Why Don't You STAY

WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE

(The alarm clock blares to life, jolting me awake) Ugh, morning already? It felt like I'd just drifted off to sleep two minutes ago. Time to shake off the slumber and tackle the day – or maybe not. Today, I opted for simplicity and comfort, dressing in a classy yet laid-back outfit.

After getting ready, I headed downstairs to the heavenly aroma of Robert's special French toast, made with love and his secret ingredient. As I dug in, Dad joined me, his presence temporarily breaking the silence.

"Dad, you're actually eating breakfast with me?" I asked, surprised.

He cleared his throat, a subtle cough. "I have some news. I've decided to send you to the University of California, just as your mom wished. Today's your first day." His expression turned serious. "I've arranged for Ace to accompany you, keep an eye on things. The principal's already been briefed."

My heart skipped a beat. Ace, my childhood friend and loyal bodyguard, was coming with me to university? Mixed emotions swirled – gratitude and embarrassment.

"I'll be late for my meeting," Dad said, pushing back his chair. "We'll celebrate your first day over dinner at Olive Garden, 8 pm sharp. Be ready." He planted a quick kiss on my cheek and hurried out the door.

I turned to Robert, giving him a warm hug. "Thanks for the amazing breakfast, Robert! You're the best."

Robert smiled, his eyes twinkling. "Anytime, kiddo. Have a fantastic first day!"

Ace waited by the door, his rugged demeanor a stark contrast to his kind eyes. His father had been Dad's trusted bodyguard until his passing; afterward, Dad took Ace under his wing, providing for his education and well-being. Now, Ace repaid that debt by keeping me safe.

"Ready to rock this university thing?" Ace asked, his deep voice laced with amusement.

"Born ready," I replied, rolling my eyes good-naturedly. "But try not to embarrass me too much, okay?"

Ace chuckled, falling into step beside me. "Scout's honor."

As we walked to the car, the morning sun cast a warm glow over our departure, filling me with a mix of excitement and trepidation.

As we stepped onto the university grounds, I gazed out at the sprawling campus in awe. The sheer scale of it all – the vast fields, the basketball courts, the netball courts, and the football field – left me breathless. I felt like a tiny fish in a massive ocean.

"Ace, park over there with the other students," I said, trying to sound calmer than I felt.

As I climbed out of the car, a wave of uncertainty washed over me. I felt the familiar tug of anxiety, the urge to turn tail and flee back home. My stomach was a whirlwind of butterflies, each one flapping its wings in protest.

Just as I thought I might bolt, a gentle hand settled on my lower back. I spun around, startled, only to find Ace's reassuring smile.

"Hey, you okay?" he asked, his voice low and soothing. "You look like you're about to jump out of your skin."

I took a deep breath, feeling a bit silly. "Just a little nervous, I guess."

Ace offered a few words of encouragement, his voice dripping with warmth. "You've got this, Catherine. You're going to crush it here. And I'll be right by your side, remember?"

With that, he steered me toward the university entrance, and we stepped into the unknown together.

As we strolled toward the entrance, Ace suddenly stopped and slapped his forehead. "Ah, no! I left my phone in the car. I'll be right back, Catherine."

I watched as he jogged back to the car, feeling a pang of anxiety. Without Ace by my side, the campus seemed to grow even larger and more intimidating. But I didn't want to wait around, so I gathered my courage and decided to press on at a slower pace.

As I walked, I felt a sense of trepidation. Ace's presence had given me a sense of ease, knowing I had someone familiar by my side. Without him, I felt like a small boat adrift in a stormy sea.

Just as I was starting to get my bearings, disaster struck. A car came careening around the corner, and before I could react, it clipped me, sending me tumbling to the ground. My head hit the pavement with a sickening thud, and a sharp pain exploded through my skull.

Stars danced before my eyes as I struggled to sit up, dazed and disoriented. The world around me was a blur, but I could hear the sound of screeching tires and shouting voices.

Suddenly, a face appeared above me, blocking out the sun. It was Ace, his eyes etched with worry.

"Catherine, oh my god! Are you okay?" he exclaimed, helping me to my feet.

I nodded, still dazed, and Ace wrapped a protective arm around my shoulders.

"Well, that's a great first day so far," he said with a wry smile.

Just as I was dusting myself off, a woman and a young girl around my age appeared, looking frazzled and worried.

"Oh my goodness, are you okay? I'm so sorry! I was in a rush to get my daughter to her first day of university, and I wasn't watching where I was going," the woman exclaimed, her eyes wide with concern.

I nodded, still dazed, and the woman rushed to my side, helping me to my feet. Her daughter, a girl with piercing green eyes and long, curly brown hair, looked at me with a mixture of worry and embarrassment.

"I'm so sorry," the girl echoed, her voice barely above a whisper.

As I stood there, trying to process what had just happened, I couldn't help but notice the woman's beauty. She was stunning, with porcelain skin and piercing blue eyes that sparkled with kindness. I felt like I'd been transported to my own little world, where nothing else mattered except for this lovely stranger.

Ace, however, brought me back to reality. "Hey, Catherine, you okay? That was quite a hit," he said, eyeing the woman's car warily.

I nodded again, feeling a bit silly. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a bit...starstruck," I added, glancing at the woman.

The woman laughed, a melodious sound that made me smile. "Well, I'm glad I could make an impression. I'm Victoria, and this is my daughter, Olivia."

As we exchanged introductions, I couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder. Who was this beautiful woman, and why did I feel like I'd known her forever?

Victoria's gaze lingered on me, her expression softening. "Are you sure you're okay? Maybe we should get you checked out?"

Olivia nodded vigorously, her eyes still wide with concern. "Yeah, please? We can take you to the campus clinic."

I smiled, touched by their kindness. "I'm really fine, thank you. Just a minor scrape."

Ace stepped forward, his expression protective. "I'll make sure she's okay, Victoria. Thanks for offering."

Victoria smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Anytime. Well, we should get going. Olivia, don't want to be late on your first day."

As they turned to leave, I felt a pang of disappointment.

A/N:

"Hey readers!

Now that you've reached the end of Chapter 2, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Please take a moment to:

COMMENT below and let me know what you thought of this chapter! What did you love? What did you hate?

VOTE to help me improve the story!

Your feedback is invaluable, and I'm excited to hear your opinions!

Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for Chapter 3!

(Satss♡)