The coffee shop was the perfect definition of cozy—like a warm hug on a cold day.
The walls were painted a soft cream color, and little fairy lights were strung across the ceiling, casting a golden glow over everything.
The air slled like heaven: fresh coffee beans mixed with a hint of vanilla, chocolate pastries, and sothing spicy, maybe cinnamon.
Indie music played softly in the background, just loud enough to set the mood without being annoying.
People sat scattered around, so typing away on laptops, others reading or laughing quietly with friends.
It was the kind of place where ti slowed down, and you could just breathe.
But for Hugo, this place might as well have been a Janitor's closet.
As soon as he stepped in, the little bell above the door chid, and he let out a loud, defeated sigh.
'Of all the coffee shops in this entire city, my group had to pick this one? Really?!' His mind spiraled into chaos as his eyes locked onto her—the barista behind the counter.
She was like sothing out of a daydream. Her long hair was tied up in a lazy bun, with a few rebellious strands falling down around her sharp cheekbones.
Her eyes was cold and emotionless in that Ice beauty kind of vibe, and her figure? Let's just say the tight black apron she wore didn't help Hugo's self-control at all.
Every ti she turned around, he swore the universe was testing his willpower!
'How the hell am I supposed to concentrate on fixing things with Loli,' Hugo groaned in his head, 'when I've got to dodge Erica's teasing, survive Loli's icy wrath, and also avoid accidentally checking out Miss Barista Extraordinaire over there?!'
His first mission was survival, and the only way to do that was to find the perfect hiding spot.
His eyes scanned the room like a soldier scouting enemy territory until he finally spotted a table tucked into a corner, perfectly blocked from the barista's view.
A safe zone.
"Bingo." He practically dove into the seat, sinking down low like a spy hiding from an assassin.
'Okay, no distractions. No glances. Just focus on apologizing to Loli, and maybe—maybe—salvaging what's left of our relationship.'
Barely three minutes had passed when the door jingled again.
Hugo didn't even bother to look up, too busy rehearsing his apology speech in his head like a bad actor trying to morize his lines.
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But then, a voice cut through his thoughts—Mia's voice.
"Hey, Hugo!"
Hugo's head snapped up like a spring-loaded trap. Mia, with her playful smile and short, curvy fra, was walking toward him, her energy as bright as always.
She was practically glowing with cuteness, dressed in a pastel pink sweater that hugged her perfectly and a skirt that left just enough to the imagination.
Hugo was about to appreciate the view when—
He froze. His soul left his body. His heart dropped into his shoes.
Because right beside Mia was the last person he wanted to see!
Loli!
She was stunning, but not in the flashy, look-at- way. No, Loli was effortlessly gorgeous.
Her baggy gray hoodie made her look soft and cozy, the kind of person you'd want to wrap in a blanket and never let go of.
A beanie sat snugly on her head, a few strands of her silky dark hair peeking out in the cutest way possible.
Her sweats and casual sneakers gave off that "I-don't-care-but-I'm-still-hotter-than-you" vibe, and it made Hugo's heart race in the worst way.
'Nope. Nope. Nope. Abort mission, eject the seat, I'm outta here!'
It was already too late. Loli's eyes locked onto his, and in a split second, Hugo's brain scrambled for the most pitiful, apologetic look he could manage.
He went for the classic: Big Eyes, slightly furrowed brows, and the "I'm sorry, please don't kill " puppy-dog stare.
Her response? A cold, sharp glare that could have frozen lava. No emotion. No recognition. Nothing.
Just pure, ice-cold indifference!
'Ouch,' Hugo ntally winced. 'Straight to the heart, huh? Not even a blink? She's brutal. I deserve it… but damn, throw a bone here!'
The girls reached the table, and Mia, ever the cheerful one, plopped down into a seat across from Hugo.
"Hey, group leader!" she bead, totally unaware of the awkward tension crackling in the air like static electricity.
Hugo plastered on his best fake smile. "Hey, Mia! You're looking great today." His voice was calm, but his eyes betrayed him, flicking toward Loli with cautious hope.
"Hey, Hilary!"
Nothing. She didn't even look at him. She just sat down, pulled out her books, and started reading like he wasn't even there.
'Okay, cool. Just stab in the heart next ti, it'll hurt less,' Hugo thought bitterly.
'She's too similar to . That's exactly what I'd do if soone pissed off. Guess I deserve this level of cold shoulder treatnt.'
Determined not to ss things up further, Hugo forced himself to stay calm. 'It's fine. I'll just wait for the rest of the group to arrive. No big deal. I can handle this.'
A few agonizing minutes later, Jenna walked in, followed by Emily, both of them settling into seats without noticing the tension hanging in the air like a storm cloud.
And then, like the final nail in Hugo's coffin, Erica showed up—and sat right beside him.
A chance!
Hugo's eyes shot over to Loli again, praying—begging—for so kind of reaction.
A flicker of jealousy, irritation, sothing. But no, she remained ice-cold, eyes glued to her book like she was reading the secrets of the universe.
'I'm dood. I could win the lottery, cure cancer, and discover alien life, and she'd still treat like background noise,' Hugo thought dramatically, slumping deeper into his chair.
Erica leaned over and whispered, "Rough day, huh?"
"You have no idea," Hugo muttered back, rubbing his temples.
In that mont, one thing beca painfully clear to Hugo:
Convincing Loli to forgive him wasn't just going to be hard—it was going to be the biggest challenge of his life!
_____
Power stone Goal!
50 PS - 1 Bonus chapter
100 PS - 2 Bonus chapter
200 PS (Quite an achievent as of now) - 3 Bonus chapters.
Castle - 20 Bonus Chapters!
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