Until I Met You

The thing with coffee shops, is that they are notorious for “bumping into people” who you usually don't want to see. Once in awhile, you bump into somebody that may or may not change your life drastically. (and when I say bump, I mean you literally bump into them.)

***

If there's ever been a time in my life where I hate people- it would be now. Going to the coffee shop across from my apartment has become somewhat of a tradition for me and my roommate Natalie. Every morning we would walk across and get a drink, sometimes staying, sometimes not. This morning in particular, we decided to leave but just because I have amazing luck- as I was walking out, somebody banged right into me. And they spilt their drink all over me.
“Oh...”
It's a males voice so I look up and when I realize who it is, I rein in the urge to yell at him. I mean, living in Montreal, it wasn't uncommon to see the Montreal Canadien players around every so often but it's not every day that one of them wastes a full ice coffee on you. Alex Galchenyuk stands in front of me looking incredibly guilty and when I glance behind him, Brendan Gallagher and Brandon Prust stood there with equally shocked expressions on their faces.
Honestly, I'm pretty sure the whole coffee shop paused for a fraction of a second before everybody else went back to whatever they were doing.
“It's fine.” I say as calmly as possible because I really wanted to yell or something. My shirt was soaking wet, and I just got embarrassed in front of the whole coffee shop.
“I...” He trails off and then I realize I'm glaring at him.
“Chuck, apologize to the lady.” Prust says, giving Alex a shove.
“I am so sorry,” He says in a thick Russian accent. “I- here,” he shoved some money towards me and I looked at him incredulously.
“What the hell is that for?” I snap and bless him, his face actually turns red.
“Um so you can buy a new shirt. I am so sorry for wasting my drink on you.”
I shove his money back at him. “I do not want your money.”
Prust chuckles from behind Galchenyuk whom still looks really guilty. “Feisty.”
Sending a glare in all their directions, I push past them with Natalie trailing closely behind me. “Woah, you okay?” Natalie asks and I roll my eyes.
“Yes.”
She doesn't comment although she knows I very well am not okay. I have class in about twenty minutes so I very quickly run home and change. Campus is just a fifteen minute drive from my apartment but I make it there in double time and wasn't late for class like I feared. Thankfully, I only have one class today so it goes by fairly quickly and before I know it, I'm headed home. I try to wrap my head around what happened today. I was never really a Hockey fan but ever since I moved to Montreal you kind of have to know who the home team is and all the players. My dad on the other hand was (and still is) a huge Hockey fan and as ironic as it is- Montreal Canadiens is his favourite team. I wonder what he would say if I told him one of them wasted their coffee on me this morning?

***

Natalie is with her boyfriend for the weekend so I have the whole apartment to myself and do you know what that means?
Netflix. All weekend.
This just goes to show how much of a life I actually have. I could go out and meet new people but all I really want to do is sleep and eat. Kind of pathetic right?

When my phone rings and I see it's my parents I debate whether or not to answer but in the end I slide my finger across the screen and lift the phone to my ear.
“Hello?”
“How are ya?” My dad asks, sounding overly cheery.
“I'm great,” I lie because honestly, I'm exhausted. And lonely. And I miss my parents.
“That's good. How was your day?Anything interesting happen?”
How ironic.
“Actually, something did happen. You're not going to believe me.”
“Wait!” He says quickly, “Let me put you on speaker so your mom can hear too.”
I roll my eyes but wait and listen as my dad walks down the stairs and what I assume to be my moms hair salon.
“Stella, Eleanor is on the phone. She has something interesting to tell us.”
“Hi sweetie! What happened?”
I laugh a little at my parents. They're so cute sometimes.
“Well I went to the coffee shop this morning like I do every morning with Natalie-”
“Oh how is Natalie? Tell her I say hi!” My mom cuts in and I huff a little in frustration.
“Yes she's fine can I continue with my story?”
“Sorry,” my mom says and when I go to continue she cuts me off, again. “Wait- Thea is here too, is it okay for her to hear?”
“Yeah sure- now anyways, we went to the coffee shop and on my way out, after we had got our drinks- somebody bumped in to me and wasted their ice coffee all over me.” I say and hear my parents let out a small gasp. “But you both won't ever guess who it was.”
“An ex-boyfriend?” My mom guesses and I heard my dad grunt.
“No- actually dad would be very interested to know who it was.”
“Who?” He asks.
“Alex Galchenyuk. Ya know- the hockey player from Mont-”
“Yes I know who.” He whispers. “Did he apologize?”
I let out a small laugh. “Yes, and then proceeded to try to give me money to buy a new shirt since he ruined mine.”
“You didn't accept the money did you?” My mom scolds and I roll my eyes even though I know she can't see me.
“No mom, I didn't accept the money. I feel bad though, I kind of snapped at him.”
My dad whistles. “Wow. Hey I'm gonna let you go so I can go call Dan and tell him what happened alright?”
“Okay, bye dad. Take care.”
“You too, we love you.”
“Love you too.”

