To the beautiful you

Episode 1 – The First Step The city smelled different—of rain-soaked pavement, roasted coffee, and the lingering traces of a world that never slept. Liana clutched the strap of her bag tightly, her heart pounding in sync with the hurried footsteps around her. The towering buildings stretched into the sky, their glass windows reflecting a future she had yet to claim. This was it. Her escape from Havencrest had been both exhilarating and terrifying. The train ride had passed in a blur, her mind replaying every doubt, every whispered warning from those who believed she would never make it on her own. But she was here now, standing in the middle of a city she had only seen in pictures. She took a deep breath and unfolded the small paper in her hand. An address was scrawled in neat handwriting—her new home, at least for now. Her childhood friend, Naomi, had promised her a place to stay until she got on her feet. Navigating the streets felt like trying to read a book in a language she didn’t quite understand. People moved with purpose, their lives already set in motion while she was just beginning to find her place. She pulled out her phone, checking the map for the hundredth time, when— “Oof!” Liana stumbled backward, her bag slipping from her shoulder. She had walked straight into someone—a tall, sharp-eyed stranger dressed in a fitted black coat. His gaze flickered down to her, assessing her with an unreadable expression. “Watch where you’re going,” he muttered, brushing past her without another word. Liana blinked. No apology? No concern? The city was already proving to be harsher than she had imagined. Shaking off the encounter, she continued forward until she reached the address. A small, brick apartment complex stood before her, its exterior