Me or Him

Lexi Thompson stepped out of the crisp autumn air and into the warm, bustling atmosphere of the local community center. She had volunteered to help with the annual food drive, and the smell of freshly baked cookies and the sound of lively chatter immediately lifted her spirits.

As she made her way to the registration desk, Lexi's eyes scanned the room, taking in the familiar faces of her fellow volunteers. She spotted her best friend, Rachel, expertly juggling a tray of drinks and a plate of snacks while chatting with a group of volunteers.

Lexi waved at Rachel and continued to the registration desk, where she was greeted by a friendly woman with a warm smile.

"Hi there, sweetie! Welcome to the food drive. Are you here to volunteer?"

Lexi nodded, returning the smile. "Yes, I am. I'm Lexi Thompson."

The woman's eyes lit up. "Wonderful! We're so glad to have you on board. Let me just check you in real quick."

As the woman scanned Lexi's name on the registration list, Lexi's gaze wandered around the room once more. That's when she saw him – a tall, dark-haired guy with piercing blue eyes and a charming smile. He was standing by the food table, laughing with a group of volunteers as they sorted donations.

Lexi felt a sudden jolt of attraction, but quickly pushed the feeling aside. She was here to volunteer, not to get distracted by a cute guy.

The woman at the registration desk handed Lexi a bright yellow volunteer t-shirt and a name tag. "Here you go, Lexi! You're all set. Why don't you head on over to the food table and start sorting donations?"

Lexi nodded, taking the t-shirt and name tag. As she made her way to the food table, she couldn't help but sneak another glance at the mysterious guy. Little did she know, their paths would cross again soon, changing the course of her life forever.

As Lexi approached the food table, the mysterious guy looked up and caught her eye. He flashed a warm smile, and Lexi felt a flutter in her chest. She quickly looked away, focusing on the task at hand.

"Hi, I'm Lexi," she said to the group of volunteers, trying to sound casual. "I'm here to help with the food drive."

A friendly-looking woman with a kind smile introduced herself as Sarah, the event organizer. "Welcome, Lexi! We're so glad to have you on board. Why don't you start by sorting these donations into categories?"

Lexi nodded and got to work, trying to focus on the task at hand. But she couldn't help sneaking glances at the mysterious guy, who was now working alongside her.

As they worked, Lexi learned that his name was Ethan Blackwood, and he was a graduate student at the local university. They chatted easily about everything from their shared love of hiking to their favorite books and movies.

Lexi found herself feeling drawn to Ethan's kind and genuine nature. She couldn't believe how easy it was to talk to him, how much they had in common.

As the afternoon wore on, Lexi realized that she had lost track of time. The food drive was winding down, and the volunteers were starting to say their goodbyes.

Ethan turned to her and smiled. "It was great meeting you, Lexi. Would you like to grab a cup of coffee with me sometime?"

Lexi's heart skipped a beat. She couldn't believe that Ethan Blackwood, the guy she had just met, was asking her out.

"I'd love to," she said, trying to sound casual.

Ethan grinned and pulled out his phone. "Great. I'll text you and we can set something up."

As Lexi watched Ethan walk away, she couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. She had no idea that this chance encounter would set her life on a dramatic new course.

The rest of the evening flew by in a blur. Lexi helped Sarah and the other volunteers clean up the community center, and then she headed home, her mind replaying the events of the day.

As she walked in the door, Lexi's best friend, Rachel, looked up from the couch, where she was studying for an exam. "Hey, girl! How was the food drive?"

Lexi flopped down beside Rachel, still feeling a little dazed. "It was amazing," she said, hardly able to contain her excitement. "I met this guy, Ethan. He's really cute, and we have so much in common."

Rachel's eyes lit up. "Ooh, tell me more!"

Lexi grinned, launching into a detailed account of her encounter with Ethan. Rachel listened, entranced, asking questions and making supportive noises.

As they chatted, Lexi realized that she couldn't stop smiling. She felt like she was walking on air, and she couldn't wait to see Ethan again.

Little did she know, their next encounter would be sooner than she thought. And it would change everything.