Living in London was absolutely amazing. With the history, the people watching and the city to explore; but I had only moved to the city a few months ago and I was lonely. I grew up in a large family in rural Wyoming. After attending university in a large city, I had decided that I wanted to see the world. Lucky for me, I got the opportunity of a lifetime. I was going to have a chance to work on my next project of getting my doctorate in Medieval Studies all the while working at the British Museum. The problem with this was, I know no one in London. It was nothing like before, where I was in a city full of Americans and where I had family members just a short drive away. No, London was full of people who I did not know. A culture that was different from my own. And the hustle and bustle of the city made me a bit nervous.
On a beautiful Thursday morning, I was skyping with my older brother Griffen. Not to my surprise, he asked me my option about how I felt if he were to propose. Grif and his girlfriend had been dating for over four years, and I had always known they were right for each other. But since I had become so fixated in our conversation, I had not realized that I was running late and was going to miss my train.
That was when it happened. I ran into Liam Payne. No, literally ran into Liam Payne.
It was very unlike me to be running late to work. Being myself, I knew that there was no way I was going to allow today to be the first time. So as soon as the doors opened, I ran out of the Tube and onto the street. I was too busy looking behind me to make sure I did not miss my opportunity of darting across Tottenham Court Road without a collision with a car when I ran into Liam. The two coffees that he had been carrying were no longer safely in their cups, but rather doused upon Liam and myself.
“You have got to be kidding me.” He grumbled to himself.
“Oh my gosh! I am so sorry. I wasn’t looking where I was going, and I’m already late.” I exclaimed way too fast, and probably not making a lick of sense. “I’m just… so sorry! Can I buy you a new coffee?”
“Slow down, relax.” He said as he threw away his cups, and attempted to right himself. “No need to do all that. As you said, you are running late and I was supposed to bring coffee to my date an hour ago. So, it seems we are both in some hot water already.” He gave a weak smile. “No hard feelings, just slow down as you go off to work, we wouldn’t want you running into anyone else now would we?”
I groveled again shortly, conveying my regret again before returning to my mad dash to get to work.

“You are late, Allie.” Rodger, my quote on quote boss yelled at me as I entered the small basement room that we call our office. “And you smell like…. vanilla coffee?”
“Just don’t ask Rodger. I ran into someone on my way to work.” I said as I reached for the flattering white lab coat and white gloves we had the privilege of being adorned with though out our work.
“By ran into someone, I am assuming you do not mean you saw a friend but rather you continued your graceless tendencies and collided with another soul.”
“Ding, ding, ding. We have a winner. And what does he win? He gets a big heaping serving of sarcasm” I said in response. He clearly liked me as much as I liked him, but it was thanks to him that I was still in London doing my research since he was the genius of a lunatic who had allowed me to help him with his research. Or really should I say, allow me to do his research for him while he takes all the credit.
“Well try not to let the odor harm any of the documents and button up the coat all the way.” Rodger said as he exited the room leaving me to do all the work, yet again.
Tedious was the day that seemed to drag on. My clothes never seemed to fully dry since it was London after all, and the damp weather seems to keep everything else a little damp. Even in my dehumidified room.
Sometime after lunch, I decided to check my phone, something that I have on me only half the time since I always forget to bring it. I find technology more of a nuisance than anything else. To my surprise, I had a text message from my roommate, Maggie. Unlike me, she was quite the little social butterfly that had moved to London a few years ago from Ipswich, just a few hours ago. We met only when I went online to find a place to stay and a roommate.
**Don’t make plans. I am taking you out tonight.
A new club is opening and we HAVE to go. ;)**
“Great, another thing that we have to do...” I said to myself. When you work in a room all allow for hours on end, I find that talking out loud tends to happen even when you don’t plan on letting it happen.
The last few hours of the day went faster and soon I found myself at home attempting to find something that Maggie would deem appropriate, yet still fit my more modest opinion. I settled upon a pair of black cut out pants, with galaxy leggings under them, this way it was still sexy for Maggie, yet it covered all my goods. A lacy grey top and nude heals finished my look. After applying a slight amount of makeup, I was ready.

The new club was called Eclectic and, like usual, Maggie’s name was already on the list, and something that always amazed me. “Waiting is not an option” she always tells me.
The club was already swarming as we made out way to the bar. Loud music, heavy and hot air, and flashing lights; somehow I knew that tomorrow was going to be a terrible day at work if I stayed too long. Maggie’s magic touch managed to snag us some drinks and we had a table reserved near the VIP section. Yet again, something that always astounded me.
“No way, do you see who is over there.” Maggie practically yelled at me though it sounded no louder than a whisper.
I looked to where she was pointing but only saw a large crowd of people. I shook my head and shrugged my shoulders to make sure she got my point.
“It’s Harry Styles. He is so cute.” Maggie said even though it meant nothing to me. I was never one to be up to date gossip, or who the who’s-who were.
As I took a second look, I saw the very same person with whom I had collided with just fifteen short hours ago. Lucky for me, just then a waiter came up to see if he could refresh our drinks. Instead, I placed my hand on his arm and beckoned him closer.
“I want to buy a drink for that guy over there. The one sitting down with the brown eyes, he looks a little depressed.”
“Of course, I am sure he does not need you to pay for his drink.”
“I am sure, but please give him one of what he was already drinking and tell him that I am sorry about the coffees.”
“I will see what I can do, and I will tell him that you are sorry you did not make it for coffee.” The waiter repeated.
“No, just tell him that I am sorry about the coffees. Nothing else. And thank you.” Before he had a chance to slip away, I passed him a small note. Though I was not rich, it did not mean that I did not show respect to people who helped me.
Not two minutes later, I watched the same waiter stride up to him, and lean down. After, what I presume was him repeating what I had asked him to say, the waiter pointed my way.
He looked my way, and scanned the people nearest me, finally locking eyes with myself. I gave him a slight smile and a nod, and his eyes seamed to light up as he returned the smile and held up his drink as a sign of thanks.