Chapter Text
The ringing of a door opening was heard throughout the small bakery, and Wanderer peered out to see who it was. Two girls, no mistaking it was Mona and...a friend of hers? Mona was chatting with her, wearing her iconic starry earrings and her blue cardigan. The girl next to her had her hair in braids, and had a little crescent crotchet bag. No wonder they're chatting with each other, they both are into astronomy it seems. Mona came in her usual attire, that being boots, a choker, a crop top and a skirt with constellations on it like the astronomy freak she is. The girl next to her had (personally) cuter attire, with a headband with a ribbon, mary janes and a light blue sweater.
Mona adjusted her glasses, turning to look at the girl. "You really should get more sleep," She sighed, looking a bit concerned at her friend. "You're basically always falling asleep. Layla, please get some more sleep when you go home." She huffed, crossing her arms.
"Layla's her name, huh? She's..kind of cute..for an astronomy weirdo, I guess." Wanderer thought, watching the two approach him. Layla turned to her friend, heaving a heavy sigh as she spoke in a drowsy tone. "I will, I will..I just...ugh. University is hard, and I'm always staying up late to complete all my work." Wanderer took notice of this, thinking in his head."I dropped out of university.." He looked down at the floor for a moment, before looking back up to the two as they came to the counter. Mona cleared her throat, speaking first like how she usually does. "Ahem, I'd like one strawberry and blueberry tart." Layla just nodded, confirming. Wanderer wrote it down on a pad, ignoring the stare that Mona is giving him. Wanderer isn't all too happy about seeing his ex come into the bakery he works at, but it's not like she's here to start anything. Besides, it's been five years but they're both still not over it. He wasn't even a good person back then, so he's not too surprised about why Mona broke up with him.
"Anything else?" His eyes looked up at the two, waiting further response. "That-" Layla was cut off by her own yawn, and got a little nervous, "-will be all, thank you." She mumbled, and Mona just simply nodded. Wanderer turned around, going to fetch a strawberry and blueberry tart. The smell of the fruits was pleasant, taking his mind off Mona and Layla temporarily.
There was an obvious scent, drawing from the cinnamon rolls, éclairs and other pastries. Wanderer set down the two tarts, and looked up at the two girls as he spoke. "That will be six dollars."
Mona looked a little shocked, turning to Layla. "I uh...err...I..forgot my wallet. I hate to be a burden, but Layla..may you please pay this time?" She sighed heavily, looking a bit down about having to depend on someone else. Layla gave her a faint smile, agreeing to pay this time as she pulled out money from her bag. She set it down on the counter, making eye contact with Wanderer. "Here you go, thank you for the tarts." She spoke softly, with a hint of exhaustion in her voice. Wanderer blinked, and took the money. "Of course.." He mumbled, turning away from them as their footsteps became faint. His eyes slowly shifted to Layla, lingering on her for a while.
"Poor girl, she looks like she's on the verge of passing out." Wanderer thought, watching her leave. For a moment, she's all he could think about it. Realization hit him like a truck, and suddenly he called out. "Hey, Mona! Can I..talk to you real quick?" He got quieter as he spoke, not used to asking his ex such a question in recent years. Mona stopped and turned, looking at him with a raised eyebrow. She looked like she was going to tell him to screw off, but she just groaned and came forward to him. "What is it? What do you need from me?" She said, a little hint of pride in her voice. Wanderer hesitated a little, and then finally managed to cough up the words he wanted to say. "Your friend..I..I like her, I guess. I don't know. I feel stupid, my heart's melting. I want to get closer to her or something, so I wanted to ask you for help. Since..y'know..you're closest to her." He shrugged, rolling his eyes as if it wasn't a big deal to him. On the inside, he wanted to grow close enough to Layla to be her..boyfriend..maybe, possibly, perchance.
