The first "Hello"

A quiet library, where an introverted boy, Aarav, sits at his usual corner with a book. He notices Meera, the girl he secretly admires, searching for a book nearby. Mustering all his courage, he finally speaks.

Aarav: (muttering to himself) Just say something… anything…

Meera: (glancing at him) Did you say something?

Aarav: (startled) Uh… um, no. I mean, yes. I—uh—was just wondering… are you looking for a book?

Meera: (smiling) Yeah, actually. Something light but meaningful. Any recommendations?

Aarav: (nervously adjusting his glasses) Oh, uh… maybe The Little Prince? It’s simple, but it stays with you.

Meera: (tilting her head) That’s a good choice! You must read a lot.

Aarav: (shrugging) Books don’t expect you to be interesting. They just let you… be.

Meera: (grinning) That’s a beautiful way to put it. Do you read just fiction, or do you explore other genres?

Aarav: Mostly fiction. It helps me escape reality… though reality isn’t always that bad.

Meera: (raising an eyebrow) So you admit it’s sometimes good? What’s something real that you don’t want to escape?

Aarav: (pauses, then hesitantly) This conversation, for example…

Meera: (laughs softly) That’s sweet. I guess reality isn’t so bad when it involves interesting people.

Aarav: (smiling shyly) Yeah… I guess not.

The bell rings, signaling the library’s closing time. Meera picks up the book Aarav suggested, and as she walks away, she glances back.

Meera: See you around, Aarav.

Aarav: (softly, to himself) See you, Meera.

And for the first time, reality felt better than fiction.