Stay

Tuesday Morning
August 15, 2017

Dr. Simone was tapping her pencil again. She only tapped her pencil when my mother called, which meant that I was in for another lecture. I had been convinced that at 22 my mother would stop butting into my life from her sterile Belgian penthouse apartment but alas I was sadly mistaken.

"So Piper do you have anything you wish to discuss?"

Knowing very well I didn't she started into a talk about how I needed to be more responsible and actually talk to people (ie. my parents) while I just sat in silence. The therapy had been more of a coercion than a choice my mother threatening to sell my 67 corvette, that I couldn't afford to keep in London, if I didn't attend. So I spent 8am to 9am every Tuesday morning sitting in a more than relaxing lounge chair in total silence.

Dr. Simone was a plump woman in her mid fifties with cat frames and a knack for sticking her nose where it didn't belong. But apparently she was an old college friend of my mothers and with her nose for trouble that meant the weekly lecture in a voice that was shrill enough to give you a headache.

"Well I think that's all we have time for today Piper and please call your mother with all your father's traveling you'd think that she would understand time change by now but she called me up at 3am the other morning to tell me that she had the deepest suspicion that you haven't been sleeping enough."

Rousing me from what had been beginning to be a quite lovely doze I just gave Dr. Simone another nod. Nods and the occasional 'mhhhmmmm' were all it took to make her think I was listening. Grabbing my purse from the back of the chair I didn't make much of formalities just gave the secretary a smile on the way out.

The only benefit of therapy was the fact that it sat across from the best cappuccino I'd found so far in London. I had always discounted the British and their tea as a stereotype until I'd asked a local about coffee and they'd directed me to Starbucks. Thankfully I'd eventually found actual coffee in the three weeks since, with the added benefit of the barista being beyond cute.

"Just the usual Jeremy." I stated with a smile as I slid into the only counter seat left.

"Always on time Pipes, will you ever tell me why on earth you go traipsing halfway across London for coffee?"

"Because I'm American of course."

I'd met Jeremy by chance at a dinner party my parents forced me to attend in year 11 and being the only teenagers scrubbed, pampered and forced into ridiculous dinner-wear was quite the bonding experience. Getting reaquainted had just had the added benefit of finding Rosie's and coffee.

"So you know how Liz is always going on about going on a double date well one of my mates just got back into town and you know anything to keep the girl happy any chance you would be our fourth?"

He must have seen the look I gave him because Jeremy held the freshly brewed mug just out of reach while giving me his damned puppy eyes. Jeremy knew that I wasn't planning on dating while in London, the 18 month internship needing all of my spare time, but considering he'd set me up with a flat, and a group of friends he knew I couldn't particularly refuse.

"Oh when is it?" I conceded before gesturing for my cappuccino.

"Saturday Night so it doesn't interfere with your little 'mixer,' here you go."

Taking a sip of my cappuccino I knew with certainty that Jeremy had fully presupposed my answer or else he never would have fit it around my work schedule. Imperical had organized what was essentially a cocktail party for all of the staff an interns before we were supposed to go to work Monday. It was an event I also hadn't yet found a date to.

"Do you think Charlie would go to the party with me?" I asked aloud.

Jeremy turned to me with an incredulous look on his face, "Charlie?"

"What?"

"He's twenty and Liz's brother."

I just shrugged finishing the rest of my drink. There weren't that many people I knew in London yet with the exception of Jeremy, Liz and her family so my pickings were slim. Sliding my drink payment across the counter I gave Jeremy another smile.

"A bientôt."

"You aren't staying to meet Harry he should be here any minute."

I just turned in the door and shook my head.

"I'll meet him Saturday, I have to finish moving into your girlfriend's flat."

Notes

Welcome to Stay, (it is very much a working title if anyone has any suggestions :P)

This is a story that I've been working on for quite a while because you know what they say: write what you know. Much of Piper's backstory is very similar to mine but unfortunately London is a city that I never lived in so apologies for the inaccuracies. I know Harry wasn't in this chapter but he shows up soon I promise.

For face claims Piper is played by the gorgeous Amanda Seyfried:



And Jeremy her old friend is played by the ever attractive Darren Criss


I hope to update this at least once a week it'll really depend on the response I get. Anyways happy reading y'all and leave me a comment if you liked it :)

Til next time lovelies,
Abby