The days that followed Selene's coffee with Lyra seemed to blur together, but in a way that felt both comforting and unsettling. Every time Selene walked past the library, she found herself glancing through the windows, hoping to catch a glimpse of Lyra. She knew it was a bit silly, this quiet obsession, but it was as if a spark had been lit within her, and now it was impossible to ignore.
Selene tried to keep herself distracted. She spent time with her friends; Maya's latest art exhibit was just around the corner, and Theo had dragged her to a new movie he was dying to see. But no matter what she did, her thoughts kept returning to Lyra, to her calm demeanor, her soft smile, the way her eyes seemed to hold secrets that Selene longed to uncover.
It was on one of those days, when she was feeling particularly restless, that Selene received a message from Lyra.
"I hope you're free this Saturday. I'm hosting a small gathering at my apartment. A few friends, some books, and maybe a little wine if you're interested. You're welcome to come if you'd like."
The message was short, casual, and yet it sent a thrill through Selene. An invitation. To Lyra's apartment. Selene's heart raced as she read the words again, trying to decipher what this meant. Was this just a friendly get together, or was there something more to it? She had so many questions, and yet, a part of her felt like it didn't matter. She wanted to go. She wanted to see more of the woman who had been occupying her thoughts for days.
She typed her response quickly, her fingers almost trembling as she pressed send.
"I'd love to come. What time should I be there?"
Less than a minute later, Lyra replied, her message simple but warm.
"7 PM. I'll see you then."
Selene smiled to herself, feeling a strange mix of excitement and nervousness. It was just a small gathering, but it felt like so much more. It felt like a step into something new, something she had been longing for without realizing it.
Saturday arrived, and Selene spent the day trying to settle her nerves. She debated over what to wear for what seemed like an ordinary evening, but to her, it felt anything but ordinary. Eventually, she chose a simple, yet elegant outfit; a flowy dress in deep navy blue that she felt was understated yet still flattering. She wanted to look good, of course, but not too much. She didn't want to come off as trying too hard.
As the hour approached, she found herself pacing in her apartment, mentally preparing for what was ahead. What if she said something wrong? What if Lyra didn't want her there? Her thoughts ran wild until, finally, she grabbed her keys and made her way out the door.
The walk to Lyra's apartment felt like an eternity, though it was only a short distance from the library. The building was an old one, with ivy climbing up the sides and windows that seemed to have witnessed decades of stories. When she reached Lyra's floor, Selene hesitated for a moment, her hand hovering over the doorbell.
What if this was all just in my head? What if this is just an ordinary night, and I'm reading into everything too much, she thought. But before she could overthink it further, the door opened.
Lyra stood in the doorway, looking effortlessly stunning in a simple yet elegant outfit; an oversized sweater that draped off her shoulders and a pair of dark jeans that accentuated her tall frame. She wore no makeup, but her skin glowed, and her hair fell loosely around her shoulders, framing her face in a way that made Selene's heart skip a beat.
"Hey," Lyra said softly, stepping aside to let her in. "I'm glad you could make it."
Selene smiled, stepping into the apartment. The space was cozy and minimalist, with bookshelves lining the walls, soft lighting, and a few pieces of art scattered throughout. It felt warm, inviting, and completely unlike the cold, distant persona Lyra usually projected. This was a glimpse into Lyra's world; a world that Selene was only beginning to understand.
"Thanks for inviting me," Selene replied, her voice a little shaky despite her best efforts. She looked around, noticing the small gathering of people already in the apartment. There were a couple of familiar faces; Isla, who worked with Lyra at the library, and Aiden, Lyra's quiet friend. The rest were strangers to Selene, but she greeted them with a smile nonetheless.
"Come on in, make yourself at home," Lyra said, gesturing to the small coffee table set with glasses of wine and some light appetizers. "I'll grab you a drink."
As Selene moved toward the table, she felt a strange calmness settle over her. The tension she had felt earlier seemed to melt away, replaced by an overwhelming sense of curiosity and excitement. She was here, in Lyra's space, surrounded by her friends, sharing a moment that felt almost intimate.
Lyra returned with a glass of wine for Selene, offering it with a soft smile. "I'm glad you came," she said, her voice low enough that it felt like a secret between them.
Selene took the glass, her fingers brushing lightly against Lyra's as she accepted it. The contact sent a flutter through her chest, but she quickly tried to hide it with a smile. "I'm glad to be here," she replied, her heart racing. She took a sip of the wine, the rich, fruity taste grounding her.
The evening unfolded in easy conversation, with the group chatting about everything from books to art to travel. Selene found herself laughing more than she had in a long time, the easy camaraderie of the group drawing her in. But even in the midst of the conversation, her eyes kept drifting to Lyra, who was sitting quietly across from her, a glass of wine in hand, her eyes occasionally meeting Selene's with an intensity that made her pulse quicken.
The more Selene looked at Lyra, the more she realized something she hadn't fully understood before; there was so much more to this woman than she could ever begin to grasp. Lyra was a mystery, one that Selene desperately wanted to solve, yet something told her that the more she uncovered, the more questions would arise.
As the night went on, Lyra and Selene found themselves lingering in a conversation just outside the group, the noise of the others fading into the background. There was a comfortable silence between them, but beneath it lay something unspoken; something neither of them could ignore.
"I didn't think you'd actually come," Lyra said suddenly, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I'm glad you did."
Selene's heart skipped a beat as she met Lyra's gaze, the vulnerability in her eyes catching Selene off guard. "I'm glad I did too," she replied softly, not sure where this moment would take them, but feeling that pull once again, stronger than ever.
It was late when Selene finally decided it was time to leave. The gathering had wound down, and the others had already said their goodbyes. As she prepared to go, she noticed the sky had opened up; a sudden, heavy rain was now drumming steadily against the windows.
"Oh, I didn't know it was supposed to rain," Selene said, frowning slightly. She had not brought an umbrella.
"Here," Lyra said, already moving toward her small closet. She pulled out a dark, well worn jacket and a compact umbrella. "Take these. I wouldn't want you to get soaked."
"Are you sure? I can just make a run for it," Selene offered, though she was already reaching for the items.
"Positive. Just bring them back whenever you can. No rush." Lyra's smile was warm, and her fingers brushed against Selene's as she handed over the jacket.
The walk home was a stark contrast to the warm cocoon of Lyra's apartment. The rain was cold, the wind sharp, but tucked under the umbrella and wrapped in Lyra's jacket, Selene felt a strange sense of peace. The jacket was soft from wear and carried a distinct scent; a clean, comforting blend of sandalwood, vanilla, and the faint, unmistakable smell of old books. It was the essence of Lyra.
Once inside her own apartment, Selene shrugged off the damp jacket. Instead of hanging it up immediately, she brought the collar to her nose and inhaled deeply. The scent was so uniquely, intimately Lyra that it made her heart ache with a sudden, fierce longing.
It smells just like her, she thought, a slow smile spreading across her face. Then a wave of self consciousness hit her. Am I weird for doing this? Probably. But she didn't care. Holding the jacket close, she allowed herself to believe that maybe, just maybe, this was the beginning of something real.