Destined Towards You

Julie couldn’t remember the last time she had felt this happy. It was her birthday, and despite sitting through another ordinary university lecture, she couldn’t keep the smile from her face. Beside her sat Sofie, her best friend and the only person who knew exactly why Julie kept glancing at her phone every few minutes.

in the university classroom, trying her absolute best to pay attention to the lecture, but her mind kept drifting back to one person—Drake. After years of chasing him, waiting for him, and secretly hoping that one day he would finally see her the way she saw him, he had finally accepted her proposal. Just thinking about it made her heart flutter. Sofie had been teasing her about it since the moment they walked into class that morning. “You know, you keep checking your phone every thirty seconds,” Sofie whispered, trying not to laugh. Julie quickly locked her screen. “I do not.” “You absolutely do,” Sofie replied, grinning. “You’re waiting for Drake.” Julie tried to hide her smile, but failed miserably. “Maybe.” Sofie rolled her eyes. “Maybe? Julie, you’ve been talking about this boy for years. Today is your birthday, and now that he’s finally your boyfriend, you’re expecting some huge romantic surprise, aren’t you?” Julie’s cheeks warmed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” “Oh, please,” Sofie whispered. “You’re practically glowing.” Julie laughed quietly and looked down at her notebook, but the smile never left her face. Deep down, she couldn’t deny it. She was waiting for Drake. She had no idea what he had planned, but she trusted him enough to believe it would be something she’d remember forever.

The professor continued speaking at the front of the classroom, but Julie barely heard any of it. Every vibration from her phone made her heart jump, and every time she checked the screen, she found herself disappointed when Drake’s name wasn’t there. Sofie noticed every single time and couldn’t resist teasing her. “Still nothing?” she whispered. Julie sighed. “Maybe he’s trying to keep the surprise a surprise.” “Or maybe he’s terrible at planning surprises,” Sofie whispered back. Julie lightly nudged her with her elbow. “Stop it.” Sofie laughed under her breath. “Fine, fine. But if he shows up with flowers, I’m taking a picture of your face.” Julie smiled. “Deal.”

Then the professor suddenly called her name. “Julie?” She looked up immediately. “Yes, Professor?” “Someone is waiting for you at the university entrance.” Julie’s eyes widened. For a moment, she couldn’t breathe. Sofie immediately looked at her with a knowing smile. “Oh my God,” she whispered. “It’s him.” Julie’s heart began racing. She quickly packed her notebook and shoved it into her bag. “I have to go.” Sofie grabbed her wrist for a second. “Go, birthday girl. And don’t forget to tell me everything.” Julie laughed as she pulled away. “I will!” She rushed out of the classroom, her heart filled with excitement. After waiting for Drake for so many years, after finally getting the answer she had dreamed about, she couldn’t imagine a better birthday. She didn’t know that when she reached the university entrance, the smile on her face would disappear—and that the person waiting for her wouldn’t be Drake at all.

Julie walked quickly through the long university hallway, her bag hanging loosely from her shoulder as she tried to contain her excitement. Every few steps, she caught herself smiling again. She wondered what Drake had planned. Maybe he had arranged a dinner somewhere private, or perhaps he had bought her something she’d mentioned months ago and secretly remembered. Knowing Drake, she imagined something perfect, something that would make all those years of waiting feel worth it. When she reached the main entrance, however, her smile disappeared. A black car stood near the entrance. Julie recognized it immediately. Her steps slowed as she stared at it, the excitement in her chest slowly fading and being replaced by confusion. She knew that car. She had seen it countless times before. Alex.

Her eyes moved toward the person standing in front of the car. Her older brother. Julie stopped completely. “Kairo?” He looked at her but didn’t answer. Her gaze shifted toward the other side of the car, where Alex stood. He was dressed entirely in black, his expression unreadable as he watched her approach. There was nothing familiar about the warmth of her birthday anymore. The sight of him made her instinctively tense. Alex had always been someone Julie knew about rather than someone she knew personally. Everyone knew him. His parents were members of the university’s board, and his family held enough influence that people rarely dared to cross them. Alex had grown up surrounded by power, wealth, and attention. He was the kind of person who never had to ask for a place at the table. But Julie had never cared about any of that. Not when Drake was around.

