What's Meant To Be

{Chapter 1}

"Are you fucking serious?!" My clothes tumbled out of the large cardboard box as I attempted to pull it up the stairs. Today was the day. I was finally leaving my parents home and moving into my own apartment! Saying I was excited was an understatement.

"Do you need any help?" I looked up to see a tall girl with straight blonde hair, probably in her mid twenties. She looked friendly enough so I didn't hesitate to accept her offer.

"Would you please? I have one more box right down the stairs," I pointed to a small box sitting at the bottom of the staircase as I started to collect my spilled items.

"Yeah, no problem," She jogged down the stairs and lifted the heavy box. "My goodness, what do you have in here?" She chuckled as she inched up the stairs.

"Honestly, I have no idea," We looked at each other and laughed as I stuffed the last item in my box. I led the girl to my open apartment door where she set down the box. "Thank you so much for helping me out, I definitely underestimated how tough it would be to carry these boxes up." I motioned to the metal elevator with a sign that read "out of order"

She nodded before speaking, "Don't worry about it! Just glad I could help." She stuck out her hand, "I'm Sarah" she said with a big smile. I took her hand and shook it lightly, "nice to meet you Sarah, I'm Aniyah" I gave a small smile.

"I've got to get going but good luck unpacking! I live on the third floor in apartment 304 if you need anything!" Sarah said as she turned toward the stairs. "Thanks again!" I yelled after her.

I turned to my apartment door, "209" I read aloud with a huge smile plastered on my face. I was excited. I had been going up and down the aisles at Target for MONTHS looking for house decorations and buying things I didn't need.

I pushed the last two boxes inside and began to unpack, starting with the kitchen. I pulled out my new pots, pans, and dishes and opened all of the cabinets, trying to decide where I wanted to put everything.

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After four hours of unpacking, I was on my last box. I made an audible sigh as I bent over and began pulling out my bathroom decorations and toiletries. I placed everything in their spot and decided to run a bath.

I grabbed my pink, silk bathrobe and a towel and placed them on the towel rack. "BATH TIME!" I hopped in the water and sighed as I looked around the bathroom. I was proud of myself. At 22 I had moved out of my parents home on my own (I know what you're thinking, "Aniyah that's late" but you don't understand. I had been living in a different apartment on my own but my parents were paying for it. This time, I'm completely on my own) . I had saved money for years by doing photoshoots for families, graduates, and small models. It was enough to pay for the security deposit, the down payment, and first months rent. I was determined to work hard for what I wanted and prove to people that I wasn't just a spoiled brat.

Tomorrow I would start my new job as an assistant photographer at Haden Enterprise. Haden Enterprise was known for having great photographers that knew how to capture a great shot- no matter what. Of course I'm only starting out as an "assistant" but I was hoping I could wow them with my skills and make my way up to a lead photographer.

The water started to cool down so I got out, dried off, and wrapped myself in my robe. I quickly brushed through my wavy blonde hair and threw it into a bun.

Deciding to celebrate, I plugged my phone into my speaker and started playing my music. Dancing, jumping, singing into my hairbrush; I was doing it all. That was until I heard three loud knocks on my front door. I knew that it was because I was being too loud so I immediately turned my music down hoping that they would just go away.

They didn't. Instead they knocked louder. I sighed and crept to my door unlocking it and pulling it open enough for my head to poke out. My breath hitched as I looked at the man in front of me. Yeah that's right, MAN. He was tall, at least 6'4, dark brown hair, piercing green eyes, tattooed from head to toe, toned arms, I bet he had a big-

"What're you looking at" His voice was deep and firm.

"What do you want?" I immediately tried to divert his attention but that only made him smirk, revealing a deep dimple in his right cheek.

"You're staring again princess" My eyes narrowed as I looked into his eyes. How dare he call me out like that! I was beyond embarrassed and my face was starting to heat up.

"No I'm not, what do you want?" I decided to repeat my question and made sure to look him directly in the eye this time.

"I came over to introduce myself and to tell you not to play your music so loud." He stood with his arms crossed as he waited for me to say something.

"Sorry about that.. Uh, I'm Aniyah" I stuck my hand out for him to shake, causing the door to crack open. I had forgotten I was only in my flimsy pink robe until his eyes raked up and down my body. I began to fidget and tried hiding behind the door but he grabbed my hand, shaking it.

"I'm Gage" He had a twinkle in his eye and I immediately knew that he was trouble. "I love your outfit" He held my hand for another second before letting go and sending me a wink.

I was shocked. I am not the type to back down from a fight so I stood up straight, looked him up and down, and said "You have a boner, might wanna go take care of that little guy" His eyebrows furrowed together at my words but before he could say anything, I slammed the door in his face.

"He's not little, just so you know" I could hear the frustration in his voice and I blushed as I walked to my new room.

"This could be fun" I said to myself as I slipped into my pajamas and laid in bed.

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Hi guys! The first chapter of my first book! I hope you guys enjoyed, feel free to send CONSTRUCTIVE criticism!
Question: would you like me to choose the characters or would you rather imagine your own?

Love, Jay