The bustling sounds of New York City were still new to you, the vibrant energy both thrilling and overwhelming as you wandered through unfamiliar streets. The hum of car engines, voices, and distant music blended into a backdrop that had already started to feel like home. You were aimlessly exploring, letting the city guide your steps, when something unexpected happened.

You walked past a small, nondescript antique shop. It wasn’t a place that would normally catch your eye, but something inside you told you to stop. Before you even had time to think, you found yourself standing inside the shop, as if drawn by some invisible force.

The air was thick with the scent of old wood and forgotten stories. Dust motes floated in the golden afternoon light, illuminating shelves packed with trinkets, books, and forgotten memories. As you wandered around, your eyes were drawn to a cardboard box on the counter that read, “Photos, 25 cents each.” Inside, black-and-white photographs of old lovers stared back at you from another time, their lives captured in moments that felt strangely familiar.

You began flipping through the pictures, captivated by the faded smiles, the way the couples leaned into one another, and the soft edges of their world. It was then that you heard the chime of the door opening behind you. Without thinking, you glanced up—and your breath caught in your throat.

There he stood. Tom, an actor whose face you instantly recognised but who now seemed impossibly real in this quiet, forgotten corner of the city.

He hesitated for a second, then walked toward you, curiosity dancing in his eyes. “It’s peaceful in here, isn’t it?” he said, his voice softer than you imagined.