Chapter 1

"It would be good for your career, but I can see why you would also want to turn this down." I could hear the sigh coming from Frank, the line crackling with it's intensity. "Actually, no. I have no idea of your thoughts on Monsters, Flora. Heck, this is the height of unprofessionalism..."

I cringe, trying to imagine Frank while he speaks. He's the perfect, clean cut professional. Every line is clear with him, and I always know what is expected from me.

We're both in new territory right now, though.

He's presented me with an interesting offer, to say the least. A luxury fashion house, Noma, has asked me to do a photo shoot. This would be a pretty big deal on any other day, but there's quite a significant caveat.

The shoot is a political stunt from Noma to appear more liberal and to cross sell their two markets. It's unusual for a business to be structured that way, a foot in both the Human and the Monster industries. Noma want to do a photo shoot with a mixture of Humans and Monsters, featuring a whole host of us from different industries.

"I don't know, Frank." I tell him, honestly. "It's not that I personally have anything against Monsters. But I'm afraid of what the backlash from this might be."

I was right. The tension between the two groups was high. I had never even met a Monster.

"Can I take a bit of time to think about it?" I ask. This isn't a decision I should be making lightly. I fiddle with the elastic on my notebook while I wait on his response.

"I can try and get you an hour or two. I'll pretend I couldn't reach you or something." I relax a little, my shoulders brushing the smooth velvet of the booth behind me. "The shoot is planned for tomorrow though, so they're gonna push me."

I thank him, but he hangs up as quickly. That's Frank, straight to the point and no frills.

I take a sip of my drink, the dainty tea cup shaking as I set it back down. I think I might need something stronger than matcha.

This wasn't what I expected from my morning visit to Rosie's café. I had been served my drink, the sun shining in the window and my songwriting notebook in front of me. That's when I got Frank's call.

I won't lie, there's definitely something to be said that Noma even know who I am. It's still new to me that I'm recognized sometimes.

About a year ago, I went from singing at open mic nights, to selling out venues. It's all thanks to Frank. He spotted me, helped me finesse my skills, and got me a development deal with Fortune Records. It's been a whirlwind of a year since I met Frank, but I wouldn't change a thing.

I try to get back into the head space I was in earlier, taking a deep breath and donning my signature smile.

OK, now I can get to thinking about this fashion shoot.

Monsters and Humans do not mix. Ever.

My family have a pretty relaxed attitude, but I know that it's not the same for others. Humans are raised to hate Monsters, we're told that they are abominations. That they shouldn't be allowed to share our spaces. Both groups feel the same way about the other, and stick to their own sides of the city.

I don't really know how I feel about it. I'm not the type of person to hate a stranger, never mind a whole group. Maybe doing this shoot could help with that though. I could mingle with some Monsters, make a decision as to whether or not they are quite as terrible as we are all told to believe.

I contemplate why Noma is even doing all this. There are some political groups, usually younger college aged Humans, who believe that we should all mix. They think that we would all be better for it.

It's become quite a heated topic of debate lately. I just wished I had been paying more attention to those conversations now.

My goal in life is to make music, but it's also more than that, it's to make people happy through my music.

"Are you alright, Flora?" I'm snapped out of my thoughts, Rosie leaning over me to set down my breakfast.

"Umm, yeah. Just fine, thanks." I pick up my cutlery to dig in to my delicious looking avocado toast.

"That's a lie, if I ever heard one." She sits down on the chair across from me, flinging her dish towel over her shoulder. "I don't think I've ever seen you look so serious."

I set my cutlery back down, resting my chin on my hand. Rosie knows me well, too well sometimes.

She mirrors my body language, waiting for me to speak. "Fine. I'm not OK. I got the strangest phone call from Frank."

She leans forward slightly, practically drooling for the gossip.

"How do you feel about Monsters?" I switch tactics.

That shocks her, "What? What's that got to do with Frank? Wait..." She wiggles her brows, "is Frank a Monster, like in disguise?"

I blink at her slowly. Rosie is absolutely crazy, but that's why she's my best friend.

"You know," she continues, "I always thought he was keeping something secret. Ooh! This is hot, I suddenly find I'm feeling some attraction to Frank! Something about an older business exec does it for me, you know?"

"Eww, no. Absolutely not. Take that back," I pretend to throw up on my food.

Her bright blue eyes meet my golden brown, and we both burst into a fit of giggles.

"Stop," I squeal, wiping away my tears, "never, ever, ever talk about Frank again. You're officially cut off from this conversation. Go back to work."

I shoo her away with my hands and start to eat my food. At least avocado toast won't exactly go cold.

"Wait," she sniffles, earnestly trying to appear serious. "Tell me what it was."

I sigh, setting down the bite I was almost about to eat.

"There's been an offer for me to do a photo shoot with Noma tomorrow. Wait, no. No cheering yet. I'd have to be paired up with a Monster for it."

Rosie's almost glee sobers instantly.

"Like, a real Monster?" The light has dimmed in her voice a bit. "In person?"

"Yep." I say, popping the ‘p' sound. "Plus, it's tomorrow. So I probably only have until I've finished my breakfast to make a decision on this."

"Well, obviously you have to do it." Rosie exclaims, throwing her arms up.

"What do you mean, obviously?"

"This kind of opportunity has even less chance than once in a lifetime. You will literally never be offered something like this again." She reaches across the table, gripping my hand in hers. "Come on! Where is my adventure loving, energy filled bestie hiding? You have been getting far too serious, lately. Let loose, my love, go meet a Monster!"

I anchor myself in her grasp and take a deep breath. She's right, of course. Rosie might be crazy, but she's usually right about these things. She hasn't led me wrong this far.

"You're right," I start.

"Always am!"

"Of course, you're always right, my magnanimous supreme reigner of all things correct." She takes a mock bow as she stands up. "I'll do it."

"That's my girl."

She heads back to work, helping out one of the new barista's with the cash register.

Rosie's café is stunning. She has created such a safe and inviting space here. It's truly one of my favorite places to be.

I finish my food, listening to the sounds of the café and watching the people on the street through the window.

Rosie's avocado toast is simply the best. I used to always have her make it for me in college.

We've been friends since freshman year, when we got stuck in a triple dorm with the worst person to ever exist, Marilee.

Luckily, we made it through that tough time together. I would do it again to have Rosie in my life. After that year, we decided to move off campus, and we spent the next three years sharing the most run down little one bedroom apartment.

At least things had significantly improved for us since then. I now had a whole two bedroom apartment to myself, right down the street from Rosie's café.

Normally, I would spend the rest of my morning writing away in my notebook. I look at it on the table, the most obnoxious orange and pink glitter ombré. I loved it.

But the vibes were not here this morning. A walk might make me feel a bit better.

One thing to do first though. I take out my phone, typing a text to Frank and letting him know I'll do the shoot.

I get up to go to the register, but the line is long so I peruse the little store section. This is probably my favorite part of the café. There are shelves of knick knacks and plants, plus a small little florist's station.

That's what catches my eye today, maybe fresh flowers will make me feel a little less unsettled.

I snatch up a pretty bouquet of pink and yellow snapdragons before checking out.

Waving goodbye to Rosie, I open the door to head outside when my phone dings. It's a text from Frank:

Good. My phone has been ringing off the hook. Call time is 7:30 am.