Chapter Text
Walking home from the library had never been such a royal pain in Hilda’s ass. If only she had remembered to check the forecast today, she would have known about the evening showers!
She had no bus fare (why on Earth couldn’t the bus take debit cards?), she had no umbrella, and her phone was dead so she couldn’t even call her mum to pick her up.
So, walking it was!
Hilda walked miserably through the rain, the puddles on the sidewalk splashing with each step she took. She was cold, and the water was starting to seep into her boots. She really could have used a hot cup of tea right now.
Suddenly, she spotted something she hadn’t really noticed before. A cafe, just a little further down the sidewalk. Had it always been there? It sure looked like it had- the building seemed rather old.
She entered the cafe and immediately relished in how warm the space was inside. She took off her usual coat and slung it over her forearm. Thankfully it kept her body mostly dry. It was very cozy inside, and there were maybe 10 or 12 other patrons in the place. It was dim, and there was a small stage that was illuminated. It seemed as though they had live music!
Hilda approached the counter perused the menu. Unfortunately they didn’t have the kind of tea she liked, so she settled for some hot cocoa with extra marshmallows instead. She paid for her drink with her bank card and took a seat with the hot beverage. She watched as a familiar looking brown haired boy walked on stage with an acoustic guitar and took a seat on the stool. Hilda didn’t notice who it was at first, as she was more focused on her drink, but then the boy talked.
“Hi! My name’s David Olden, I’m gonna play some songs. I’m gonna start with one I’ve been playing for a while, it’s called Blue. I hope you don’t think it’s awful!” He said happily into the mic.
Hilda practically choked on her drink. David? Singing and playing guitar at a cafe? Since when? He had mentioned in passing that he could play guitar, but he never mentioned anything about writing songs, or ever performing anywhere! Why on Earth would that be? Why would he hide this?
She decided to scoot back in her chair a little bit, making sure David wouldn’t notice her in the crowd. David began strumming his guitar and singing in a sweet, sultry voice.
“Sitting in a fearful hell,
She comes and cracks my shell.
She brings out the best in me,
Her blue hair and smile warms me.”
Hilda listened intently to his lyrics. It was clear he was singing about a girl, but was that blue hair he mentioned? Or had Hilda heard that wrong? There was no way David could have possibly been singing about…
“She’s got a spirit for nature,
I’m taken on her adventure.
An angel from the wilderness,
She is my one true weakness.
I’d follow her anywhere,
Even if it kills me, yeah
By fear, I’m no longer shanked
And I have her to thank.”
...He was. He was absolutely singing about Hilda. It was obvious. She sat there, blushing a deep red. She had no idea David felt this way! If she was being honest, Hilda felt… rather flattered. Her heart fluttered. David was extremely cute, after all. She would be lying if her teenage brain didn’t lead her to more romantic thoughts about her friend here and there, but she had written it off as simple hormones. She even went through a short phase where she had similar thoughts about Frida of all people, so this was also just nothing right?
Right?
Hilda wasn’t so sure now. David played several more songs, and at least 2 or 3 of them were all about Hilda. Others were about his family or his fear and anxiety. His lyrics were cheesy at times, but his songwriting and his voice were magical. Enticing. Was Hilda drooling? Or was that hot chocolate dripping down her chin?
After a while, David concluded his set and was met with a round of applause by the cafe patrons.
“Thanks! Once again my name is David, and if you like what you heard, I play here on Tuesdays and Thursdays! Have a wonderful evening!” He said as he exited the stage. Hilda took her drink and ducked out of the cafe and walked quickly down the sidewalk.
It was obvious that the nature of the songs was why David chose to keep this aspect of his life hidden from Hilda and Frida. Hilda understood that now. But now that she knew, what was she supposed to do with the information?