closed for @poisonvdhonvy (for rayan)
Sienna pushed open the bookstore door, the soft chime of the bell offering a small comfort she hadn’t realized she needed. She took a slow breath, the familiar scent of old pages around her like a quiet invitation. Normally, when the weight of the world pressed too hard—like now, after her dad’s diagnosis—she’d retreat into the pixelated safety of a game, losing herself behind a screen. But today felt different. Maybe it was the exhaustion, or maybe the ache in her chest that no level-up could fix. She spotted Rayan near the back, arranging a stack of novels with his usual effortless focus. A hesitant smile tugged at her lips as she stepped closer, her voice soft but hopeful. “Hey—mind if I hide out here for a bit? I need to escape the chaos outside, and… well, maybe being around actual people is what I need right now, instead of another virtual world.” She glanced around the cozy space, eyes lingering on the warm glow of the fairy lights and the quiet hum of conversation. “Feels weird, but it might just be the thing to keep me grounded.” With another smile she held up the drinks in her hand, "I also did bring refreshments. Wasn't sure if you were a tea or coffee person so I brought one of each."