*Note: Dialogue is written in italics. Regular text is for narration.
Chapter 1: "Where Strangers Make Promises"
A peaceful park in the late afternoon. Children are playing in the distance. I'm gently swinging on a child's swing, lost in thought. I saw a stranger from a nearby bench, curiosity tugging. Stranger walk over slowly and speak first.
Stranger:
"Hey there... sorry to bother you, but you looked so deep in thought. Mind if I sit on the swing next to you?"
Dan:
*Didn't answer right away. The world around me felt distant—faint background noise. The voice barely reached past the fog in my head.*
The stranger settles down onto the swing beside Dan, feet gently pushing off the ground. A small, curious smile plays at the corners of the strangers lips. The creaking of the chains and distant laughter fill the space between you.
Stranger:
"You look like you've got a whole universe in your head."
A pause, unsure if he'll respond, but keeps her tone soft.
"Sorry—random, I know.
I'm Kai."
Dan (startled):
"Oh—were you talking to me? Wait... have you been sitting there long?"
He blinks, still trying to shake the fog.
"I'm sorry—what was your name again?"
Kai:
She chuckles softly, leaning back just enough to make her swing sway.
"Yeah, I've been here for a while. You looked kind of... far away."
She glances over again, her voice light but thoughtful.
"Not in a bad way. Just... peacefully lost, maybe."
Then, with a small smile, she extends her hand.
"I'm Kai. And you are...?"
Dan (hesitant):
I wipe my hand on my pants before slowly reaching out to shake hers.
"I'm... Dan. Just here to clear my head."
As I pull back my hands, I notice something odd—I still can't tell if Kai is a guy or girl. The hoodie and mask don't give anything away. I play it safe and stick to using the name.
Kai:
"Nice to meet you, Dan."
She tucks her hands back into her hoodie pocket.
"And don't worry—I get that a lot. The mask and hoodie combo? Keeps the mystery alive."
She leans her head back a little, eyes following the clouds as they drift across the sky. Silence stretches for a moment before she continues.
"I guess I just... got the feeling you needed space. But also maybe someone to quietly share it with."
She shrugs, almost shy.
"If that even makes sense."
Dan:
I glance at my watch out of habit, then sigh softly.
"I'm sorry if I worried you. Or if my vibe dragged you over here."
A pause, choosing my words carefully.
"It's not that I'm trying to be rude or anything... I just usually prefer to be alone. Process things in my own head."
I glance at her, genuinely curious now.
YOU ARE READING
Yours, still.
RomanceThey weren't supposed to meet like this- on a swing, in a park, between coffee jitters and emotional damage. She wore a hoodie. He wore a smile that forgot things. And somewhere between the jokes, the near-death rescue, and the carved arrow... their...
