Love Finds Itself
Chapter 1: The Meeting
Hello friends, this is a new story I have started and I have high hopes for it. It is different from the others because my premise for this one is very different. But I so hope all of you like and are enthusiastic to read more. Enjoy. :)
The wind was blowing furiously in the city, announcing the coming of winter. Hailey got down quickly from her floor and rushed to her car, hoping to get in as fast as possible to avoid the play of the wind. She sat inside and quickly shut the door, sighing in relief. She looked at herself in the mirror once more to make sure she looked fine. It was her first day at the academy and she intended to make a good impression in all ways possible. Her dream was finally coming true and she couldn't be more excited, she was going to become a cop finally. She smiled and started the car.
There was no end to the gusts of wind today. Jay got down quickly from his floor and rushed to his car, hoping to get in as fast as possible to avoid the play of the wind. He sat inside and quickly shut the door, sighing in relief. It was the first day of his training at the academy and he couldn't be more thrilled. He had waited for this moment his entire life and finally it was here. He was going to be a cop finally and that made him smile.
The clock struck eight in the vast indoor stadium and all the new comers assembled. The boys were placed on one side and the girls on another. Although in no time they would all be in it together. The main coach was present as well and he began, practically screaming, "Good morning everyone, I am Coach Reynolds. Today is the first day of your training and I just want to give you one piece of advice to start off with. 'You have chosen this, so make the city proud.'"
It wasn't a speech most of the trainees had expected to get but the underlying meaning got to everyone and no one could deny that it didn't hold all the truth that they needed to know about their jobs. And like that new rules were introduced, protocols were explained, ideas discussed. Finally they were all asked to warm up as they were going to be doing some drills later on. Soon batches were made and each batch was assigned a trainer for the day.
Hailey was standing with a few girls as they were waiting for their trainer to arrive when she heard a voice behind her, "Excuse me?"
She wasn't sure if the person was calling her so she turned around hesitatingly and wondered who it was. She turned around to face a man relatively taller than her. He had broad shoulders, he was muscular his face was squarish. His eyes were green, verging on blue and he had a slight smile on his face. Hailey asked, "Yeah?"
The moment she turned he realised he was in the wrong place. He took in her appearance in a quick glance and didn't miss her deep blue eyes. She was relatively shorter than him she had a tough look about her. He didn't speak because he didn't know what to say. Hailey asked again, "Are you looking for someone?"
Jay managed, knowing that he would embarrass himself and probably anger her, "Uh… I was told to come here, that you were to be my coach."
Hailey stared at him and asked, "Excuse me?"
"What I mean is that there has been a misunderstanding, from my part. I was pointed towards the blonde woman, but clearly the one who's standing there," he said, pointing ahead of him.
His batch was there and he couldn't help but smile sheepishly. Hailey turned around to see and finally understood what had happened. His coach was a blonde woman and he had mistaken her for that person. And seeing her had certainly confirmed that she was also a trainee. Jay looked back at Hailey and said, "I am sorry for the misunderstanding. Have a good day," and he rushed off towards his group.
Hailey couldn't help but smirk and wonder what the hell had just happened. She didn't know quite know what she should feel, pride that she appeared to be a coach or disappointment that she looked older than she was. What a way to start the day.
The rest of the session was gone in various physical activities, during which Hailey had caught a glimpse of the man with green eyes a few times. Jay too had spotted the woman with blue eyes a few times. They weren't trying to look for each other but it just happened that their eyes fell on the other person on occasions. Finally the morning session came to an end and it was evident that everybody was tired, all realising that henceforth they would be having such days. But the few words Coach Reynolds had shared, motivated them to continue because they had chosen this after all.
As Hailey was exiting the woman's locker room she spotted someone coming out of the men's locker room as well. She looked up naturally and realised it was the guy who had mistaken her for the coach. She looked down, not sure whether she should look at him or simply walk away. Most people would be making new friends here as they didn't know anyone. But before she could decide what to do he spoke, "Hey, again I am sorry for what happened earlier."
She looked at him and replied, "It's okay, don't worry about it. Besides, I look like a coach, that's a compliment I guess," she said smiling slightly, having decided to choose this aspect instead of the other one.
Jay smiled too and a moment later extended his hand saying, "I am Jay Halstead."
She shook his hand gently and said, "Hailey Upton."
"Nice to meet you Miss Upton," he said still smiling.
Hailey withdrew her hand and said, "You too. But please, call me Hailey. We are probably the same age."
"Copy that," he said and nodded.
And then there was the awkward moment that presents itself in every new friendship, no one knows what to say. They just looked at each other shyly, knowing whatever came out of their mouths now would be stupid. Hailey managed finally, "I'll see you tomorrow then."
"Yeah," he replied, relieved that this awkwardness, although a pleasant one was over.
She left then, not looking back. He too went to his vehicle and headed home. What these two didn't know yet was that they were going to fall head over heels in love with the other.
I am ending this first chapter here, trying to keep it short and to the point. The story will start developing in the following chapters. Do drop in your thoughts and ideas, I am trying something new and it would be fantastic to receive feedback. Thank you for reading. :)
