Letter To You

A Glance Across the Room

The village of Rosewood had always been slow to wake.

Mornings arrived gently here-not with the blaring of car horns or hurried footsteps on concrete, but with the soft rustling of wind through golden leaves, the distant crow of a rooster, the rhythmic clatter of shopkeepers setting up their storefronts.

The air smelled of damp earth and crisp autumn, laced with the faintest hint of woodsmoke drifting from unseen chimneys. It was the kind of cold that lingered-not biting, but settling in the bones, urging people toward warmth.

And warmth could always be found at Reed's Bakery.

A soft golden glow spilled from its wide glass windows, illuminating the cobblestone street just beyond the door. Inside, the scent of fresh bread, vanilla, and cinnamon filled every corner, wrapping around the wooden tables and drifting lazily toward the shelves of pastries lined neatly behind the counter.

It was a safe place, built on routine and gentle familiarity.

And behind the counter, Julian Reed belonged to it entirely.

The morning rush had already passed.

The bakery had been filled with customers earlier-villagers wrapped in thick scarves and coats, hands cupped around steaming drinks as they exchanged morning gossip over fresh bread. Now, it had settled into a comfortable lull, the kind that came between busy hours.

Julian welcomed the quiet.

He stood behind the counter, fingers pressing into soft dough with steady, practiced movements. The work was muscle memory now-press, fold, turn-a rhythm that didn't require thought.

"Julian, you're zoning out again," Anna's voice cut through the warm hum of the bakery.

Julian blinked, barely catching himself before he over-kneaded the dough. He turned his head to find Anna leaning against the counter, watching him with a smirk that immediately put him on edge.

"I'm not zoning out," Julian muttered, focusing back on his work.

Anna crossed her arms. "Uh-huh. Sure. Then why do you always get like this around this time of day?"

Riley, who had just walked in from a morning delivery, snorted loudly. "Because he's waiting."

Julian stiffened. "I'm not waiting for anything."

Anna smirked. "You're always a little more distracted around now. Almost like you're-oh, I don't know-expecting someone?"

Julian shot her a warning look, but that only encouraged her.

"Waiting again?" Riley asked, setting her delivery bag down with a smirk. "You know staring at the door won't make him walk in any faster."

Julian groaned, kneading the dough with more force than necessary. "I'm not-"

Anna cut him off with a sing-song voice. "Julian's got a cru-ush."

Heat crawled up Julian's neck.

"I do not," he muttered, keeping his eyes on the dough like it held the answers to life itself.

"You totally do," Riley added, smirking. "You get all fidgety around this time of day."

"I do not."

"You do," Anna teased. "And it's adorable."

Julian scowled. Why was he even arguing? These two never let things go.

Thankfully, before they could continue tormenting him, the soft chime of the bakery door rang.

Julian froze.

Anna's knowing grin grew.

Julian refused to look up immediately. Casual. Normal. He focused on kneading, his heart tripping over itself in a way he refused to acknowledge.

Then-a familiar voice.

"Morning."

Julian finally allowed himself to glance up.

Elias March stood near the counter, dark coat dusted with the crisp autumn air, his sharp features unreadable as always. His gaze flickered toward Julian, steady but distant.

"Morning," Julian replied, keeping his voice neutral.

He had already started preparing black coffee before Elias could even ask.

"The usual?"

Elias nodded. "Yeah."

He pulled out his wallet, but before he could hand over the money, Julian waved a dismissive hand.

"It's on the house today."

Elias frowned slightly. "Why?"

Julian hesitated. He hadn't actually thought of an excuse. "Uh-new bakery policy. You get a free coffee for... sitting in the same chair five days in a row."

From across the counter, Riley made a choking sound. Anna outright giggled.

Elias's brows lifted slightly. "...That so?"

Julian wanted to disappear.

But instead of questioning it further, Elias simply took the coffee, his fingers brushing Julian's for half a second.

Julian felt that touch. Stupidly.

"Thanks," Elias murmured before heading to his usual seat by the window.

Julian watched him go.

Anna wiggled her eyebrows at him.

Julian ignored her.

The morning slipped into an easy rhythm. Julian worked behind the counter, occasionally sneaking glances toward Elias-who, as always, sat nursing his coffee, staring out the window like he belonged to another world entirely.

He didn't even notice when Oliver arrived.

But he definitely noticed when Oliver caught him staring.

"You're pathetic," Oliver muttered, dropping a book onto the counter.

Julian nearly dropped a tray of pastries. "I was not staring."

Oliver scoffed. "Right. And I'm secretly an optimist."

Julian set the tray down, rubbing his face. "What do you want?"

Oliver leaned against the counter, looking entirely too pleased. "Just came to check in on my favorite emotionally repressed baker."

Julian groaned. "Go away."

Oliver clutched his chest dramatically. "Wow. Hurtful. Is this how you treat all your friends?"

"You're not my friend," Julian deadpanned.

Oliver tsked. "I'll pretend I didn't hear that." He glanced toward the other side of the bakery, where Elias sat by the window, completely unaware of the emotional catastrophe he had caused. Oliver's smirk deepened. "You should just talk to him, you know."

Julian exhaled slowly. "I do talk to him."

Oliver gave him a flat look. "Oh, yes. Exchanging three whole words over coffee orders. How deeply moving."

Julian scowled. "Not everything has to be some kind of love story, Oliver."

Oliver tilted his head. "Then why do you look at him like he's the last page of your favorite book?"

Julian hated how much that hit.

He turned back to his work, kneading dough a little too aggressively. "You don't know what you're talking about."

Oliver hummed. "Don't I?"

Julian gritted his teeth.

After a long silence, Oliver sighed dramatically and leaned even closer. "Fine." If you're too much of a coward to actually talk to him, then maybe you should, he gestured vaguely. "Write to him."

Julian frowned. "What?"

Oliver smirked. "You like words, don't you? Write him a letter."

Julian stared at him. "That's ridiculous."

Oliver shrugged. "Is it?"

Julian didn't answer.

But later that night-long after the bakery had closed, long after Elias had gone home-Julian sat at his desk, staring at a blank page.

And wondered.

Well.... Here's the first chapter.

Was it good?

Feel free to leave comments and corrections if I made any mistakes.

See you in next Chapter, Bye!