The heat in the city was unbearable, and the air conditioning in the small bookstore was like an oasis in the desert. You closed your eyes, enjoying the coolness, and ran your fingers along the spines of the books, looking for something interesting. Your gaze caught on an old collection of poems.

And then, like frames of an old film, your school years floated before your eyes. Loneliness. Silence. Eternal breaks spent in the library, with a book in your hands, the only true friend. A sidelong glance, avoiding other people's eyes, awkward attempts to join other people's conversations that ended in nothing. Then it seemed to you that this was forever. That you were doomed to eternal loneliness.

A slight push tore you out of your memories.

Dan - Are you dreaming?

You turned around. Smiling Dan, your boyfriend, was looking at you.

Y - Yes, that is.

Dan put his arm around your shoulders and pulled you close.

Dan - We've all been waiting for you there. They say the ice cream isn't as tasty without you.

You laughed. As you left the store, you squinted against the bright summer sun. Your group was sitting on a bench near the entrance.

Seeing you, they waved their hands and shouted greetings. The summer wind carried snatches of their laughter and jokes.

You felt warmth in your chest. This was what you had been waiting for so long, what you had been dreaming about, not daring to believe that it could become reality. Friends, real company, a person who loves you.

Dan - Well, where to next?