**In Grandivia, there lived a young man with black hair whose name was Manuel. He was a polite young man who loved to read and spend his time in nature. Above all, he loved to read books about stars, planets, and the universe in general. Manuel had a dog named Laika who was his best friend. Every day, he would take him for a walk in the park, and while the dog would run around everywhere, he could sit on a bench, in peace and quiet, and read his favorite book, "And Earth Like Man Was Made of Dust."**

My heart stopped for a moment, and then it began to beat faster than ever before. It felt like it was outlined on my chest as if it wanted to burst out. I had that strange, but very pleasant feeling of butterflies in my stomach. I could only look in one direction – at her.

I stared as if playing the staring game, it seemed like I had never seen a girl of her beauty before. But upon closer thought, maybe I hadn't. At one point, I realized my mouth was half open, and I quickly smiled and waved my hand.

"I'm Manuel," I said after gathering strength from so much admiration.

"I'm Sandy... Uh, I'm Victoria, hi hi hi..." she said, seeming uncertain...

I thought to myself what a beautiful name, fitting for such a beautiful girl. As I constantly looked at her, or rather stared at her, she seemed so sweet and wonderful to me. I didn't know what to say. I approached her from the other side of the shelf and looked at the book she held in her hands.

"Beautiful book, isn't it?" I said somewhat uncertainly.

"I wouldn't know, I'm just seeing it for the first time now. It seemed interesting, so I thought I'd read it," she said very quickly.

In his eyes, I see a shine that overwhelms me completely. He's very likable, and I would say experienced in "my area." At first glance, he seems very sociable and cultured. I don't know how to behave in his presence. I feel a pleasant warmth enveloping me.

Stolen story; please report.

"That book is fantastic, believe me," I said somehow confidently, but I was still unsure, and every word seemed risky to say because I was afraid of becoming boring to her and of her thinking I was some weirdo or a big nerd.

"I'll definitely take it to read now that you've said it's great, haha," she said, and I thought how wonderful he was and how he radiates some positive energy.

"Are you from here? I haven't seen you in this library before, and I come here quite often," I said, thinking God, she's so beautiful when she laughs.

"I'm from Sheitok, it's about twenty kilometers from here, you must have heard of it," I declared proudly.

"Yes, I have, I've actually been there once when I was little with my uncle. He's a famous cobbler there. His name is Rick. Do you know him by any chance?"

"Yes, of course, everyone goes to him. He really knows his craft. And where are you from, I mean, are you from Grandivia or...?"

"Yes, I'm just a few streets down, right next to the Kong Nursery, if you know where that is."

"I think I do, is it behind that monument, oh, what's it called..."

"The Drunkinson Monument."

"Yes, that's the one, haha, I can never remember its name. Drunkanson, Drinkanson...."

"Drunkinson, D-r-u-n-k-i-n-s-o-n Monument."

"Haha, that's exactly it, hihi," I blushed.

"Hehhe, so how old are you, if I may ask?" I laughed and thought how beautiful she looked while trying to guess the name of the monument.

"I'm turning seventeen tomorrow, and I invite you to come and honor me."

"No, I will, but the honor is mine," I said very surprised.

"Alright then, we'll see each other tomorrow at 4 pm in front of Rick's shop, okay?" I said, and I was very excited.

"Agreed then, I can't wait for tomorrow. See you, and don't forget the book, so you can tell me your impressions tomorrow..." I said and headed towards the library door.

"I won't, bye!" I said and thought I would have forgotten about the book if he hadn't reminded me. I went to the old librarian and told her I would take the book. She smiled and said:

"Enjoy reading it!"

I headed towards the door and looked at the clock hanging above it. It was already three o'clock. I thought how time had passed so quickly and that I didn't even feel like I had spent so much time in the old library.