Chapter 1

The Clumsy Chronicles Begin (Ben's Side)

Ben was having a perfectly normal Friday morning,which meant he was already running five minutes late and mentally wrestling with a complicated spreadsheet. His biggest worry was whether his lukewarm coffee would survive the walk to the office without sloshing over the brim. Then, out of nowhere, a blur of flailing limbs and a yelp that sounded suspiciously like a surprised pigeon attacked him. One second, he was a regular guy minding his own business on Elm Street. The next, he was a human crash-test dummy, bracing for impact as someone launched themselves directly into his chest. His coffee cup, a loyal companion for years, sacrificed itself in a spectacular eruption, painting his clean white shirt in a modern art masterpiece of beige and brown. He blinked, tasting latte foam, and slowly looked down.He found himself tangled with a woman whose face was squished against his shirt, her foot somehow hooked around his ankle. She smelled faintly of something sweet, like wildflowers, mixed with a healthy dose of pure panic. "Oh, goodness! I am so, so sorry!" she blurted, her voice muffled against his chest. She tried to untangle herself, which just made her hand grab his tie tighter. She tried to untangle herself, which just made her hand grab his tie tighter. He had to give her credit; she was committed to the accidental assault. ""Are you alright? I seem to have… well, I seem to have fallen into you."Ben couldn't help but crack a smile, even as the coffee dripped down his front. "I think I'm mostly intact," he managed, trying to keep his voice steady.He gestured to his soaked shirt. "Though my morning latte might have a few extra sidewalk sprinkles now." Aunt Mildred would have a field day.Her face, when she finally looked up, was bright red. "Oh no! Your shirt! I'm truly mortified. I'm Amelia, and I apologize for my… sudden appearance." He extended a hand, careful not to cause another human pile-up."Ben. And it's certainly a memorable entrance, Amelia." He couldn't help the chuckle that escaped. She was a walking, talking disaster, but she was also incredibly endearing. "Are you alright? You took quite the tumble." Amelia managed a wobbly smile. "Just my pride. And maybe a little dignity." She finally managed to untangle her leg, almost tripping again the moment she was free.Ben, without thinking, reached out and steadied her arm. It was a reflex; she looked like she might just fall over again if he let go.He had a feeling his Friday had just gotten a lot more interesting than spreadsheets and lukewarm coffee. Something told him this wouldn't be the last time their paths—or their feet—collided.