Leading To You

8. Inexplicable Connections

Ethan

Is she really here? My heart skips a beat. As I stared at her it felt like the pieces of this enigmatic puzzle are slowly falling into place, converging in this cozy café. The connection I feel is immediate, as if a missing puzzle piece has been found. It's as though the universe has conspired to bring us together, our paths intersecting at this very moment.

I wanted to say something, anything but words eluded me. We kept staring at each other, both not knowing what to do next. I was broken out of my stupor by the voice of Dr. Callahan. I saw her lightly shake her head as if breaking a daze, turning her attention to him.

“Maeve. It’s good to see you.” he exclaimed as he shook hands with her. She passed him a smile. Her eyes darted in my direction for a brief second before meeting Dr. Callahan’s again.

Maeve. I whispered the name to myself, testing the sound of it on my lips, a hint of a smile on my lips.

“Would you like to join us? We were just discussing about Future Fragments."

“Yeah, sure.” she said as she settled on the chair and passed me a shy smile. I noticed that she was fidgeting. Is she uncomfortable being here?

The times I’ve seen her before, I felt that there was something in her eyes that told me she knew me. But now I can’t help but think, was it all in my head? What if I was only seeing what I wanted?

“Where are my manners,” Dr. Callahan started, “Maeve, this is Ethan and Ethan, Maeve.” he said, making quick introductions, and continued without waiting for either of us to acknowledge each other. “Like you Maeve, he has also been getting, Fragments. He keeps seeing a girl.” Was that a knowing glint in his eyes?

Maeve's head snapped to face me. Is that relief I see on her face? She passed me a shy smile, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink. I held her gaze for a moment and returned her smile. Then I turned to Dr. Callahan. He was watching the two of us.

“She is the one I was talking about. The girl from my visions.” I told him.

“Ah. I had a suspicion. Is he the boy you keep seeing Maeve?” he asked and she gave him a nod. She is also getting these visions.

“Dr. Callahan, do you really think that our paths are meant to cross?” Maeve asked, her gaze shifting between us.

Dr. Callahan leans forward, his eyes reflecting a profound sense of wonder. Maeve, the concept of destiny is a complex one. But I do believe that some connections are more than mere chance. Your shared experiences with Future Fragments, the dreams you've both had—it's not something that can easily be dismissed as coincidence."

I can’t help but nod in agreement. "I've seen her in my visions, and now she's here in the same café where I first saw her. There has to be a reason for it."

Maeve's fingers traced the rim of her coffee mug, her eyes distant as if lost in thought. "It's just... these dreams, they're so vivid, so real. And Ethan,” her eyes lock with mine, “he feels like someone I should know, someone important."

"I know what you mean. It's like we're connected in some way, even though we've only just met." I said, my gaze not wavering from hers.

Dr. Callahan interjected, his voice filled with a sense of purpose. "Maeve, Ethan, I believe that the answers to your questions lie in exploring these connections further. I’ve been trying to study these Future Fragments. Maybe I’ll be able to better understand them by learning about your Fragments” His eyes and voice fill with excitement.

We are interrupted by a chime from Dr. Callahan’s cell. He took a quick look at it and proceeded to get up. “I’ve to go. If you guys wanna talk, meet me at my home office this weekend. I’ll be free in the evening. Ethan, the address is on the card I gave you.” he said.

As he left our table, the two of us sat there in silence for a minute before our gazes met again.

“I..uh…”

“Do you…”

I chuckled, trying to diffuse the tension. Now that we are alone, I don't know what to talk to her.

I passed her a nervous smile and cleared my throat, my gaze flickering between Maeve and the café's entrance. "So, uh, Maeve, do you come here often?"

Maya's lips curled into a hesitant smile, and she nodded her head. "Yeah, actually, my best friend and I hang out here very often. But today, I just had the feeling that I needed to be here.”

"Yeah, I know what you mean," I replied, my fingers now drumming a soft rhythm on the table.

We both fell silent, our eyes darting around the café as if searching for a lifeline in the form of a conversation starter. We had shared unspoken moments on the subway, our eyes locking in a serendipitous connection, but now that we were face to face, words seemed to elude us.

Maeve asked, her voice soft and uncertain. "So, you're an artist, right?"

I grinned at her, grateful for the lifeline.Yeah, I am. I love graffiti, painting... it's like my way of leaving my mark on the world, I guess."

"Graffiti? That's interesting.” Maeve's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "What's it like, doing graffiti? It seems so... rebellious."

I leaned in a little closer, my tone conspiratorial. "It's liberating, you know? You start with a blank wall, and then you just... let your imagination run wild. It's like telling a story, but with colors and shapes instead of words."

“Do you have any favorite pieces you've done recently?"

I felt myself relax as the conversation was about art. "Well, there's this one I did last month, not far from here. I'd love to show it to you sometime."

Was that too soon? Damn it!

Maeve's eyes widened for a moment, then her smile grew warmer. "I'd like that."

“So…” I started. “...do you want us to go meet Dr. Callahan this weekend?”

“Yeah, I think so.” Maeve said. “Right now, he’s the only one who can help us in any way.”

"Yeah, he's really invested in this. It's hard to believe that we're at the center of something so... mysterious." I said, unable to hide my excitement.

Maeve's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. "I know, right? It's like we're in a sci-fi movie or something. But I'm excited to see where this leads us."

I offered her a genuine smile, and for the first time since we'd met, the room felt a little less awkward. "Me too."

There was again that awkward silence between us. “I should probably get going. My parents will be looking for me.” Maeve said while she emptied her coffee.

“Yeah, me too.” I said, getting up along with her.

We moved out of the cafe and stood outside not knowing how to bid each other goodbye. Do I hug her? Nah, that'll be too forward. Maybe shake her hand?... Argh... Why is it so hard!

Maeve was fidgeting with her fingers. Guess, she had no idea as well. “I look forward to the weekend, Ethan.” Maeve said, her eyes not meeting mine as a shy smile crept up her lips.

I grinned at her. “Yeah, me too.” We walked away in opposite directions.

I saw my reflection in one of the shop windows and there was a stupid grin plastered on my face. I can’t wait for it to be the weekend. But as I walked down the street I realized I didn’t get her number. Damn it!