A Fated Collision

"Chloe, get up; we are going to be late again." Claire shook her friend and roommate.

"It's not time for lectures yet. Let me sleep for 10 more minutes, Claire."

"No. You chose to stay up all night doing what you should not have done and seeing as I am responsible for you and I, you have to get up and get dressed now so we won't Miss Mr Miller's Class." She said dragging her towards the bathroom.

Half asleep, Chloe raised her head to avoid bumping into objects and obstacles, and, responding to her friend, she said, "Miller? Who is Mr Miller?"

"Ugh" Claire facepalmed herself

"I will tell you on the way. Now get ready or I won't be treating you to lunch."

After successfully getting her friend to get dressed on time before their class, they had less than 20 minutes to get to the school before the Professor came. They hurried to the Lecture hall where they would be having their first lecture with the renowned Young professor.

"Claire? Don't you think that since Professor Miller is young, rich, and handsome, he wouldn't be single?" Chloe asked, daydreaming as she looked lost in thought.

"Well, Chloe, we'll get the chance to ask him if we hurry up and get good seats," Claire replied, dragging Chloe to match her steps.

"Ohh, relax, Claire, you're the most respected and beautiful girl on Campus. No one would refuse to give up their seats for you. That's why I love being your roommate. " Chloe said, wriggling her eyebrows, and Claire busted out laughing.

They opened the door to the Lecture hall, still in their conversation, and didn't notice that the Professor was already inside.

A loud noise came from the Lectern and Both Chloe and Claire turned to see the Professor Staring at them. He had slammed a book on the Lectern and that wasn't good.

"I see we've had a few late arrivals today. Let's try to be punctual so we can make the most of our time together." The Professor said

Claire looked at her wristwatch and raised her eyebrows at The Professor which he ignored and continued...

"Some of us are on island time, let's set our watches a bit earlier next time. Alright?" He said tilting his head and returning the raised eyebrow to Claire this time.

"The Class Rep should submit their names after the lecture as 10 points will be subtracted from our next project. Let's be on time next time. You both can leave now, seeing as you won't be joining us for today's lecture," Professor Miller said, turning to the other students.

Claire turned to Chloe, but Chloe was grinning at the Professor, and she shook her head and tried to speak up...

"That would be another five points from the blonde," He said yet again but Claire got confused as she was the only blonde in the hall.

"I'm sorry sir but why will you be subtracting points from our projects," Claire asked sternly

"What is your name?" The lecturer turned to her

"Claire Mitchell, sir." She replied

"Well, Miss Mitchell, you had the guts to question me when you should have done as you were told; you won't be joining us for the rest of the semester. Now leave." he slammed the book yet again, and this time, it was louder than before.

"Claire, let's go. I believe he doesn't mean that," Chloe said, dragging Claire out of the Lecture hall.

"Ugh; Who the hell does he think he is, subtracting points from the upcoming project and forbidding me to come to his lectures." Claire lets out her anger frustratingly

"Technically, he's your superior and Professor, and he's Charming," Chloe responded and sing-songed the last part.

"Calm down and don't judge him by how he treated us; it's kind of our fault for arriving late," Chloe said, trying to get away from Claire as she was the main root of them not arriving on time.

Claire turned to face her and gave her a deadly glare

"I'm sorry Claire, it's your fault too. You should have left me and maybe you would not have been humiliated that way. I mean, who the hell does he think he is humiliating you that way." Chloe said trying to ease Claire's glare on her.

Claire knew what she was up to and folded her arms and asked Chloe, "Weren't you daydreaming about that jerk of a Professor a while ago?"

"If it isn't Miss Mitchell, I'm told you're the class representative," A voice said from behind

There was immense Tension between Claire and Chloe. What if he had heard them cursing him out?

They looked at each other with regret written all over their faces.

"Oh, I heard you ladies quite Clear. I get that a lot of times," he said with a mocking tone, and this made both Chloe have second thoughts about him.

"We were joking Sir, we didn't mean any of the words you heard" Chloe spoke up

" So You were talking about me." He said sounding sure and plain this time.

"What if we are?" Claire asked sounding upset

"With all due respect Sir, I..." she was cut off

"It's Professor Miller to you," He said

'Who cares about that right now' Claire thought to herself

"Professor Miller, I beg you to reconsider taking those points away from us. I agree that we were late, but we were a minute late, and perhaps you would have been lenient with us. Don't you think so Chloe? " Claire made a pitiful face and gave Chloe a nudge to go with the flow.

