Forgotten

Chapter 5

Chapter Title: Almost Fate

**Alysson – POV**

That afternoon, I had the driver drop me off at the docks again. At first, I just wandered around, browsing the vendors. I stopped to grab a hotdog and a cooldrink, then kept walking aimilessly.

The clothes he’d worn looked like workwear, so I assumed he worked somewhere nearby. If I hung around long enough, I figured I’d eventually see him again. I walked past all the tourist boat offices. Most of the boats were already out on trips. I’d never been on one of those tours. Since I have a fear of deep waters

I sighed. I still hadn’t seen him. I didn’t know why I thought this would be easy. My feet ached from wandering.

Eventually, I decided to go back to the path where we met. He was heading somewhere then—maybe he’d go that way again. I spotted a bench and sat down. Staying in one spot gave me a better chance of seeing him than walking in circles.

I sat quietly, just watching the world move around me—people busy with their lives while I wasted a perfectly good afternoon waiting for someone who might not even show up. Someone who might not want to see me again.

I didn’t even know what I was doing. He’d left so quickly the other day. Maybe he really did think I was just an annoying rich girl and wanted to get rid of me as fast as possible.

I couldn’t stay too late—I was grounded and already in trouble for being late before. The longer I waited, the more disappointed I felt. By 5 PM, I gave up and decided to head back. I didn’t want to miss the shuttle again.

I thought about calling the driver, but instead I chose to go back to the hotel, just in case he was looking for me there.

It’s not stalking if I don’t know where he is, right? I’m just nudging fate, trying to force a second chance.

I got on the shuttle and sat at the top level, letting the wind whip through my hair. The ride felt longer than I remembered—his bike had been much faster. As we neared the hotel, I scanned the area for his bike, but I didn’t see it.

I went home feeling deflated. I had really believed I’d find him today. I’d been too hopeful.

When I got home, I didn’t feel like dealing with Lyssa, so I did something I hadn’t done in years—I climbed the tree near my bedroom window. I struggled a bit; I hadn’t done it in at least two years. I slipped through the hallway window and tiptoed to my room.

I had homework to do. I didn’t have time to argue with Lyssa. After a quick shower, I changed into fluffy pajamas and settled into my hanging chair with my schoolwork. I didn’t get very far. My mind drifted to my mystery guy—his shaggy brown curls, his bluer-than-blue eyes, that cocky, lazy smile. My un-charming prince.

I was pulled from my daydream when my phone started ringing. I frowned when I saw “Dad” flash on the screen and answered.

“Where are you? Lyssa called me, frantic, saying you didn’t come home! She was waiting for you—you were supposed to give her your phone!”

Damn it. I’d forgotten about that when I snuck in. Who has to sneak into their own house?

“I’m in my room, doing homework. She wasn’t in the hall when I got back, so I showered and started working.”

Lies. I hated lying. This isn’t who I am. I don’t want to cause fights or problems. I’m just tired of all the conflict, all her drama.

“Alright, just let her know next time so she doesn’t worry unnecessarily.”

Yes, because tracking my every move is her civic duty.

“Okay, Dad,” I said quietly. The sad fact is, he expects her to raise me. I only see him at night, and even then, he’s usually criticizing me. He ended the call without even a goodbye or an “I love you.”

Less than five minutes later, my door flew open. Lyssa stormed in, snatched the phone from my lap, and glared at me. At least I have a complex password—she can’t do much with it.

“I won’t let you make a fool of me again!” she snapped.

I hated her in that moment. I stayed out of her way—why couldn’t she do the same?

“You don’t need my help with that,” I said before I could stop myself.

She was so stunned she didn’t say anything. Just spun on her heel and stormed out without even closing the door. Ridiculous. I returned to my homework. When I was done, I went downstairs to grab something to eat.

---

**The Next Day**

“So, how was the boyfriend hunt?” Liara asked as I met her at her locker.

“I wasn’t hunting,” I muttered. “But no, I didn’t find him. I checked the dock and the hotel—no luck. I’ll try again today.”

“Really? He must be something special. Okay, I’m coming with you. We’ll eat somewhere with a good view, and you won’t have to take that awful shuttle and a taxi.”

She had a point. Her driving me was definitely an upgrade. I’d just have to endure the mild embarrassment of her watching me flirt—assuming I even found him.

The day dragged. It felt like it should have been afternoon already, and it was only lunchtime. We grabbed small meals—fruit salad and milk for me. Our usual table was packed, I was not in the mood to socialize.

“I can’t wait for the beach party on Saturday!” someone squealed.

Party? I’d planned a beach day—fun, sun, not s*x and drama.

“Yeah, it’s going to be amazing. What time should we meet?”

All eyes turned to me. Since it was my idea, I was expected to coordinate the whole thing.

“How about sunset?” I suggested. “We can make a bonfire, have music and snacks.” That way, I could tell my close friends to join earlier for swimming and volleyball, and let the rest come later.

“That sounds perfect!” another girl chimed. “When the moon comes out, so can the fun.”

I didn’t mind others joining. I just didn’t want to be responsible for everything.

“What snacks should we bring?”

“We can do s’mores,” I offered. “We’ll need biscuits, chocolate, and marshmallows.”

“Ooh, a fruit bar! We can use the fruit in our drinks!” someone else added.

Obviously, people were going to drink. That wasn’t my scene, but I wasn’t going to judge.

“That sounds great. I’ll bring gin and frozen berries. Should everyone bring their own drinks?”

“Yeah,” I nodded, “everyone has their own taste.” I took a bite of my salad, trying to disappear into the conversation.

“Who’s bringing the rest of the stuff?”

Eyes turned to me again.

