The grand hall of the Evervale Heritage Centre hummed with anticipation, the excitement of the crowd palpable. Rows of visitors stood just behind sleek belt barriers, their eyes trained on the stage ahead. The exhibit, which was already a masterpiece of historical displays, had been transformed for the day. Huge banners had been made for the novel hung from the ceiling. Artifacts carefully curated to reflect the ancient world of his story gleamed under the soft glow of overhead lights.
At the heart of the hall stood a raised platform, like a stage. Low, elegant chairs and a small table adorned with delicate engravings blended seamlessly into the timeless decor. A wireless microphone rested at the table's edge, waiting for the man of the hour.
Suddenly, the excited murmurs of the crowd turned into a roar of cheers. Jet Lev had arrived.
Jet entered from a side door, dressed in a sweater polo that complemented his tall frame. His steps faltered for a moment as his gaze swept across the room through his glasses, taking in the sea of faces staring back at him. The sheer number of people caught him off guard.
But Jet was quick to recover. He waved to the crowd, his nervousness melting ever so slightly as he saw their joy. With a deep breath, he walked toward the platform.
He climbed the steps, reaching the small table at the center. Picking up the microphone, he cleared his throat and leaned in.
"Hello?" he said, his voice testing the microphone.
The crowd erupted in response, a mix of cheers, applause, and laughter. Jet couldn't help but chuckle. He shook his head lightly, his hair catching the light.
"Good morning, everyone," he said with a shy grin, his voice more confident now. "Wow… this is, uh, way more people than I expected. Thank you all for being here today."
Before Jet could say more, the two hosts stepped onto the platform, microphones in hand. The lead host, a charismatic woman in a sleek navy suit, extended her hand to Jet.
"Good morning, sir," she greeted, her tone warm. "Welcome to the Evervale Heritage Centre. We're thrilled to have you here."
"Morning," Jet replied, shaking her hand and nodding to the co-host as they sat near him.
The host gestured to the crowd. "I don't think you need much of an introduction, judging by how excited everyone is. But just in case—why don't you introduce yourself?"
Jet chuckled softly, adjusting the microphone in his hand. "Good morning again," he said, his voice carrying a mix of humility and humor. "It's an honour to be here at such an incredible venue. For those of you who don't know me—which I hope is not the majority—my name is Jet Lev, and I'm the author of It Felt So Surreal." He paused, glancing at the crowd. "And, uh, I apologize in advance if I stutter. This many people is… a bit surprising."
The crowd laughed, a warm sound that made Jet feel slightly more at ease.
The co-host, a young man with an energetic demeanor, gestured toward the banners behind them. "Jet, seeing all this—these displays, the way your story has come to life here—what's going through your mind right now?"
Jet turned, taking in the intricate details of the exhibit behind him. His novel's world seemed to have stepped off the pages and into reality. His lips parted slightly as he exhaled, momentarily stunned.
"It's… surreal," he admitted, his voice soft. The crowd chuckled at his unintended wordplay. "I mean, I poured so much of myself into this story, and to see it reflected like this—it's incredible. I'm grateful to everyone who worked to bring this to life."
The hosts exchanged a smile before diving into their next question. "Your book has been described as a masterful blend of history and romance. People are obsessed with the relationship between the Omega protagonist and the Alpha commoner. Can you tell us what inspired you to write this story?"
Jet hesitated for a moment, his fingers brushing against the microphone. The memory of his recurring dream flickered in his mind—the vivid scenes of snow, blood, and a love that felt far too real to be fictional.
"I think," he began slowly, "we all have stories within us. Some are born from imagination, and others feel like they've always been there, waiting to be told. For me… this one felt like it had been waiting." He paused, glancing at the crowd with a small smile. "It's hard to explain, but when I started writing, it was like I wasn't making it up—I was remembering it."
The audience was captivated by his words, hanging onto every syllable. Even the hosts seemed momentarily lost in thought.
As the interview continued, Jet's nerves melted away entirely. The crowd laughed at his jokes, applauded his insights, and gasped at the behind-the-scenes stories of his writing process. The event also included fan interactions, where a few lucky individuals got to ask Jet their burning questions.
"This might be the last one," Jet said, scanning the crowd thoughtfully. "So, I'll choose carefully. The girl with black hair recording on the left—yes, you! Come on up."
The girl froze in shock before jumping to her feet. With a nervous but excited smile, she hurried up to the platform, taking a seat next to Jet, keeping a polite distance between them.
"Hi, my name is Gabby!" she introduced herself, her voice brimming with excitement.
"Hello, Gabby," Jet greeted with a warm smile. "What's your question for me today?"
Gabby nodded eagerly, unlocking her phone as if preparing notes. "It's a bit personal—would that be okay?"
"I'll try my best," Jet said with a lighthearted shrug, chuckling softly.
Gabby leaned closer to the microphone. "Okay. First question—how old are you?"
Jet turned to the crowd with a playful smirk. "Guess."
The audience buzzed with guesses, the excitement palpable. Most of them eventually landed on the right number: 23.
"Ding, ding, ding," Jet laughed, pointing to the crowd. "Correct! I'm 23."
Encouraged by his relaxed demeanor, Gabby asked her second question, "Are you in a relationship right now?"
Jet bowed his head, laughing, as the crowd erupted into cheers and teasing shouts. Picking up the microphone, he grinned. "Have you all been waiting for this question?"
A loud, synchronized "YES!" echoed through the hall.
Jet sighed dramatically, though his smile betrayed his amusement. "Well… I've been in relationships before, but right now, I'm single."
The crowd went wild, with some Betas and Omegas playfully yelling for his number. Jet shook his head with a laugh, waving them off.
For her final question, Gabby's tone turned cheeky. "Okay, last one. What's your type?"
Jet groaned teasingly. "So we're playing that game now, huh?" He paused for effect, then answered with a smirk, "I like girls with glasses like me."
Gabby beamed as the host escorted her off the stage. Jet watched the interaction, smiling as the fans cheered and laughed among themselves.
As the event drew to a close, Jet picked up the microphone one last time. His voice turned steady and sincere as he addressed the crowd.
"I just want to thank all of you for being here today. Your support means everything to me. Writing this book was a dream I didn't even realize I had, and seeing it embraced by so many people—it's overwhelming, in the best way."
The room erupted into applause, filling the air with warmth and admiration. For a moment, Jet felt truly at peace, surrounded by people who believed in his work.
But something lingered on his mind: 'Where is the hill in his dream?'