"Perhaps Miss Mitchell, if you didn't notice, I was lenient with you both, but you seemed to have a lot to say, and I had a lot to teach, and I did not want to waste my time listening to you and your excuses. Next time, You would have to walk faster to get seated before I arrive. Now I'm going to allow you to make up for your late arrival, you two follow me" He said walking away

"See, he's not so bad and I bet..." Chloe said and was cut off by Claire's glare.

"Sorry" she mouthed

They both followed him to his New office. When they got there, they realized they were going to spend a lot of time in His office.

"Miss Mitchell, You're the class representative, right? Well, I'm guessing you won't answer that, seeing as you are Brazen enough to curse me behind my back. You and your Friend can redeem your points by stacking the paperwork in this box," he said and walked to a big box, pointed at it, and continued...

"I hope you both do a good job. Who knows, I might add the points I subtracted to your projects, and be careful what you say about me." He said. Claire and Chloe turn to look at each other

"The bird speaks." Professor Miller said and went to the other room in his office

They both looked at each other, Mouthed 'Jerk', and burst out laughing.

"Chloe, how many classes are we supposed to have today?" Claire asked as loud as her voice could go, trying to get the Professor's attention. Giving Chloe a sign to speak up in a way that He would hear.

Chloe being Dumb responded "I think we only have Professor Miller today" Claire facepalmed herself

"Oh... what was I supposed to say? Was I supposed to lie?" this time, Claire facepalmed her, and they both burst into laughter.

"You better hurry up and join the others on what I assigned to them so you will still have to be the Brightest student in your Year." The Professor said to their hearing

TWO HOURS LATER

'Knock knock '

The Professor looked up

"Professor Miller, could we take a break and come back tomorrow to finish stacking the papers?" Chloe asked

"Yes, you can???" "It's Chloe, Professor.

"you can go, Chloe; Miss Mitchell can finish up the rest." Claire stood from where she'd been sitting while waiting for Chloe

"What the hell?" she blurts out and regrets it instantly

'What the hell, what the hell, what the hell what" the bird kept saying repeatedly

She ignored it and went into the other room in the office.

"Why do Chloe get to rest and I don't?" she asked folding her arms, glaring at the Professor.

Chloe tried to tell her to fix her face, but she didn't and glared at her, in return.

"Chloe, you can go. Now!!." Professor Miller said sounding a bit angry

Chloe felt for her friend and hoped that she wouldn't get any more punishment from Professor Miller. She scurried away and There was silence in the room.

"You know, sir, if I didn't know better, I would have said you dislike me, but Why do I feel like you do dislike me?"

He stood from his chair and walked to where Claire stood

"You're right about me disliking you. I don't like blondes, and you happen to be one. Now Get back to work or you're going to get more punishments"

"What do you..." Claire tried to speak but was startled by the sound of books falling from the shelf, and being the scaredy cat she was, she ran to the Professor, hugging him tightly.

That surprised Christopher cause he lost his footing and they both fell to the ground with their lips in contact with each other.

Time slowed the moment both their lips touched. Claire hurriedly tried to stand up, and in the process, she hit her head and fell back down. Their lips touched once again.

She stared down at Christopher, and he stared back at her.

Lost in each other's gaze, they were brought back to reality by the bird.

"what the hell, what the hell, what the hell"

They both looked in the direction of the parrot and burst into laughter.

They both got up feeling light, and Christopher's face was plastered with a smile while Claire's was flushed.

When she noticed her face getting warm, she ran out of the room and into the office, bumping her foot on the shelf. She hissed and ran out the door leading to the hallway.

Christopher wondered why she hurriedly left the way she did.

He thought about how he had lied to her that he disliked blondes, that was the opposite.

He had this attraction to Blondes. He would have pardoned them for arriving late but he didn't because he was flustered when he saw Claire.

She was one of the people who had received scholarships under his company's name. He had recommended her because he was attracted to her and she had attended his Middle school.

He touched his lips and thought back to what had happened earlier between them. Well, she must have loved it, seeing as she didn't react or say anything about it.

The day went by faster...

Claire had locked herself in her room and regretted why she had Encountered the Professor. Although she was quite attracted to him, he was too much of a Jerk, and now he had kissed her. Stealing her first kiss and he was going to pay for it.

Claire heard whispering and got out of her room to check on who it was. It turned out to be Chloe and one of her flings.

"Claire!!! You startled me." she chuckled guiltily

"I didn't know you would be home by now," she said feeling awkward at the moment as Claire did not like her bringing people to her apartment.

