Sophia Carol had been waiting for this day for months. She woke up early, the excitement coursing through her veins, making her forget about the heavy rain outside. It was the day of the book convention, and she was finally going to meet her favorite author, Leena Wright. Her heart fluttered at the thought, and she couldn't help but grin at herself in the mirror as she dressed in her most comfortable outfit—nothing too fancy, just casual enough to blend in at the convention but with a touch of style that made her feel like herself.
"Okay, Sophia, you've got this. Deep breaths," she murmured to herself, trying to calm the butterflies in her stomach. She had read Leena's books since she was a teenager, losing herself in the intricately woven plots and unforgettable characters. The chance to meet her idol in person? It felt unreal.
She grabbed her bag, checked her phone one last time for any updates, and set off. The convention center was buzzing with activity when she arrived, the grand doors wide open as visitors streamed in, some chatting excitedly, others too shy to make eye contact. Sophia's pulse quickened as she passed by booths filled with books she had only dreamed of owning, their covers glimmering with promise.
Her eyes scanned the room, and there it was—Leena Wright's booth. It was adorned with elegant posters, her latest book displayed prominently in front. Sophia's breath caught in her throat, and she found herself walking faster, her feet carrying her almost on their own. She couldn't wait to stand in line, to meet Leena, to hear her speak.
As she neared the booth, she spotted a small group gathered in front, all holding copies of Leena's books. Sophia hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to jump in line or take a moment to breathe. She decided to wait and watch for a second, soaking in the atmosphere.
"Excuse me, miss," a voice interrupted her thoughts.
Sophia turned, startled, and found a tall man in a dark uniform standing beside her. His face was serious, his eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses, which only added to the air of mystery surrounding him. His uniform had a subtle insignia on it, something she didn't recognize, but his demeanor seemed to suggest he was more than just a regular security guard.
"Uh, yes?" she asked, a little wary of his sudden appearance.
"I noticed you're a fan," the man said, his voice low and almost too calm. "A book lover, I mean."
Sophia blinked, unsure of where this was going. "Well, yeah," she answered, forcing a smile. "I'm here to meet Leena Wright, actually. Are you… security?"
He nodded, giving a curt smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "You might want to take this." He pulled a small object from his pocket and handed it to her.
Sophia looked down at the item in his hand, and her brow furrowed. It was a bookmark—simple, but intricately designed with a pattern that reminded her of old leather-bound journals. The colors seemed to shift, catching the light in a way that made it appear almost alive. It wasn't the typical promotional item she had seen scattered around the convention; it was far more personal.
"Oh, uh, thanks?" she said, hesitantly taking the bookmark from him. She wasn't sure why, but something about the exchange made her uneasy. The man's gaze didn't leave her face, as if he was studying her reaction closely. It was all a little strange, but the bookmark itself was too pretty to refuse.
He nodded again, his movements stiff. "Enjoy your time here," he said, his tone now almost mechanical.
Sophia couldn't help but glance at him one more time, but by then, he had already turned and walked off, blending back into the crowd. The whole encounter left her with a vague sense of discomfort, but she quickly shook it off. It was probably nothing—just an odd interaction, she told herself. The bookmark, though, she decided to keep. It was too cute to toss away.
With a sigh, she tucked it into her bag and joined the line to meet Leena Wright.
---
The line moved faster than she expected, and soon she was standing just a few feet away from the author. Leena's booth had a soft, welcoming atmosphere, and the closer Sophia got, the more her excitement grew. There she was—Leena Wright, sitting at a table, signing books and smiling graciously at every person who came up to her.
Sophia's heart pounded in her chest, her hands trembling slightly as she stepped forward. When it was her turn, she froze for a moment, her mouth dry. Leena looked up at her, and their eyes met. The author's smile was warm and genuine.
"Hello there," Leena said, her voice smooth and melodic. "Are you here to get a copy of my latest book?"
Sophia couldn't believe she was speaking to her idol. She nodded quickly, still in awe. "Yes, I—I've read all your books! You've been such an inspiration to me."
Leena's smile widened, and she picked up a copy of her newest release, "A Whisper of Shadows," and signed it. "I'm so glad to hear that. I hope you enjoy this one as much as the others."
Sophia's fingers brushed against the cover as she took the book, her pulse racing. "Thank you so much! It means the world to me."
"Of course," Leena replied, still smiling. "Keep reading, and maybe one day, you'll write your own stories."
Sophia almost choked on her words, feeling a blush creep up her neck. "I—I've thought about it, actually."
"Then don't stop," Leena said, her tone encouraging. "You never know where your imagination might take you."
Sophia grinned widely. "I won't, I promise."
After the brief but exhilarating interaction, Sophia made her way to a quieter part of the convention center, where she could finally breathe without the overwhelming crowd. She pulled the bookmark from her bag again, looking it over more closely. The design was beautiful, but the more she stared at it, the more she couldn't shake the feeling that there was something off about it. Maybe it was the way the guard had handed it to her so suddenly. Maybe it was the way his eyes had never left hers.
But then again, she thought, maybe she was just being paranoid. It was a bookmark, after all. She smiled, tucking it safely back into her bag, and decided to let it go. After all, today was about her meeting Leena Wright, and nothing—certainly not a strange guard—could ruin that.
For now, she was content. But deep down, something told her that this convention, this day, was only the beginning of something much bigger.