Once the seatbelt lights turned off, Mark reached for his bag and pulled out his laptop. He turned it on, and his browser window appeared. Jayce caught a glimpse of the tabs as Mark closed each one. One tab, in particular, caught Jayce’s attention.

  “Are you going to UCB?” Jayce asked.

  “Hm, yes,” Mark replied. “You too?”

  “Joining for my fifth semester. What’s your major?”

  “I’m going for a Master’s in engineering,” Mark said casually.

  “Are you a prodigy?” Jayce asked, “Or is your skincare routine just that good?”

  “The former,” Mark said, looking at his screen. “What about you?”

  “International relations,” Jayce answered.

  “Diplomacy. That’s good,” Mark said as he started working on his laptop. Jayce saw him creating a strange 3-D figure. Mark was intensely focused. Jayce picked out a book from his bag and began reading. After a few hours, his eyes grew heavy.

  Jayce glanced out of the window, watching the clouds drift by. The rhythmic hum of the aeroplane engines and the gentle vibration of the flight lulled him into a state of relaxation. He yawned, stretching his legs slightly.

  “I think I might catch a quick nap,” Jayce said, adjusting his seat. He reclined his seat and closed his eyes, letting the fatigue take over. His thoughts drifted back to his mother and Derrick, then to the strange vision in the mirror. As he marvelled at the vast expanse of the sky outside the window, sleep took over him.

  The flight's turbulence woke him up. “How long was I out?” Jayce asked.

  “A few hours. Put on your seatbelt,” Mark suggested.

  After the turbulence subsided, the two had their lunch. They bonded over the meal. Mark was reserved, not asking many questions, but Jayce felt at ease with him. Their conversation flowed naturally until Mark decided to take a nap himself. Jayce used the time to meditate and later enjoyed the view outside.

  Upon landing, Mark offered to drop Jayce off, which he gladly accepted.

  Jayce stepped out of Mark's car, taking a deep breath of the Californian air. The sun was starting to set, casting a warm, golden glow over the city. Mark helped him with his suitcases, and they exchanged contact information before saying their goodbyes.

  "Thanks again for the ride," Jayce said.

  "No problem. See you around, Jayce," Mark replied with a nod before driving off.

  Jayce stood in front of his new apartment building. It was a modest, three-story structure with ivy climbing its walls. He had pre-booked the apartment once his admission was confirmed, and he was eager to see his new home. The landlord, an elderly woman named Mrs. Martinez, greeted him warmly and showed him to his unit on the second floor.

  The apartment was small but cosy, with a single bedroom, a compact kitchen, and a living room. Jayce spent the first day unpacking his belongings and setting up his space. He felt a mix of excitement and nervousness about starting this new chapter of his life.

  Over the next few days, Jayce familiarise himself with his surroundings. He took walks around the neighbourhood, discovering nearby cafes, grocery stores, and parks. He also visited the UCB campus, getting a feel for where his classes would be and locating important buildings like the library and student centre.

  Jayce's first few days were filled with mundane but necessary tasks. He set up a local bank account, got a new SIM card for his phone, and bought some essentials for his apartment. Despite the busy schedule, he made time to video call his mother and Derrick, updating them on his progress and reassuring them that he was settling in well.

  One evening, Jayce decided to explore the local nightlife. He found a small bar a few blocks from his apartment and decided to check it out. The atmosphere was lively, with people chatting, laughing, and enjoying live music. Jayce sat at the bar, ordered a drink, and soaked in the energy around him. It was a welcome change from the quiet of his apartment and a chance to unwind.

  Back in his apartment, Jayce maintained his routine of meditation and light exercise, trying to keep his mind and body balanced. The strange vision in the mirror still haunted him, but he tried to push it to the back of his mind, focusing instead on the opportunities and challenges ahead. As the days passed, Jayce began to feel more comfortable in his new environment.

  On the evening of the following Tuesday, Jayce was out for a walk, exploring the nearby shops and restaurants in Berkeley. The city was alive with the energy of people enjoying their evening. As he wandered down the street, a tantalising aroma wafted through the air. His stomach growled, urging him to find the source of the mouthwatering smell.

  Following his nose, he discovered a local burger joint nestled between a vintage clothing store and a quaint bookstore. The burger joint had a cosy, inviting atmosphere, with the scent of grilling meat and fresh fries filling the air. Jayce stepped inside and ordered a take-out.

