Compilation of one-shot Stories

Like a Distant Star

In the small, scenic town of Baguio, where the night sky was often a canvas of twinkling stars, lived a young woman named Isla. She had a quiet beauty about her, not unlike the stars that adorned the evening sky—captivating yet elusive. Her presence, though gentle, often went unnoticed amidst the bustling life of the town.

Isla worked at a local bookstore, a cozy place filled with the aroma of old pages and the soft rustle of readers flipping through books. She had always been a dreamer, finding solace in the stories that filled the shelves and the stars that filled the sky. Her evenings were spent gazing out of her bedroom window, where the stars seemed to wink and dance in the darkness.

One particular evening, as Isla sat in the bookstore after closing hours, she found herself lost in thought. The moonlight streamed through the large windows, casting a serene glow over the room. She had been reflecting on her place in the world, feeling like one of those distant stars—beautiful to look at, but far beyond reach.

Despite her efforts to make meaningful connections and be a supportive friend and colleague, she often felt invisible. Like the stars that shone brightly in the sky but were difficult to grasp, she felt that her own efforts to reach out and connect went unnoticed. It was as if she were like the wind—present and felt, but not seen or acknowledged.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of a young man named Liam, a regular customer who often visited the bookstore for his favorite novels. Liam was a friendly and outgoing person, and he had always been kind to Isla, though he had never seemed to see her beyond her role at the store.

"Evening, Isla," Liam greeted as he entered, his voice warm and cheerful. "I'm just here to pick up a new book."

Isla smiled and guided him to the section where his favorite novels were kept. As she handed him the book he requested, their fingers brushed lightly. The touch was fleeting, but for a moment, Isla felt a spark of connection.

"I've been meaning to ask," Liam began, looking at her with a curious expression, "do you ever get a chance to read for yourself?"

Isla's eyes lit up, and she nodded. "Yes, I do. I love reading. It's one of my favorite things to do."

Liam's smile widened. "You know, I've noticed how dedicated you are here. You're always so involved with the books and so kind to everyone. I bet you have a lot of great recommendations."

Isla felt a flush of warmth. "Thank you, Liam. I do have a few favorites I'd love to share."

They continued talking about books and authors, and for the first time, Isla felt like Liam was truly seeing her—not just as the bookstore employee, but as someone with thoughts and passions of her own. Their conversation flowed easily, and Isla felt a sense of comfort and connection that had been missing in her life.

As the night drew to a close, Liam thanked Isla for her help and left the store with a promise to return soon. Isla watched him go, a smile lingering on her lips. For a moment, she felt as though she had bridged the gap between herself and the distant stars she admired so much.

As she closed the store and walked home under the starry sky, Isla realized that maybe she didn't have to be like the unreachable stars. Perhaps it was enough to shine brightly in her own way, to reach out and connect with those who truly saw her for who she was.

That night, as she gazed up at the sky, the stars seemed to twinkle a little more warmly, as if they were acknowledging her presence. Isla understood that while she might have felt like a distant star—beautiful but out of reach—she could still find moments of connection and understanding. And maybe, just maybe, that was enough.