Box Of Matches | ✓

29

The Book Nook was quiet, with only a few customers browsing the shelves as Ariel sat at the counter, her laptop open before her. The soft hum of the store's ambiance and the comforting scent of old books surrounded her. Her fingers flew over the keyboard, the last few words of her book flowing effortlessly from her mind to the screen. Each keystroke brought her closer to the culmination of months of hard work and dedication.

Ariel's heart pounded with excitement as she typed the final sentence. She paused, rereading the words, making sure they perfectly captured the essence of her story. With a deep breath and a triumphant smile, she hit the final period. It was done. She had finished her book.

A surge of elation washed over her. She leaned back in her chair, letting out a joyful laugh. The few customers in the store looked up from their browsing, curious about the source of her happiness.

"What's the occasion, Ariel?" asked Mrs. Thompson, a regular customer who had become a friend over the years.

"I just finished my book!" Ariel exclaimed, unable to contain her excitement.

A round of applause erupted from the small group of customers. Mrs. Thompson came over to give her a congratulatory hug. "That's wonderful, dear! You should be very proud."

"I am," Ariel said, beaming. "Thank you so much."

She grabbed her phone, eager to share the news with Bradley. She quickly typed out a message: I just finished my book! I'm so excited!

She hit send and waited, her heart still racing. Minutes passed with no response. She busied herself with tidying up the counter, trying to keep her mind occupied. Finally, her phone buzzed. She picked it up eagerly, only to see a simple thumbs-up emoji from Bradley.

Ariel's smile faltered. She stared at the screen, feeling a pang of disappointment. She had hoped for more—some acknowledgment of her hard work, some excitement from him. But it seemed like he was too preoccupied to share in her joy.

Sighing, she put her phone down and tried to shake off the feeling. Her accomplishment was still a huge milestone, and she refused to let Bradley's lukewarm response dampen her spirits.

As she continued to celebrate with the customers in the store, her phone buzzed again. This time, she saw Colby's name on the screen. Her heart skipped a beat as she opened the message.

Colby: Hey Ariel, I heard you finished your book! That's amazing! I'm so happy for you!

Ariel felt a warmth spread through her at his words. She quickly typed a response: Thank you, Colby! I'm over the moon about it.

Almost immediately, his reply came: Colby: We should celebrate! Can I take you out tonight?

Ariel hesitated for a moment, thinking about Bradley. But he hadn't shown much interest in her accomplishment, and the thought of celebrating with Colby, who genuinely seemed excited for her, was too tempting to pass up.

Ariel: I'd love that. Thank you, Colby.

Colby: Great! I'll pick you up at 7. Any place you want to go?

Ariel: Surprise me!

Colby: You got it. See you soon!

Ariel put her phone down, a smile spreading across her face. The disappointment she had felt earlier was fading, replaced by a sense of anticipation. She couldn't wait to celebrate with someone who truly appreciated her achievement.

As the day went on, Ariel found herself buoyed by the excitement of her upcoming evening with Colby. The customers who came and went throughout the day congratulated her, their kind words lifting her spirits even higher.

When her shift finally ended, Ariel hurried home to get ready. She chose a simple yet elegant outfit, wanting to look her best for the celebration. As she applied a final touch of lipstick, she caught her reflection in the mirror and saw the joy in her eyes. It had been a long journey, but she had accomplished something incredible, and tonight she would celebrate that achievement.

At precisely 7 PM, the doorbell rang. Ariel's heart fluttered as she opened the door to find Colby standing there, a wide smile on his face.

"Ready to celebrate?" he asked, his eyes twinkling with excitement.

"Absolutely," Ariel replied, returning his smile.

They drove to a charming little restaurant by the beach, the setting sun casting a golden glow over the water. Colby had chosen a cozy spot with a perfect view of the ocean, and Ariel couldn't have been more pleased.

They talked and laughed throughout the evening, Colby's genuine interest in her book making her feel truly appreciated. He listened intently as she shared her journey, from the initial idea to the final words, and his encouragement made her feel even more proud of her accomplishment.

After dinner, they took a walk along the beach, the sound of the waves providing a soothing backdrop to their conversation. Ariel felt a sense of contentment she hadn't experienced in a long time. Colby's presence was comforting and uplifting, a stark contrast to the growing distance she felt with Bradley.

As they walked back to the car, Colby turned to her with a thoughtful expression. "Ariel, I want you to know how proud I am of you. Finishing a book is no small feat, and you deserve all the celebration in the world."

"Thank you, Colby," Ariel said, her voice filled with gratitude. "It means a lot to hear that."

They drove back in comfortable silence, the night's festivities leaving Ariel with a sense of fulfillment. When Colby dropped her off at home, he gave her a warm hug. "Goodnight, Ariel. And congratulations again. I can't wait to read your book."

"Goodnight, Colby," Ariel replied, feeling a warmth in her heart. "Thank you for making tonight so special."

As she walked into her house, Ariel couldn't help but reflect on the evening. Despite the challenges in her relationship with Bradley, tonight had been a reminder of the joy and support that could come from unexpected places. She felt hopeful and determined, ready to face whatever the future held with newfound strength and optimism.