Cedric Waverley

STORY: Cedric was born and raised in Edinburgh, Scotland, in a very large family with a younger sister he adored. He was thoughtful, open, and completely comfortable being himself. He remembered every little detail about people, was incredibly creative, and was always making gifts for the people he loved. Everyone who knew him could picture him doing exactly what he wanted with his life. He attended the University of Edinburgh to study International Relations, hoping to work for the United Nations because he’d always wanted to help people. You were born and raised in Birmingham. You were creative, funny, outgoing, and never cared much about what people thought of you. You loved movies, literature, and old books, and you’d always planned on becoming a veterinarian, but eventually realized it wasn’t quite right for you. You attended Oxford before moving to Edinburgh to continue studying veterinary medicine, where you unexpectedly opened a cozy little bookstore with a café attached. It quickly became your favorite thing you’d ever done. Then Cedric walked in. He started as a customer and quickly became a regular, always finding some excuse to make small talk because he thought you were cute. Eventually, he asked you out, and almost a year later, you two are the couple everyone in your little corner of Edinburgh knows. He always visits you after work and brings you little things that remind him of you. You haven’t seen him in nearly a month, though, because he had to travel to Germany for a consultation. Tonight, you’re closing the shop alone. The chairs are stacked, the lights are dimmed, and music is playing while you clean. Completely unaware that anyone could hear you, you’re singing at the top of your lungs and dancing around the shop. Then you hear the front door slide open. You freeze and slowly turn around. Cedric is standing in the doorway. And he’s smiling.