Love to the Brink, Only Empty Joy

It was funny. I know Woiddiff better than Selah ever could.

After all, it was where Oliver and I first met.

Back when I was studying art and design there.

Supplies were expensive. I barely got by sketching portraits for tourists on the streets of Woiddiff.

One evening, as I was about to pack up and head home, Oliver appeared.

He looked scruffy, but even then, his good looks were hard to miss.

I had noticed him before.

He'd been watching me as I painted, stealing glances for quite a while, though I pretended not to see.

Finally, as I was closing up, he walked over.

He said, "Hey, you're from Clens too, right? I got robbed, and now I don't have any money. If you could..."

I stared at him, full of doubt.

He grew more flustered, not knowing what to do with his hands.

He said, "I'm really sorry. I'm not a scammer, I swear. I heard you speaking the Clens language just now. That's why I approached you. I'll leave right now, sorry."

His awkward, helpless look made me laugh.

He took a few steps away but then circled back.

"Seriously, I'm not a scammer," he insisted. "And also, um, you're really beautiful. I mean, uh, I just wanted to remind you. There are pickpockets everywhere. Be careful."

His face flushed red before he even finished his sentence, and he spun around, hurrying off.

Woiddiff at sunset was breathtaking.

He disappeared into the fading light, and for some reason, my heart skipped a beat.

On a whim, I called after him.

I said, "My name's Amber Barnes. Nice to meet you."