She looked past Alex, hoping to see someone else. Drake. Maybe he was hiding somewhere. Maybe this was part of the surprise. Her eyes searched the entrance, the parking area, and the people walking nearby, but there was nothing. “Where’s Drake?” she asked. Kairo remained silent. Julie frowned. “Why are you here?” Still nothing. She looked at Alex. “And why are you here?” Alex’s eyes stayed on hers, but he didn’t answer. A strange feeling settled in her stomach. Something wasn’t right. Julie took one small step backward. “I was told someone was waiting for me.” Alex’s expression remained calm. “Someone is.” Her heart skipped. “Who?” He didn’t answer. Julie glanced at Kairo again. “Is this some kind of joke?” Nobody laughed. The silence became unbearable. She turned slightly, preparing to walk back inside. “Maybe I’ll just—”

She never finished. Someone grabbed her from behind. Julie gasped as her entire body stiffened, an arm wrapping around her and pulling her backward. Her bag slipped from her shoulder and fell to the ground. “Let me go!” she cried, struggling desperately and trying to turn around to see who had grabbed her. She couldn’t. All she could see was black—a black shirt. Her heart began pounding. “Help!” Her voice echoed across the entrance. “Somebody help me!” Students turned. People stopped walking. Julie looked desperately at them. “Please!” But nobody moved. Some stared, some whispered, and some simply looked away. “HELP ME!” Her voice cracked. She couldn’t understand it. Why was no one helping? Her eyes found her brother. “Kairo!” He stood in front of the car, watching. “Please!” He didn’t move. Tears filled her eyes. “Why are you doing this?” No answer.

The person behind her lifted her and carried her toward the car as she continued struggling. “LET ME GO!” Julie kicked and fought, but her attempts only made her more exhausted. Her eyes caught Alex’s. He was watching her—not smiling, not celebrating, just watching. There was something in his expression that Julie couldn’t understand. She hated him for it. She hated that he looked so calm while her entire world was falling apart. “Alex!” He stepped toward the car. “You can’t do this!” His eyes met hers. “I know.” “Then stop!” He didn’t. Julie was taken to the car, and Kairo opened the door. She looked at him one last time. “Please...” Her voice was barely a whisper now. “You’re my brother.” For a second, something flickered in his expression. Guilt. Then it disappeared.

The car door closed, and Julie was trapped. She pressed herself against the seat, breathing heavily as Kairo moved into the driver’s seat. Alex got into the back beside her, and the doors locked. Julie immediately grabbed the handle. Nothing. “Open it!” The car began moving. “No!” She looked through the window as the university entrance disappeared behind them. Her birthday. Her friends. Her normal life. Everything was being left behind. She turned toward Alex, tears streaming down her face. “Why?” He didn’t answer. “Why are you doing this to me?” Still nothing. “Where are you taking me?” Alex finally looked at her. His voice was quiet. “Somewhere you won’t be found.” Julie stared at him in horror. “What does that mean?” Alex looked away. Julie shook her head. “No. No, this isn’t happening.”

She reached for her phone. It wasn’t there. Her bag was gone too. Panic surged through her again. “Where’s my phone?” Alex didn’t respond. “Give it to me!” Nothing. She began pounding on the window. “HELP!” Cars passed them. People looked, but nobody stopped. “PLEASE!” Her voice became weaker, and her breathing grew uneven. The road outside began to blur. Her head felt strangely heavy. She blinked several times, trying to keep her eyes open. Alex noticed. “Julie.” She looked at him, his voice sounding distant. “What...?” “You need to stay calm.” She shook her head weakly. “Don’t tell me to stay calm...” Her vision blurred further. She tried to keep her eyes open, but she couldn’t. The last thought that crossed her mind was Drake. He’ll come for me.

Then everything went black...