Invisible String

Part 1- The One

The mysterious stranger had become a haunting presence in her daily routine. His tall figure seemed to blend effortlessly into the background, lurking in the shadows of bustling airport terminals or lingering beneath the shelter of trees in the tranquil park. His presence lingered in the corners of her consciousness, a tantalizing enigma that refused to be ignored. It was as if invisible threads wove between them, guiding their paths to cross in the most unlikely of places, it was unsettling, yet intriguing. She would often catch sight of him as she went about her daily activities, he seemed to appear everywhere she went.

Her best friend, Alyssa couldn't help but notice how often she brought up how she always ran into the mysterious stranger.

"Have you noticed anything odd about your encounters with him?" she asked.

"Odd?" she replied, frowning slightly as she thought about it.

"Well, it's just that they seem to be occurring more than coincidence would dictate."

"Are you talking about red string theory again?" She asked curiously, intrigued by her friend's perspective.

Her best friend was with her when they saw the stranger again that day. As they were walking through the park, the stranger suddenly appeared in the distance, his face hidden under the shade of a tree. Her friend leaned towards her and whispered, "Yeah, you know, the idea that there might be invisible strings connecting people who are meant to be together. Maybe that's what this is all about."

She felt a jolt of excitement and curiosity at Alyssa's words. Could this mysterious stranger really be her soulmate? Could it really be true that they were connected by these invisible strings? The thought sent a ripple of excitement through her body, and she couldn't help but feel a bit giddy at the possibility.

"Or it could be that he is actually a creep, or a stalker, if this isn't coincidence" Bailey interrupted.

Bailey's sudden interruption grated on her nerves, it was a thought that had crossed her mind as well, but she was hoping to dismiss it and focus on the more positive possibility of invisible strings connecting them. But now Bailey had pointed it out, and the reality of the situation started to dawn on her.

"I know, I know," she replied, sighing. "You're probably right, but still, he looks so fine, I just can't help myself"

"Right?" Alyssa squealed. "Like, where else can we find a guy that fine?"

"Y'all read too much Wattpad", said Bailey.

As she watched the stranger, she couldn't help but wonder where he was heading. He had a calm and relaxed manner about him, but there was also something mysterious and secretive about his movements. She found herself imagining where his destination could be, and what his plans might be. She couldn't help but feel a bit excited by the mystery surrounding it all.

With each encounter, her curiosity grew. It was uncanny how they crossed paths-in the library stacks, at the coffee shop near campus, even at the grocery store. Coincidence, or something more? The question gnawed at her. It was as if they were always running into each other by accident, even on the most unexpected occasions. Her pulse quickened with each unexpected sighting, a fluttering anticipation that refused to be ignored, her curiosity would spark as she wondered about why they kept finding each other. After all these times, she ultimately decided that she had to approach him.

As she laid herself in her bed that night, she found herself thinking back on all the times she had crossed paths with the mysterious stranger. She would replay their encounters in her head, and imagine scenarios in which she finally approaches him.

She would practice her "friendly" expression and smile, trying to make herself look more charming and pleasant to the stranger. However, she couldn't help but feel a bit disgusted at her own reflections, feeling as if she was being way too corny and cheesy with her expressions, and play out different scenarios in her head, trying to prepare herself for the moment when she finally finds the courage to introduce herself.

Then, she decided to call her best friend Alyssa, who always had the magic tips on how to approach men. Alyssa answered in a sleepy tone, after looking at the caller's contact name, she asked "What are you doing awake at this hour ?"

"I know, I know, but I have to ask you something real quick."

"What is it ?"

"I'm going to introduce myself to that guy, but I don't know how I should approach him, without coming across awkward or even desperate"

"Oh wow, you're really going to it, huh ?"

"Yea, I've been thinking about this guy for a little while now, it's making me go crazy. So... do you have any tips for me?"

In her eyes, Alyssa was gorgeous, with an amazing smile and a charming demeanour that never failed to charm the guys she was interested in. She had always been able to get the guys of her dreams, and she was always full of tips and tricks on how to appear more appealing and endearing. So, why shouldn't she go to her with all her questions?

"Well, okay, here's my tip number one - make eye contact. And I mean, really look at them - like, don't just glance and look away. Hold your gaze and be confident, then you can say, hey, I have been seeing you around a lot lately. What's your name? Can we talk for some time ? Something like that"

"But what if he thinks I'm weird and desperate, and then everything is ruined?"

"Don't let your insecurity and low self esteem rule over you," she said reassuringly. "Just because your love life has always been one sided in the past doesn't mean it's going to be like that forever. You can do this. Go for it."

"You're right," she replied, feeling more confident. " Thanks, Alyssa, you are the best, I owe you this one"

" No problem, good night"

" Goodnight, love you"

" Love you more"

She started to visualize the moment when she introduces herself to the stranger. She imagined herself approaching him with confidence, maintaining eye contact and smiling, and carrying herself with an air of self-assuredness. She had reminded herself of who she was and her self-worth. She was ready to take that first step.

She walked through the dormitories, cafeteria, and campus, feeling her shoulder stiffen with nervousness. She was aware of how every step felt as if it was a long walk. She was so focused on finding him, so when she unexpectedly stumbled across him in the hallway, she could have sworn her heart was beating out of her chest. Their eyes locked for a moment, and she quickly smiled at him. She prayed that she didn't look foolish, and then decided to approach him.