"Me neither..." Claire said wearily

"We came to take some stuff. I won't be back tonight. Have a great night," Chloe said hesitatingly and dragged the man who came with her out the door, waving her hand at Claire.

Claire chuckled after they left. At least she was afraid of her.

Although she was on scholarship, she had lived in the school's hostel in her first year and it didn't turn out the way she wanted. She met Chloe in the school's hostel too. Where she was being maltreated by the senior girls.

Claire had stood up for her by challenging them to a bet, and she won. They swore never to harass Chloe again, but they didn't keep up to the end of their bargain.

When Claire noticed this, she began to search for an apartment, and luckily, she found where they were both staying today.

It was around 8 O'clock when she got a call from Chloe, she answered but it wasn't Chloe on the line.

"Hi, are you Chloe's roommate" the voice asked

Claire was confused and scared at the same time. She did not say anything and the voice continued.

"Don't worry, she's just drunk and alone right now." Claire released a breath she didn't notice that she had been holding. "She's been yelling 'Claire Claire' 'apologizing and cursing a 'Professor Miller' I guess. Would you mind coming down to Harvard Square to pick her up? Sorry for disturbing your night, but your friend is all alone, and she looks pitiful."

"Oh, okay. Thank you. I'll be there soon, take good care of her for me. What should I call you?" she asked the voice

"Xavier" he responded

"okay Xavier, I will be there soon. Where am I supposed to go to after getting to Harvard Square?" she asked.

Xavier had shared the location with her, and she dressed up and decided to stroll to the designated location.

A few minutes later, Claire arrived at Harvard Square and went to the Bar where Xavier had sent its address.

"Claire Mitchell?" Claire turned to see who had called her name.

"Hey, it's me, Xavier, from middle school. Everyone called me Javier, remember?"

"I'd recognize you anywhere Javier" She extends her arms for a hug and laughs at the name 'Javier'

"You're a woman now, Claire, Just like you always wanted," he says, embracing her...

Claire hugged him back. She notices a pair of blue eyes watching her at the end corner of the bar.

"What are you doing here?" Xavier asks her after disengaging from the embrace...

"I'm here for a Friend," Claire says, Ignoring the unfamiliar blue eyes and scanning the bar for Chloe until it landed on the drunken figure sitting on a bar counter, smiling at the drink in front of her. Smiling at that, she recovered immediately...

Xavier continued...

"Wait," he paused and looked at the counter where Chloe sat fumbling her drink.

'I thought she was drunk, who gave her the drink' Claire thought

"Are you the 'Claire'? Chloe's roommate?"Xavier asks

"You were the one that made the call with Chloe's phone?" she says with a look of surprise on her face.

'wow, what a coincidence' she thought.

"Well Xavier, that was very nice of you. I don't remember you being this nice. You were a bully in middle school. What changed you" Claire asks smilingly.

"I'm a man now, Claire; we all had our growing up to do; I mean, look at you, Claire, you're a pretty lady now," Xavier says and chuckled

Claire smiled at the thought of him calling her a lady.

She could feel she was being watched by someone, she thought back to the unfamiliar blue eyes she had seen earlier and looked in the direction she had seen the pair of blue eyes.

"Miss Mitchell" Claire hesitatingly turned to see who had called her name.

'What is he doing here' Claire thought

"Professor Miller! Fancy seeing you here" she said sarcastically

"You know Claire" Xavier asks Christopher

"I didn't think I'd see you here Miss Mitchell. Let me guess, you're here to blow some steam off." Christopher says looking at Claire's Lips. Referring to what had happened earlier in his office. This irritated Claire and she mouthed 'Pervert' to him

Christopher chuckled and she couldn't help but admire his Adam's Apple

"I'm here for my friend" she responds after some moments

She walks toward Chloe and when she tries to pull her up, Chloe doesn't let her; she drags her back down and puts her palms on her face.

"Hey... it's Claire, my beautiful roommate." Chloe said in a weird accent

Claire shook her friend and whispered in her ear, and immediately she stood up but stumbled, and Claire caught her before she could fall...

"Here let me help you," Xavier asks as he extends his arm to help Claire carry Chloe but she declines

"Thank you, Xavier, but she's bothered you enough. I will get her to call you and apologize to you when she sobers up. I'll take it from here. Thank you very much," she says and is about to leave, but Xavier stops her.

"Here, give me your phone number so we can stay in touch," Xavier says and gives Claire his phone to type in her number. She did so and glanced at the now familiar blue eyes that had been watching her every move.

