(Matt's P.O.V.)

"I can't believe I have to stop over in Nashville! Why'd the organization book me on an one-stop flight and not a direct flight!"

"You were the one who took the first flight to get used to the heat, Matt. I'll be down there on the 6th," Tye replies to me.

I sigh into my phone, "Yeah, you're right. Maybe this is a sign that she'll be here."

Tye laughs at me, "Yeah right. Good luck lover boy."

He hangs up as I look around Nashville International Airport for Gate B-13. I stand at Gate A-22, just after I land, and I gently grab my bag and walk towards an employee.

I smile at her and ask, "Excuse me, but do you know where Flight 2422 is leaving from?"

Her emerald green eyes roll back, "That flight is delayed due to bad weather, but it is just around the corner."

She points down the terminal, and it is at the other side of the airport. The worst part is that the flight is delayed by an hour, and the layover just keeps getting better and better. I walk over and I am following a woman with brown-red hair. She is wearing a blue shirt and black pants. Almost casual, yet so classy at the same time. She turns around and I know those eyes anywhere: ocean blue.

Ocean blue just like her.

"Hey there, you look lost? Need some help?"

I reply, "Yeah. I'm looking for the gate for Flight 2422 to Tampa, Florida. Do you know where Gate B-13 is?"

"Hey, looks like we're flight pals. I'm on my way to Tampa as well. Just follow me...."

"Matt, the name's Matt. Thank you."

She giggles, "No problem, and I'm Kristina. Most people call me Tina."

"Kristina, that has a pretty ring to it. I like your eyes."

Her face turns bright red and she laughs, "Thanks. I get that a lot. So, we've got," an alert comes across her phone, "ugh! Three hours delayed now? Are you serious?"

"Our flight is delayed longer? Will we ever get to Tampa now?"

She smiles and sighs, "Probably not. I gotta let my friend know who's picking me up though."

She grabs her phone and walks away. I sit down on a nearby bench and watch her as she speaks.

I looked into those eyes once upon a dream.

-----------------

(Kristina's P.O.V.)

"Eves? I'm going to be uber late. My flight is going to be in around two AM. I can find my own way to the hotel by a cab or something like that."

Evelyna sighs, "Stupid weather. The one time it decides to rain in Florida, it pours."

"I know. Although, I did meet this guy. His name is Matt."

Evelyna gasps, "Matt as in Matthew Peca?"

"They kinda look one and the same. He's really cute and funny, but what if he's actually a creep?"

Evelyna retorts, "Blame Kuch or someone. Just get to know him maybe."

"Yeah, you're right. Besides, there's no chance in heck it is Matthew Peca."

"Yup. It's just like my chances of dating Vladdy. Not going to happen."

"Who knows though?"

She giggles, "Have fun with Matt! And have a safe flight if it ever takes off."

"Hey, I could of think of worse fates than hanging with a cutie in an airport. Better than being a victim of kidnapping by Bobbina and Co."

"Bye Tina!"

Evelyna hangs up the phone and I laugh at the conversation. I couldn't wait to tell them all about the trouble the two of us get into in three hours.

I walk back over to Matt and he is staring right at me. I look at him and ask, "Are you okay?"

"Huh, what?"

I giggle a little bit, "Are you okay?"

Matt scoffs a little, "Yes, I'm fine. What can we do to kill time in Nashville's airport?"

"Not a whole lot. It isn't like Norfolk or even Denver's airport. We could just chill here for a while."

"Yeah, I'd like that. So, what can we talk about?"

I look up towards the ceiling, "Hmmmm, I don't know. Maybe we just ask each other a lot of questions."

"Like what?"

I laugh, "Like that. Maybe we should start simpler, like what is your favorite color?"

------------------------

(Matt's P.O.V.)

"Like that. Maybe we should start simpler, like what is your favorite color?"

I look at Kristina straight in the eyes and blurt out, "Ocean blue."

"Oooh, a specific shade of blue. Nice. I'd probably have to say orange or blue as well," she replies.

"Any specific shade?"

"Nope."

I laugh a little bit, "Okay. Want anything to drink?"

"We just sat down!"

"We are going to be here for a while though."

"True. No, I will get something."

She starts to stand up and I put my hand down on her wrist, "No allow me to get you something. It's the least I can do since you've been so nice to me."

Kristina's blue pierces me, "Are you sure?"

"Positive."

"Thank you, I guess I'll have a water."

I walk away to get her the water she wants and feel my face turning bright red. I have only known her for a few moments, and everything has changed in my life.

