Realmwalker

Athena was just like every other woman living in New York- young and somewhat adventurous but more of a book nerd than anything. She loved her books with a passion and always wondered what it would be like to travel to those worlds she read of. While walking on the busy streets of New York, she spots a library hidden in an alleyway. She walks toward the library trying not to bump into other people walking in the opposite direction. She gets to the library doors and looks inside. It's full of books from top to bottom. Walking in she feels a calming aura and a smell of old books. She smiles at the librarian and starts to walk towards a section not far from the entrance. Athena loved fantasy books and always found them calming in her everyday life. She lived a rough life growing up. Bullied throughout her school years for her braces and her love of reading books. She didn't have any friends in her years of school. Always being shoved into a locker, books pushed out of her hands. She hated those years. It only got worse when her family died in a tragic car accident on the way to one of her soccer games in high school. That was 3 years ago. After the incident, she lived by herself in the family home fighting depression. That's when she started to read her fantasy books. Getting lost in those pages helped her cope with what she had lost. Athena shook her head trying to get rid of all the negativity of her past. She didn't wanna go back into the hole she finally crawled out of. She stood in front of the fantasy section. This was her favorite genre of book, especially the ones with spicy scenes in them. Her love life was one that she shouldn't brag about. She had guys over every now and then, most of them lowlifes with no job. The others were just one-night stands. Now she is just a single woman living her best life being turned on by smut books. She sighs and thinks to herself "Why do I do this to myself." She looks on the shelf and spots an interesting book. The cover shows a woman riding a dragon above a vast city. She was about to turn away when an old dusty book caught her eye. The book was about an ancient power that could traverse you into any book you read. Athena rolled her deep blue eyes and took the book anyway. Walking up to the librarian she puts the two books down on the counter. The librarian looks at the old book and says "I've never seen that book before." Athena responded with "Really it was kind of in plain view." The librarian just shrugs her shoulders and asks if Athena would like to buy the books or rent them. She buys both books and starts to head home. Leaving the library with her newfound books, Athena can't resist the allure of a nearby bar. The crowded streets of New York City lead her to a dimly lit establishment where the lively chatter and ambient music promise a welcome distraction. As she enters, the bar's atmosphere wraps around her like a comforting cloak. Athena finds a spot at the bar, ordering a drink to unwind. The low hum of conversations and the distant notes of a live band provide a backdrop for her thoughts. Amidst the lively atmosphere of the bar, a handsome man catches Athena's eye as he confidently makes his way toward her. He stands at 6 feet tall, with a rugged yet refined charm that seems to draw attention effortlessly. His deep, hazel eyes hold a hint of mystery, complementing the well-defined jawline that gives his face a strong and confident appeal. A carefully groomed beard adds a touch of ruggedness to his overall look, blending seamlessly with his wavy, dark brown hair that falls just above his shoulders. Dressed in a stylish yet understated manner, he wears a perfectly tailored jacket that accentuates his broad shoulders. Underneath, a classic white shirt hints at a casual elegance, paired with dark jeans that complete the effortlessly chic ensemble. A silver watch peeks out from his wrist, a subtle accessory that adds a touch of sophistication. As he approaches, a warm smile plays on his lips, revealing a genuine and welcoming demeanor. Athena couldn't keep her eyes off of him. He must have noticed cause his smile turned flirtatious in a second. "Hi, my name is Gabriel. Sorry to approach you but I noticed you from across the bar." Athena smiles and says "It's fine. I happened to notice you as well." Smiling in the most flirty way possible. Gabriel sits next to Athena noticing the books in her bag he says "This may come as a shock but those are my favorite books too." As Athena laughs, he becomes entranced, observing the intricacies of her face with keen attention. Every subtle detail becomes a captivating revelation as if her laughter unveils a unique and enchanting aspect of her personality. "I thought I closed my bag so no one could see it." He smiles at her and laughs. They have a few drinks and talk about life. Athena finds out he works for a small company and doesn't have much time to get out. She tells him about her life struggles and that she doesn't work at the moment. After a long night of talk and drinking, Gabriel offers to walk Athena home. She agrees and they both start to walk to the front door. Athena only lived a couple of blocks from the bar but tonight it seemed farther away than usual. As they stroll through the dimly lit streets, a subtle energy lingers between Athena and Gabriel. The night air is filled with unspoken words, and their laughter creates a melody that resonates with a hidden connection. With each step, their shoulders brush, and occasional glances are exchanged, revealing a mutual awareness. Walking almost hand in hand, Gabriel and Athena started to feel raindrops. Athena asks "Was it calling for rain?" Gabriel pulls out his phone and the moment he does it starts to down poor. They start running to the nearest dry place they could find. Inside the cafe, sheltering them from the rain was a room full of cats.