TWO YEARS AGO
Lyra and Lucas's story started two years ago, in their final year of college. Lucas had just transferred from the University of Illinois.
The girls had just finished their separate classes and met up for lunch. Today was the only day they could all have lunch together as their schedules matched.
As Lyra walked backwards, laughing with her friends, she didn't notice the guy standing behind her. But when she turned around, her eyes widened in horror as she collided with him, spilling her smoothie all over his shirt. The vibrant purple liquid splattered everywhere, staining his clothes and leaving a sweet, fruity aroma in the air.
The guy's eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, they just stared at each ot"er, frozen in surprise. She felt a jolt of electricity run through her body as their gazes met, and she could sense the same spark in his eyes. It was as if time stood still, and all that existed was the two of them, suspended in the awkward yet intimate moment.
Her friends gasped in unison, "Sorry!" and rushed to help, but Lyra was too st"nned to move. She couldn't tear her eyes away from the guy's, which seemed to be gazing into her very soul. They stood there, the only sound being the distant chatter of students and the slow drip of smoothie off his shirt.
The air was charged with an undeniable attraction, a connection that neither of them could ignore. They were both too stunned to speak, their minds racing to process the sudden, intense chemistry between them. It was as if the universe had brought them together in this ridiculous, serendipitous moment, and they both knew that their lives would never be the same.
As they stood there, frozen in the moment, the guy's expression slowly shifted from shock to amusement. A hint of a smile played on his lips, and he chuckled, breaking the spell.
"Well, I guess this is one way to make a memorable first impression," he said, his voice low and smooth.
Lyra's face flushed as she snapped out of her trance-like state. She looked down at the purple stain spreading across his shirt and groaned.
"Oh no, I'm so sorry! I'm such a clumsy idiot." She rummaged through her bag, pulling out a handful of napkins. "Here, let me help you clean up."
The guy took the napkins from her, his fingers brushing against hers, sending a spark of electricity through her body again.
"It's okay, really. It's just a shirt," he said, dabbing at the stain. "I'm Lucas, by the way."
"I'm… Lyra," she stuttered, feeling a little more at ease.
As they stood there, cleaning up the mess, their friends began to murmur and back away, sensing the connection between them.
"We'll, uh, leave you two alone," Sapphire said with a grin, winking at her.
Lyra rolled her eyes good-naturedly, but Lucas just smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
"I think that's a good idea," Lucas said.
As their friends walked away, Lucas turned to Lyra and asked, "So, would you like to grab another smoothie with me? My treat this time."
Lyra's heart skipped a beat. "I'd love to," she said, smiling up at him.
And with that, they walked off together, the awkwardness of the collision forgotten in the face of their budding conversation.
As Lyra slowly opened her eyes, the vivid dream began to fade away, leaving behind a bittersweet nostalgia. She realized with a start that she had dreamt about her first meeting with Lucas. The memory of their chance encounter, the smoothie collision, and the instant attraction all felt so real.
She let out a deep sigh and dragged her hands over her face, trying to shake off the lingering emotions. It had been a while since she'd thought about him, and she wasn't sure why he'd popped up in her dreams now.
Lyra threw off the covers and got out of bed, her mind already shifting to the tasks at hand. She had a flight to catch, and she needed to get ready. As she began her morning routine, she couldn't help but feel a sense of relief that this trip would be a good distraction from her thoughts.
With newfound determination, Lyra focused on preparing for her journey, pushing the memories of Lucas and their dream encounter to the back of her mind. She was ready to move forward, and this trip was just what she needed.
As Lyra stood with her family in front of their house, the morning sunlight cast a warm glow over the scene. The breakfast they shared was short and quiet, with an undercurrent of unspoken emotions. Alex, busy with the car, was getting it ready for the drive to the airport.
Renee, ever the practical one, turned to Lyra and asked, "Do you have everything packed and ready to go?"
Lyra hesitated for a moment before responding, "I think so, but I'd like to double-check. Excuse me for a sec."
With a gentle smile, Lyra turned and walked back into the house, taking one last look around. The memories came flooding back—the laughter, the arguments, the countless moments she'd shared with her family and friends within these walls. This was her home, and she was going to miss it.
As she stood in the empty hallway, Lyra felt a deep sense of nostalgia wash over her. She sighed, the sound barely audible, and then turned to head back outside. The memories would stay with her, but for now, it was time to move forward.
With a final glance at the house, Lyra walked out into the bright sunlight. Alex was already loading her luggage into the car. As she settled into the car, she felt a mix of excitement and sadness.
