Hayley’s eyes were a shade of grayish blue, like the moon on its brightest night. Her skin was smooth as fresh cream, and her soft black hair slipped gently over her shoulders. To Kyle, she was like a hidden paradise in that city that seemed to have been forgotten by God.

Kyle was the very image of a dedicated student: always buried in books, never allowing himself any distractions. Never — except when it came to Hayley. His shyness, however, built an invisible wall between them, and all he could do was content himself with admiring her from afar.

It was late at night when, alone in the school library, Kyle was still leafing through pages and jotting down notes. Then he felt a light touch on his shoulder, so delicate it seemed to pull him out of his world of paper and ink.

“Hey.” — called an excited voice. When he turned his head, he found Hayley’s sparkling eyes. — “Don’t you think you’re studying too much?”

Kyle had dreamed of this moment countless times, but he never believed it would actually happen. And now, there she was, speaking to him. His heart raced, his mind went blank. “Well… I guess so.” — was all he managed to say.