So... this is the birthday one-shot I promised to Rachel, for her 14th birthday! A Nick one, just 'cuz he's her favorite. Happy bithday! And also, please don't steal the song; even though I wrote it in like... 5 minutes, I still take credit for it.
Dedicated to the birthday girl!
Find Her Heart
Rachel sighed, her eyes riveted on the puff of hot air that escaped from her mouth. Once again, it was snowing in New York City. And as always, she didn’t have any proper clothing.
Like any other day, the seventeen-year-old was headed to a small café, where the woman who owned the place was nice enough to give her a job producing some music for entertaining the guests. The pay wasn’t great, but all the meals were provided, and it was a haven against the cold.
The café door chimed when she pushed it, the chilly December winds rushing into the warm room as she stepped inside.
“Hello, Rachel,” the owner called from behind the coffee bar.
“Hi Gwen,” she said, smiling despite her sour mood. “Sorry I’m late.”
“No problem, we still have a few minutes until opening, and Lisa isn’t here yet. Your breakfast is over at your usual table,” Gwen said, nodding over to the table nearest to the small stage where Rachel played every day.
“Thanks,” she said, setting down her wet frost-covered guitar case and backpack down near the heating vent to dry off. She headed over to the staff closet, shedding off five layers of clothing, three scarves, two hats, and her rubber boots to reveal a long-sleeved white shirt, black pants and sandals, her regular attire for work each day.
Heading back into the main area, Rachel saw that Gwen had changed the sign to open, and there were already people lining up at the bar to order. She quickly ate the plate of scrambled eggs and buttered toast, taking a few small sips of coffee from the mug in between bites before placing the plate in the back kitchen sink.
When she came out, Rachel opened my guitar case and began tuning it. Then… she saw his familiar profile walk through the door. He had been coming ever since she started working at the café three years ago when she was fourteen, and he came everyday, from opening time at nine to ten.
“Hey, Rachel,” he said, walking over as she tested out the sound of the higher E-string.
Rachel looked up, trying not to blush as he smiled at me. “Hi Nicholas.”
He pretended to be angry. “I’ve told you thousands to time to just call me—”
“I know,” she interrupted. “Just to call you Nick.”
“Yes,” Nick said. “So why don’t you?”
“Why don’t you just call me Rachel?” she shot back.
He grinned. “Touché. But I think ‘Ray’ sounds more beautiful.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’ve heard that one way too many times, Mr. Jonas. You’ll have to do better than that.”
“Oh, so I’m ‘Mr. Jonas’ now?” he joked. “Why don’t you just call me by my full name, then?”
Rachel laughed. “ ‘Nicholas’ is way less of a pain to say ‘Nicholas Jerry Jonas’ every time I see you. And as for my name… ‘Rachel’ suits me,” she said simply. “Simple and plain and uninteresting, like me.”
“You’re not simple or plain or uninteresting,” Nick argued.
“Yes, I am,” she said, grabbing her guitar as she moved between tables and around chairs to the stage. Seconds after Rachel left him, she heard Gwen shout out, “One plain Venti latte for NJJ!”
It was a daily routine. Nick would order his coffee—a Venti latte, just plain dark coffee—and then talk to Rachel while Gwen made it. And just before his name was called—he always told Gwen to call out “NJJ,” for his initials, since giving his name would be suicide with all the girls in the café—Rachel would go up onto the stage and start playing the guitar.
“Hey everyone, this week’s theme is country,” she said into the microphone over the clinking of coffee cups and the rustling of newspapers. “This is ‘The Outside,’ by Taylor Swift.” Taking a deep breath as she started strumming, Rachel began to sing.
“I didn't know what I would find
When I went looking for a reason, I know
I didn't read between the lines
And, baby, I've got nowhere to go
I tried to take the road less traveled by
But nothing seems to work the first few times
Am I right?
So how can I ever try to be better?
Nobody ever lets me in
I can still see you, this ain't the best view
On the outside looking in
I've been a lot of lonely places
I've never been on the outside…”
After a few songs, Nick checked the clock hanging above the door, cringing when he saw that it was already ten ‘o clock. He reluctantly brought his coffee mug to the busing stations, placing it into the bin of dirty cups and dishes, before gathering his things and slowly walking towards the door.
When he reached for the doorknob, he glanced back at Rachel’s form one last time, before sighing softly and exiting.
‘Why can’t I tell her?’ he thought, asking himself. ‘Why can’t I just show her how I feel? Why can’t I just… tell her that I love her?’
