Unusual Encounter

"Remember, sweetie, you do not have to want to be perfect before you try to be perfect... You should be just perfect. There's a difference."

His words rang in Harper's ears. He said this to her when she was only 12. Not only then... he says it countless times, reminding her of the need to follow his lead. To get not just good but perfect grades. To be at the top in every class. Be a leader. Avoid wasting her time on things that people her age do... things like going to parties or having fun at all. All Harper has done was to obey him. To live life like he expected.

But his words today hurt. Her heart was pounding, her eyes moist. How could he say she wasn't the girl he raised? It broke her heart.

She needed to actually fix things, and that had to be done as fast as possible.

But as of now, all she needed was an escape... Her only escape now was a place to relax. Harper knew what she needed at that moment.

****

In the library, it smelled like paper, dust, and old wood… like time slowed down.

She needed this.

Space.

Silence.

And maybe—just maybe—a distraction.

Her eyes scanned the rows of bookshelves as she wandered toward the far end of the fantasy section. She wanted something wild so she could dive in easily and get immersed in it.

Her gaze landed on one particular title near the top shelf: When Light and Darkness Collide.

Good.

Harper stretched up on her toes, fingers barely brushing the bottom edge of the book. She tried again, shifting her weight, standing on the tips of her sneakers.

Almost... there...

Suddenly, a larger hand reached over her shoulder and grabbed the book effortlessly—plucking it from the shelf like it weighed nothing.

Harper gasped softly and spun around.

Her heart skipped a beat as she saw the person beside her.

Tall. Dark silky hair perfectly swept back. Icy blue eyes. Expressionless. He observed the book in his hand, seemingly reading the synopsis. He was nothing but beautiful.

He wore a dark gray hoodie and black jeans, one hand holding the book, the other shoved casually into his pocket.

She swallowed. For a long second, neither of them said anything.

Then she smiled. It was actually sweet of this stranger to take the book for her.

"Uh… thanks," she finally muttered, reaching for the book, but this stranger did not hand it over.

Instead… he just turned on his heel and walked away with it.

Like it was his.

Harper stared after him, stunned.

"Wait… what?!"

Her feet moved before she could think.

"Hey! That was the book I was reaching for!"

The stranger kept walking—heading toward one of the reading corners at the back of the library, flipping the book open lazily like she didn't exist.

Harper's irritation rose.

She hurried after him, lowering her voice to an angry whisper.

"Seriously? You saw me trying to get that."

No answer.

"Are you ignoring me on purpose or is this just your personality?"

Still nothing.

He settled into one of the armchairs by the window, crossing one leg over the other, flipping another page—calm as ever. Not even looking at her.

Harper stood there, fuming, arms crossed.

Unbelievable.

"Hello?!" she yelled irritably.

Who even was this guy?

Then he lifted his gaze. His icy blue eyes almost caught her off guard. He kept quiet for a brief second. Then—

"Are you aware you are in a library?" he spoke.

Harper Reed rolled her eyes. He was just unbelievable.

"Dude, I was reaching out for that," she said, her arms folded.

"Sorry, but I picked it first," he said. His words were polite, but his tone held an accent that just teased Harper.

"But I got here first," she snapped back.

He said nothing.

Before she could decide whether to walk away or snatch the book from his hands, the stranger finally spoke—without looking up:

"Maybe next time… try growing a few inches."

The corner of his mouth twitched like he was half-smirking. Barely. But it was there.

Harper's cheeks flushed hot.

Her mouth opened for a comeback… but she froze. The words tangled in her throat.

By the time she found something to say, he had already turned another page… and shut her out completely.

"Ugh!" she groaned loudly, stamping her feet. That probably drew the attention of the librarian, because next thing Harper knew, she was being warned by the librarian.

Angrily, she just walked out.