The bell above the café door jingled softly as Laura stepped inside. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, filled with the comforting hum of quiet chatter and the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Laura adjusted her scarf, her violet coat perfectly pressed and buttoned, and scanned the room with her usual sharp gaze. Spotting an empty booth near the window, she strode over, her heels clicking softly against the tiled floor.
Sliding into the seat, she smoothed her hair back and glanced at her watch. Fifteen minutes early. Typical, but she preferred punctuality—it set the tone for professionalism. She ordered a cup of black coffee from the passing waiter, giving a polite but curt nod of thanks. As she stirred her drink, she allowed herself a moment to reflect.
This meeting wasn't one she was particularly thrilled about. The idea of collaborating with Zane—Axel's old middle school friend—had her feeling uneasy. From what she'd seen of him online and what Axel had shared, Zane seemed... unruly. Wild. Loud. Everything she worked hard not to be. Her polished and organized nature clashed with everything he appeared to represent. But the vote had been cast, and with both Axel and Sunny eager to bring him on board for their latest cover project, she had little choice but to acquiesce.
The door jingled again, and Laura's eyes flicked up. Axel entered with his usual casual stride, his gray hoodie slightly rumpled and his headphones draped lazily around his neck. His dark blue eyes scanned the café until they landed on Laura, and a smirk spread across his face.
"Cutting it close, Axel," Laura remarked as he approached. Her tone was calm but laced with her signature edge of disapproval. "If you'd been a few minutes later, you'd have been late."
"But I'm not," Axel replied, unfazed as he slid into the seat across from her. He waved down the waiter and ordered a caramel latte, leaning back in his chair with a relaxed air. "Anyway, you've probably been here for, what, fifteen minutes already?"
Laura's brow arched slightly. "Seventeen, actually."
Axel chuckled, shaking his head. "Classic Laura."
They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, sipping their drinks and waiting. The café's warm lighting cast a soft glow over the table, and outside, the late afternoon sun began to dip lower in the sky. Laura glanced at her watch again, a slight frown forming.
"Sunny's late."
"She'll be here," Axel said casually, waving it off. "You know how she is. Probably got caught up with her friends again."
As if on cue, the door burst open, and a whirlwind of orange energy barreled inside. Sunny, her cheeks flushed and her golden hair slightly disheveled, practically sprinted to the table.
"Sorry! Sorry, I'm late!" she exclaimed, sliding into the seat next to Axel. She adjusted her bright yellow scarf and looked around nervously. "Zane's not here yet, right?"
"No," Laura said, her tone dry. "But you're both cutting it close."
Sunny let out a relieved sigh and grinned sheepishly. "I lost track of time. You know how it is when you're having fun!"
"Yeah, yeah," Axel said, ruffling her hair playfully. "Relax, Sunny. You're fine."
Laura merely sipped her coffee, her expression neutral but her disapproval clear. Sunny, undeterred, leaned forward on her elbows, her golden eyes sparkling with excitement.
"I can't wait to meet him," she said. "Axel's told me so much about Zane. Middle school talent shows, huh? He sounds like a real showman. Think he's as big of a deal as he says he is?"
"Oh, he's something," Axel replied with a chuckle. "You'll see soon enough."
Laura's lips tightened slightly, but she said nothing. Before she could dwell on her reservations, the door opened once more. This time, it wasn't a whirlwind of energy or a casual stroll—it was a confident stride, a deliberate entrance designed to turn heads.
Zane walked in like he owned the place, his crimson tracksuit catching the light, with his vibrant red hair spiked messily yet stylishly, as if it had a mind of its own. He paused just inside the door, scanning the room until his gaze landed on their table. A cocky grin spread across his face as he sauntered over, hands in his pockets.
"Important people always show up late," he announced as he reached them, his tone dripping with playful arrogance.
Sunny let out a giggle, and even Axel smirked. Laura, however, looked unimpressed, her sharp blue eyes narrowing slightly as she watched him. Zane felt a brief flicker of intimidation under her gaze but quickly pushed it aside. He wasn't about to let her icy demeanor shake his confidence.
