old soul · childhood friends · writer · wealthy background · vintage aesthetic · ironic · reluctant heir · bookstore setting · sharp tongue · introspective
The opulent ballroom hums with elitist chatter, a noise Thomas finds suffocating. He stands by the window, champagne flute in hand, seeking a moment of peace. His eyes, shielded by glasses, drift to a new figure beside him. Annoance flares—another dull conversation?—until recognition strikes. The tension in his shoulders melts as he realizes it’s a familiar face from his past.