A/N- chat im so sorry for being gone for like a year </3 BUT WE'RE BACK AND THE NEXT TWO CHAPTER ARE WAITING AND ABSOLUTELY BAWLING

I stepped out of the library, pulling my coat tighter around me. The air was cool, the kind that wakes you up a little, brushing against my face as the streetlights flickered on. The sky was still clinging to bits of color, which looked pretty, but most of it had already turned dark. I checked my phone. 10 PM. Later than I thought.

The city felt quieter at this hour. Just the hum of cars in the distance, the faint sound of chatter from the café across the street, and my footsteps echoing on the pavement. I adjusted the strap of my bag and started walking home, the weight of the new book inside making me smile a little. I'd been meaning to read it for weeks. There was something comforting about knowing I had something new waiting for me, a story that wasn't mine.

The walk home wasn't long and not much happened along the way. A couple walked past me, laughing about something only they understood. Somewhere down the block, a dog barked. The usual.

I got home, and made a lazy sandwich with egg; my comfort food.

After dinner, I went up to my room and tossed my bag onto the bed. I was ready to unwind, maybe start the first few pages of my book before falling asleep. I reached inside, pulled the book out, but then something else slipped free. A small white card fluttered onto the sheets.

I frowned, picking it up. There wasn't much on it. Just a phone number in neat handwriting. No name. No logo. Nothing.

Weird.

I turned it over again, half expecting something to appear on the other side, but it was blank. I didn't remember putting anything like that in my bag. Maybe someone at the library had dropped it? Or slipped it in by mistake?

Still... it didn't look like a mistake.

I sat down on the bed, card in one hand, phone in the other. Should I text it? Probably not. But curiosity always wins with me, and before I knew it, I was already typing.

Me: Hey, I found this card in my bag. No name on it. Who's this?

A few minutes passed. I figured whoever it was probably wouldn't answer. Maybe it was a dead number or some scam. Then my phone lit up.

Unknown Number: Thought you'd never ask ;3

I frowned at the screen. Seriously?

Me: That doesn't answer my question.

Another buzz.

Unknown Number: Sorry, that was dumb. It's Ella. From the bar. Well, from Keith's band, but also the bar.

I blinked. Ella?

I didn't even realize she'd put something in my bag. How had she even managed that without me noticing?

Me: Oh. Didn't know you left this. Subtle.
Ella: Super subtle. I was hoping you'd text.

I leaned back against my pillows, reading her messages twice. I wasn't sure what to make of her yet. She had this way about her — confident, but not showy. Effortless. Like she didn't have to try to get attention; it just happened.

Me: What were you even doing at the library?
Ella: What, you think I can't read?
I actually laughed at that, shaking my head.
Me: That's exactly what I'm saying.
Ella: Ouch. Guess I deserve that.
Ella: I was picking up a book. Needed something to read between rehearsals. And I like libraries. They're quiet. Feels different from the rest of the world, y'know?

I stared at her message for a second.
Me: Yeah. I get that.

There was a pause after that.. long enough that I thought the conversation might be over. I put my phone down on the bed, sighing. Then my phone buzzed again.

Ella: Wanna meet up again?

My first instinct was to say no. The bar wasn't really my thing... too loud, too crowded, too many people. I didn't even know if Ella was my thing. But still... she was interesting. And there weren't many people I would say that about.

Me: Where?
Ella: The bar. Friday night?

Of course. The bar.

Me: Fine. But if the music sucks, I'm blaming you.
Ella: Deal. See you then, book girl.

Book girl. I rolled my eyes at that one, but it made my chest feel warm in a weird way. I locked my phone and let it rest on my chest, staring at the ceiling. I should probably regret saying yes. It wasn't exactly the smartest idea, meeting up with someone I barely knew.

But I didn't regret it. Not yet, anyway.

Friday would come soon enough.