Who knew a person could do that in a span of a few moments?

---------------

(Kristina's P.O.V.)

Me: Ohmygoodnessthisguyischangingmylife.

Evelyna: That bad?

Shannon: Jeez, first crush or something?

Me: No! He's just so nice and I don't know what I'm feeling for him.

Shannon: Matty Peca would not approve lol. Although, if he is Matt's doppleganger with the same first name, go for it!

Evelyna: I agree.

Me: Gtg, he's coming back.

Evelyna: Ooooooooooooooh.....

I quickly turn my phone over to hide the conversation with 'Team Fangirls' and smile at him. He hands me a bottle of water and I reply, "Thank you, Matt. I appreciate it."

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Isn't that a question?" I retort.

His face turns cherry red as I focus in on his hazel blue eyes, "No, I meant a question like....oh I got one! Did you play a sport in high school?"

"Yeah, I played lacrosse. Long time since I've picked up my stick. Did you?"

Matt hesitates, "Well, I still play that sport now. Hockey, ice hockey is what I play."

"Nice! What position do you play?"

"Center."

"Awesome! So, are you flying down to Tampa for the Lightning's 'Carnival' then?"

"How'd you know?"

"Well, I'd figure a man like you who still plays ice hockey at some level would meet some insiders and figure out how he can get to where they are."

He sighs, "Yeah. It's like I'm almost there already, and I am so close to the top I can almost taste it."

I reply, "With enough hard work, you can do anything your heart desires."

"Thank you. So, why are you heading down to Tampa? Same reason I am?"

"Yup. A friend of mine entered both my sister and I in a contest to go down to Tampa and explore the Carnival. I'm just happy I get to meet some of the players, but I don't want to act like a complete fangirl, you know?"

Matt looks at me, "I'm working the Carnival. Maybe we'll see each other again?"

I reply, "I hope so as well."

Matt asks another question, "What do you want to do in life?"

-----------------

(Matt's P.O.V.)

As soon as I ask that question, I mentally smack myself on the head. I shouldn't ask her that, and I almost told her who exactly I was on the Crunch's roster.

She thinks for a moment and replies, "I want to be a physical therapist. Right now, I'm almost done with my undergraduate work at a school here in Nashville. But, I don't want to be a physical therapist in one area, I want to travel across the world helping people redesign, rebuild, and reclaim who they are."

I reply, "Wow. That's....amazing. Have you ever thought about being an athletic trainer?"

"Yeah, but I want to do something that can impact a whole community, not a few select people, ya know?"

"I got you," I reply to her.

"So, where's home for you, Matt?"

I look at her, "Home? Like where I was born or where I'm currently living?"

"Well, I am from Canada. It's a little town in Ontario called Petawawa. Right now, I am living in Syracuse, New York."

She smiles, "Canada, what's it like up there?"

"Cold pretty much all the time. I'm kidding but it can get pretty cold there. Everyone is nice there, and it feels like everybody knows everybody. In America though, some people are just out to get you."

Kristina looks towards the ground, "I know that all too well."

I sigh, "I'm sorry that happened to you."

"It's okay, I just try to shake them off the best I can somedays. The worse part is that they always find me, no matter where I hide."

Her ocean blue eyes fight off tears, "Please don't cry. It's okay, they can't find you now."

"That's not the point. They mocked me for even being on this trip in the first place. It's like I have a target on my back and they keep trying to aim for it, but miss narrowly every time."

"Ouch. I wish someone as sweet and as pretty as you didn't have to go through that," I say to her.

Her phone begins to ring, and she quickly says to me, "I'll be right back. They found me."

----------------

(Kristina's P.O.V.)

I answer the Skype call and walk away from Matt, "Yes, Bobby?"

Bobby replies, "Want to do a podcast?"

"No, I have a flight to catch. Plus, it's almost midnight there."

Brittany enters the room, "So, it's not like cute guys like Bobby are found on airplanes."

I sigh, "Look, my plane is about to board. I've gotta go."

Brittany sneers, "Have fun with Tampa. Hope all the fans throw you away just like the trash you are."

Bobby butts in, "Brittany that's not nice! Even if it is true!"

"Better to hear the truth than not to hear it at all."

I hang up the call as tears wash down my face. Have you ever had the feeling you're so small already and people just try to keep you down anyways? Because, they keep weighing me down and sinking so low to hurt me.

I already feel like I'm a nobody. I'm just an empty vessel with an unknown role in life. Why am I here even?

