The Alarm Clock wasn’t supposed to go off yet.

The bustling streets of New York were alive with the sounds of laughter and music, but for Lily, they were just background noise. She had moved to the city to chase her dreams of becoming an artist, but the loneliness often crept in. On a chilly October afternoon, she decided to escape her cluttered apartment after deciding that the alarm was a sign, and she headed to a charming little café tucked away on a quiet street.

The café had flickering candles and warm wooden accents. As she settled into a corner table, the door swung open, and a gust of wind brought in the scent of fallen leaves and rain. In walked Emma, a spirited photographer with curls framing her cherubic face. She was drenched from the rain, her yellow raincoat contrasting sharply. Mia looked up from her notebook and couldn't help but smile. Emma’s presence lit up the café, and before she knew it, their eyes met. There was an instant connection, an undeniable spark that pulled them toward each other.

Emma ordered a coffee and plopped down at the table next to Lily, shaking off droplets of rain. "Mind if I sit here? It seems like the whole city had the same idea today."

"Of course! I’m Lily," she replied, holding out her hand.

"Emma. Nice to meet you." Their hands brushed, and with that simple touch, both girls felt a jolt of electricity.