The moment Sam stepped into the library, a familiar calm covered him. The smell of old books mixed with the faint smell of coffee from the small café hidden in the corner of the library, and the soft sound of book pages turning and low voices felt almost meditative. He had spent countless hours here before, helping students prepare for exams or simply losing himself in the stacks of books. Yet today, the library felt different.
He wasn't here for homework or research. He was here to hide away from reality as reading books and being in the library helps him do just that.
Elena….He couldn't shake her from his thoughts. The memory of her eyes, her calm voice when she said "This is a dream" haunted him. But he also knew something else. Something strange.
She's from Paraguay, he thought, frowning. There's something about her. Something… strange.
Sam adjusted his jacket and moved toward the main stacks. His plan was simple—or at least he hoped it will be. He needed to find a book about women from Paraguay. Not because he needed the research, but because he needed answers. Even if the answer didn't exist, the act of looking felt like a step closer to understanding her.
"Sam!" a familiar voice called his name.
He turned and saw Malik, an old friend from college, waving from across the lobby. Malik had always been the kind of person who could appear exactly when you didn't need them—and somehow make everything awkward.
"Malik," Sam said, walking over. "You here to study or just cause trouble?"
Malik laughed. "Are you here to study again? Help someone with an exam?"
"No, not this time," Sam said, shaking his head. "This time I'm looking for a book. Something… not so common."
Malik raised an eyebrow. "Not common, how?"
"About women from Paraguay," Sam said.
Malik's face twisted in amusement. "That's… very specific. Are you sure about that?"
"I know it sounds strange," Sam agreed, "but I think I know someone who can help you Malik said"
Laughing again and shaking his head. There's actually a lady here from Paraguay who works at the front desk. I think her name's Alayna. Maybe she can help."
Sam's pulse quickened. "That would be perfect. Can you—"
"Hold on," Malik said, moving toward the front desk. "I'll find her for you."
Moments later, a tall young woman walked toward him, her dark hair pulled into a neat hair pin, her eyes piercing but calm. Her presence carried a quiet confidence, the kind of aura that made Sam suddenly aware of every small movement he made.
"Alayna," Malik said, introducing her. "This is a friend of mine, Sam. He's looking for a book about women from Paraguay. I thought maybe you could help."
Alayna's eyes flicked to Sam briefly, then back to Malik. "Oh? Where is he?"
Sam stepped forward, heart pounding. "Right here," he said.
Alayna's gaze settled on him, and for a moment, Sam felt that same pull he had in the dream—the strange recognition, the sense that she was more than she claimed to be.
"What are you doing here?" she asked in a calm tone filled with curiosity.
"I could ask the same about you," Sam replied.
Alayna raised an eyebrow. "I work here."
"I don't think you do," Sam said lightly. "I always visit this library."
"Well," she said, tilting her head, "I started working here just two months ago."
Sam nodded, pretending to be casual. "Oh, okay."
"Do you two know each other?" Malik asked, turning back to.
"Yes," Sam said almost immediately.
"No," Alayna said.
Malik chuckled. "Okay, I'll let you two talk to each other."
Sam took a deep breath, trying to steady his beating heart. "So… why do you work here?"
Alayna gave a faint smile. "I don't see how that's any of your business."
Sam stepped a little closer, feeling daring. "I know something is strange after I met you in my dream. I don't know what it is, but I know I like you. And I also know I want to know more about you. I think… you did something at the park."
Alayna's eyes narrowed. "Oh no. I did nothing."
"You did," Sam insisted, his voice soft but firm. "And you know it."
Alayna crossed her arms, making a small gesture with her lips. "Can you point me to the book then?" Sam asked.
"I'm searching for it," She said, ignoring him, "but it seems there's no such book here. I guess I'll have to find one myself Sam replied "
She gestured toward the second row of shelves. "Go ahead then. You'll find the book there."
Sam walked toward the shelves, the books looking back at him like walls of a labyrinth. He felt her presence behind him.
"Why are you following me?" he asked, trying to keep his voice casual but tense.
"You do not want to help me. You do not want to tell me more about you . So why do you keep following me?" Sam pressed.
"Trust me, Sam," she said softly, "you do not want to know more about me."
He shook his head, frustration building. "Why do you keep saying that? I told you, I like you. I want to know more. I want to… understand. Why are you here?"
Alayna stopped for a moment, her gaze holding his. "You… are persistent."
"Am I?" Sam asked, trying to mask the racing of his heart.
"You're so full of yourself," he said suddenly, "and you're just—"
"An ass?" Sam continued with a grin, half playful, half serious.
Alayna's eyes widened, and just then, a younger woman appeared, trying to ask Alayna for help,she quickly directed her to someone else and faced Sam again "You just called me an ass—" she started.
"Take it back," Alayna warned.
"I won't," Sam said firmly.
"You better take it back, or else," Alayna said, stepping closer in a protective and fearless manner.
Sam raised his hands in the air to surrender, trying not to laugh at the ongoing situation.
Alayna's gaze relaxed a little, her eyes blinking, almost like that of dull, for a brief moment—enough that Sam's chest tightened.
Something about her made him feel like he had crossed a line he didn't fully understand. And yet, he couldn't look away.
"Trust me," she said, her voice low, "there are things about me… you don't want to know."
Sam's stomach moved. He wanted answers, but he also wanted more. Somehow, he knew this library encounter was just the beginning.
As he walked back to the desk, his mind was racing with questions—and with a little questionable feeling that Elena—or Alayna, or whoever she truly was—was far more than she appeared.
And somewhere deep down, Sam knew: this wasn't going to be simple.