After her 8 a.m. classes were done, Sarah headed back to her apartment lazily. It had been a long morning. All she wanted now was to rest, recharge a little before heading to the art gallery later in the evening. As she passed by a glass door, she paused and glanced at her reflection. At least she looked good, she thought.

Michael stood at the elevator, pressing the button absently. His class wasn’t until 2 p.m., but he had promised himself; thanks to last night’s journal entry, that he’d spend time at the library today. He was determined to stay on track. His hoodie hung loose on him, eyes wide with sleep and thought.

The elevator doors slid open. He stepped inside without really noticing who was there...until he caught the scent. Kiwi and butter, soft and lingering. His heart skipped. Slowly, he looked up.

It was her.

Sarah turned slightly, her body heavy with tiredness, and caught sight of him.

She froze.

That same boy. Shaggy hair, soft brown eyes, fine cheekbones. His presence filled the small space effortlessly. For a second, the elevator felt like it had stopped moving. Time paused.

Their eyes met. Not like the last time , this time, fully. She didn’t look away.

There was something steady in her posture, still but confident. She held his gaze, calm and curious. Her silence said more than words. Michael felt warmth rise in his chest. He smiled gently, not wanting to scare the moment away.

She returned it . Just a small grin but it was enough.

He opened his mouth, just about to speak.

The elevator doors slid open.

She stepped out.

Her eyes lingered on him a moment longer, as if to say, " I hope we see each other again."

New people walked into the lift, voices filling the space. Michael didn’t even notice them. His eyes stayed fixed on the hallway she’d disappeared into, his lips curved into a wider smile now.

Yes, he was definitely going to have a good day.

Sarah arrived just in time, the wind brushing past her coat as she pushed through the glass doors of the art gallery. The warm interior greeted her with the familiar scent of varnished wood and old paint.

"Hi!" came Alice's chirpy voice, already halfway through a smile as Sarah stepped in.

"You're on time today," Alice teased, eyes bright.

Sarah let out a light laugh. "Yeah… not really a busy morning, I guess."

Alice grinned, adjusting a small stack of pamphlets near the desk. "How’s it going? Settling in okay?"

Sarah gave a small shrug, slipping off her coat and smoothing her top. "Still settling in, honestly. Slowly."

Alice tilted her head, her tone laced with curiosity. "New town, new course… new people?"

Sarah smiled politely, picking up her staff lanyard and walking toward the counter. There was something about Alice’s voice , not unkind, but lined with a bit too much interest. Inquisitive and a little too eager. A talker, Sarah thought to herself.

They began walking through the corridor that led to the main display area, Alice talking more than necessary about the shifts, the gallery schedule, how some artists were due to visit during the winter showcase.

"Do you have a boyfriend?" Alice suddenly asked, her tone casual but her eyes clearly waiting for a juicy answer.

Sarah blinked, caught off guard, then chuckled softly. "No. I’m single. Not really interested in all that right now."

Alice gasped playfully. "What? You? But you’re gorgeous. I bet guys are lining up already. You're going to cause a problem here!" She wiggled her brows.

Sarah managed a smile, but her chest tightened slightly. Ethan’s name floated just beneath her skin. But she didn't want to go there. Not now. Not with someone she barely knew.

Alice continued. "Honestly, someone like you? Guys will be stopping by the gallery just to catch a glimpse. It’s going to be wild."

Sarah laughed lightly, feigning amusement. She didn’t want to be rude. Alice seemed harmless, maybe even sweet ,just a little too much.

Alice leaned in a little, voice lowering to a whisper. "Okay, promise not to tell anyone?"

Sarah raised a brow. "Sure."

"I think I have a crush on someone who works here," Alice said, cheeks turning pink.

Sarah let out a quiet “Ooh,” playing along.

"But I can’t say who yet. Maybe later…" Alice giggled, clearly enjoying the drama she was creating for herself.

Sarah nodded, amused and mildly curious, but mostly just trying to get through the conversation. She appreciated Alice’s friendliness, even if she wasn’t in the mood for small talk.

"I should totally set you up with someone!" Alice added enthusiastically.

Sarah raised a hand, grinning. "Let’s not get ahead of ourselves."

"Okay, okay!" Alice laughed. "But we should go out sometime. Like a drink or something? You seem cool."

Sarah paused, then nodded. "Sure. Maybe soon."

Later, at her assigned station near one of the side gallery rooms, Sarah organized a row of small art books on the lower shelf of the desk, glad for the moment of quiet. Her fingers moved carefully as she arranged the books, her eyes occasionally drifting to a brushstroke on a painting across the room. And then, without warning, her thoughts drifted.

The lift.

The soft buzz of electricity in the air when their eyes met. His shy smile, the way he’d looked at her .The smell of the lift. The faint warmth she still felt in her chest. She blinked it away, standing upright and brushing off imaginary dust from her jeans. Enough. She had work to do.