Mona looked bewildered, giving him the most 'what the hell' look he's seen on her face in a while. She let out a little gasp, unable to make her words she wanted to say to him come out. After a bit of time, glancing at Layla, and questioning his antics in her head..she finally spoke. "You want to WHAT?" Wanderer was startled by the tone she spoke in, clearly not all too pleased. Wanderer swallowed his pride, speaking with a soft tone. "Look, I know me and you had a rocky relationship. I know I was a terrible boyfriend, but I've changed. For the better? I guess. Main point is, I'll treat her well. I haven't felt this way in a while, and I know even if you're my ex you still have some contact with me. We don't hate each other completely, and I swear on whatever god there is..I won't mess up again." His last few words came out in a softer tone, his voice cracking a little. Mona glanced at Layla for a moment, thinking about if Wanderer really deserved Layla's love. Layla was calmly eating her blueberry tart, looking like she was about to fall asleep with that drowsy expression she always wears. Mona groaned, turning back to Wanderer and spoke in a quiet tone. "You better not screw this up. I really do hope you've gotten better over these five years. I'll call you when I arrive at home, your number has been collecting dust and cobwebs anyways." She huffed, turning around without waiting for a reply from him and going back down to sit with Layla.
Layla was pleased to see Mona again, happily exclaiming about how delicious the tart is. Wanderer watched them chatter, sighing as he looked off into the distance. He simply agreed in his head, and went back to working. Although he looked confident and cold outside, on the inside he was a little nervous about messing up again. He can't mess up again, it'd tear him apart.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
All that escaped from Wanderer was a whole lot of grumbling, mumbling and groaning. Wanderer was finally off work, and getting to go home. Which means— he has to call his ex for relationship advice with the sleepy girl.
"Hey, I'm going home." Wanderer called to his boss. His boss nodded, waving him goodbye as Wanderer parted with the bakery after a long work session. He took off his name tag, setting it down in the cup holder. Apron and hat were removed— and so was his blank face. The slightest smile was creeping on his face, although it didn't reach his ears. His finger lingered over the stereo. Wanderer often listens to rock in his car, usually because he's by himself. However, he pretended as if Layla was in the car with him and decided to turn to the r&b station instead.
He wasn't quite accustomed to the music that was playing, but if he wanted to date Layla he might as well get used to it. He doesn't even know if she likes this type of music. Wanderer is just assuming, hoping that she does and doesn't like something like country. As he drives home, he can feel thoughts beginning to swirl in his brain. What if she doesn't like him? What if she heard of his past, and now wants nothing to do with him? Mona probably blabbered about him to Layla, because she would do that. Wanderer groaned, shaking his head to get the thoughts out so he could focus on driving home.
Soon, he arrived to his humble abode. Wanderer soon exited his car, leaving for the door. Once he got inside, he took his phone out of his pocket. Glancing down at the screen, he saw Mona's number. It's been over five years since they've last called, so with a groan, he pressed to call...
"So you really do want her? Ah, I believe you'll get along with her— if you don't screw up again that is." This was no doubt Mona's usual personality. Wanderer could hear the faint tapping of her nails through the phone, although decided to not mention how it was annoying him. He sighed, sounding as casual as he could. "Look, I know I was a stupid fuck in the past. It won't happen again, and I want you to trust me— particularly with her. Mona, you don't know the things I'd do." After Wanderer finished that sentence, he thought that he sounded maybe a little too desperate. Mona sounded convinced though, as she made a sound of acknowledgement.
"You know, she actually mentioned you. Yeah, she mentioned you as we left. Surprising, I know...but— she said you're attractive, but thinks you'll reject her. I had to comfort Layla and tell her there's a chance." Surprisingly, Mona didn't throw any shade in that sentence. Wanderer was shocked to hear this. "Layla, thinking about me? I can't believe it. Maybe I do have a chance after all. I gotta work on myself for her." Wanderer nodded, writing down some things on a nearby notepad as he listened to this astrology freak. The sounds of the pencil against the notepad excited Wanderer as he continued to write. "You got any ideas of how I can get closer to her?" He spoke while writing. Mona sighed, and it was obvious she was rolling her eyes. Although she doubted him in his head, she might as well attempt to help him.
"I have a plan, I just hope you can follow through."