What's Meant To Be

{Chapter 2}

  My eyelids opened slowly as I rolled over. I woke up at the same time every morning; 6:30. No matter how late I stayed up or how many times I tried to go back to sleep, it never changed. On the bright side, I never had to set an annoying alarm.

  I lifted my arms and stiffened my legs as I stretched in bed, letting out a long yawn. Today was the day! I was starting work at my dream job! I didn't have to be at work until eight so I had plenty of time to do my morning routine.

  I went to the kitchen and opened the fridge, realizing I still hadn't gone grocery shopping. I made a mental note to do that after work. I decided I would just stop at a coffee shop for breakfast.

  I dragged myself into the bathroom to begin getting ready. First step: hair. I pulled my hair out of the bun, combing through it with my fingers until it fell naturally down my back. Looking at myself in the mirror I contemplated on going full glam for my first day or to just go natural. Maybe I'll find a happy medium. I quickly washed my face and started on my makeup.

  I definitely wasn't a beauty guru but I wasn't terrible either. I filled in my eyebrows, curled my eyelashes, added a layer of mascara, and concealed my under eyes. I was proud of my appearance so far so I left the bathroom and made my way to my closet.

  This was the hard part. Looking down at my phone, the time read 7:15. "Shit" I cursed. I needed to leave my apartment at 7:30 if I planned on grabbing breakfast. I skimmed through my clothes quickly deciding on a pair of black straight leg pants and a blush pink top. I topped the outfit off with a pair of nude heels and a silver bracelet.

  I glanced down at my phone again; 7:27. Ok, I was doing better than I thought I was. I grabbed my phone, my portfolios (in case I needed them), and my small Michael Kors clutch that barely held more than lip gloss, my wallet, and my phone.

  Running out of my apartment, I began my walk. I didn't have a car but work was only a fifteen minute walk from my apartment. I crossed the road, making my way to the large Starbucks on the corner.

  Even from outside, I could smell the coffee beans and I immediately gave a sigh of relief. I fumbled with my things, shifting them all into one hand so that I could grab the door.

  "I got it," I saw someone from the corner of my eye jog up to the door and grab it.

  "Thank you so much!" I turned around to smile at this helpful gentleman but my face immediately fell.  "YOU!" we both gritted out at the same time. There stood my gorgeous neighbor. He looked like he had just finished a workout with his damp, tousled hair, basketball shorts, and a plain t-shirt that hugged his body. I saw his eyes narrow before they softened into something more of amusement.

  "What's funny?" I turned away from him and made my way into the Starbucks, immediately finding the line.

  "If I'm not mistaken, you were checking me out. Once again" I heard his voice following right behind me into the line.

  "No I wasn't. I was just thinking that you were ugly." I cringed at the words that had just came out of my mouth. I sounded like a child! Even though I was embarrassed beyond words, I continued to stare in front of me, hoping the line would start moving faster.

  "Oh is that right?" I could hear the smirk in his voice and it took everything in me to not turn around and punch him.

  It was finally my turn to order so I stepped up to the cashier, "I'll take a tall cold brew and a..." I looked over at the display case, trying to pick a pastry, "and a chocolate chip muffin please."

  "Sure! Anything else I can get for you?" The young girl smiled up at me.

  "Nope that'll be it," while pulling out my card I saw a tattooed arm held out with a wadded up twenty dollar bill. The girl took the money and placed it in her register, handing back the change.

  "We'll have that right out for you," "Thank you" I responded. I stepped over to the counter to get out of the way and whipped around to confront the jerk.

  "I can pay for things on my own," I looked up to see his stupid, smug face.

  "You look very nice today Aniyah" My name sounded so nice coming out of his mouth that I almost forget that I was reprimanding him.

  "Stop it" I glared at him as my order was called.

  "Stop what?" He was still smirking as he followed me out of the coffee shop.

  "Stop following me and being fake nice"

  "I can't be a friendly neighbor?"

  I checked my phone, realizing I had five minutes to get to work but still a ten minute walk. I turned on my heels to look at him again. "Look, I don't have time to talk right now. I'm late for work and you're annoying." I turned back around, almost jogging down the sidewalk.

  "Since you don't have time to talk now, how about we talk over dinner?"

   Running was not my forte and I was barely able to puff out my response, "No."

  "Ok, I'll knock on your door at eight." I could hear his voice softening, meaning he had stopped jogging behind me. I let out a short grunt in response. If he knocked on my door at eight, I'd just ignore him until he left me alone.

  Finally making it to work, I ran in and checked the small clock hanging in the large, white lobby. 8:03. That wasn't too bad, right? I tried to convince myself that no one would notice and made my way to the receptionist.

  "Hi, how may I help you" The receptionist didn't look up from her computer screen.

  "My name is Aniyah Woodard, today is my first day. I was hoping you could tell me where to go?"

  "You're late. You'll be on the fourth floor. The elevator is right down this hallway." Still not looking up the computer, the receptionist jabbed her thumb behind her, pointing in the direction of the elevator.

  "Thank you." I took a deep breath, keeping myself from saying something smart to the lady.

  I walked down the hallway, got on the elevator, and pressed the round button reading "4".

  "Here we go" I whispered to myself as the elevator began to lift.

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Another update! I'm getting more ideas as I go, hope you're enjoying so far! Let me know what you think!

Love, Jay