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Mia sat in her apartment, the low hum of the city creeping through the thin walls. The lights outside flickered as the night fell, and the streets buzzed with the typical Friday-night energy. Her shift at Quills had just ended, and she was tired—exhausted, really—but there was a nervous energy coursing through her veins, too. She had texted Laufey earlier in the day to confirm the details, and now it was time to go.
She stood in front of the mirror, eyeing her reflection for a long moment, unsure of what she was even trying to accomplish. What would she wear? She didn't have anything fancy—she was never the type to have a wardrobe full of trendy outfits. Instead, she opted for comfort, pulling on an oversized red hoodie and baggy pants that smelled faintly of coffee and too many late-night shifts. She sprayed a light mist of vanilla and cedar wood perfume—something soft and warm, to cover the lingering scent of caffeine that seemed permanently embedded in her skin. She ran her fingers through her long, dirty blonde hair, releasing it from its ponytail so it fell in loose waves down her back. It looked more effortless this way, even if it still had that unkempt edge.
She picked up her violin case, and paused. Should she bring something else? A gift, maybe? She knew nothing about Laufey's preferences, so the idea of showing up empty-handed felt wrong.
What if I seem rude? What if she thinks I'm inconsiderate?
But then, another voice in her head reminded her: Stop overthinking. You've been doing this all day. Just go.
She froze for a second longer, her mind racing with anxious thoughts. What if this is a joke? What if it's a setup?A trick to get her out of her apartment so someone could hurt her. She felt ridiculous, but it didn't stop the paranoid thoughts from spiraling.
But no. She had promised herself she would stop worrying about the what-ifs. She couldn't spend the entire night doubting herself. With a deep breath, she made up her mind. She grabbed her violin, and left the apartment before her mind had a chance to convince her otherwise.
The taxi ride felt long, though it only lasted about 20 minutes. Mia stared out the window, watching the city's lights blur by. The frost on the glass created patterns, swirling like abstract art, and she let her thoughts wander. The cold air in the cab was a welcome contrast to the warmth of her apartment, and her heart pounded with the anticipation of what awaited her.
