The soft aroma of freshly ground coffee beans drifted through the café, warm and comforting. The espresso machine hissed steadily in the background, a sound as familiar to Issac as his own breathing. Afternoon sunlight poured in through wide windows, casting long golden streaks across the floor and catching on the curls of steam rising from ceramic mugs.
"Issac, two lattes for table six!" Casey's voice carried easily from behind the counter.
She stood with one hand resting on her hip, claw clip holding up her hair in a loose twist, the other hand busy wiping down the till. The black hoodie tied around her waist swayed slightly with each shift of her weight. Though her voice was brisk, her eyes were warm as they flicked to Issac.
"On it," he replied, black hair falling just slightly over his blue eyes as he reached for the milk pitcher.
He was already halfway through his third cup of coffee for the day—caffeine sharp on his tongue, a necessity rather than a luxury. The faint scar along his cheek caught the light when he glanced down, pouring the milk with a practiced ease. The bell above the door chimed, a cold gust slipping in with a pair of new customers.
Issac's phone buzzed in his apron pocket. He glanced at the screen:
[Bank Loan Reminder: Overdue.]
[Electric Bill: Final Notice.]
[Water Bill: Due in 2 Days.]
He locked it quickly, sliding the drinks onto a tray before Casey could notice.
"Two lattes," he said, placing them down with the same smooth motion he'd perfected over time.
"Thanks!" the couple said in unison, smiling.
Issac gave his polite smile back, letting the smell of coffee sink into him like a small anchor before heading back to the counter.
Just another day. Just another day to get through. To make sure I got nothing left to lose
A few streets away, the deep thump of a bass drum vibrated through the cramped walls of a practice room.
Damian sat behind the kit, sleeveless grey shirt showing his strong arms. His spiky red hair caught the light each time he moved, green eyes sharp but friendly as he tapped out a beat. Between songs, he twirled his drumsticks easily in one hand—a habit so natural it seemed part of him.
Julian sat at the keyboard, silver hair falling over his eyes. One hand lazily scrolled through his phone while the other absentmindedly tapped a few random keys.
On the couch, Asher leaned over his guitar, tuning the strings. His ruffled hair framed green eyes steady and calm, a quiet presence that drew subtle glances from the others. He sipped from a soda can between adjustments, the metal clink echoing faintly in the pause before the next song. His black hoodie hung loose over his red tee, one foot tapping lightly to a rhythm only he seemed to hear.
Micah wandered toward the mic stand, blonde hair catching the light, blue eyes bright with amusement. His purple tee—splashed with random prints—hung loosely on his frame.
As he passed Damian, a stray joke from Julian made him chuckle and twirl on his heel mid-step, his movements light and unbothered.
"Alright, from the top," Asher said, voice calm but carrying a quiet finality.
Damian nodded, grinning. "Got it, boss."
Micah groaned with exaggerated drama. "We've done it, like, five times already."
"Yeah, and that's five times we got better," Damian replied, spinning a drumstick between his fingers without missing a beat.
Julian didn't look up from his phone. "Some of us got better," he muttered.
Micah shot him a playful glare. "Keep talking, keyboard boy. I'll sing over your precious chords."
But the teasing faded once Asher counted them in. Drums kicked, keys followed, guitar slid in smooth and steady. Micah's voice rose, threading between each note. In that moment, they didn't need words—just the sound, the rhythm, the pulse of something bigger than all of them.
Asher's gaze swept the room as he played, steady and assured.
Just another day. Just another day to make it count. Cuz I have nothing left to lose.
Far across the city, the atmosphere was quieter. Sunlight streamed through tall classroom windows, warm against the wooden desks.
Leia sat in her pastel dress, soft curls brushing her shoulders as she leaned forward, brush in hand. Her blue eyes were narrowed slightly in concentration.
She dipped into deep cobalt blue, dragging the color across the canvas before softening it into a pale blush pink. The meadow in her painting grew slowly under her touch—bright flowers, gentle light.
Her teacher's voice drifted over the soft scratch of brushes. "Remember, color isn't just about harmony—it's about emotion."
Leia didn't look up. She worked slowly, deliberately, each stroke almost tender.
A quiet giggle from two desks away caught her ear—a silly conversation between friends—and without meaning to, she gave a small spin of her chair, letting herself turn once before settling back into place.
Her smile lingered as she added the final details to her flowers. Warm. Safe.
Just another day. Just another day to create something beautiful. Hoping I don't have nothing left to lose...
The sky had already begun to melt into shades of orange and pink by the time the last bell rang. The air was warm, heavy with the scent of dust and the faint chatter of students spilling out through the gates.
Asher adjusted the strap of his bag as he waited near the school gates. He pulled his phone from his pocket. The screen lit up with a short message:
'I'll be home late, don't wait for me. Take dinner. —Isaac'
He stared at it for a moment, then locked the screen with a thumb press.
Leai walked out of the building, clutching on her bag straps as she hopped to her brother. She stopped right beside him, her eyes flicking up at him. "Brother's gonna be late again today?" she asked, her voice lilting with a teasing sigh.
Asher exhaled slowly, then turned to her with a small smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Yeah," he murmured. He reached down, threading his fingers gently through hers.
The two of them walked on, their shadows stretching long across the pavement, hand in hand, the sunset painting the quiet road home in soft gold.
The siblings' footsteps slowly faded into the quiet hum of the evening, swallowed by the glow of the setting sun.
Far above, where the sky bled from gold to deepening blue, a plane carved its way through the clouds. Inside the hushed luxury of first class, a young man sits alone. Pale blonde hair catches the glow, a sharp blue streak cutting through like a slash of sky. He swirls his coffee lazily, gaze hidden, expression unreadable. Outside the window, the horizon stretches endlessly, clouds folding into the dusk.
He leans back, the corners of his mouth curling ever so slightly...
----
📖 Character Chart
Isaac Everett (19)
Hair: Black
Eyes: Blue
Skin: Medium beige tone
Outfit: Black tee with a white unbuttoned shirt on top
Extra: Small scar on cheek, coffee addict
Asher Everett (15)
Hair: Ruffled beaver brown, soft, with a warm chocolate undertone
Eyes: Green
Skin: Medium buffer tone
Outfit: Red tee with a black unzipped hoodie on top
Extra: plays the electric guitar
Leia Everett (12)
Hair: Soft beaver brown, curls at the ends
Eyes: Blue
Skin: Medium beige tone
Outfit: Pastel dress
Extra: likes painting and dancing alone
Damian Bennette (15)
Hair: Spiky red
Eyes: Green
Skin: Umber tone
Outfit: Sleeveless grey t-shirt
Extra: plays the drum
Micah Cain (15)
Hair: Blonde
Eyes: Blue
Skin: Warm ivory tone
Outfit: Purple tee with random prints of his fav bands
Extra: smooth singing voice and great rap
Julian Whitmore (15)
Hair: Silver
Eyes: Grey
Skin: Sienna tone
Outfit: White shirt with a grey sweater layered over it
Extra: plays the keyboard
Casey Cross (21)
Hair: Brown-beige, clipped up with a claw clip
Eyes: Hazel
Skin: Sienna tone
Outfit: White one-shoulder tank top, black hoodie tied at the waist
Extra: works at a cafe