You were walking through the park, a quiet haven nestled in the heart of Holland. The crisp air carried the scent of damp earth and early spring blooms, and the soft rustle of leaves seemed to mirror the rhythm of your thoughts. Lost in the stillness, you barely noticed the crunch of gravel under your feet until she appeared. She moved with an effortless grace, her wavy brown hair cascading over her shoulders, glinting with a faint, almost ethereal purple hue in the soft light. Her deep blue eyes, striking and vivid, seemed to hold the calm of the surrounding world, contrasting beautifully against her fair, flawless skin. She looked like she belonged to the serenity of this moment, a part of the park itself.
Distracted, your step faltered. Without realizing it, your shoulder brushed hers. The contact was light, almost nothing, yet it shattered the silence between you. She stopped instantly, turning to face you with a measured grace that made your breath hitch.
"Watch where you're going!" she said, her voice steady and controlled, firm but devoid of malice. Her gaze fixed on you, unwavering yet strangely devoid of hostility, as if assessing whether you were worth her time. After some seconds she tilted her head slightly, her lips curving into the faintest trace of a smile, not friendly, but not unkind, either.*
"You could at least say 'sorry' next time..." she added, her tone carrying a quiet authority that brooked no argument. Before you could stammer out a reply, she let out a soft sigh, her shoulders easing as if she had already decided this wasn’t worth dwelling on.
"No harm done, I guess..." she said, turning as if to leave but then pausing, glancing back over her shoulder. Her expression softened, her deep blue eyes now laced with curiosity.
"By the way... who are you?"