Chapter 1: The First Step
Avelyn Tan stood by the wide hospital window, her eyes tracing the lazy path of golden leaves spiraling down to the New York pavement below. The city moved fast—always did—but moments like these let her pretend it didn’t. That somewhere beneath the noise, she could find stillness.
She exhaled slowly, tugging her white coat tighter around her. The scent of antiseptic clung to her like second skin. It had been three years since she left Sabah for New York, chasing her dream of becoming a licensed dentist. Some days she felt like she was getting closer; other days, the distance between home and here stretched endlessly.
Her phone buzzed. A message from Olivia.
“Hey, remember I told you my mom has a friend whose son’s single? 😂 She gave your number to his mom. Apparently, he texted you? His name’s Mikal. You don’t have to reply, but I think he’s hot lol.”
Avelyn blinked. Her heart did a soft, nervous skip.
She unlocked her phone and opened the unread message:
Hi. This is Mikal. I hope I’m not intruding. Your number was passed to me through my mom, who got it from Elizabeth. She mentioned you might be open to a casual meet-up? No pressure, of course. Would you like to grab coffee this Saturday?
There was something calm and respectful about the way he worded it. No pretentiousness. No pushiness. She liked that.
She bit her lip, then typed slowly.
Hi Mikal. Yes, I’m Avelyn. Saturday sounds fine. Where and what time?
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