“I’ll bring ice, cooldrink, and the s’mores stuff,” I said, hoping they understood I wasn’t assigning roles—just offering.

“Cool, we’ll bring the wood for the bonfire,” a group of guys added. Soon, everything was sorted.

“So… will I be seeing you at the party?” Vance asked, teying to dlirt with me again. He has made is intenrions clear multiple times.

“Yes, of course. I planned it.” I have made my intentiona clear too. I don't feel the same way.

The rest of the day dragged. I was relieved when the bell rang. We headed to Liara’s house so she could change. I quickly searched for a place to eat, and soon we were on our way.

We chose a restaurant called The Lighthouse—it was shaped like one. We sat on the second story, next to the light on the wrap-around porch. I liked it because I could see everything from up there. I could watch for him.

My cocktail was blue and sweet, rimmed with brown salt—it was called Salty Breeze. Liara picked the most colorful drink on the menu—seven layers of rainbow. We shared fried calamari for starters, then had an ocean basket platter and finished with salted caramel tarts.

I scanned the streets the whole time. Still no sign of him. Maybe the odds of running into a stranger again really were slim.

“Come on, slowpoke,” Liara said as we left. “We don’t want Lyssa on your case again.”

“I know,” I sighed, looking around one last time.

“Don’t be disappointed. We’ll try again tomorrow. I still can’t believe you’re crushing on someone. You've never even batted an eye at the guys at school—even Vance.”

She was right. I’d never been interested in dating. My dad tried to set me up with his business partners' sons—snobby, arrogant boys. Not my type.

Maybe that’s why I liked him. He was different. He didn’t treat me like a princess, even though he called me one. Maybe it was the look in his eyes, or the way it felt when we touched. Maybe he was my soulmate.

Ridiculous, I know.

“Yeah, I’m being silly. He’s just my first real crush. He’s different from anyone I’ve ever met.”

“You’re not silly,” she said. “You’re allowed to dream. It’s your own little adventure. Oh—look at that cute shop! Let’s stop.”

She pointed at a small coffee shop in the pass. I’d seen it yesterday. Perfect for tourists, though the shuttle didn’t stop there.

The place smelled amazing—coffee and fresh baked goods. I grabbed a few cookie baggies while we waited to order.

“How can I help you, dears?” asked an older lady behind the counter.

“I’ll take tea, please. It’s late, and I don’t want to be wired.”

“Such a sensible girl,” she said. “And for you, dear?” she asked Liara.

“What’s your strongest coffee? I have studying to do.”

The lady frowned and shook her head before walking away to make our drinks.

“You kids today, always pumping your bodies with dark poison,” she muttered. “I just had this argument with him too…”

Him?

She brought our drinks. “Coffee with an extra shot,” she sneered at Liara.

Liara took a big sip and sighed dramatically. I smiled and handed over my card.

“This place is lovely—I’ll definitely be back.”

“Me too,” Liara added, “for more of this delicious poison.”

I smiled awkwardly and paid. As we left, I shook my head at her.

---

**At the Store**

“I think we should shop tomorrow for beach stuff,” I said. “I’ll sleep over at your place—it’s going to be a late night, and my dad will never allow it.”

“Sounds perfect,” she said. “We haven’t done anything fun in forever.”

The next afternoon, we went to a bulk store. I loaded the trolley—red cups, straws, glow sticks, LED favors. We moved on to drinks.

That’s when I saw them—brown curls bending down for a Coke bottle.

My heart stopped.

He looked up.

Our eyes locked.

“It’s you,” he said.

Liara nudged me forward.

“This is the last place I thought I’d see you,” he said again.

“Why? Because a princess can’t do her own shopping?” I teased, stepping closer, hyper-aware of Liara eavesdropping.

“Something like that. No—I’ve actually been looking for you since the other day.”

He was looking for me too.

“It’s not like I left something in your car… we were on your bike,” I said shyly.

“No. I figured you owed me a cup of coffee, Princess—you did spill mine all over my shirt.” He smirked.

Was he flirting? Or teasing?

“I shouldn’t have driven off so fast,” he added. “I regretted not asking your name.”

So he did regret it—just like I did.

“Yeah, you took off really fast,” I admitted, my voice soft. “I looked back to get one last glimpse of you, but you were already gone.”

I was hoping—really hoping—this was going where I wanted it to go.

“I’ve been looking for you ever since,” he said. “I kept going back to where we met. I stayed there late into the night.”

I stared at him in disbelief. He’d been looking for me—just like I’d been looking for him. My cheeks flushed as I smiled up at him. Look uit

“She’s been going there every day too,” Liara added, completely outing me.

My head snapped around. Seriously? I couldn’t believe she told him that. When I looked back at him, that same cocky smile from the other day was back.

“I’m Jacin,” he said.

Finally. A name. Now I didn’t have to keep calling him my mystery guy in my head.

“I’m Alysson,” I replied. The smile that spread across his face then wasn’t cocky at all—it was genuine. He looked truly happy in that moment.

“Jacin,” Liara jumped in again, “Alysson is hosting a party tomorrow at South Beach. You should come. She’ll be there, and I’m sure she’d love to see you.”

He looked at me for confirmation.

“Yeah… I’d really like it if you came,” I said, hoping he could hear how much I meant it.

“If you want me there, I’ll be there,” he replied, holding out his phone. “But I want your number. I’m not losing contact with you again.”

I took his phone, typed in my number, and watched as he saved it under Princess. I just shook my head, amused. Of course he would.

“Alright, we need to go,” Liara said, grabbing my arm and tugging me away. “We’ve got a party to plan.”

As she pulled me along, I glanced back one last time. He was still standing there, watching me walk away.

“Always leave him wanting more,” Liara whispered with a smile.