Six Feet Apart

Chapter 1: Love & Distance

Elizabeth almost missed him.

Later, that would become her favorite part of the story—not that she noticed him in a crowded convention hall, but that she had already walked past him before something made her turn around.

The science-fiction convention had taken over nearly every room in the hotel. Its hallways were crowded with astronauts, aliens, superheroes, and visitors carrying bags filled with books they had promised themselves they would not buy. Handmade costumes brushed against carefully preserved uniforms. Somewhere nearby, a panel had just ended, sending another wave of people into the corridor.

Elizabeth moved through the crowd with the steady determination of someone trying to reach her next destination without being distracted. That was nearly impossible.

Posters covered the walls. Volunteers directed confused guests toward meeting rooms. Conversations overlapped until every sentence became part of one great, enthusiastic hum.

Someone behind her was debating the practical problems of living on Mars.

Another person was explaining why a famous movie villain had been misunderstood.

Elizabeth smiled to herself. In most places, those conversations might have sounded strange. Here, they belonged.

She adjusted the bag on her shoulder and continued down the hallway.

That was when she saw him.