Unavoidable Encounters
1055 Words
Aurora had never believed in fate, but the universe seemed determined to test that belief.
Her day started like any other—waking up, stretching, and grabbing a quick breakfast before heading to work. The bookstore was busier than usual, and she found herself lost in the routine of stacking shelves, assisting customers, and chatting with Lisa. Yet, something felt... off. An odd sense of familiarity kept creeping up on her, like she was missing a crucial piece of a puzzle.
The bell above the door chimed, and she instinctively turned to greet the customer. Her breath hitched when she saw him—the same man she had fought over the last drink with at the store the other day.
Tall. Dark-haired. Intense gaze. There was something striking about him, something that made her pulse quicken.
He didn’t acknowledge her at first, simply browsing through the shelves with practiced ease. But then, their eyes met. His gaze was unreadable, his expression impassive, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that he was watching her—really watching her.
She quickly looked away, her hands gripping the book she had been shelving. Why did she feel like she knew him? Had they met before?
Before she could think too much about it, Lisa nudged her. “Hey, you okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
Aurora forced a laugh. “Just spaced out. That guy looks familiar, but I can’t place where I’ve seen him before.”
Lisa glanced at the man before smirking. “Maybe he’s a customer from before?”
“Maybe.” Aurora wasn’t convinced.
The man lingered for a while before finally purchasing a book and leaving without another word. As soon as the door closed behind him, Aurora let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding.
---
Killian was annoyed.
Not because Aurora kept appearing in his life, but because he kept noticing her.
After leaving the bookstore, he told himself that was the last time. That fate had played its joke, and now it would move on.
Then, the next day, he saw her again.
This time, she was sitting outside a café, a book in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other. She looked completely absorbed in whatever she was reading, unaware of her surroundings.
Killian knew he should keep walking.
And he did.
For about five steps.
Then, against his better judgment, he glanced back.
Aurora suddenly looked up, locking eyes with him.
For a moment, they both just stared.
Then her expression twisted into a frown. “Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me.”
Killian sighed. “Believe me, I feel the same way.”
Aurora squinted at him. “Are you sure you’re not following me?”
Killian crossed his arms. “I should be asking you that.”
She gasped. “I was sitting here first!”
“Exactly. So maybe you’re the one following me.”
Aurora looked completely offended. “Oh, please. Like I have time for that.”
“Then stop assuming I have time for it either,” Killian replied smoothly.
Aurora huffed, waving him off. “Fine. Let’s just agree that the universe has a terrible sense of humor.”
Killian smirked. “Finally, something we agree on.”
Aurora muttered something under her breath before going back to her book, determined to ignore him.
Killian should have walked away.
Instead, he stood there for a second longer, watching as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and sipped her coffee.
Then, shaking off the strange feeling in his chest, he turned and left.
---
It happened again the next day.
And the next.
And the next.
At this point, Aurora was starting to think the universe was playing a cruel joke on her.
She saw him while walking home. While picking up groceries. Even when she went for a random late-night snack run.
Every single time, she’d lock eyes with him, and every single time, he’d look just as annoyed as she felt.
Later that evening, Aurora met up with Zoe at a small café near her apartment. The two friends settled into their usual booth, and as soon as they ordered, Zoe gave her a knowing look.
“Alright, spill. You’ve been fidgety since you sat down.”
Aurora sighed. “Okay, so there’s this guy. I keep running into him everywhere.”
Zoe wiggled her eyebrows. “Ooh, a mystery man? Do tell.”
Aurora rolled her eyes but continued. “I first saw him at the store when we fought over the last drink. Then, today, he came into the bookstore. And I swear, I’ve seen him somewhere else, but I can’t remember where.”
Zoe hummed, taking a sip of her drink. “Sounds like fate to me.”
Aurora scoffed. “Or just really weird coincidences.”
“Or maybe he’s stalking you.”
Aurora gave her a deadpan look. “Wow, thanks for that comforting thought.”
Zoe laughed. “I’m kidding. But seriously, do you feel weird around him?”
Aurora hesitated. “Not weird. Just... like I should remember something, but I don’t.”
Zoe’s expression turned thoughtful. “Maybe it’s déjà vu?”
“Maybe.” But deep down, Aurora wasn’t convinced.
---
Meanwhile, across town, Killian sat across from Jaxon in their usual meeting spot.
“You’re running into her too much,” Jaxon said, crossing his arms.
Killian sighed. “It’s not intentional.”
Jaxon gave him a look. “You sure about that?”
Killian remained silent.
Jaxon leaned back. “She doesn’t remember you, but you keep getting pulled into her orbit. That’s not normal.”
Killian clenched his jaw. He knew that. He just didn’t know what to do about it.
---
Aurora tried to brush off the strange occurrences, but that night, as she lay in bed staring at the ceiling, she found herself replaying every encounter with him. His expression, the way he looked at her, like he was seeing something she couldn’t.
What was it about him that felt so... significant?
She had never believed in fate. But maybe, just maybe, fate wasn’t giving her a choice.
As she drifted off to sleep, one thought lingered in her mind.
Who are you, Killian?
- Writer
