The pounding in my head was relentless,like a drumline paradei didn't sign up for. I groaned, curling further under my bedsheets.
Broken hearts apparently came with migraines. I'd broken up with David yesterday —or maybe the day before. Honestly I wasn't even sure why I felt like this. I mean I broke up with him. Besides he wasn't even all that. Really. And yet, my chest still twisted when I thought of him.
Ridiculous.
My phone buzzed on the bedside. Leeyah. My best friend. Always on time. "Lila, are you awake or still mourning your ex like a drama queen?". I rolled my eyes, but a smile tugged my lips. That girl had no chill. "I'm alive" I muttered."Barely".
I had college starting soon,new classes, new people —everything that was supposed to distract me. But somehow the thought of moving on, meeting someone new, Made me anxious. I wasn't over David even though I should have been. And honestly I didn't get it myself.
Sitting up, I stared at the ceiling. Maybe it was time to let go of the nonsense and be open to anything.. anything but love. But for now I wanted coffee, ice-cream and Leeyah's laugh to remind me that life wasn't all heartbreak.
By the time I stepped out of the house Leeyah decided that I was no allowed to mope. "Today" she announced, linking her arm with mine "we're having fun. No David. No sad faces. No dramatic sighing". I snorted "you say that like heartbreak listens"
We went places —a café downtown,a little bookstore she swore had healing energy, even a thrift shop where she forced me to try on jackets I didn't need. And for a while,it worked. I laughed,I forgot. I felt normal again.
I was outside the café, with an iced coffee in my hand and leeyah rambling about how college was going to be our glow-up era that the universe decided to humble me. I took one careless step off the the curb. Just one. My foot slipped, my balance disappeared, and before I could process what was happening, my coffee was airborne and I was very close to meeting the pavement in the most undignified way possible.
Strong hand caught my arm.
" Whoa— I've got you" a male voice said steady and way too calm for the chaos I just caused. And he's British?.
Heat rushed to my face. I was too embarrassed to look up . I straightened the coffee splash on my sleeve. Dignity shattered. I looked up to apologize. And forgot every word I'd planned to say.
He straightened fully and that was when it hit me.
Tall. Effortlessly so. The kind of height that made you feel smaller without trying. His accent— British unmistakably — had slipped out earlier, smooth and controlled like he measured every word before letting it breathe. Dark hair, slightly tousled, as if he'd run his hand through it one many times. His jaw was sharp, defined, the kind that look like it had no business being that perfect. And his eyes — God — So blue, so steady and unreadable. Like he was already ten steps ahead of me. He looked at me as if he wasn't surprised to see me there. As if this moment had been... expected.
"Hellooo" he called out. Oh my Goodness was I?...ughh stupid!
"You okay" he asked
" Um...oh sorry I wasn't looking" I said quickly stepping Back.
He looked down at me expression unreadable eyes, a shade darker than I saw earlier for a brief second,neither of us spoke.
I was confused. What was happening. Then he nodded like it was nothing.
"No worries" he said his accent unmistakable British. That was it. I moved past him with another glance, not trusting myself to linger. He was fine I guessed. Objectively so. But I wasn't in the mood to notice things like that. Not anymore. I mean there's David. I wish I was over him honestly. Like he actually wanted it to end but didn't want to be the one to do it. I was already deep in thought when Leeyah tapped me.
I looked back behind me, I felt it - his eyes following my retreating - steps but I didn't turn around. I didn't need to.
The moment we were a few feet away, Leeyah grabbed my arm.
" Hey, hey you okay" Leeyah asked.
"Yeah I am" I said. Giving a reassuring smile .
"Good. Please tell me you saw that man" she squeezed.
I sighed "Leeyah". Remembering how embarrassed I looked while I was drooling at him. I shuddered with irritation. I wasn't about to fall for a stranger. No. Not now.
"No because that should be illegal". She continued already looking back. "The accent? The face? The height?..ughh!! I would have passed out". I shook my head forcing a laugh.
" Relax it was just a guy" I said rolling my eyes
"Tch, like you ex is any finer" She said and walked away from me.
"Leeyahhh" I gasped. I tried to catch up with her
" Did you just....Ohh it's on" I said and gave he a slight push on her arm
"I'm sorryy I just don't understand why you were with him in the first place he was even worth it" She said linking her arms with mine
I sighed I didn't have a good reason why I liked him or why I was with him.
"Hey!..you said no David!" I said.
"I'm sorry..I'm sorry I wonder if you'll ever see him again" Leeyah I said
" I just want to regain myself..I want to focus on myself and not some guy for once" I said
It was already late..I needed to head home. Mom would be back soon. She didn't have any late night shifts. Mom and dad were divorced. I was 2 and I didn't understand why. I still don't. And I never ask. All I can think of is the mysterious guy I met today. I was certain I'd never see him again. But I was wrong.