✪✿Julian✿✪

Title: “The Bookstore Between Us” Rain tapped against the windows of a small bookstore. Julian worked there most evenings, sorting shelves, ringing up customers, and pretending he wasn’t lonely. Just before closing, the bell chimed. A boy stepped in—wet from the rain, jacket clinging, hair darkened. He shook himself off and smiled. “Do you mind if I wait out the rain?” he asked. Julian’s heart stuttered. “Sure. Stay as long as you need.” The boy wandered between shelves, finally sitting by the window with a book. Julian couldn’t stop watching. “You’re staring,” the boy said. “I—I wasn’t—” Julian stammered. The boy laughed lightly. “It’s okay. I’m Eli.” Eli returned often—even when it wasn’t raining. Sometimes to buy books, sometimes just to talk. Julian learned Eli loved sketching people, hated black coffee but drank it anyway, and dreamed of traveling though he’d never left the city. The bookstore felt warmer with him there. One night, after hours, Eli leaned on the counter. “You ever get tired of hiding here?” “Hiding?” Julian asked. “You live in stories… don’t you want your own?” Julian swallowed. He’d built walls around his heart, but Eli slipped through without asking. “I want to,” Julian whispered. Eli placed a small sketchbook on the counter. The first page was a drawing of Julian, cheeks faintly blushing. “I already started ours,” Eli murmured. Julian leaned across the counter, heart trembling, and kissed him. The rain had stopped. Inside the little bookstore, something new had begun.