It was supposed to be just another Wednesday. Nothing special. Just a low-key day of sulking in my favourite booth at the Green Bean Cafe on Ouellette, avoiding my inbox, and pretending to job hunt. But instead, it turned into the day everything went off-script.

I had barely taken the first sip of my hazelnut latte when they walked in. Four of them—three guys and a girl—like they had wandered off the set of a Netflix vampire series. All black clothes, sharp edges, glimmering piercings. But it was their eyes that got me. Icy blue. Every single one of them. Like it was some weird genetic trait. Or contact lenses. Probably lenses.

The girl looked normal enough—Veronica, I’d later learn. Oversized jean jacket, Doc Martens, confident stride. The guys were another story. Long hair, dark clothing, haunting expressions. If Hot Topic had a royal family, these three would be it.

They ordered drinks without saying much, then took the booth right across from mine. Of course.

I looked down at my sketchpad, trying to mind my business. Just then, one of them—tall, lean, blonde—stood up and crossed the room.

"Is it your birthday?" he asked, nodding at the cupcake the barista had dropped off with a wink. I didn’t even ask for it. I guess Maya remembered.

"Yeah," I said, slightly stunned. "Twenty today."

"Happy birthday," he said. No smile. Just... sincerity.

"Thanks."

Then, without another word, he turned and went back to his booth.

I blinked. What just happened?