I feel a hand land on my shoulder, and a voice ask, "Are you okay?"

Matt stares at me concerned as I reply, "Yeah. Same crap different day. What else is new?"

I wipe a stray tear as Matt speaks, "Who found you?"

"It's a long story, and let's just say I give them a second chance, and they still betray and hurt me. I'm nothing because of them. I've gotta go, I'll see you at the gate, ya?"

I get up and walk away from Matt and start to message Team Fangirls.

Me: Britt just called me a piece of trash. I feel worthless.

Shannon: WHAT?

Me: They were trying to get me on tonight's podcast, and I had to walk away from Matt. I didn't want to leave him either. Bobby said that's not nice even if it is the truth to say I'm trash.

Shannon: That's so stupid! You aren't worthless though.

Evelyna: That's messed up.

Me: And worse of all, they ruined my one opportunity with Matt. I might not see him at the Carnival.

Shannon: So, Matt's attending the festival?

Me: Apparently, yeah. I don't know his role. All I know is that he flew in from Syracuse today.

Evelyna: Wait, did he have hazelish eyes?

Me: Yeah....OMG, do you guys think I was talking to Matthew Peca?

Shannon: Yup.

Evelyna: Yes.

I gasp out loud as I think, great I blew it with my hockey crush as well. He'll never like me again.

Me: Great. As if my night couldn't get any worse. I blew it talking to my crush.

"Are you okay, Kristina?"

-------------------------

(Matt's P.O.V.)

Seeing her cry like that and walk away, it hurt me. She left her bag, everything without even realizing she left it. It killed me to see her run away in tears because of her bullies.

I go back to the table and I grab both my bag and hers and walk towards Gate B-13. I see a woman sitting there in a blue shirt I only knew one person would be wearing.

She is typing furiously on her phone as I quietly go up to her and ask, "Are you okay, Kristina?"

"No, I'm not okay. Just, I don't want to talk."

I lower her bag onto her lap, "Well, it would of been bad if you forgot this."

She sends a sad smile my way, "Thank you. I don't know what I would've done without it."

"Not go anywhere?"

"I guess that's true, but I'd think I would be okay with that. I'm just not meant to have the ending I want to have."

I sit down next to her, "Kristina, you are able to create and forge your own destiny. Don't let those guys tell you any other way!"

She nods, "Yeah, I just wish my sister was here to help me."

I gulp a little bit before I say, "I am though."

She looks at me as if I am insane, "We literally just met though. And who knows if we're ever going to meet again?"

"'We may never meet again, but we'll always remember each other.'"

"Matt, was that from Kingdom Hearts?"

"Guilty as charged!"

She laughs a little bit, "Guess you're right. People come into our lives for a reason."

I smile, "Yeah. I hope our paths intersect again after this flight, but for now let's enjoy each other's company!"

-------------------

(Kristina's P.O.V.)

"We should, shouldn't we? Let's see, there's about an hour left before we board, and it is a two hour flight to Tampa. That's plenty of time to hang out," I respond to him.

"Yeah!" Matt exclaims as a certain spark dashes through his eyes.

"So, want to try the million question thing again?"

Matt nods in agreement and he starts out, "Favorite hockey team?"

"That's a tough one. See, I like many teams because I see many different things in each team. For example, I thought I liked Dallas because it felt like I could of had a connection with them. That connection became obsolete over time, and my friend in Tampa started to introduce me to the Lightning. That caused me to be accused of bandwagoning, but I stuck with the Bolts along with a few others. You?"

"Well, I wouldn't be going to Tampa if I didn't like the Bolts!"

We both were laughing, and he just made me smile even more. I take a deep breath as I ask him, "Are you involved in the Bolts organization in any way?"

"Guess you figured out who I am then: Matthew Peca. Please don't judge me....."

I interrupt him, "Oh my goodness! You're my favorite player! Sorry, had to fangirl for a moment there, I'm done now."

Matt laughs nervously, "I didn't know I had fans."

"Yeah. I hope that doesn't ruin anything between the two of us."

"No, but I have to ask: do you like me for my skill or my looks or both?"

I laugh a little bit, "I'd have to say both. Why'd you ask?"

"Curiousity. Okay, can I tell you something crazy right now?"

"Fire away."

"I think I've seen you before in my dreams," he whispers out.

I whisper back, "I think I've seen you as well in my dreams."

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Chapter Three is up!  I know that it is late (happy 4th y'all), so I hope you guys enjoy!