Rachel watched him walk out the door, and she couldn’t help but feel sad. Only God knows when she started loving him, but she knew that they were never meant to be.
He came for the next few weeks, but then one morning, there was no sign of him in the coffee shop, for the first time ever. Her heart broke, but she went on with the day. Soon, it was only fifteen minutes until closing, and there was one song left to be played…
“Alright, this is the last song for the night,” she said into the mike. “Another Taylor Swift song, but this version is mine, for a person who’ll always be beautiful…”
“His eyes are my favorite color
He smiles, and it’s the sun’s glow
Hope he’ll sing songs to my window
In words only I know
There are girls on every corner
They watch him as he's walking home
Saying, “Does he know?”
Will you ever know?
You're beautiful
Every little piece, don't you know?
You're really gonna be someone, just ask anyone
When you find everything you looked for
I hope your life leads you back to my door
Oh but if it don't, stay beautiful
If the fates really intertwined
Our lives, I‘m not complaining, I’m okay
I'm taking pictures in my mind
So I can save them for a rainy day
It's hard to make a conversation
When he's taking my breath away
I should say, “Hey, by the way…”
If you and I are a story
That never gets told
If what you are is a daydream
I'll never get to hold, at least you'll know
You're beautiful
Every little piece love, don't you know?
You're really gonna be someone, ask anyone
When you find everything you looked for
I hope your life leads you back to my door
Oh but if it don't, stay beautiful…”
The last few people left in the café applauded, and she smiled softly before bowing and retreating to the small, hidden nook next to the stage where Rachel had put her things. She placed her guitar back into its case and latching it tight, and began packing up her bag.
“Rachel, I need to leave, so can you lock up? The keys are by the coffee machine!” Gwen called from the front.
“Yeah, sure!” she called.
“Thanks! And by the way, there’s someone here who wants to talk to you!” Gwen called, before Rachel heard the door open and close. She was confused; nobody ever really talked to her, except for the occasional hellos and goodbyes from customers and the short conversations with Nick.
Rachel walked out to the coffee bar with her guitar and bag, and she found herself face to face with the one and only Nicholas Jerry Jonas.
“Nicholas?” she asked, still confused. “What are you doing here?”
“I needed to talk to you,” he said quietly.
“Um, okay, what’s up?” she asked.
“Uh, it might take a while,” he said, his eyes darting towards the backpack and guitar case she carried.
“Okay, then…” Rachel set them both down by the wall, and then turned back to face him.
“Well… I wanted to apologize for not coming this morning,” he said.
She blinked, a little disappointed. “Oh, um, thanks for apologizing, I guess… but you could’ve told me tomorrow, you know.”
Nick shook his head. “No, I couldn’t. I’m leaving for seven months, starting tomorrow morning at eight.”
Her eyes widened, and she looked down at my feet. “Oh… well I hope you have a good time.”
“… Thanks.” They were both silent.
“That last song you sang was beautiful,” he said softly. “Who’s the lucky guy?”
She swallowed nervously. “You might know him. He’s been a regular at the café since the day I started working here. He—he’s amazing. He’s so nice, so encouraging, and he takes the time to actually talk to me and get to know me, unlike everyone else in my life. He and Gwen are the only two people who ever listen to me, and he’s just…” Rachel shook her head with a sigh. “I can’t even describe him. He’s just perfect, but he’ll never want me.”
“Then he’s just stupid,” Nick retorted, and she looked up at him in surprise. “Any guy would be lucky to have a girl like you. If he doesn’t want you, then he’s not even worth your time. I mean seriously, look at you; you’re beautiful, smart, independent, talented…”
“… Poor, broken, and easily hurt,” Rachel replied softly, looking down again. “Like I said a few weeks ago… I’m plain, simple, and uninteresting. I’m just … I’m only a girl who’s lucky enough to have some skills in playing an old guitar.”
He shook his head. “No, you’re wrong.”
She smiled weakly. “No… I’m right, Nick. And he’s not stupid. He’s perfect, and I’m not. We’ll never match.” Her voice faded, and the café was silent.
“Then…” He hesitantly lifted a hand to tilt her face up, capturing her gaze in his. “I’m not perfect either… so does that mean that we match?” Rachel could only watch as he slowly leaned forward, and her eyes slid closed as he pressed those perfect, hand-carved lips to Rachel’s.
It was heaven. Rachel felt her knees give out, but he pulled her in closer, an arm snaking around her waist. His other hand gently stroked her cheek, as his mouth worked wonders on her own. Rachel finally found the courage to link her hands around his neck, and he groaned softly as she played with his hair. His hand moved away from her cheek, instead moving towards the back of her head to angle it so Rachel’s mouth better fit his. She clung to him tightly—as if he were her lifeline in the sea of life’s hardships.