"Have a good night, Xavier, you to Professor Miller," she said, making a weird face when she wished Christopher a good night.

"Something tells me that Miss Mitchell doesn't want me to have a good night. I hope you have a good night, Miss Mitchell. We'll be seeing each other tomorrow.

"Why will you be seeing her tomorrow?" Xavier asks Christopher

"I believe you heard her Calling me Professor Miller; who else goes by that name around here and who is best renowned for being the youngest Professor in your school," Christopher said boastfully staring at Claire

'Show off,' she thought and rolled her eyes at him, forgetting he was her Professor. But fortunately, they're not on school grounds or in a lecture room. She had the right to do whatever she wanted...that included rolling her eyes at him.

"yeah yeah yeah; we know who you are" Xander responded

"We better get going. Thank you very much again, Xavier; I will see you around," she said as she walked out of the bar with a drunk Chloe walking sluggishly and mumbling what she couldn't make out.

"Bye Claire, have a good night. I'll call you," Xavier says as she enters the cab, she hailed down.

Chloe tried to get out of the cab but was caught by Claire. Claire struggled to put Chloe's seat belt on, but Chloe didn't stay put. She decided to sit on her and put the seat belt on. This made the taxi driver laugh out loud. She gave her address and they drove away.

Xavier and Christopher go back into the bar, and when they are seated, Christopher seems to be lost in thought, and Xavier decides to pry.

"What are you thinking Christopher?" Xavier asked Christopher who was looking lost in thought and he's stunned by his reply

"Is she in a relationship? I mean Claire" he asked as he sipped from his drink

"Why do you ask? what are you trying to do?" Xavier asks feeling suffocated

"She's my type, Xavier. How about you do me a favor, and I will get you a slot for any company you choose to work in," he said, dropping his drink and turning to Xavier.

Xavier doesn't show his emotions but he feels betrayed and masks it with a smile and replies to Christopher saying

"you want her phone number?" He asks

Morning came, Both Claire and Chloe woke up with migraines.

Claire's migraines were caused by how stressful it was bringing Chloe home and cleaning her up...

She had thrown up on Claire immediately after she came down from the taxi.

Claire was delighted that she hadn't done it while in the taxi...

They had dressed up for classes early as they wanted to eat first before heading to school.

They decided to stop by the cafe and grab coffee and snacks...

"Do you think I should give up my position as the class representative cause I don't want to run into Professor Miller anymore," Claire said as their order was brought to their table.

"What do you mean? I'm sure he's not gonna make you work hard. On the bright side, you did disobey him and we've been punished for that. So I don't think he's gonna be giving a hard time anymore." Chloe said ignoring Claire's cold gaze

"Whose fault was that?" She asks taking a sip of her coffee

"You know Claire; I met a Handsome guy before I got drunk yesterday. Although he told me his name, it slipped my mind and I'm regretting not being sober. Do you think he's a student? She asks no one in particular.

"Chloe you owe me big time; you wanna know who else was there when you were cursing Professor Miller out?" Claire asked teasingly, taking a bite off her burger as they sat in their favorite cafe and talked about what had transpired last night.

Chloe stopped what she was doing and faced Claire, trying to read her face. When she couldn't, she let out a breath and told Claire to tell her who it was.

"Well, you would have to do the laundry and dishes if I told you," Claire replied, ignoring the look on Chloe's face.

"I'd rather not know who it was; thanks for bringing me home yesterday; you're the best," Chloe said and winked at Claire

Claire rolled her eyes, and her phone rang, but the caller ID was unknown, she slid the screen to take the call, wondering who it was...

She heard struggling on the other end, and she was about to end the call, but a voice came from the phone call...

"Claire, it's me, Xavier." She relaxed her shoulders and eyed Chloe.

Chloe mouthed 'what'

"Hi, Xavier. How are you doing? What was happening in the background when you called?" She asked

"Oh, it was nothing. I was dragging my phone with my dog." He said

"Oh. Say hi to me." Claire says, "Hold on, Xavier, I will call you back. Give me a few minutes" Claire says as she ends the phone call.

"Chloe, you need to apologize to someone. She says sternly, scaring Chloe.

"Who? Who was that on the phone?" Chloe asked

"Well, young lady, you troubled a gentle fellow yesterday with your drunken state. He called me with your phone. I'll be inviting him out for lunch so you can apologize to him properly." Claire says sternly, seriously...

"Is he handsome?" Chloe asked. Claire facepalmed herself

She picks up her phone to call back the number that had called her...

