This Way is an unforgettable, emotional journey of love, resilience, and the uncharted roads that shape our lives. Alina's world is turned upside down when she leaves Georgia and heads to New York, chasing a dream while battling the shadows of her p...
The next morning, the city felt like a whirlwind. I was running late, of course, trying to juggle everything at once: my bag, my phone, my coat. The rain from the night before had left the streets slick, and I nearly slipped more than once as I rushed down the sidewalk. I tried hailing a cab, but none of them seemed to notice me. My frustration grew with each passing minute, and by the time I reached the corner, I gave up and decided to walk. The cool morning air bit at my skin, the scent of wet asphalt and coffee filling the air, but I was too focused on getting to work to appreciate it.
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When I finally walked through the door of the café, I was greeted by the warm, familiar hum of the place. Becca was behind the counter, as usual, her red apron tucked neatly around her waist, the ever-present smile on her face. It was always easier to get through the day when she was there. We'd become fast friends over the months, our shifts lining up more often than not. She was the type of person who made you feel like everything was going to be okay, no matter how chaotic your life was.
"You're running late," she said with a wink as I hurried in. "Rough night?"
I slung my bag over my shoulder and sank into one of the chairs near the counter. "You have no idea," I muttered, rubbing my temples. "The audition was a total flop. I just wasn't in the zone, and I think they could tell. I feel like I wasted my time."
Becca raised an eyebrow, always quick to notice when something was off. "You're too hard on yourself," she said. "But I can tell something else is bugging you. Spill it."
I hesitated for a moment, unsure if I should talk about it yet. But the curiosity in Becca's eyes was too much to resist. I leaned forward, glancing around as if the walls might hear me. "Well," I started slowly, "I met this guy last night. Complete stranger. He bumped into me, literally ran into me on the street."
Becca's eyes lit up immediately, and she leaned closer, practically hanging onto my every word. "Ooo, so you gave him some?" she joked, her voice teasing but light.
I couldn't help but laugh, my embarrassment fading a little. "No! Not like that," I said, rolling my eyes. "But... he was really sweet. And... I don't know, there was something about him. He just... *clicked* with me. We ended up walking through the city in the rain, talking and getting to know each other. It felt... nice."
Becca's grin widened, clearly enjoying the drama. "A mysterious man, huh? This sounds like the start of a rom-com. You're not just going to leave me hanging, are you? You have to tell me more. Like, does he have a name? Is he tall? Dark? Handsome?"
I smiled, leaning back in my chair. "His name's Mikhail. He's... definitely tall. And handsome, too, if you're into that rugged, *I'll-save-you-from-a-burning-building* type of vibe. And I don't know, he just... *got me.* There was this moment when he asked for my number, and I almost-"