Gwen must not have closed the door properly, because a sudden strong gust of wind blew open the door, showering them both with snow. They jumped apart, and Rachel hurried to shut the door before any more snow piled up on the floor. She closed the door tightly, and awkwardly looked over at Nick, who looked ashamed.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I shouldn’t have done that.”
“N—”
“I shouldn’t have come,” he said, sighing sadly. “You’ll never love me the way… Never mind. I’m sorry for everything.” He walked over and began unlocking the door Rachel just locked, his face contorted in pain. “Goodbye, Rachel…”
It was then that she realized that he called her Rachel. “Nick, wait!” she said, seizing his arm. He turned to look at Rachel in surprise, and she realized that she had called him the name he always badgered her about. “I… I liked it,” Rachel said softly, her hand dropping as she looked to the floor in embarrassment.
“But what about that guy?” he asked, something present in his voice that Rachel couldn’t identify.
Rachel felt her cheeks burn. “That was you,” she whispered.
There was no response from him, and she was afraid she made a mistake. But then he let out a baited breath. “You… you love me?”
Rachel nodded. “Y… Yes,” she said, looking up at his bewildered face. “Do… you?” she asked tentatively.
He broke out into a relieved smile. “Yes,” he breathed, pulling her forward into a tight hug. “Ever since I saw you walking on the street with that guitar case.”
Rachel pulled back from him, looking up at his face with surprise. “That long? For three years?” She furrowed her eyebrows. “How is that even possible? You didn’t even know me! And I was only wearing jeans, a t-shirt, and flip-flops! I looked horrible.”
“Let’s just say it was love at first sight,” Nick said, inhaling the scent from her hair. “Mm… Have I ever told you that I love that coffee and chocolate smell from your hair…?”
Rachel’s only response was a laugh before he drew her in for another kiss.
A Few Months Later…
“Hey, baby,” a deep voice said, as Rachel was engulfed in strong arms and pulled into someone’s lap.
“Hey, Nick,” she said, lifting her head to peck him on the lips before turning back to the song she was writing. “How’s my favorite rock star in the entire world?”
“Great, now that you’re here,” he said, nuzzling her neck.
Rachel rolled her eyes. “Ugh, cliché, much… Boys I dated in middle school used that line on me!”
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” he said, chuckling. “And how’s my favorite female artist ever?”
“I’ve been better,” she commented, pretending to be nonchalant. He growled, tickling her sides. “AH! Okay, I’m great!”
“Thank you,” he said, kissing Rachel’s cheek. “How’s the song coming along?”
“Fantastic!” She grinned at him. “Almost done with the lyrics, and I have all the chords and all done…”
Nick rested his head on her shoulder, reading over the lyrics that were written out on the paper in her lap. Rachel began singing softly.
“Baby, the things we’ve done
The things we’ve seen
Even though I know you
What do those little things mean?
Those pecks on the cheek
Hugs like I’m your lifeline
But it doesn’t really matter,
I’m just happy that you’re mine
Through good times and bad
Living out those dreams
But if we both lose each other
What will it all mean?
We’d both be alone
And we’d drift apart
Don’t think I can take that fact,
Please don’t break my heart
Baby, the things we’ve done
The things we’ve seen
Even though I know you
What do those little things mean?
Those pecks on the cheek
Hugs like I’m your lifeline
But it doesn’t really matter,
I’m just happy that you’re mine…”
Nick smiled, only kissing Rachel softly. “It’s beautiful, babe,” he breathed into her ear. “And by the way…”
He whipped out a recorder from his pocket, grinning. “I think I should play this at your birthday party tomorrow, Ray...” She knew he was just calling her ‘Ray’ to irk her.
“Nick!” she shrieked. She scrambled up, chasing after her boyfriend. “Give that to me!”
He only laughed, holding the recorder above her reach. It was at times like this that Rachel hated her shortness compared to Nick’s height.
Finally, after fifteen minutes of torture, Nick finally took pity on Rachel and lowered his arm, allowing her to pluck it from his grasp.
He could only chuckle as she gasped for air, hurriedly deleting her singing on the handheld recorder. He embraced her from behind, nuzzling her on the neck.
“By the way, Rachel…” he added. “Happy early birthday.”
So... again, happy brithday, Rachel! I hope you liked it. Comments are appreciated... and by the way, I'll be updating "Truths" soon, so keep an eye out!
~Elle