As they set off for the airport, Alex took the driver's seat, while Gabriel sat beside him in the passenger seat. Lyra and Renee sat in the back, chatting quietly.
Her family tried to reassure her that Michigan would be great for her.
"You'll love it there," Renee said, smiling.
"Yeah. And you'll have Aunt Imelda to show you around," Alex chimed in.
Gabriel suddenly hissed, and Renee turned to him, curious. "What's wrong?" she asked.
"Dad's scared of her," Alex answered.
The car erupted in laughter, and Lyra couldn't help but giggle too.
"I ought to be. She's married to a military man and has four sons, out of which two are in the army and one in the navy. We're lucky the last one decided to be a doctor," Gabriel said.
"Don't forget their daughter, Imani," Lyra said.
"I definitely wouldn't want to be the guy who breaks up with her," Alex said. The car erupted in laughter again. The tension was broken, and the rest of the drive was filled with lighthearted conversation.
Before long, they arrived at the airport. As they said their goodbyes, Lyra hugged each of her family members tightly.
"Take care of yourself, sis," Alex whispered, holding her close. "We'll miss you." Alex said, earning a snort from Lyra.
"Let me rephrase, they'll miss you," he said, pointing at his parents. "I, on the other hand, I'm happy to have you out of my hair." They both laughed and hugged each other one last time.
Of course Alex would miss her. She was his only sibling and his baby sister at that, but she didn't need to know that.
Next in line was Gabriel.
"My peanut, I'm going to miss you so dearly," Gabriel said with his hand on her cheek.
With tears brimming in her eyes, she hugged her father tightly.
"I'm going to miss you so much, Dad," Lyra said, her voice cracking.
"Me too, peanut. Me too," Gabriel said before releasing her.
And lastly, her mother.
"Mom," Lyra said, tears escaping her eyes.
"My sweet, sweet girl. Don't cry," Renee said, hugging her daughter tightly.
"We'll be here for you, always," Renee whispered before breaking the hug finally.
"It's time, Ly," Alex said, smiling at his sister.
"Don't forget to call us when you land," Gabriel said.
With one last look at her family, Lyra picked up her bag and headed towards the security checkpoint. She felt a mix of emotions as she walked away from the people she loved. Was she excited for new adventures? Not really. Frankly, she didn't even know what she wanted anymore.
As she passed through security and made her way to the boarding gate, Lyra felt a little sense of freedom. In Detroit, Michigan, there would be no one she really knew. No Lucas, no friends, just a little family. She was ready to start this new chapter of her life, and she knew that her family would be cheering her every step of the way.
As Lyra boarded the plane, she felt a rush of excitement mixed with a hint of nervousness. She approached a flight attendant and asked for help finding her seat. The attendant smiled and said, "You're in first class, right this way."
The attendant led her to her seat. Lyra simply smiled as she took in the luxurious surroundings. It wasn't the first time she flew first class. Perks of having a rich dad.
Her seat was located in front of a man with a little girl, who was busy colouring in her book. At first, Lyra only caught a glimpse of the man's shoes, but as he put down his magazine, she noticed how handsome he was.
He had dark hair that was perfectly styled, with a subtle wave that added to his rugged charm. His dark eyes seemed to pierce through her soul, with a depth and intensity that made her feel like he could see right through to her heart. His long legs stretched out in front of him, and Lyra couldn't help but notice the way his fitted trousers accentuated his athletic build.
As their eyes met, Lyra felt a flutter in her chest. One she hadn't felt in months. He had a strong jawline and a small nose, with a hint of stubble that added to his rugged appeal. His lips curved into a slight smile as he nodded at her, and Lyra felt her cheeks flush. The little girl waved at her enthusiastically, and Lyra smiled and waved back. As she settled into her seat, Lyra let out a sigh of relief. Just as she was getting settled, the pilot's voice came over the intercom, announcing that the plane was about to take off.
Minutes later, the plane took off, and the pilot announced that passengers were free to move about the cabin. "And if you look out the window, you'll see a spectacular view of the sky," he added.
Lyra gazed out of the window, captivated by the breathtaking view. The sky was a brilliant blue, with clouds scattered across it like puffs of white cotton.
A flight attendant approached her and asked if she needed anything. Lyra smiled and said, "No, thank you. But if I need anything, I'll let you know."
As she continued to gaze out the window, Lyra felt a sense of hope rising up in her heart. She hoped that Michigan would really be good for her, that this new chapter in her life would bring her joy and fulfillment. She smiled to herself, feeling a sense of excitement and possibility.