The End of Beginning

Julia let out a long sigh as she flipped the store's Open sign to Closed. The little bell above the door chimed as she locked up–a familiar sound that usually brought her comfort, but today it just reminded her of how exhausted she was. 

Another day at the bookstore, another round of customers browsing but not buying, and another night of half-heartedly scrolling through dating apps only to find herself less interested in swiping than she was in the leftover Thai food waiting in her fridge.

She started to walk home, pulling her coat a little tighter around herself. The autumn air had a crisp bite, and the streetlights were just beginning to flicker on, casting a golden glow over the sidewalk. This neighborhood, just a short train ride from Manhattan, had always felt like home—safe, walkable, and filled with enough coffee shops and cozy bars to keep her entertained. And yet, for all the charm it held, Julia couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and she fished it out, expecting another mediocre match from a dating app. Instead, it was her brother, Ryan.

"Hey, got a sec?" he asked.

Julia sighed, tucking her phone under her chin as she started to put her gloves on. "Yeah, what's up?"

"First of all, you sound thrilled to be talking to me," he teased.

"I'm just tired."

"When are you not?"

She rolled her eyes but smiled. "Did you call just to remind me of my ongoing fatigue or is there a point?"

"Actually, yes. I'm throwing a birthday party for a friend this weekend. You should come."

Julia hesitated, already picturing herself curled up with a sketchpad and a glass of wine instead. "I don't know, I—"

"Jules." His tone turned firm, the way only an older brother could manage. "You need a break. Come hang out, meet some new people, have a drink. Worst case, you suffer through an evening of small talk, and best case, you get to hang out with your brother."

She groaned. "You really know how to sell it."

"Oh, and bring Chloe," Ryan added, his voice taking on a hopeful edge. "She hasn't been around in forever, and my roommates were literally just asking about her."

Julia smirked. "Uh-huh. Your roommates were asking?"

"Shut up," he muttered. "Just see if she wants to come, okay?"

Julia exhaled. Maybe a party was exactly what she needed—a night away from the bookstore, from work stress, from the endless cycle of dating apps.

"Fine," she said. "But if this turns out to be a terrible idea, you owe me dinner."

"Deal."

As she hung up, she glanced up at the sky, the stars barely visible against the city glow. Maybe Ryan was right. Maybe a little change of pace was exactly what she needed.

Maybe this time, something—or someone—would surprise her.