Cages (2025 edition)

chapter one

My shift had just started and I was already desperate to leave. To say I wasn't a morning person– or a people person– would be an understatement.

Granted, I knew what I signed up for when I decided to work at a coffee shop but there weren't many other options for a kid fresh out of highschool with no resumé and no trade skills. I worked pretty much everyday. I found quickly that living on your own wasn't cheap, not even when you're renting an apartment barely big enough to furnish. At nineteen, my world had unfortunately shrunk to the confines of Wake & Bake Cafe. The name was as annoying as the environment.

Each day bled into the next. Wake up, work, go home, sleep, repeat. It wasn't a very social life but it was one I preferred, how I designed it to be. Nonetheless, it was a routine. Today was going just as every other day– until she walked in.

Sometimes you can immediately tell when you're not gonna like someone.

This was one of those times.

I was wiping down the counter, preparing for opening, when the bell on the door rang, gaining my attention. A girl my age came bouncing through the door, way too excited for seven in the morning.

The first thing I noticed was the big smile she had on her face. The second thing I noticed was the green apron she wore with the signature Wake & Bake Cafe sprawled across the front.

A new co-worker. Great. I didn't even know we were hiring, let alone someone joined "the team". Despite the small staff, I made a point not to I get close with any of the other workers and shortly after I was hired, they learned to not bother me. I'm sure the new crew member added to the schedule was announced in the work groupchat I was forced to be in; the groupchat that I had muted and only responded in if my name was mentioned.

The new girl headed towards the counter, eyes set on me. Please leave me alone. I silently begged. Do not come over here to speak to me.

But as always, luck wasn't on my side.

She came behind the counter and stopped in front of me. "Hi," she held her hand out, still smiling. "I'm Lola, I'm new."

I stared at her outstretched hand then back to her. I went back to tidying up. If my dismissal bothered Lola, she didn't let it show. She dropping her hand, her smile not wavering.

She trailed behind me as I grabbed a stack of cups. "I saw that we're gonna be working the same shift." Obviously. "You're Kacey, right? I don't think you were in the groupchat the other day when–"

I whirled around towards her. The girl clearly couldn't take a hint. "Look, I'm not here to make friends," I sneered. "We don't need to talk. Just do your job and leave me alone."

Before she can respond, our first customers came in. I'd never been so relieved to see people. I brushed past Lola and went to take their orders. Still, I could feel her presence, her vivacious energy a stark contrast to my apathy.

This was going to be a long shift.