Chance Collisions [DISCONTINUED]

5 // If I'm Lucky

Chapter 5

"Hope to see you today :) " I read over the latest text from this morning for what possibly could be the fourteenth time with a smile before scrolling up past all the other conversations exchanged in the five day span until I landed on the one message I needed the most. I double-checked the address as I squinted out the window, making sure the numbers matched the ones engraved on the brick wall by the front door of the small cottage house. After reconfirming my initial assumption, I killed the engine and exited the car, snatching a cardigan from the adjacent seat before the door slammed shut.

As I began walking up the porch steps, I slightly questioned my sanity. Here I was at the home of someone I didn't even know to see a boy who might as well be a stranger too, yet there was something about impulsive decisions that seemed thrilling and non regretful. For a girl who has played by the rules all her life and never acted on her heart before her mind, it was definitely a different but somewhat refreshing feeling.

And then there was Wesley. Wesley who had a way with words, lyrics, and smiles that just entranced you. He was as charming as it came, there was no denying that fact, but he was also incredibly humble. It was easy to pick that up from the limited encounters we shared. And maybe, just maybe there was a bit of an infatuation that I felt towards him. An infatuation driving such sudden spontaneity but it wasn't like I was stopping myself.

An intricate series of rings sounded after a hit of the bell and I stepped back from the welcome mat as I heard footsteps approaching. The door swung open to reveal an unlikely recognizable face. This time around however, he was lacking a Parker's Supermarket apron and an impressive quiff, going for a more laid back look with a simple Nirvana tee and a flatter, combed back hairstyle.

"I knew the name sounded vaguely familiar." The boy said with a toothy grin.

"So you're Nate." I replied with a returning smile. "Could've guessed that would be the appropriate nickname if Nathaniel was shortened. Just didn't piece it together when Elliot told me."

"Oh it's no biggie." He reassured. "I didn't know you were the Charlotte Wesley's been talking about. Besides, there's probably a thousand Nates and Charlottes in this city."

"Do any of them scan turkeys?" I commented teasingly and the sound of his laugh filled the doorway.

"Not that I know of at Parker's. More like eggnog and ham these days."

"The speakers blaring Christmas music?"

"Ever since the clock turned midnight the day after Thanksgiving. You don't know how many times I've heard Frosty the Snowman." He groaned as if holiday tunes might be the death of him someday. "Only 20 more days until it goes back to alternative rock."

"Bro, is that the pizza guy?" A voice echoed from inside before the conversation could continue any longer.

"I swear all that guy thinks about is food."

"Let me guess, that would be Damien?"

"You catch on quickly." He chuckled, stepping aside and gesturing for me to enter. I slipped off my shoes and deposited them neatly on the rack before continuing to follow Nate to the living room that was being occupied by three other guys: two currently playing a game of Fifa and trying foot in the face tactics to distract the other while the third was scrolling through his phone sprawled upside down on the love seat beside the sofa.

"Charlotte's here!" Nate exclaimed, clapping his hands together and I tried to hide a laugh when I saw Wesley's phone completely smacked his nose when he whipped his head towards the entryway where we stood.

"Smooth mate." Elliot, unlike me, didn't try to contain it and laughed aloud when he heard the mobile device clunk squarely onto his friend's face. Wesley didn't hesitate in hurdling a pillow and proudly beamed when it hit its target, despite Elliot's attempt to deflect it.