Work Text:
Writing a novel is not easy. Writing about love is even harder.
How do people fall in love?
Why do people have to be apart, even though they love each other very much?
Why do people hurt each other, in the name of love?
I can’t answer these questions for everyone. But I do know of one story.
The story about you and me.
So I wrote the story.
It’s been months since I submitted my novel to my publisher. Apparently it is selling decently well, and they have arranged a signing event for me.
Everything still feels unreal. I had given up my dream of becoming a writer long ago. Who would have thought I could finish a novel in the first place, let alone publish and sign one? It feels like I am having a really nice dream, and I can wake up at any minute.
But I know this is reality. Because in my dreams, she would be here with me. I would hold her in my arms and read my story to her before we go to bed together. The story I wrote for her, about her, because of her.
I wonder if she has read my novel.
Would Pluto ever return to the Solar System one day?
I went to my signing event. The place was bigger than I expected, and they even had my photo up on the banner. There weren’t long lines, but still a decent number of people attending. Some were really excited and talked to me about their favorite parts of the book. Despite everything, seeing people enjoying my novel still lightened up my day.
The next person in line handed me their book. Without looking up, I opened the book and was just about to sign it when I heard a familiar voice. The voice from my dreams.
“Your novel is amazing!”
I looked up in disbelief. And I saw her. May.
My breath stopped in my chest. My heart stopped beating. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.
She had a cheerful smile on her face, and she sounded like she meant what she said.
I didn’t know how long I froze in place. Could be hours, could be days. “Thank you,” I finally managed to say, resisting my urge to run away on the spot. I had to finish my signing.
Her smile widened as if amused by my reaction to seeing her. “But really, I’m a big fan! I really liked the part where…” She continued to talk about her favorite parts of the book like any other reader. I couldn’t help but stare at her, mesmerized by the way she described my novel.
Then, I noticed that she was wearing the necklace.
Could this be the day that Pluto would return to the Solar System?
“Thank you,” I said with a genuine smile as she finished talking, “I’m really glad you enjoyed my story.” I opened the first page of her book and wrote down a sentence. Even though I was looking down, I could feel her gaze on me. It warmed my heart.
“Here you go,” I handed her the book as I finished writing.
“Thank you,” she said as she took the book back. Our fingers brushed over each other’s for a split second.
“Well, I hope I can see you again soon, my favorite author,” she winked at me. I felt my cheeks heating up.
“I hope so too,” I said, keeping my voice as even as possible. She gave me a final smile before turning around and walking away.
I wanted to keep my gaze on her as she left, but the next person in line was already looking at us suspiciously, so I returned to the rest of the signing pretending like nothing happened.
Finally, the signing was over. I thanked the organizers before rushing to the restroom to check on how I looked. Then I rushed outside the building to find May waiting by the sidewalk, holding my novel open in her hand.
“Hi,” I said lamely as I approached her. She looked up at me and smiled. My heart grew bigger.
“Did you wait long?” I said without thinking twice, then immediately regretted it as we both realized what I had said. She looked taken aback, but quickly put her smile back on.
“Kind of, but you are worth the wait.” She said as she stared into my eyes with the familiar gentleness I missed seeing so much.
I quickly turned around to wipe my tears away with the back of my hand. “Sorry to keep you waiting,” I said as I tried to keep myself calm and not break down in the middle of the street.
“Did you mean this?” She showed me what I wrote for her on the first page of the book.
Every word in my novel is about you.
I took a deep breath. “Yes,” I tried to keep my voice steady, “happiness, sadness, the sun, the moon, the stars, I miss you, I love you, every word.”
I could see her tearing up as I finished talking. I opened my arms.
As we held each other tightly, I thanked the universe for returning my Pluto back to my orbit once again.