Key

Audrey walked briskly on the wet sidewalk, feeling the drops of rain seep through her shirt and onto her skin. She recalled leaving for work earlier that day and seeing not a single cloud in the sky. Now she was blinking against the water that kept falling directly in front of her face. When her block came into view, Audrey sped up, jogging and hearing the clapping sound of her shoes on the drenched concrete until she reached her building.

At the door, she opened her bag and rummaged for her key. Nothing. A wave of panic shot through her as she frantically searched for that sacred little scrap of metal that would get her inside and out of the rain. It was nowhere to be found. "Oh bloody hell" Audrey mumbled to herself as she pounded the door in frustration. She knew no one would hear her, but that didn't stop her from hoping maybe someone was heading out and could let her in. Heavy with wet and terribly frustrated, she turned around to see if anyone she recognized as living in the building was coming home, but instead she found someone else. He was a tall, redheaded man, standing under a big, black umbrella, wearing a fancy dark brown trench coat and black trousers with matching shoes, staring at her through horn-rimmed glasses.

"Do you live here?" She asked hopefully

"No, sorry. Why, are you locked out?" He spoke rather impersonally, she observed, like he didn't genuinely care about her situation and merely asked about it as a formality.

"Yeah, I think I left my keys in my flat."

The man hesitated for a moment, and then walked up the stairs to the door. Audrey slipped herself under his umbrella, but he didn't notice as he took out a long stick from his pocket and held it to the doorknob. He muttered some words she didn't recognize, and to her utter disbelief, the lock clicked and the door swung open. "Oh my God thank you so much!" Audrey smiled at him with gratitude.

"Not a problem." The corners of his mouth twisted upwards and he turned to leave.

"Wait!" She called after him and he turned around. "Could you to open the door to my flat upstairs as well?"

"Oh, alright then. Sure." He walked again to her at the door and she led him up a flight of stairs to her flat. Audrey watched in disbelief as he performed the same action he did outside, and her door swung open.

"Thank you so much." She stood in the doorway and for the first time, got a proper good look at this gentleman who had saved her day. He was handsome, certainly, and very well put together. His eyes were a light blue color that contrasted with his fiery hair. He had chiseled, masculine features and smooth, pale skin.

"Really, it's no trouble." He used the same tone as when he asked her if she was locked out. "Have a good evening"

"Wait!" Audrey called out as he started back towards the stairs. He turned around, looking somewhat exasperated.

"Yes?"

"Do you…" She trailed off and laughed ruefully "want to get a drink later on tonight?" He hesitated and she felt her stomach tighten.

"We hardly know each other."

"It's up to you." Audrey shrugged.

"Fine." He sighed as the faintest smile appeared on his face.

"Great! Shall we say, Royston's at half past seven? It's just a couple of doors to your right from here."

"Sure. I'll see you then."

"Bye!" Audrey waved as she stepped into her flat and closed the door. She wasn't sure what had compelled her to ask out a complete stranger. He may have been handsome, but she didn't even know his name. He was a wizard; he lived in a different world than she. Plus he was a little bit pompous and didn't show any interest in her at all. But he did agree to get a drink with me tonight. Audrey thought. Not to mention he used magic. Was he trying to impress me? Am I overanalyzing this? Most likely. She flung herself onto the sofa and let out an explosive breath before going to her closet and figuring out what to wear. She had a date to get ready for.