𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄:
Introductions

THALIA HAS BEEN IN MANHATTAN FOR ABOUT A WEEK NOW. She can say that she has adjusted to her new surroundings, new colleagues, new students, and new apartment reasonably well.

It's 7:30 am, and her class starts at 8 am. She's currently at the local coffee shop, wanting to get her daily dose of caffeine, and the line is taking up her time. Here she is, early in the morning, getting frustrated, releasing an annoyed sigh.

Her bag was getting awfully heavy with the report papers that she graded last night. Just adding weight, deciding that she'd instead hold the envelope full of graded papers than make her shoulder numb.

Finally, she's the first one in line. The barista smiles at her brightly and enthusiastically says, "Hi! What can I get for you today?"

Thalia returns the barista's smile and looks at the menu as if she isn't going to get her regular cup of coffee, "A latte, medium, and a roasted pesto chicken sandwich to go, please, thank you."

Since she woke up late, she didn't have time to make a proper breakfast, she has to order something to get her through lunch at least.

The barista nods while taking Thalia's order, happy that the woman isn't rude as the last one, "That'll be $14.65."

Thalia brought down her envelope on the counter and opened her bag, took her purse, and handed the barista the amount needed. While putting two dollars in the tip jar, the barista gives her a thankful look.

Giving Thalia the coffee and sandwich she ordered, the barista says, "Have a great day!"

"You too!"

•| ⊱✿⊰ |•

THALIA TAKES A GLANCE ON HER WRIST WATCH, and it's already 7:50 am. She has exactly ten minutes to get to her class. Speedily walking on the pedestrian lane and reaching the sidewalk, a biker suddenly rushes to her side, causing her to lose her balance and bump into a person, spilling her morning coffee to spill on the said person's shirt and also holding both of her shoulders to regain her balance.

"Oh! What the-" Thalia glanced up at the person in front of her, and all she could think of was how exquisite the man looked, "hell," she continued staring into the man's eyes intently, his amber eyes absorbing her from within, and all Thalia could think about is how her other student Alice has the exact same set of eyes and how could a person have that kind of eye color? It's strange.

Carlisle Cullen is amused. He knows that his being a vampire has an inevitable pull and beauty that attracts humans.

However, he knows that the woman in front of him isn't exactly human. "Are you alright?" He politely asks as he removes his hands from her shoulders, which Thalia noted is also as cold as ice, namely, Alice.

Thalia opens her mouth, about to tell him that, no, she isn't alright, that she just spilled a four-dollar coffee that can keep her calm in busy mornings, but she doesn't want to be rude, "I'm fine, it's not like I'm the one whose got coffee spill all over my shirt."

Carlisle glances at his shirt, forgetting the spilled coffee, and is about to wipe it with his handkerchief and is stopped by Thalia. "Don't do that. It'll only spread the stain. You should put some laundry detergent and let it sit for 15 minutes or so."

The blonde man smiled at her revealing his dimples, and Thalia couldn't resist thinking that the man in front of her was adorable, "I'm really sorry that I spilled coffee on your shirt. It's really hard to get it off and-"

Carlisle cuts her off and says, "No, no, it's alright, it's not your fault that the biker isn't on his lane," he offers his hand for her to shake and continues, "I'm Carlisle Cullen."

The brunette takes his hand and smiles at him. "Thalia, Thalia Bennet."

"That's a beautiful name you have," Carlisle compliments. It's true. He thinks that her name is as one of a kind and beautiful as her.

Thalia gives him a cheeky smile and thinks that maybe, just maybe, she should shoot her shot. She hasn't dated someone in a while, and her last relationship isn't exactly rainbows and butterflies.

Taking the risk of talking to a complete stranger, she says to him, "Do you like that? You should hear my phone number."

The blonde chuckles, still amused that he has finally met the woman personally. He's been protecting her since the first time she screamed, and that was 14 years ago and counting, "Does the phone number also include lunch?"

Thalia suddenly remembered that she still had college students to teach. Frantically looking at her wristwatch, and it's 8:09 am.

She's already 9 minutes late. "I'm already late for my class, but..."
thinking of a way to give her phone number, "Can I borrow your phone?"

Carlisle nods, and he knows exactly what she's about to do, and hands Thalia his phone as the woman types her number. Dialing her phone, it rang, "I have your number, and you have my number; it's a win-win situation, isn't it?" Thalia says cheekily while handing back the phone.

"It is. I'm looking forward to breakfast? Lunch? Dinner? Or whenever you have a light schedule."

"Sure, I'll give you a heads up," Thalia promises. "Have a great day, Carlisle."

"You too, Thalia."

They separated ways, and all Thalia could think was she just wished that giving her phone number to a stranger and being late was worthwhile.

Author's Note:
-A reminder!! Carlisle is not a stalker. He only visits Thalia when Alice has a vision of her having those banshee screams (he's far from Edward)

-I'm actually trying to write that Thalia has Mia's personality (from the princess diaries) because, honestly, I love Anne Hathaway in that movie.