Chapter 1:
Chance Meeting
The night sky over Ashwood was unusually clear, stars glittering like scattered diamonds across the velvet black. Emma Lawson wrapped her scarf tighter as she walked home from her late shift at the bookstore. The chill nipped at her cheeks, but the quiet streets were comforting, a rare break from the bustling city life.
As she rounded a corner, she nearly collided with someone.
“Oh! Sorry—I didn’t see you there,” Emma said, stepping back.
The man she bumped into looked equally startled. His dark hair was tousled from the wind, and his green eyes met hers with a mixture of surprise and something warmer she couldn’t quite place.
“No, it’s my fault,” he said, a soft smile forming on his lips.“I wasn’t paying attention either.”
Emma laughed nervously.“Well, at least it wasn’t a major collision.”
He chuckled, and she noticed the way his laughter seemed to linger, like a melody.“I’m Lucas,” he said, holding out a hand.
“Emma,” she replied, shaking it, the contact sending an unexpected spark through her fingers.
For a moment, neither spoke. The stars overhead seemed to hum around them, and Emma felt a strange sense of rightness in the encounter.
“So… are you usually this unlucky, bumping into strangers at night?” Lucas asked, teasingly.
“Only when the stars conspire,” Emma said, surprised at her own words. They both laughed, the sound echoing softly against the quiet buildings.
Before parting ways, Lucas hesitated.“Hey… maybe I could walk you home?”
Emma considered it for a moment, then nodded.“Sure. That would be… nice.”
As they walked together under the starlit sky, Emma felt a flutter she hadn’t expected. Something about Lucas felt familiar, like a long-forgotten song playing in the background of her life. And she couldn’t help but wonder—was this a simple coincidence, or the start of something extraordinary?
Chapter 2:
Shared Walks
The night air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of pine from a nearby park. Emma and Lucas walked side by side, their steps in rhythm, neither rushing to break the silence.
“So… do you always work late at the bookstore?” Lucas asked, glancing at her with genuine curiosity.
“Most nights,” Emma admitted, tucking her hands into her coat pockets.“It’s peaceful, though. I like the quiet after hours. You get to see the city in a different way.”
Lucas nodded.“I know what you mean. I’m a photographer—night shots are my favorite. Streets look… magical when the world is asleep.”
Emma’s eyes lit up.“That’s amazing! I love photography, though I’m terrible at it. My brother’s always taking my pictures and making me look awkward.” She laughed, a soft, melodic sound that seemed to make Lucas grin.
“Maybe I could show you some tricks sometime,” he offered, lightly brushing his hand against hers. The contact was brief, but Emma felt a warmth creep up her arm.
“That would be… fun,” she said, smiling.
They stopped at a small bridge overlooking the river, the water reflecting the starlight. For a moment, neither spoke, just taking in the quiet beauty of the scene.
“Emma,” Lucas said finally, his voice low,“I know we just met, but I feel… I don’t know… like I could talk to you forever and never run out of things to say.”
Emma’s heart skipped. She felt the same, though she hadn’t expected to admit it out loud.“I was thinking the same thing,” she whispered.
A soft laugh escaped him, nervous and warm.“Well, I guess that’s a good start, right?”
Emma nodded, feeling a flutter of excitement and comfort at the same time. Something was beginning—something slow, delicate, and full of promise. And as they continued walking under the stars, she realized that this chance encounter might just change her life in ways she hadn’t even imagined.
