forum Wish Upon A Star (O/O) STALKERS ALLOWED

Started June 15, 2019 by @Painted-Iris group

tune

The loud chirps from her alarm clock woke her from her sleep. Hazel squeezed her eyes further, not wanting to be awake. Pressing the snooze button, the girl sighed as a headache began to make itself known. That was the consequence of staying up too late after all. Sighing, she pulled herself out of bed, making sure to turn off the alarm and stepped into the bathroom to start her daily routine. Bleary eyes blinked back at the blurry reflection of herself, expression turning into a small grimace. Her hair was knotted in a few places, but overall, just a bit messy. Tying her hair back, the girl washed her face, brushed her teeth, then finally her hair. Reaching for her thick glasses, Hazel remembered they were still on her night stand. Feeling a tad more energized, she placed her frames on and found a comfortable outfit. It was a soft green shirt with the company logo on it, matched with a pair of dark colored shorts and low cuffed boots. Taking a seat on the edge of the bed, the girl finished fixing her hair into her usual braids. She watched her fingers make quick work with her brown waves before staring out the window again. Taking a breath, Hazel made her way down the stairs and outside towards the small shop.
People were already out and about, cars driving up and down the streets to their own jobs. Hazel hummed lightly to herself but didn't smile. Standing at the corner of the sidewalk now, she waited for traffic to pause in order to cross. The time was about 6:50 now.

Christopher leaned against the utility pole at the crosswalk. He blinked at the woman waiting to cross and ran the text from his assistant through his mind: short, medium brown hair, freckles. He saw no harm in assuming this was the woman he was looking for, and if it wasn’t he kept a backup excuse in his mind, “Hazel?” He spoke, sitting up straight, straightening the cuffs on his navy blue suit sleeves. He only glanced at her, still facing away from her until he affirmed this was the right Hazel. Everything was a gamble until affirmed.

Hazel looked around, curious who had called out to her. It was a man's voice, and not one she recognised. Her gaze settled on a man straightening his jacket sleeves of a crisp and clean tuxedo. He was quite good looking and tall, seeming far too interested in what his hands were doing. It seemed a bit off to ignore the person you were trying to get the attention of. "Um, yes…?" she managed to ask, hoping the stranger wasn't one aiming to kidnap her or something.

He turned his head to look at her now, “Ah, yes, it is you. I was just making sure.” He offered her a smile, “A little birdie told me you wished upon a Star. I’m Cristopher Champagne,” He tipped his fedora hat to her, “Pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

Hazel stared at the man - Christopher - for a moment before her cheeks reddened in embarrassment. Surely he hadn't followed her out into the forest, right? She had been alone! Hadn't she…? One of her hands gripped the sleeve of her shirt out of habit, confused out of her mind.
"H-how did you know that?" Hazel managed to ask, expression a bit fearful. He seemed so kind for someone who had heard her silly wish. The more she looked at the other's features she began to see that he was pretty handsome. She really didn't have a chance with someone like him. She was quite plain and not up to the world's standards. Why would he seek her out like this?

((It's alive!))

Christopher merely dipped his head instead of actually answering her question. Some things were meant to be kept secret. And besides, if she knew, the whole plan may just fall through, "Lucky guess. Are you on your way to anything important, Miss Hazel?" He shuffled through his pocket for a card and pulled it out to offer her. He held out a local coffee shop gift card, "This is for twenty dollars at the Java Plaza. Would you care to join me there sometime? Just for a casual chat," he offered her a warm, innocently excited smile with equally cordial steel blue eyes. He'd practiced this smile for hours and hours over the course of several years to perfect the trustworthy demeanor he needed to emanate. Of course, always for benevolent purposes-, which was the practical motto of his agency.

Hazel didn't understand where all of this was coming from. She had made her silly little wish in private! A little birdie to just a guess? Pushing the thought away for a moment, she focused on the card being held out to her. "Oh, um, you… I work there actually…" she said, voice getting a bit softer as she gestured to her shirt. The coffee shop's logo was on the front. She gave a timid smile back to the other, but pushed his hand back. "You should keep that… though if you want to stop by, I wouldn't mind that at all."

He took it back with a different smile, one that was more embarrassed than innocent, “I see.” He placed it back in his coat pocket, “My mistake. I would still love to chat with you there. My offer still stands whenever you’re on break.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets, glancing away to a building behind her for a fraction o a second, “But don’t let me keep you,” He dipped his head politely.

Hazel simply nodded, now noticing the crosswalk was clear and the crowd was moving. The girl ducked her head down a bit, suddenly feeling self conscious again. Something about this Christopher fellow made her feel both a bit nervous yet excited. A random stranger was offering to meet her for coffee! A handsome one at that. Though it was at her workplace. And he might have been hiding and heard her wish. Her mind suddenly made her think of a romance novel she had once read. Before her thoughts could wander more, she shook her head. He wasn't like that. He didn't have any sort of crush on her. He seemed interested in being friends though, which was amazing in itself. Her surroundings were a bit of a blur as she kept walking to the small shop just a few blocks away. Smelling the rich scent of coffee beans, Hazel walked in the door, a small grin on her face. Things were going to be okay.