He answered on the second ring with excitement

"Hi Claire,"

"Hi. Uhm, do you have time today? I would love to invite you to properly apologize for the trouble my friend had caused you yesterday." Claire suggested

There was hesitation in his voice but he agreed

"Great, I will text you the location. I have to get to class now, see you later." she ends the call and turns to look at Chloe.

"He's free." She said and stood up, packed her stuff

"Come on, let's get to class before we get punished again," Claire says as she drags Chloe up and walks out of the cafe.

They sat at the back during Professor Miller's Class cause they didn't want to be noticed...

All their efforts were in vain cause as soon as he was done with his teaching, he called the attention of the class representative.

Claire regretted not going with her plan to give up her post.

She followed Professor Miller to his office, thinking that he was going to make her finish up the work she had left yesterday.

To her surprise, the office was neat and clean. And the paperwork has been boxed up leaving a few files on the desk.

"Love what you've done to the place," Claire says...

"I'm sorry, Miss Mitchell. Are we friends?" He asks with his voice laced with a bit of anger, setting down the Lecture book he was holding.

Claire was caught off guard by the question.

"Sorry, Professor Miller," Claire says and stands straight.

"What can I do for you, sir? Sorry Professor?" She asks as she doesn't want to stay there any longer with him anymore.

Christopher had said that unknowingly cause he was upset with what she wore...

She had worn a white tank top and black jean pants that brought out her curves and thus had made him angry because she was being stared at as they were walking.

He had driven her farther away from him with what he had said and this upset him.

He ruffled his hair frustratingly and this made Claire retract her steps.

He decided to dismiss her to avoid driving her farther away than he had...

'Besides, I'll be seeing her later,' he thought to himself and smiled.

Claire left the office in disappointment and anger because he had wasted her time and had reminded her to know her place as a Student.

She goes back to Chloe and they both stay together for the remaining classes. It was now time for the lunch date between Chloe and Xavier...

Claire sends him the location and takes Chloe along.

When they got there, she excused herself as soon as she saw Xavier arriving and tried to slip outside unnoticed before he could see their table.

"Sorry," she says as she bumps into someone

Looking up at the person, her mood changed.

"Miss Mitchell? What a surprise!!!" Christopher said anxiously, scratching his neck.

"Professor Miller; Good day Professor," Claire said gloomily

"Claire," Xavier called out, looking in the direction of the door...

"When did she get there?" Chloe asked rhetorically

Claire gave up the idea of having them talk to each other without her intervening seeing as she'd been caught...

"Were you trying to sneak out and not have the lunch you promised your friend?" Christopher asks. When he hears the breath, she lets out, out of frustration.

She bumps her head into the door as she turns to wave at Xavier. She hissed and turned to face Christopher

"What's it to you who I have lunch with? Why are you here, by the way? Why do you seem to be in every place I am!!!" She says raising her voice a bit.

Christopher tilted his head and waited for her to let everything out but she was done. She bent her head and sniffled a cry. Christopher hesitatingly touched her shoulders...

"What's the matter? Do you not want me here?" Christopher asks trying to comfort her

"If I say yes, would you leave?" She asks as she raises her head to look at him

She saw pain and anger flash in his eyes but it was immediately replaced by curiosity.

"Why do you not want me here Claire? Do I irritate you that much? Do you hate me for making you stack papers or subtracting points from your project?" He asked curiously

"Do I have to give you a reason for not wanting you here? You said we were not friends so why are you acting like we are friends? Do you irritate me? Yes, you do. Do I hate you for making me stacking papers? Oh, I do hate you for that...You set your boundaries today, Professor Miller, and now you call me by my first name? What do you want from me?" She said annoyedly

"What's going on?" Xavier asks as he approaches them; Claire looks away, trying to mask a smile but can't because she is annoyed.

She wasn't going to embarrass herself just because her Professor didn't like her.

She decided to leave before he would ask more questions.

She spoke up before Xavier could finish his sentence

"I'm sorry Xavier, I won't be joining you for lunch. I got a call from the school. Next time." she says without looking at him and left.

"What happened?" Xavier asks Christopher as soon as Claire is out of sight

He was about to reply but was Interrupted by Chloe.

"It was nice meeting you, Xavier; I'm thankful and sorry for what happened last night. I'll make it up to you some other time" she says bows at Christopher and leaves the restaurant

"What did you say to Claire?" Xavier asks getting worked up

"Why do you care so much about what I said to her? Don't tell me you like her." Christopher says looking at Xavier curiously

Xavier stutters but doesn't make out a full sentence.

Christopher feels disappointed and walks out on him...