What Are the Odds?

1.

- one year later -

; Juliet ;

The streets of New York hide beneath the white blankets of snow, my black Doc Martins leaving a path of footprints on the pure white ice. My hands fly to the top of my head, adjusting my beanie once more. The cold winter air nips at my cheeks, a faint blush creeping up to my face as I rush to enter my new apartment complex. The security lock makes a faint beep sound as I swipe my card through the slot and open the door.

I remove my beanie and shake the snow out of my short hair and the item of clothing once I step inside the warm and cozy lobby, the waves of my brown lockes settling back to its somewhat tame state as I do so. The place is empty besides for the receptionist and the old lady who never seems to get off the couch at the far end of the room. I shoot her a warm smile and a friendly nod in hopes that it will lift her seemingly perpetual sour mood. She gives me a timid nod and a blank stare which I take as a sign to leave. I race to the elevators, just in time to squeeze in between the closing doors. I let out a tired huff that I've been holding in all day and press on the '20' button on the panel inside the small box. The elevator starts moving upwards and only then do I take notice the person standing beside me.

The person was a man, maybe around my age as he didn't look above twenty-five. He has long, hazelnut brown, curly hair that was tamed down with a gray beanie and a slight stubble scattered above his lip and around his chin. His eyes are blocked by the dark tint of his glasses, but even then, I think I can see brown and green. He's built, extremely fit as it looks like his arms and chest could break through the material of his black v-neck. The man looks familiar, like I've seen him more than once but never in my building. Suddenly, his head turns to face me and a bright smile graces his lips.

"Hey," He says, in a thick Australian accent. "You must be the new girl, yeah?"

"Mhmm," Is my simple response. I couldn't pinpoint where I've seen this boy, but dang, he was hot.

"Penthouse, eh? That's impressive." His eyes are locked on the button.

"Did you just say 'eh'?" I ask which he responds to with a simple nod, a raised eyebrow making an appearance on his acne-scattered forehead. "Are you Canadian? For a second there, I thought you were Australian." He lets out a chuckle, glancing at his shoes before looking up at me. "I am, I travel a lot so I guess I just picked that up from somewhere." The mystery boy fishes his right hand from his pocket and stretches it in between us, "I'm Ashton, by the way. It's nice to meet you."

I place my hand in his and give it a shake, "Claire, but my friends call me Juliet."

"How do you get Juliet from Claire?" Ashton retracts his hand and it falls limp to his side like a wet noodle.

"It's my second name." I smile.

The elevator dings and I see we've stopped at the eighteenth floor. Ashton gives me nod before explaining that this was his stop. I wish him a good night and he does the same. My eyes stay glued to his back as he leaves the little box we're in and as soon as he steps out, he shoots me another smile and a wave before turning the corner and disappearing.

The doors of the elevator close once more and I'm left to silence and the ever-slow movement of the lift. A million thoughts circle my mind– thoughts about how my family back in Florida is doing, my old college friends, work, and now, this Ashton boy.

I know I've seen him before, he looks all too familiar for me not to know who this guy is. It's certain to me that this is the first time I've talked to him in this building, as I just moved in and haven't talked to anyone besides the receptionist. Maybe I met him at work? Did he try to get a job as a photographer? A model, maybe? He has the body for it, truth be told. The elevator dings once more so I step out into the hall and grab my keys from inside my bag.

The doorknob clicks open and soon as I have my foot in the door, my legs are being scratched by my dog. The pug is ecstatic to see me, not even allowing me to fully enter my apartment. "Jasper!" I laugh, picking up the pup so I could close the door without worrying that he'll get locked out. His tongue attacks my face in joy, probably glad that I'm home. The little creature is restless in my arm and wiggles to be let down once more. He leaps onto the sofa and scampers off to the balcony, probably to do his business. Well, guess that's all the attention I'm getting tonight.

I kick off my shoes and remove my socks, the cold hardwood floors give me a chill when by bare feet come in contact with it. A shiver runs up my spine as I make my way to my room in desperate need for the comfort of my bed. Honestly, I could care less if I hadn't changed, I'll shower tomorrow, my priority right now: rest. I rid myself of my black leather jacket and fall face first on my own personal cloud. The end of the bed dips suddenly and I crane my neck to see Jasper making himself comfortable at my feet. A sleepy smile tickles my face as I sigh in content and close my eyes, ready for sleep. The last thing that enters my mind: where have I seen this boy?!