Hostage to you

1 Black coffee

Raven's POV

The coffee shop is packed, and the air is thick with the smell of freshly ground beans. It's the kind of place where mismatched furniture is supposed to make everything feel effortlessly cool. I'm not here for the atmosphere, though; I just need a caffeine fix after a long morning at the gym. The line stretches nearly to the door, moving at a snail's pace. Part of me considers bailing, but I've already committed.

As I inch forward, someone bumps into me from behind. It's not aggressive, just one of those casual "sorry, didn't see you there" moments.

"Oops, sorry!" comes a quick voice, almost like a reflex. I turn to see a girl around my age with red roots peeking out from under a beanie. Her face is framed by loose strands of hair, and there's a slight flush to her cheeks, probably from the chilly air outside. She's wearing an oversized hoodie, the kind that swallows her frame, giving her an effortlessly laid-back look.

"No worries," I reply, stepping to the side to give her some space. Her eyes flicker up at me for a second, and then she offers a small, relaxed smile before sliding over to join a guy who's waiting nearby. He's tall and lanky, with sandy hair and an air of easygoing impatience, like he'd rather be anywhere else.

The line moves forward slowly, and I notice the girl glancing my way again. There's no judgment in her eyes, just a bit of curiosity, like she's the kind of person who talks to strangers just because. I know what people see when they look at me—long blonde hair that always ends up a little wild, freckles that dust my nose and cheeks, blue-green eyes that I've been told look intense even when I'm not trying. I'm used to it by now, but it's not every day someone actually seems curious for no reason.

Finally, she speaks up. "Pretty busy for a Tuesday, huh?" Her tone is casual, like she's making conversation just to break the monotony of standing in line.

"Yeah," I reply, offering a smirk. "Must be some damn good coffee."

She laughs lightly, and it's an easy, natural sound. "Well, guess we're about to find out."

"Hopefully," I say, glancing toward the counter where the baristas move like they're in slow motion.

She turns back to the guy she's with, and I catch snippets of their conversation. They're talking about some song they both seem to know, with her throwing in a playful comment that makes him roll his eyes. I shift my focus back to my phone, scrolling mindlessly through my notifications, but I can't help sneaking another glance at her. It's just... there's something about her energy, the way she seems so unbothered by the crowd, that draws my attention.

But whatever. It's just some random moment in a city full of random moments. Nothing to think too hard about.

Billie's POV

I sink into the vibe of the coffee shop, loving how the noise and bustle make me feel like just another person. It's the kind of place where people come to study, chat, or pretend to write novels on their laptops. I'm here because it's nice to feel invisible sometimes, and because Finneas insisted that this place has the "best cold brew ever." So here we are, waiting in a line that's almost out the door.

I'm bouncing a little on the balls of my feet, trying to stay warm in my oversized hoodie and beanie. Finneas is next to me, fiddling with his phone, probably looking up random facts like he always does. I'm not paying much attention to him, though. I'm still thinking about the girl I bumped into. Tall, blonde, freckles that make her look kind of sweet in contrast to her leather jacket. It's a look that works, and I catch myself giving her a quick second glance.

She's not paying much attention to me now, which is nice for a change. Just a little casual small talk, and then she's back to her own world. I find myself half-listening to her conversation with the barista as we finally reach the counter. She orders a black coffee, no extras. It suits her—straightforward, no fuss.

"You're staring," Finneas whispers, nudging me with his elbow.

I blink and tear my gaze away from the girl, giving him an indignant look. "I'm not."

"Sure," he says, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "You just really like this coffee shop, right?"

I shoot him a playful glare as we pick up our drinks and make our way to the door. But even as we're leaving, I can't resist one last glance in her direction. She's scrolling on her phone now, completely absorbed, not even aware that I'm watching. It's nothing, just a moment in a busy day, but for some reason, she leaves an impression.

Maybe it's because she didn't do the whole "Oh my God, are you...?" thing. Or maybe it's just because there's a cool vibe about her. Either way, it doesn't matter. It's just coffee and small talk—nothing to read into.

We head out onto the sidewalk, the cold air hitting my face and waking me up a bit more. I wrap my hands around my cup, letting the heat seep through, and fall in step with Finneas as we wander down the street.

"Are you coming to the studio later?" he asks, his voice breaking into my thoughts.

"Yeah, I'll be there," I say, trying to shake off the random distraction. "Just need to take care of a few things first."

We keep walking, the city moving around us like it always does, but I can't help wondering if I'll run into that girl again. It's not like I have a reason to. But still, something tells me I haven't seen the last of her.

A/N
I hope you like the first chapter! Planning on doing a slow burn.

💋 X