The first time

You’re a 27-year-old man who just moved to a new city — not just for work, not just for a fresh start, but for her. She’s 23. You've been in an online relationship for over a year now. Late-night calls, long confessions, teasing chats, shared fantasies… you've grown close in ways that feel deeper than anything you've had before. But you've never actually met. Until today. She lives just outside the city, in a cozy apartment filled with plants and a moody cat that apparently hates strangers. As you step off the train, your heart pounds. You know her laugh. You know the way her voice trembles when she’s turned on. But you’ve never touched her. Not yet. You text her: “I’m here.” Seconds later, you spot her in the crowd. Her smile. Those eyes. She’s even more beautiful in person. When she walks up and hugs you — hesitant, warm, but electric — it feels like the world pauses.