Meant to Collide

2. Twelve Years and One Dream

Jules Parker had been a devoted fan of Sky Chandler since elementary school. From the moment she first heard Sky's enchanting voice, she had followed every update and every heartfelt post. To Jules, Sky was more than just an idol; she was a source of encouragement and inspiration, a beacon of hope in her life.

As the concert buzzed around her, a sudden silence enveloped Jules. It felt as if time stopped, and the world faded away, leaving only the intoxicating sound of music. In that moment, she saw an imaginary hand reaching out from the stage. It was Sky, beckoning her to join her. Heart racing, Jules took Sky's hand, and the crowd erupted into cheers.

Together, they danced to the rhythm of the music, a whirlwind of joy and exhilaration. Jules felt a surge of courage; it was time to get closer to her idol. She leaned in, heart pounding, ready for her first kiss. Just as their lips were about to meet, a loud voice pierced through the dream, calling her name over the mic.

"Hello! Hi there!" The anchors' voices pulled her back into reality, but Jules lingered in her dream world, eyes closed and smiling to herself. After a few more calls, she finally snapped back to attention.

"What's your name?" one of the anchors asked.

"It's Jules!" she replied, a grin spreading across her face.

To her utter disbelief, the anchors announced that she was the lucky winner of a special competition held during the concert. The audience erupted in applause as Taylor Swift herself handed her the prize. Jules felt like she was floating as she made her way off the stage.

But the surprises didn't end there. The anchors revealed another guest, and the crowd roared as Selena Gomez stepped onto the stage, ready to perform her hit song, "People You Know." Jules vibed with sheer joy, the music washing over her as she danced with her sister on the way home.

As they left the stadium, her sister began to sulk, a hint of jealousy evident in her tone. "I can't believe you got on stage to receive that prize!"

Jules playfully nudged her sister, and in their scuffle, her sister accidentally knocked over a box filled with Sky's pictures and posters—treasures that Jules had collected over the years.

"I didn't hit Sky in the head! I just pushed the box!" her sister exclaimed, a teasing smile on her face.

Jules glared at the scattered photos, but her anger melted away as she stared at one particular picture of Sky. Lost in the moment, she drifted away into her thoughts.

"If you could see what I see in Sky, maybe you'd understand," Jules replied softly, a dreamy smile spreading across her face.

Her sister rolled her eyes, sinking into a dramatic cringe. Just then, a familiar melody echoed in her mind, pulling her into a flashback.

Twelve years ago, Jules remembered seeing a puppy outside her school. She ran toward it, laughter bubbling up, but then—

A car was reversing, oblivious to her presence. Suddenly, Sky collided with her, saving both Jules and the puppy from disaster. In that brief encounter, they had shared a moment filled with warmth and connection, smiles exchanged as if they were kindred spirits.

The memory faded as her sister pulled her back into reality, narrating Jules' past. "You studied at the same primary school as Sky, you know! You even took the entrance exam for the same faculty!"

Jules nodded, excitement coursing through her. "I'm starting to work at the company Sky owns next week. Can you believe it? After twelve years, I'm finally going to meet Sky!"

But a wave of anxiety washed over her. How would she behave in front of Sky?

To prepare, they practiced together, but as Jules rehearsed her lines, her imagination whisked her away again. In her mind, Sky stood before her, beaming with a smile that made her heart flutter. Just as she leaned in for another moment of closeness, her sister's teasing voice pulled her back once more.

"You're dreaming again, Jules!" she laughed, playfully pinching Jules' cheeks.

Disappointed but hopeful, Jules whispered to herself, "Sky, will you remember me after twelve solid years?" A mix of curiosity, excitement, and fear danced across her face as she pondered the impending reunion with her long-time idol.