He held me so tight. Almost as thought he thought he would never get to hold me again. I took a deep breath to puch him away from me but half way through stopped my hands.

Why was his smell so familiar? Why did this gesture suddenly bring tears to my eyes?

"Don't worry," his deep voice rumbled against me. " I will find a way around this. I will find you again, Ally."

His words went deep to my heart.

Why was this stranger so dear to me?

I sat up right in my bed. I was panting, sweating -like I had woken up from a bad dream.

Who was that man? Why was I reacting this way? It was far from a bad dream, why did I suddenly have this strong urge to cry?

I looked to the sliding glass doors. It seemed to be late morning, the wind was blowing in through the open door moving the curtains slightly.

Did I really leave the door open last night?

I didn't seem like me.

I looked around the room, nothing seemed to be out of place. Maybe I had been careless.

I shook my head trying to rid myself of the dream. It felt so real, why? I never had dreams as vivid as that.

I looked at m clock. It was late morning. Late Saturday morning, to be exact.

I was already late for work!

"Kya!" I ran from the bed and straight to the shower. I'd never been late to work, how could I be so careless!

I quickly washed myself, grabbed a clean set of clothes and ran out the door, brush in my hair. I'd already missed my regular train, I was going to be super late already!

I ran through the streets, ignoring the grumbling in my stomach.

"Oh, stop it already," I told it. "I'll feed you later."

I could see the train station in my sights and looked at my watch. Rats! I'd have to wait another half hour if I miss the one at the station now.

"Please don't leave," I whispered. "Oh, God, please don't leave!"

I accidently knocked into a man.

"Hey, watch it!" He grumbled unhappily.

I looked back to him and shot him a sympathetic look. "I'm so sorry!"

He said something else but I was too far ahead to hear what he said.

I grabbed my ticket from the bag slung over my shoulder. The train was still there. "Please, don't leave!" I wished quietly.

I ran up the stairs of the station. My legs were killing me!

I fed my ticket to the machine at the top and flew by the turnstiles. "Please, don't go!"

It was still there! It was almost as if it was waiting for me!

I ran inside and the doors immediately closed.

I took a deep breath inside laughing. "Made it!"

The train slowly departed the station, it was exactly as if it had been waiting for me!

I shook my head. Foolish girl, the train certainly didn't hear me. And it certainly didn't wait for just me.

I sat down very unladylike with the biggest huff.

I turned to the woman next to me, absorbed in her newspaper. "That was close."

She barely looked at me then turned back to the paper.

I ran the back of my hand against my forehead feeling the drops of sweat. "I'm going to be a mess when I get to work."

I shook my head. At least I wouldn't be any later.

As the train made it's way to my destination I took the time to look over myself in the mirror.

Of course, I looked like I'd run a mile –well, really it was almost two- my cheeks were flushed, my brown hair was sticking to my forehead and hairline, my curls more prevalent now than usual. I ran my fingers through my hair, I'd have to make it work somehow, just for today.

My brown eyes look tired, like I hadn't had a good night's sleep in a while.

I frowned. How long did I sleep last night?

When I really thought about it, I couldn't remember at what time I fell asleep, let alone if I fell asleep at all. I must have been more tired than I previously thought. I didn't feel tired.

But it wasn't like I'd given myself the chance to feel tired either. Between waking up from that nightmare – if it could be called that- then running to the train, I was still running on pure adrenaline.

After a couple of minutes, I stood, the Planetarium's stop coming up next.

I exited the train and made my way to work quickly, not wanting to be any later than I already was.

It was uneventful at work. Nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary.

Every time I had that thought during the day I would frown.

Why was I on high alert?

Nothing would be out of the ordinary at the Planetarium. It was a Saturday, the busiest day of the week for us but was still a family destination. Other than the every day child running around or the mundane ticket sales, nothing would happen at the Planatarium to be on the look out for.

The way I was feeling felt like I had to be aware of something. Almost like I had to be on the look out for someone. Or some thing.

"Ally?"

I snapped back to reality at the mention of my name.

"Hiyori." I breathed a sigh of relief. "Sorry."

"Are you okay?" My best friend looked worried.

"Yeah," I smiled. "Everything's fine, why?"

Hiyori sighed, 'This is the third time today, are you okay?"

I put the snow globe I had back on the shelf, I was inventorying our souvenir shop. Most of the items had to be restocked, there had been a large influx of visitors lately and items were flying off the shelf like never before.

I was told it had to do with the Star Festival not too long ago.

Though why the Star Festival had such an impact this year, I had no idea. To me it seemed no different than any other year.

Hiyori thought differently, however. It had to do with some "hotties", as she put it.

I nodded. "Yes, I'm fine. I just think I'm not sleeping very well lately. Might have to call it an early day today."

She giggled, tossing her brown locks over her shoulder. "Does it have to do with that hottie?"

I frowned. "What hottie?"

She smiled, "You know, that guy you were always hanging out with all the time."

I frowned deeper. "Who?"

Hiyori sighed. "You know, I don't know where you found him but does he have friends?"

I shook my head. "Hiyori, I have no idea what you're talking about."

Hiyori sighed, she put down the price gun she was marking the merchandise with. "Come on, Ally. What do you mean? That guy that saved me from that jerk – "

I remember that night. Hiyori had been in the planetarium after hours with her boyfriend for a date. He then forced himself on her and I had to cut the date short.

