I woke with a start, the shrill, insistent ringing of my alarm shattering the peaceful fog of sleep. My eyes snapped open, and I barely had time to register the chaos of the morning before I glanced at the clock. 7:30 AM.
My heart skipped a beat. I was late. I had to go to the bookstore. Jenna would be there already, probably setting things up, preparing for the quiet hours of the morning before the flood of customers came. The bookstore was my sanctuary, my one constant in a world that seemed to be crumbling around me. It was where I felt like myself, where nothing could touch me.
I had to get there.
Ignoring the pull of the warm blankets, I threw myself out of bed, feet hitting the cold wooden floor with a soft thud. My mind raced as I quickly tossed on my favorite faded jeans and a s
