A Fated Encounter

Astra's POV 

I hate mornings. Never loved being up before ten.

But I thank the heavens for the discovery of coffee.

I groan as I make my way to the coffee shop on campus, my heart sinking at the sight of the long queue. 

If only I can find a way to lessen the crowd. 

You can if you embrace your witch heritage. My annoying subconscious adds her opinion that I didn't ask her. 

I don't have to embrace the powers I've ignored for years as the crowd suddenly goes wild and everyone starts rushing backward.

What is going on? I wonder as I move forward to get my coffee.

“Oh my! Nathan just stepped in.” Someone breathes, sounding as if they are gasping for oxygen.

I roll my eyes. Of course, it is. I'm sick of hearing his name but I like him today for chasing the queue off.

I get my coffee and turn, letting out a curse as someone barges into me and spills coffee over my dress.

Oh no! I want to yell. The dress is new. I saved for two months before I could afford it.

“Watch where you are going.” He snaps at me.

I look up to give the person a taste of my sharp tongue and the words die in my throat. Nathan is standing before me, staring at the coffee stain on his shirt. The crowd are glaring at me for daring to stain their boyfriend and waiting to murder me if I say something stupid.

“You walked into me.” That is the truth.

He must have been pushed by his excited fans and stumbled into me.

He arches his eyebrow at me, as if he is waiting for the rest of my statement.

I sigh. “I don't expect much but maybe an apology?”

“What else would you expect if you expected more?” He chuckles. “That I do your laundry?”

“Can you?” I scoff.

He snorts. “Or maybe give you a bath?”

Now, he is being sarcastic and mean.

“You can pay for the coffee you spilled.”

“You bet I will.” He laughs and walks away, heading to the manager’s office.

I wonder if Kate will keep that stupid crush she has if she knows how rude he is. I bet that she will.

What a headache. I sigh as I glare at his retreating back.

“She talked with him for five minutes.” One of the girls behind me hisses.

“How lucky.”

How unfortunate. I roll my eyes at them and march out of the coffee shop without getting another one, my mood fouler than it was when I got in.

I'm late for the final class meeting for the semester and don't have time to change my outfit. I march to class in anger, ignoring the curious glances people throw my way.

The professor is already around and I let out a sigh as I make my way to the back of the class.

“So nice of you to join us, Miss Thorne.”

I ignore the sarcasm and settle down, cursing Nathan for the hundredth time within the past twenty minutes.

“You will do your final project for the semester before you are free to go for your break.” The professor starts. “You are required to interview whoever you are matched to and submit your draft before you go home.”

“Bianca Brooks, you are to interview Professor Charles.”

She groans and I feel her pity. Professor Charles is a popular man in the Physics department, known not for his intelligence but aversion for journalists and even journalism students.

I can see Bianca failing the course already.

“Lionel Vance, you are to interview Gary Grubs.”

What a lucky bastard. I sigh as I note Lionel’s lips spreading into a wide smile. 

Gary is the campus best basketball player and a sucker for attention. 

I hope I get that lucky.

“Astra Thorne, you are to interview Nathan Reed.”

What? My eyes pop out in horror. I can't stay another second with that rude brat.

I don't hear anything else, waiting for when I can run to the professor. He wishes us the best and turns to leave.

“Professor,” I call, running towards him.

“Any problem, Miss Thorne?” He arches his eyebrow.

“Can I get assigned to someone else?” I beg.

“Is Mr. Reed your ex?” He asks with a smirk.

What? No!

The look on my face must have answered because he scowls. “I don't see why you should be uncomfortable if he isn't your ex.”

“I…” I don't have an excuse.

What do I say? That he is rude and I'm afraid I might kill him before the interview is over.

“You are a journalist, Miss Thorne, and should learn how to do proper interviews no matter how challenging they are. Your subject still remains Mr. Reed. Have a nice day, Astra.” He scowls and walks away.

My phone rings just as I wonder how to do the interview.

“Hello,” I sigh as I see Kate on the phone and wonder why she is calling.

“Are you dating Nathan Reed?” She almost blocks my ears with her yell, her accusation so thick I can feel it in the air.

“What?” 

Is she crazy? What makes her think so?

“No.”

“You better not.”

I roll my eyes at her dramatic attitude.

“Kate,” I heave a sigh.

“Why is Nathan Reed at our doorstep?”

What!

I sigh, hating the frequency at which I'm thinking of the word. 

“I'm on my way.” I say, wondering why he is at my doorstep.

Did he have a sudden change of mind and realized he owes me an apology? 

I pray he isn't going to request for my soiled shirt. Kate will kill me in my sleep if he does my laundry.

As if he will. My subconscious mocks me, reminding me that Nathan isn't someone like that.

Then why the hell is he waiting for me at my doorstep?