As Fate Would Have It

One

     It's been ten years since Total Drama All Stars.  I've finished college, yeah yeah yeah I know.  Big surprise that the Duncan Nelson went to and finished college.  Whatever.  I'm 27 now and my previous criminal days have kind of faded away.  I've got a pretty stable job as a mechanic.  All that hot wiring of cars back in the day made me pretty good with them.  I even have my own apartment.  It's pretty nice and is in a decent part of Toronto.  But, even with my life actually becoming normal and stable, I feel as if something is missing...

     It's Monday morning, so I make my usual trip to Starbucks and grab myself a coffee before heading to work.  I start driving towards Speedy Car Repairs, the company I work for.  Out the window there are huge dark grey clouds covering all blue that was once in the sky.  All of sudden rain starts coming down in sheets.  It's such a downpour that I can't even see!  The roads start filling with water and it looks as if it might flood.  Bright yellow light flashes and there's a loud crash.  A bunch of cars start coming to a halt in front of me.  I try to get a good look and see that a giant oak tree was struck by lightning and crashed across the road.  Traffic is getting directed to the far side and so I decide to just park at a gas station. 

     I pull out my cell phone and dial my boss's number. 

     Hey, Randy, this is Duncan Nelson.

     Hi, Duncan.  What's up?

     There's a big storm down where I'm at and some of the roads are closed, so I don't think I'll be able to make it to work today.  If that's all right with you...

     No problem.  See you tomorrow though, right?

     Yep, I'll be there tomorrow.  Bye!

    Bye.

     Well that's taken care of...  Luckily for me, the way back to my apartment isn't closed.  As long as I can still see to get there.  I start to pull away when I see a young woman practically running through the rain, clutching two giant bags.  One looks to be a purse while the other is a briefcase of sorts.  From what I see of her, she seems pretty good looking.  Wide hips, full chest, and long legs.  It almost reminds me of someone I used to know...

     I pull up next to her and roll my window down, which proved to be a big mistake as water is gushing into my car. 

     "Hey!  Do you need a ride?"  I ask her politely. 

     "No, I'm perfectly capable of holding my own, thank you very much."   She replies with slight agitation in her voice.  She starts back up walking at her fast pace, and I drive slow enough to keep pace with her. 

     "Come on, I don't want you to get soaked.  Trust me; I don't bite," I say with a wink. 

     "I believe I said, 'no thank you!'" She exclaims.  "I have no interest in getting to know creeps like you!"

     "Ouch.  A little harsh, eh Princess?  I'm j-"

     "What did you just call me?" she says, cutting me off as her whole body stiffens.  Her dark brown eyes glare into my blue-green ones. 

     "I'm just trying to help you out, but excuse me for offering you a ride out of the downpour, Princess..."  I retort. 

     "Ugh!  Fine!  Just please stop calling me Princess!"

     "Okay, okay." I answer, getting out of the car. I gesture to take her bags, but it's clear she doesn't trust me at all. I lead her to the passenger side and open the door for her.

"Thanks." she mutters as she sits down. After I close the door, I get back in my own seat and by then my car is practically soaked. I start the car and begin to feel like someone is watching me. I turn my head and see her staring at me intently with her face scrunched together as if she's thinking.

"Do you need something?" I ask.

"Huh? No, I was just, uh, thinking." She sits back and rests head on the headrest. "Actually, it's just that you look so familiar and I just can't place you! I'm normally so good at placing people!"

"Yeah, you seem familiar to me too for some reason..."

"Maybe we knew each other in a past life," she suggests, laughing. I start laughing too, but it seems like it actually was a past life.

"Yeah, maybe..." I say. "So, tell me a little about yourself since we will be stuck in a car for awhile."

"Um, okay. Well, I actually just recently graduated college and got a job as an attorney. Also, I just bought an apartment in the Maple Leaf Apartment Homes building."

"That's the building I live in!" I exclaim.

"Really?!? Maybe that's why we find each other familiar..." She pauses for a minute. "How old are you, if you don't mind my asking?"

"I'm 27. I work as a car mechanic/repairman."

"I'm 27 too! What are the chances?!" This is so weird! But, I swear I know her from somewhere else! I take in her appearance since I can see her better. She has pale mocha skin and a few freckles on her nose. Her brown hair is shoulder length and wavy. She's wearing khaki dress pants, an olive green button down blouse, and purple high heels. She's extremely curvy and something about her just draws me in.

"Why were you walking alone in the rain on a busy road?" I ask her once I'm done, well sort of done, taking in her sexiness.

"Well, my car broke down in the apartment building's parking lot and I didn't want to be late to work, but I just texted my boss to call off," she answers with a heavy sigh.

"Maybe I can fix up your car. I am a car repairman."

"I can't have you go through all this trouble for me! I mean I'd have to do something for you in return!"

"How about your name, Princess?" I ask. Okay, so maybe I'm hitting on her. Just a little bit...

"I wish you'd stop calling me that!" she pouts. This chick really is hot with that temper of hers.

"Well, I don't have your name so what would I even call you?" In the passenger seat, she's getting flustered. Oh man, is it a sight for sore eyes!

"My name's Courtney," she answers.