This entry is for @NationalReader 's writing contest. This is case 1: Why did I fall in love with you at our interview? I chose option B: Write a story that includes love at first sight. Here it is:

~

I lived in a very urbanized city. When you were out by yourself with no friends or family to accompany you, practically everyone was a stranger. Where I lived, it was best to keep to yourself. Unknown faces were swarming around you. You see some random stranger on the streets of my city? Ninety-nine percent of the time, you won't remember them. However, last fall, I met a violinist on the streets. The strangest part of this encounter? I remember her.

-

"Jack, I'm heading to Subway. Told Emily I'd meet her there," my friend, Henry, said to me, "You wanna tag along?"

"I'm good," I answered, making a disgusted face, "Subway is gross. They gave me a soggy sandwich the other day, you know."

"Egh, gross. I'll take note of that. See you later," Henry replied. He ran off, his school bag smacking against his back, and waved goodbye.

I took the normal route home, stopping a bit along the way to kick some pebbles out of boredom. I pulled out my phone, turned on some music, and plugged in some earbuds. Imagine Dragons' It's Time blasted into my ears. Humming along with the song, I walked on.

Then I noticed, near the park I walked by everyday, a crowd was gathering. I pulled out my earbuds, shut off the music, and began to move closer out of curiosity. I shoved my way to the front and saw a girl playing the violin. She had wild black hair that flew when she played. The girl was average looking and yet she took my breath away. She played with such ferocity, I was afraid she would break her bow. Her eyes were closed and her fingers moved fast, almost in a blur. Her music flowed throughout the streets, filling me with a sudden warmth and happiness.

And suddenly she stopped playing, panting slightly, but with a radiant smile on her face. The crowd whooped and cheered. One man yelled out, "Hey, girly! Where do you expect us to put our money?"

She smiled once more and replied in a sweet voice, "I don't play for money. I play because I am a musician."

She twirled happily in a circle and held her violin and bow high, as if she were on stage. Her eyes, the warmest brown I'd ever seen, locked on mine and I felt my heart skip a beat. "That's all for today, folks!"

The crowd left, muttering about the strange violinist. Soon it was just me and her left. She packed up her instrument in a case and slung it over her shoulder. That's when she noticed I was still there. "Can't get enough, huh?"

My breath caught in my throat and I shook my head. "So what's a great musician like you doing playing on the streets?"

"I just like to play. A musician likes to give their gift of music to the world," she responded wisely.

"My friend, Henry, plays a bit of violin," I blurted stupidly.

She giggled and the autumn wind blew through her hair, "Is he a musician?"

"I don't know..." I responded hesitantly, "What makes a musician?"

She turned serious and replied, "A musician plays with soul. A musician plays with all they've got. The strings are my being. The bow sets my life into action."

She began to walk away and looked back, "I'll see you later..."

I breathed out quietly, "Jack... My name is Jack..."

She smiled once more, which seemed to brighten the whole world and simply said, "Jack."

The strange violinist skipped away. I looked at her until she was out of sight. And that's when I realized that I was in love with her.