  While waiting for his order, he glanced out the window. Across the street, an elegant Italian restaurant stood out, its white tablecloths and flickering candles indicating a more upscale dining experience. Jayce’s attention was caught by a group of women emerging from the restaurant, their laughter and chatter carrying on the evening breeze.

  The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  One woman, in particular, drew his gaze. She had long, blond hair and a confident stride. She was breathtakingly beautiful, her smile radiant and infectious. Her peach-accented floral off-shoulder dress complemented her ocean-blue eyes, making her look like she had stepped out of a dream. For a brief moment, their eyes met, and Jayce felt a warmth in his chest. His heart was delighted. It was a feeling he hadn’t experienced anything like it before, and the feeling left him both exhilarated and yearning to know more about this enchanting stranger.

  As Jayce stood mesmerised by the girl in peach, his order was called. He grabbed his take-out bag and stepped out of the burger joint, still thinking about the moment their eyes had locked. Across the street, the girl and her friends were saying their goodbyes. Two of the women parted ways, leaving the girl in peach with another friend.

  Lost in his thoughts, Jayce didn’t notice a man walking toward him until they collided. “Watch it, asshole,” the man muttered, brushing past him. Jayce snapped back to reality, realising that the girl was now walking in the same direction he needed to go.

  Jayce hesitated for a moment, then decided to follow the path. The lights at the crosswalk turned red, so he waited. The girl in peach, still talking with her friend, began to cross the street towards him. His heart pounded in his chest as she got closer. The closer she came, the more determined he felt to approach her.

  Just then, Jayce heard the roaring of an engine. It got louder by the second. He looked across and saw a black Mercedes speeding towards the girl. The roads were almost empty, and the lights were red on that side, yet the car showed no sign of slowing down. There was no time to yell and warn her. Jayce looked at the girl in peach, the thought of anything bad happening to her filled him with agonising terror. He knew he wouldn’t be able to pull her out of harm’s way. If he tried, he’d get caught in it too.

  He dropped his take-out and sprinted towards the girl. With adrenaline surging through his veins, he leapt and tackled her, one hand cradling the back of her head, the other wrapped protectively around her waist. As they fell, the street lights of the entire block suddenly went out, plunging them into darkness. Jayce tried to twist his body so he would take the brunt of the fall, but in his haste, he miscalculated.

  The speeding car clipped his right foot, sending them both spinning with tremendous force. Jayce crashed onto the pavement, his ankle dislocating with a sickening crunch. He felt a sharp pain in his back as he landed hard on the tiles, but he kept the girl securely in his arms.

  Suddenly, a shockwave emanated from between them, pushing Jayce away from the girl and slamming him into a street lamp. The shockwave triggered a series of light explosions nearby, shattering the bulbs and creating a cascade of sparks that illuminated the chaotic scene.

  Amidst the chaos, bystanders rushed to their aid. Jayce, despite the intense pain, stood up on his left foot with a man’s help. The girl's friends quickly reached her, checking for injuries.

  "Are you okay?" one of the bystanders asked, his face etched with concern.

  "Yeah, I'm fine," Jayce replied, his voice strained but steady.

  The girls walked over, their expressions a mix of gratitude and worry. The girl's friend looked at him with wide eyes. "Thank you. You saved her."

  The girl in peach stepped forward, her eyes glistening with emotion. "Are you alright?" she asked softly.

  Jayce tried to shrug off the pain. "My back hurts a bit, but I'm fine."

  He attempted to stand on both legs, but when his right foot touched the ground, a searing pain shot through him. He screamed in agony and lost his balance, falling forward. The girl in peach reacted swiftly, catching his head and gently placing it on her lap.

  "Where does it hurt?" she asked, her voice breaking as tears streamed down her face. Her concern was palpable as if she had known and cared for him all her life.

  Jayce struggled to speak through the pain. "My... my ankle."

  The crowd around them began to murmur, some calling for an ambulance, others trying to comfort both Jayce and the girl. One man handed Jayce a bottle of water, while another woman used her phone to call for help.

  The girl in peach held Jayce's hand tightly, her tears falling onto his face. "Stay with me, please. Help is on the way."

