People collect books, coins, or seashells-simple treasures counted over and over just to admire the set. I collect things, too. It's comforting. Satisfying. Most people collect stamps, coins, or seashells-counting their treasures day after day. My collection is a little different, but the rule remains the same: the count must always be perfect.

"Darling, you're the one I want In paper rings, in picture frames, in all dreams You're the one I want In paper rings, in picture frames, and all my dreams Oh, you're the one I want" ~paper rings by Taylor Swift Heartbreaking, mind-wrecking story of how Aly saves Ethan in ways she never imagined, and Ethan hopes she never would. Ethan, a loner who never had friends, but also someone who never tried to make one. Aly, who was the only bright thing in his life ever since she entered it when they were kids. This is a journey of two individuals with completely opposite personalites, but finding their way to each other. (Dual pov, the storyline alternates between past and present. Please check out the TWs.)

We never realize we're living the days we'll spend years missing. What begins as an ordinary friendship becomes a collection of memories too precious to forget and too painful to hold onto. As time quietly rewrites their lives, they learn that some connections stay with you forever-even when the people themselves don't. A tender story of friendship, love hidden between the lines, and the ache of holding on to what time was never meant to keep.