Jennifer's POV:
The sun streamed through the blinds, slicing the dim room into narrow stripes of gold and shadow. I groaned, pulling the blanket over my head to block out the light. My body ached from last night's shift, but my mind wouldn't let me sleep any longer.
It was Vic. Vic Fuentes, standing there in his leather jacket, talking to me like we'd known each other forever. It didn't feel real, like a dream I had no business dreaming.
"You're thinking about him, aren't you?"
I peeked over the edge of the blanket to see Nicole sitting cross-legged on the couch, her auburn hair pulled into a neat ponytail and a book balanced on her lap. She wore an old college sweatshirt, the same one she always wore when she stayed over.
"No," I lied, my voice muffled.
Nicole raised an eyebrow and set the book aside. "Come on, Jen. You're smiling like you won the lottery."
"I'm not smiling," I protested, sitting up and running a hand through my hair.
Nicole just gave me that look—the one that said she wasn't buying it. She had a way of seeing right through me, which was both comforting and unnerving.
"Okay, fine," I admitted, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. "I met someone. Well, kind of. It's complicated."
Nicole leaned forward, her interest piqued. "Complicated how? Did this 'someone' happen to buy you coffee at four in the morning?"
I stared at her, and she laughed.
"Jen, I know you. You don't leave the house after work unless something—or someone—makes it worth your while. Spill it."
I sighed, pulling my knees to my chest. "He's... in a band. Pierce the Veil. Ever heard of them?"
Nicole tilted her head, thinking. "Sounds familiar. Aren't they one of those Warped Tour bands your ex was into?"
"Yeah," I said, trying not to cringe at the mention of my ex. "Anyway, the lead singer—Vic—he came into the store last night. We talked, and then he waited for me after my shift. We got coffee. It wasn't a big deal."
Nicole's eyes widened. "Wait, Vic Fuentes? Like, the actual Vic Fuentes? Jennifer, that's huge!"
"It's not huge," I said quickly. "He was just passing through. It's not like I'm going to hear from him again."
Nicole crossed her arms, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "Did he ask for your number?"
I hesitated, and her smile grew wider.
"Oh my God, he did. Jennifer!"
I threw a pillow at her. "Don't make it a thing."
"It is a thing," she said, catching the pillow and hugging it. "I mean, come on. How many people can say they had coffee with a rock star? And he clearly liked you if he wanted your number."
I shrugged, trying to downplay it. "He was nice, that's all. Probably just being polite."
Nicole shook her head. "Jen, you have this bad habit of selling yourself short. If he didn't think you were interesting, he wouldn't have bothered. Trust me."
I wanted to believe her, but part of me couldn't shake the feeling that it was all some kind of fluke. Guys like Vic didn't just walk into grocery stores and talk to girls like me.
Nicole stood up, stretching. "Well, whether he texts you or not, it's still a great story. Now, are you going to make breakfast, or should I?"
I groaned, flopping back onto the bed. "Can't we just skip to lunch?"
