The rain fell softly on the city streets, blurring neon signs into shimmering colors. Elliot wiped the fog from the bookstore's window, his gaze lingering on the droplets racing each other down the glass. The warm hum of the heater inside contrasted with the chilly air outside, a small sanctuary in the midst of a gray afternoon.
The bell above the door jingled, cutting through the quiet. Elliot glanced up to see a figure rush in, dripping wet, shaking an umbrella. His heart skipped a beat—not from the cold, but from the sudden presence.
Jayden's dark eyes flickered around the bookstore, a rare softness in them as he took a deep breath. The usual confident spark that accompanied his K-pop idol persona was dimmed, replaced by exhaustion and something more vulnerable.
"Looking for shelter from the storm?" Elliot asked softly, stepping aside to reveal rows of neatly arranged books, the scent of old paper and fresh coffee mingling in the air.
Jayden smiled faintly, brushing damp hair from his face. "Yeah, and maybe some good stories too. I'm Jayden."
Elliot's fingers twitched on the counter. "I'm Elliot. Welcome."
Jayden moved toward a shelf stacked with novels, running a hand over the spines. "I've been so caught up in auditions and training… I forgot what it feels like just to lose myself in a book."
Elliot nodded, understanding more than he let on. "Books are safe places. They don't ask questions."
Jayden turned to him, eyes searching. "Do you ever feel like you're hiding who you really are?"
Elliot swallowed, the question hitting closer than he expected. "Every day."
Their eyes met. For a brief moment, the noise of the city faded, replaced by a fragile connection.
The rain slowed to a drizzle, but inside that little bookstore, a new chapter was just beginning...