Elara Miras leaned against her bedroom window, watching the afternoon sunlight scatter across the cobblestone streets of Lumeria. The city always felt alive, humming with energy and whispered secrets. Yet, for all its bustle, Elara felt like a ghost moving through it—noticed only in passing, barely remembered. High school had been a cycle of routine: classes, homework, and quiet evenings spent reading under the soft glow of her bedside lamp.
A sudden knock on her front door broke her reverie. Frowning, she hurried down the spiral staircase, curious. No one had mentioned a visitor.
At the doorstep stood a boy she had never seen before. His uniform was simple: a faded blue tunic with the insignia of a local delivery guild, and his satchel, slung over his shoulder, looked stuffed with letters and parcels. But it was his eyes that caught her off guard—bright green, like shards of emerald, and strangely familiar, as if he had wandered straight out of one of her daydreams.
"Delivery for Elara Miras," he said, holding out a small, intricately carved box. His voice was calm, almost musical, and carried a hint of mischief.
"I… wasn't expecting anything," Elara replied, taking the package. Her fingers brushed against his, and a faint spark tingled up her arm. A shiver raced through her, sudden and inexplicable.
"Sign here," he said, handing her a parchment.
She scribbled her name, trying not to stare too long. When she looked up, the boy was already smiling at her, eyes twinkling as though he knew a secret she didn't. "Enjoy your day, Elara," he said, tipping an imaginary hat before turning to leave.
Elara blinked. "Wait—who are you?" she called after him, but the boy had vanished into the crowded street like smoke. She glanced down at the box. It was heavy for its size, and its surface shimmered faintly, reflecting sunlight in unusual patterns. Her curiosity ignited.
Back in her room, she set the box on her desk. Hesitation gnawed at her. She hadn't opened it yet, not because she was afraid, but because a strange sense of anticipation held her back. Something about the delivery boy—Kael, as his name tag had hinted—made her feel as if the world had shifted, even just slightly.
With a deep breath, she untied the ribbon and lifted the lid. Inside lay a delicate crystal pendant, glowing faintly with a soft, azure light. A folded note rested beside it. She opened it and read the elegant handwriting:
"Some gifts find the right person at the right time. Trust your heart."
Elara's pulse quickened. What did it mean? Who had sent it? And why did her mind keep returning to the mysterious boy at the gate?
Outside, the streets of Lumeria continued their rhythm, unaware of the tiny spark of destiny that had landed on her desk. But for Elara, nothing would ever feel quite the same again. She clutched the pendant, her thoughts swirling with questions she didn't yet know how to answer.
A knock at her window startled her. She turned—and for a fleeting moment, thought she saw a shadowy figure disappear into the afternoon light. A delivery boy. A smile. A secret.
And then, nothing.