Against all odds

at the local diner. He hadn't seen them in a while, and

x and Ryan, sitting at the counter. They were both laughing

ol beside them, grinning

urly hair, turned to him. "Not much, ma

arming smile, nodded in agreement. "Yea

eyebrow. "Oh yeah

when you're going to start living again, man. You've been so focu

ight – he had been so focused on caring for his

t at school, Justin felt a spark of excitement.

en interest. "Whoa, what's got you so distracted,

trying to brush it off.

ildhood, wasn't buying it. "Come on, Ju

is encounter with Anya. But something about h

in said, trying to sound ca

lit up. "O

nscious. "It's nothing serious, guys.

mile and sparkling eyes, Justin couldn'

chance encounter would

exchanged knowing glances. Ryan, ever th

s. "Dude, that's great! You de

a bit embarrassed. "Guys, it's

couldn't shake off the feeling that his encoun

ted ways, promising to catch up soon. Justin

in's mom greeted him with a warm smil

to share. But something about hi

Mom," Justin said, f

ned. "Oh, Justin? That's

dn't felt in a long time. Maybe, just maybe,

ed. He had returned to the school, hoping to catch a glimpse of Anya, b

He focused on his work and taking care of his mom, but he co

nya again. He thought that their chance encounter had been jus

had oth

e warm breeze and the sound of birds chirping. He had just finished a

oming from a nearby bench. Justin's eyes landed on a gir

as A

approached her. "Hey, are you okay

Justin felt a jolt of electricity run through

Justin immediately sprang into action, pull

," he said, handi

s closing in gratitude.

er. "So, what's your name?" he asked, realizing

, and she smiled w

sound of her name. "I'm Justin," he r

elp but wonder if their chance encou

autiful Anya looked, even with a red nose and puffy eyes.

to the park?" Justin aske

just needed to get out of the house, I guess. I

now how that feels. Sometimes I jus

n played tag on the grass. Justin felt a sense of com

alized he didn't want the moment to end. "Hey, Anya? Would you like t

a moment, Justin thought she might say no.

voice barely above a w

ling a sense of excitement. "Great," he said, st

, chatting easily about everything from school

how beautiful Anya looked in the dim light of the coffee shop. Her

was struck by his kind eyes and gentle smile, and she fo

terests and hobbies. Anya told him about her love of readin

lessly, and before they knew it,

stepped out into the cool evening a

hat their time together was coming to an end. "I d

h pleasure, and Justin f

n sometime?" Justin asked, fe

smile growing wid

lated. "Great," he said.

el a sense of excitement. He had a feeling that

spare moment together. They went on long walks, had d

fectious laugh, and her compassionate heart. Anya, too, was smitten w

rnoon, Justin turned to Anya with a curious expr

s sparkling with int

e his question. "I was just wondering

r a moment before responding. "I never used to," s

to Anya's eyes. "I know exactly what you mea

melted away, leaving only the two of them

over the park. Justin and Anya had spent the entire day together, l

n took Anya's hand in his. "Anya, from the moment I met you, I knew t

rkling with curiosity. "What are

ying that I want to be with you, A

Yes, Justin," she said, her voice barely a

into his arms. They shared a passionate

miled at Anya, his eyes shining with

d with tears. "I lo

d Anya sat together, wrapped in each other's a