Chapter 1

In the quaint town of Midnight Hollow, a sudden gust of wind sent a flurry of golden leaves dancing along the wind path that led to the town's beloved café, Sweet Surprises. Amongst the leaves and the laughter of the townspeople, two strangers crossed paths at the café's entrance. Elijah, a bookish introvert, found him toself unable to look away as his eyes locked with those of a girl who seemed to have just stepped out of a fairytale.

The small town of Midnight Hollow was a charming place, where neighbors knew each other by name and Sunday brunches were as much a tradition as church service. On this particular autumn day, the streets were bustling with excitement as locals prepared for the annual Harvest festival.

Elijah, have just stepped out of the quaint little bookstore where he worked, found himself caught up in the energy of the town.

As he made his way towards Sweet Surprises, he could already smell the warm, inviting scent of freshly brewed coffee and freshly baked pastries. It was a familiar scent, one that brought back memories of lazy Saturday morning spent in the café with a good book. Elijah pushed open the door to Sweet Surprises and was greeted by the warmth and cheer that he had come to expect. But something felt different today, the air felt charged with possibility. It was then that he spotted her, the girl with hair like a flame and eyes like the deepest forest. They stood there, frozen in time, neither of them able to break the spell.

Elijah felt a surge of something he had never experienced before, a feeling of connection and familiarity that defied explanation. He wanted to speak, to say anything that would keep her from disappearing into the crowd, but the words caught in his throat.

Finally, he found his voice, "Are you.....are you looking for a table? I could share mine, if you'd like".

The girl smiled, her face lighting up like a thousands suns. "That would be wonderful, thank you. My name is Lumillicent"

Elijah and Lumillicent settled in their table in the corner of the café, the soft light from the windows casting a warm glow over the table. They began to chat, the words flowing easily between them, as if they had known each other their whole lives. Elijah learned that Lumillicent was new in town, having just moved from the bustling city of Zimbabwe. She was a free spirit, drawn to the simplicity and quiet of Midnight Hollow. Elijah, on the other hand, was a creature of habit, content with his life in the town he had grown up in.

Elijah eagerly agreed, and Lumillicent suggest that they take a walk through the town. They strolled through the streets of Midnight Hollow, the autumn leaves crunching beneath their feet. Lumillicent pointed out the details that caught her eyes.The way the light hit the old oak tree on Main Street, the intricate carvings on the door of the town's only church.

To Be Continued

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***