"What are you talking about Hiyori?" I asked, recalling that night. "It was just the three of us that night. When he attacked you, I burst down the door and chased him out –"

Hiyori shook her head. "No, Ally, you're mistaken. It was your boyfriend!"

I looked at her flabbergasted. "Hiyori, I haven't had a boyfriend in years, you know that!"

Hiyori sighed. "Well, maybe he wasn't your boyfriend, but there was four of us that night, you didn't chase him off, your guy did."

"Ally!"

I turned to the voice, it was my manager calling me.

"I need you at the ticket booth, we're getting swamped."

I nodded. "Coming!" I turned to Hiyori. "I have no idea what you're talking about Hiyori. There was no other guy there."

Hiyori sighed exasperated. "You didn't chase that guy out by yourself Ally. You had help."

What Hiyori was saying made sense. There wasn't a possibility of me chasing that guy out. He was well over a foot taller than me and weighed much more than me. He could clearly overpower me easily.

So why didn't he?

I sighed too. "Are you okay doing Merchandise on your own?"

Hiyori nodded. "Don't worry. I can do it. And –" she looked at me pointedly. "We do need to talk about this Ally. I didn't make this guy up!"

I shook my head. "Yeah, whatever."

I ran to the ticket booth and began helping with the line. I hadn't seen it this big in a while!

That night, too exhausted to cook dinner for myself, I went to my favorite take-out near my apartment.

The sweet smell brought back a familiarity I didn't know I missed.

The bored man behind the counter didn't even look at me, "What are you having?"

Looking at their menu board I decided. "Can I get a number ten?"

The man wrote down my order. "Spaghetti and meatballs."

I handed him my money. "Can you please include the garlic bread?"

He wrote it down, took my money handed back the change.

When I turned, trying to put he change back in my purse I ran into a large fleshy wall.

My money dropped on the floor.

"S-Sorry!" I gasped. "I didn't see you!"

"Clearly," the large man answered.

I tried to apologize to the man but my voice stopped in my throat.

The man was gorgeous.

Like no one I had seen before. He had to be a movie star or a TV star. No one as good looking as him lived in her neighborhood. He was taller than her with broad shoulders. He had tousled golden brown hair, chiseled jaw and eyes like I had never seen.

He looked familiar. So familiar.

He was too handsome.

I bent down to pick up my money but to really hide my blushing face. "I'm sorry, I need to be more careful."

I picked up all my coins except one.

He also bent down and picked up the last one with his long slender fingers.

He had rolled his cuffs up to his elbow revealing a very muscle toned arm. He must work out.

He looked at me then handed me the coin with a smile. "You missed one."

I cleared my throat, not trusting it to be completely normal. "Th-thank you."

I tucked my hair behind my ear and stood. I placed the money in my purse, "Y-You shouldn't have."

"Early dinner?" He asked, placing his hands in his pockets.

I couldn't look directly at him without blushing. Damn it, Ally, get it together!

I nodded. "I guess you could say that." Trying not to be awkward, I asked the same.

"They have one of my favorite dishes," he shrugged.

I finally looked at him, smiling. "Great."

Neither one of us said another word and all too suddenly I could feel the intense beating of my heart.

I never acted this way around a boy. What was wrong with me?

Not boy -man. He was clearly older than me, late twenties, maybe?

Now looking at him, he looked familiar.

Why?

"I'm sorry," I asked him.

He had been looking nonchalantly around him. The late afternoon crowd was beginning to die down, less cars and bikes were in the road. It was getting dark, people were starting to go home for the night.

It was like he was people watching.

"Hmm?"

"Do I know you? You look so familiar."

He looked deflated somehow. Like I had somehow made him very sad suddenly.

"I'm so sorry," I suddenly burst out. "You just look so familiar. I do know you, don't I?"

Stars.

Looking at him, I'm suddenly remembering stars. All around him like they were twinkling only for him.

What? My mind was delusional.

Suddenly, I remember. "You're a regular at the Planetarium, right?"

He gave me a sad smile but nodded. "Yes, I am."

"Of course!" I laugh. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to be so rude."

He shook his head. "You weren't."

I extended my hand. "My name is Ally."

He took my hand and kissed my knuckles. "I am Leon."

"Hi Leon," I breathed. No one ever greeted me in this way. He seemed like a gentleman.

I felt a sudden pain at my temples. I hissed in pain, closing my eyes.

"Ally!" I felt his hands tightly grip my arms. "Are you all right? What's wrong?"

My hand flew to my temples. "I'm all right, just a small headache." I laughed it off. "I'm sorry, I think I missed your name. I'm Ally."

He let me go slowly. I watched his shoulders slump and sadness wash over him suddenly.

"What's wrong?" I asked suddenly worried about the stranger. "Is everything all right?"

He nodded. He extended his hand in a formal matter. "My name is Leon."

I smiled and shook his hand. "Pleasure to meet you Leon."

"Order up! Number ten! Spaghetting and Meatballs!"

"Oh that's me!" I turn to the pick up counter of the small shop. I grabbed the plastic bag but took in the smell first. "Smells great!"

I turn to the man. "I'll see you around!"

I happily turn from him and down the street. The phone in my pocket silently buzzes in my pocket.

I look and see an update from my horoscope app.

It read: "Today you will meet the love of your life." I sighed. "I'll believe it when I see it."