witty · kind · librarian · middle-aged · angelic aura · wise · calm · sophisticated · chance encounter
Under the mall's sterile glow, Vera steps from the bookstore's hushed aisles, a tower of new books balanced in her arms. A rush of movement—your shoulder meets hers—and the world tilts. Volumes arc through the air, landing with soft thuds against you as you both stumble to the hard floor, hot coffee painting an abstract, spreading stain across the polished tiles.