  Jayce nodded weakly, his eyes locking onto hers. Despite the pain, he felt a strange sense of peace, knowing he had saved her. The concerned whispers and the distant wail of sirens blended into the background as he focused on the girl's comforting presence, her touch grounding him amidst the chaos.

  Seeing her in tears, Jayce reached out to touch her face. He gently wiped away a tear, and as he did, a rush of visions flooded his mind. Just before he lost consciousness, he glimpsed Mark’s face.

  A few hours later, Jayce woke up in a hospital bed. He looked to his right and saw Mark sitting beside him, reading his medical reports.

  "Mark?" Jayce asked, his voice hoarse.

  "You’re awake. How do you feel?" Mark replied, setting the reports aside.

  Jayce looked around and slowly sat upright. "Fine, actually. Earlier my back hurt, but now it's gone."

  "That's good to hear," Mark said, then pressed a button to call for the doctor.

  "This hospital looks fancy. I hope I wasn’t hurt too badly," Jayce said, glancing around. "I don’t have health insurance."

  "Don’t worry about the bill, I’ve taken care of it. And yes, you were hurt, Jayce—badly," Mark emphasised.

  "Really? I can't let you do that. Healthcare is expensive here, and you barely know me. Send me the bill, and I'll repay you," Jayce insisted.

  "If that's what you want, sure. Although, since you came with me, they probably wouldn’t have charged anything," Mark said.

  "Why? Does someone in your family work for the government?" Jayce asked, puzzled.

  "No, I’m Mark Evans, Jayce," Mark said, as if that explained everything.

  "I remember. I’m Jayce Clark, in case you forgot," Jayce quipped.

  "I don't forget. But you don’t know me," Mark said, intrigued.

  "You didn’t mention you were famous on the flight, did you?" Jayce asked, raising an eyebrow.

  "No. We're getting off-topic. Don't worry about the bill, it's covered. Now, have a look at your reports," Mark handed him the papers.

  Jayce skimmed through them. "I feel fine. Am I looking for something specific?"

  "Let me summarise. You had three fractured ribs, a dislocated ankle, and a concussion. Plus, you were bleeding," Mark listed.

  "That’s a lot of injuries. You must have made a mistake. Look at me—I’m perfectly fine," Jayce said, jumping out of the bed and reaching for a glass of water.

  "So it would appear," Mark muttered, bewildered.

  The door opened, and the doctor entered. He looked astonished to see Jayce on his feet. "You shouldn’t be standing, Mr. Clark," he said.

  "Oh," Jayce said, returning to the bed.

  The doctor examined him and reviewed the reports. "Do you feel any pain in your chest?" he asked.

  "No," Jayce replied.

  The doctor pressed on his back, watching for a reaction. "Nothing?"

  "No. No pain at all," Jayce confirmed.

  "Stand up for me," the doctor instructed. Jayce complied, confused but cooperative. "Now, bring your feet close together."

  Jayce did as asked. "Do you feel any dizziness or discomfort?"

  "No, but I am hungry," Jayce admitted.

  "These are his reports, correct?" the doctor asked Mark.

  "Yes. I am as surprised as you are," Mark said.

  "There must be a mistake, but on two different tests..." the doctor trailed off, looking at Jayce's right ankle. "And the swelling is gone. How is this possible?" He called for a nurse. "Repeat all these tests."

  "Is that necessary?" Jayce asked.

  "All your test results appear incorrect. It’s just a precaution," the doctor explained.

  "Don’t worry about the bill, Jayce," Mark reassured him.

  "Thank you. That's too kind, but you barely know me. Why would you do it?" Jayce questioned.

  "Because money isn’t an issue for me, and I need to know if my dad’s hospital is providing incorrect reports," Mark answered.

  "This is your dad’s hospital?" Jayce asked, astonished.

  "Yes."

  "In that case, I suppose it's fine. But I’d like to make a call first," Jayce said.

  "Of course," Mark agreed.

  "And give your statement to the officer. He’s been waiting for hours," the doctor added.

  "Your phone is over there," Mark pointed out. "We’ll give you some privacy and notify the officer."

  Jayce called his mom, recounting the entire evening. After giving his statement to the cop and undergoing repeat tests, Mark dropped him off at his apartment building. Jayce agreed to inform Mark about his test results and headed to his apartment. He ordered dinner, called his mom again, and was asleep before he knew it.