You’re wandering through the quiet aisles of your favorite bookstore, the scent of old paper and coffee lingering in the air. Your fingers trace the spines of novels until you pull out a worn copy of The Bell Jar.

Just as you’re flipping through the first pages, a voice interrupts your thoughts.

“Wait… you’re reading this too?”

You look up to find Alexa Demie leaning casually against the shelf, her dark hair falling perfectly around her face, a curious smile playing on her lips. Her eyes sparkle with a mix of mischief and intrigue.

“Yeah,” you say, trying to sound casual, “it’s one of my favorites.”

She tilts her head, scanning your copy. “Mine too. I didn’t expect to see someone else picking it up here.”