the table without her even knowing? She was beginning to understand just how much she had underestimated the girl and was going to have to keep an eye on her from now on. But she knew that she needed to keep the other girl away from her phone or she would make the thing, whatever that thing really was, between her and Jack bigger than it seemed. All they were was friends at that point. But even if she barely knew the girl, she would make a huge deal out of it.

But should she really tell Cassie about Jack? She had already spilled her heart out about some things, making her vulnerable and more honest with a stranger than she ever had been before. Hell, she was more honest with Cassie than she was with Jack and she had known the boy for longer than Cass. But for some reason, something was telling her just to do it. To just open up and stop bottling things up and keeping them to herself like she had done her whole life. That it was time to trust others and ask for advice and not be so damn stubborn all the time. Maybe it was time to do so.

So she did, telling Cassie not to jump to conclusions or to make it a bigger deal than it was and not to interrupt her until she was done. The other girl agreed and Erica took a deep breath before she began explaining, praying that this wasn’t a bad decision.