"So, this is the famous Euphony Trio," Zane said, sliding into the seat next to Sunny. He leaned back, draping one arm casually over the back of the booth. "You're a hard bunch to get a meeting with, you know."
"You're the one who was late," Laura pointed out coolly.
Zane chuckled, clearly unbothered. "Fashionably late. There's a difference."
Axel shook his head, laughing. "You haven't changed a bit, man."
"Why would I?" Zane replied with a grin. "I'm perfect as I am."
Sunny tilted her head, studying him with open curiosity. "So, you and Axel go way back, huh?"
"Oh, yeah," Zane said, his grin widening. "Middle school talent shows, music battles, you name it. Axel was always the guy in the background, making me sound good."
"And you were always the guy hogging the spotlight," Axel shot back, though his tone was light.
"Exactly," Zane said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "But hey, it worked, didn't it?"
Laura cleared her throat, cutting through the banter. "Let's focus. This meeting is about the collaboration, not a trip down memory lane."
"Right," Zane said, leaning forward slightly. For a moment, his cocky demeanor softened, and he looked genuinely interested. "Axel told me about the project. Four characters, right? You need a fourth member for the cover?"
Laura nodded. "Yes. Axel recommended you. He seems to think you'd be a good fit."
"And you don't?" Zane asked, his tone playful but his eyes sharp.
Laura didn't flinch. "You'll have to prove it to me."
The tension hung in the air for a moment before Zane broke it with a grin. "Fair enough. Let's see if I can impress you, Ice Queen."
Sunny stifled a giggle, and Axel groaned. "Oh boy," he muttered.
Despite the rocky start, the conversation eventually shifted to planning the collaboration, with Axel mediating and Sunny's enthusiasm keeping the mood light. Laura remained reserved, but even she had to admit—begrudgingly—that Zane's energy might just bring something unique to the group.
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Outside the café, the crisp evening air nipped at their faces as the group stood near the entrance. The glow of the streetlights bathed them in a soft golden hue. Laura crossed her arms, her posture stiff, while Axel and Sunny seemed far more relaxed.
"Well," Laura began, her tone clipped, "this has been... productive."
"You mean fun," Zane corrected with a grin, pulling out his phone. "Come on, Ice Queen, admit it—you're warming up to me."
Laura's glare could have frozen molten lava. "Don't push your luck."
Axel chuckled, clapping Zane on the shoulder. "You'll get used to her. Anyway, we should exchange contact info so we can coordinate. You already have mine."
Zane nodded and turned to Sunny, who was already pulling out her phone. "Here," she said, her golden eyes sparkling with excitement. "Let's exchange numbers. This is going to be so fun!"
"Absolutely," Zane replied, typing quickly as they swapped numbers. His smile softened slightly as he added, "Thanks for being the welcoming committee, Sunny."
She laughed. "Well, someone has to be nice."
Zane turned to Laura, holding out his phone. "And you, Ice Queen?"
Laura hesitated for a moment before sighing and pulling out her own phone. "This is strictly for professional purposes," she muttered, tapping her screen to input his number.
"Sure, sure," Zane said, smirking. "I'll try not to text you too many memes."
Laura shot him a withering look but said nothing. Axel, sensing her growing irritation, quickly stepped in. "Alright, let's wrap this up. We'll set up a time to meet again and start rehearsing. Sound good?"
"Works for me," Zane said, slipping his phone back into his pocket. "I'll see you all soon. Don't miss me too much."
Sunny giggled, and Axel rolled his eyes. Laura, as expected, remained silent.
As Zane strode off into the night, his confident swagger unmistakable, Laura let out a long sigh. "I still think this is a bad idea."
"Come on, Laura," Axel said, grinning. "You have to admit, he's got something."
"That something is trouble," Laura muttered.
Sunny linked her arm with Laura's, flashing her a bright smile. "Oh, come on! It's going to be great. You'll see. He's got charisma!"
"And an ego the size of this city," Laura replied, though her tone had softened ever so slightly.
Axel laughed as the trio began walking away. "You'll see, Laura. This is going to work out."
Laura said nothing, but as she glanced back at the café, where Zane's larger-than-life presence still seemed to linger, she couldn't help but wonder if Axel was right—or if they had just invited chaos into their carefully balanced trio.