***

Deja voo. That's the best way to explain it.
I was back in the same coffee shop I go to every morning, about a week later, and BAM, guess who I run into again?
Except this time, he doesn't have coffee in his hand so I don't have another shirt ruined.
“Sorry.” He says and I can't help but laugh. A disbelieving giggle escapes my lips and I cover my mouth trying to contain what could soon be uncontrollable laughter.
“It's-” I laugh, “It's okay.”
“Something you find amusing, darling?”
“No, it's just..” I trail off and he cracks a grin.
“Deja voo?” He asks and I smile and nod my head.
“Yeah, something like that. Except my shirt isn't ruined this time.”
He presses his lips together and smiles sheepishly. “I am truly sorry about last week.”
“Don't worry about it,” I say holding a hand up. “I'm sorry for snapping at you.”
He smiles a sort of, charming I guess you could say, smile and extends his hand to me. “Alex Galchenyuk, and you are?”
I shake his hand which is surprisingly soft, I wonder if he uses moisturizer... focus Eleanor
“Eleanor LeDrew.”
He asks me if I want to sit down and have a coffee and although I was gonna go home and watch Netflix, I decide to live a little and accept his offer.
(he definitely did not ask for my number and give me his too and I definitely didn't sit at home waiting for him to call)

***

When my phone rings, I'm pretty sure my heart actually stops and my hand shakes slightly as I pick up my i-Phone and honestly, I debate whether or not to answer it. I mean, my track record with guys isn't that great so what makes him any different? If I let him in, and he hurts me, I don't think I'd ever really get over it.
However, on a whim- I answer the phone.

“Hello?”
“Eleanor?” He asks and I smile.
“Yeah, how are you?”
“I'm great, how are you?”
A grin spreads across my face and I shrug even though I know he can't see me. “I'm good, stressed out about school. I have mid-terms coming up.”
“Yeah, I have practice a lot lately. Got to get ready for next game.”
I decide to tease him a little and play dumb.
“Practice?”
He's quite for a moment and I start to freak out but when I hear him reply, my heart starts again.
“You don't know who I am do you?”
“Um- well not exactly.” Lie.
What's the harm?
“I play for the Montreal Canadiens team.” He says and I make an “ahhh” sound.
“Right- I should have known. My dad's always been a fan of your team.”
I can hear the grin in his voice. “Oh? Does that mean you're a fan?”
I let out a small laugh. “I guess so. I didn't watch much hockey growing up. My parents were too insistent on me focusing on my studies. I didn't have a lot of time for TV but I did watch a scattered game.”
“Oh, I see.” he says and I worry that I am too boring but to my relief, he continues. “Well, I was thinking- that maybe you'd like to see a game? You know, have the whole VIP experience.”
“Oh you don't have to-”
He cuts me off. “I want to. And then maybe you would let me take you to dinner afterwards?”
Oh My God.
Dinner?!
I press my lips together trying to contain a grin. He wants to take me to dinner! I haven't had a guy ask me to dinner since... I actually can't remember. Most of my boyfriends consisted of... well we don't need to get in to specifics.
“Sure, I'd like that.”
“Great,” he says and I can tell he's grinning. “I'll text you with the details?”
“Okay, sounds good.”
“Bye Elle- wait can I call you that?”
Butterflies. Oh god.
I laugh, “Yeah, Elle is good.”
“Okay, talk soon.”
“Bye Alex.”

***

Me: Date tonight, Skype me to help choose an outfit?
I text my best friend Audrey, from back home hoping she can calm me down and help pick out an outfit for tonight. Alex texted me saying that they were playing Washington tonight at the Bell Centre so I could come if I liked and afterwards, we could go to dinner.
Audrey: Ou, who's the lucky guy?! And yes- give me five minutes to tidy my dishes from supper.
Me: Alex. Alex Galchenyuk.
Audrey: Isn't he a famous hockey player?
Me: How do you know that?
Audrey: Kyle's team is Montreal Canadiens.
Me: Lol, yes he is. I'm going to watch a hockey game tonight and then he's taking me to dinner so I need an outfit that suits both.
Audrey: I'm skyping you now.

She keeps to her word cause a couple minutes later, her Skype pops up on my laptop. I collect myself before clicking accept. If there's anybody I've missed the most next to my parents, it's Audrey. Honestly, I don't consider her my best friend- she's my sister.

Her face comes in to view and I grin.
“I miss you!” I say and she smiles sadly.
“I'd tell you to come home but it seems like things are starting to get interesting.”
I let out a laugh. “Yeah, you could say that.”
“Okay,” she lets out a shaky breathe and I know she's trying to contain her emotions as well. “Show me what you've got.”

We spend at least two hours picking out an outfit and she shows me how to do my hair and do my makeup. These are the times I really miss her and I don't know how I'm surviving without her. If there's one thing I've learned, it's that soul mates come in all different forms (not just lovers- it can be family, best friends, sisters too) and Audrey, she's my soul mate. We have been best friends for as long as I can remember.

“You look amazing,” she says and I swear her eyes tear up a little. “He is going to be blown away.”

One can only hope.

***

I'm a little nervous when I first arrive at the Bell Centre, what if he forgot I was coming? I'll feel like such an idiot if I stand here in the lobby all night waiting for him to come. What if--
“Elle!”
I spin around and see him walking towards me, with a grin on his face. When he reaches me, surprisingly, he pulls me in for a hug.
Wow, he smells so good, I wonder... focus Eleanor!
Right. Don't get side tracked.
“Hey, how are you?”
He releases me and grins. “I'm good. C'mon, Prusty wants to meet you. Officially.” I don't miss it when he runs his eyes over me and smiles. “You look great.”
“Thank you.” I say, blushing and my face goes even redder when he takes my hand in his as we walk to wherever he's taking me.

***

“Prusty, this is Eleanor.” Alex says, introducing me to Brandon Prust, who met us in the VIP box Alex has set up for me.
Prust extends his hand and smiles. “Nice to meet you.”
I shake his hand and smile back. “It's nice to meet you too.”
He shoots Alex a knowing grin and then looks back at me. “I hear our Chucky is taking you out to dinner tonight.”
I blush and nod slowly. “Um, yeah.”
He studies me for a minute, like he's trying to figure me out (or maybe checking that I'm good for Alex) and then grins. “Good luck. Chuck here is a handful.”
I grin back and then look at Alex. “I'm sure I can manage.”

***

They won the game 4-0, so their goaltender had a shutout. Also, Alex got a goal and I don't think I've gotten so worked up over a goal (or game) in my entire life. It was just me in the VIP box which was good cause I was cheering for them embarrassingly loud.
About half an hour minutes after the game, Alex comes to the box to get me. (he told me to wait here). He's showered, and wearing the cutest black button down with jeans. I feel kind of under dressed in my dark jeans and black sweater and burgundy scarf. Alex seems to like it though so all is well.

“So did you like the game?” He asks, as we walk to his car.
“I did,” I say and grin. “Congrats on your goal.”
“Thank you.” He says and he smiles this adorable crooked smile.
When we reach his car, he opens the door for me like a real gentleman. Before I slide into the car though, I turn towards him and smile, feeling the need to thank him for tonight.
“You're welcome. I really enjoyed the game, thank you so much.” I lean up and press my lips to his cheek before pulling away and settling into the car.

***

“So are you originally from here?” Alex asks, over dinner and I freeze. If it weren't for my parents, Audrey and my sister, I wouldn't go back to Rockshore Estates. I moved to get away from that hell hole, and I will not ever be able to go back. It's just a place I wish I could forget.

“Um, no.” I say and brush a loose piece of hair behind my ear. “I lived in a small little town called Rockshore Estates my whole life until I decided it was time for a change. I had it tough growing up, Rockshore is a small place and...” I bite down on my lip, stopping myself. “I just needed to get away.”
A hint of pity flashed across his eyes but it vanished when he saw that I didn't want pity.
“What about you?” I ask. “Where did you grow up?”
“Ah, I was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. When I was four we moved to Europe, and we moved back to North America when I was 15.” He grins. “Do you like it here in Montreal?”
I shrug. “Yeah- well, I mean, I miss my parents and stuff but it's really nice here. It's a good change.”
He eyes me curiously, like he's trying to figure me out and that scares me more than anything. I have walls built up around me for a reason and they're going to stay that way. Nobody's gonna break them down and I will see to that.

“So who do you guys play next?” I ask, trying to get away from the subject of topic. Me.
“Uh, in two days we play Boston.”
I smirk. “My dad hates them.”
He grins. “They're one of our biggest rivals. It's always an intense and physical game.”
“So you're going to Boston?” I ask and he nods his head.
“Yeah, we leave tomorrow morning.” He says and for some reason I feel disappointed.
“Oh,” I say, then take a sip of water. “How long will you be gone for?”
“Are you going to miss me?” He teases with a smirk on his face.
Hell yeah
“Maybe,” I grin and focus on not blushing.

Letting Alex in is a risk, but I need change and hey, as crazy as it sounds, maybe Alex Galchenyuk is just the kind of change I need.

Notes

OKAY so if you saw this on this site already and you're like "oh this gal stole this story"
i didn't cause I am the same gal who posed it as "writerslife18" lol
I was signed in on my google account and idk if anybody else had this problem but you can't sign in with google anymore?? what's with that?
Anyways so I had to repost this story again but now i'm hooked up to my tumblr
SO noo i didnt steal this lol I just made a new account and reposted it hahaha

chapter 2 is gonna be out real soon bc i'm like soo close to finished it! Hope you like this one :-)

- lex