1 minute.1336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZpQx1nYnh
As I sat on that icy cold metal bench under the awning of the bus stop, all I could do was stare at that dreaded timer on my wrist. My hands were shaking, and not because it was in the middle of winter, white snow falling from the dark sky. Street lamps and car headlights illuminated the busy street. People walked on the sidewalk, looking through windows of shops and small restaurants.
45 seconds.1336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVS3ocMxdf
That was when my heartbeat started to pick up. My eyes stayed glued to the numbers growing smaller and smaller every moment. The air was filled with the scent of diesel. I started to tap my foot in anticipation. I could feel every tick of the changing numbers vibrate throughout my entire body.
30 seconds.1336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqrgQ1u7iu
The rise and fall of my chest was quick and nervous. Puffs of breath were seen in the freezing winter atmosphere. The sounds of the traffic and bustling people diminished to a dull static, the clock getting louder and louder in my ears.
15 seconds.1336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wgAiyiS3x
That was when I heard the footsteps. I willed myself not to look up and stared at the timer as the last tick reverberated within me and silence fell.
ZERO.1336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGj38jBGzB
"Excuse me, do you mind if I sit next to you?"
A voice snapped me out of my trance, and all the static of the world became clear again. I looked up.
There you were.1336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgaIp7gs4y
And holy shit, you were beautiful.1336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cov45Yir6
Your pale skin contrasted your hair wonderfully. Red dusted your cheeks from the cold. Those eyes had to be the most pretty shade of green I've ever seen. Your facial features were slightly obscured by the darkness, but I could still see the beauty that was you. The small smile that graced your lips was so warm, I almost melted. 1336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZNiB6Gz5e
You looked around my age, if not slightly younger. The scent of coffee drifted into my nostrils. You probably worked night shift at a cafe.1336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChydg4lKxh
"You're my soulmate." I blurted out, dumbfounded. How could a girl this perfect be mine?1336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23yWjMVc85
Your smile fell and your eyebrows furrowed. "Pardon?" you asked, confused. I straightened up. 1336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenkoKs0Fmt
"You're my soulmate," I repeated. "See?" Holding out my wrist towards you, you took it, looking down on the now still timer. Your mouth gaped open, and shock was on your face.1336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXz73MbY4FF
Oh no.1336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSQhvfPwe1
You stayed silent, staring at my wrist. I chuckled nervously. "...What's wrong?" 1336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68DZh8UeMC
You finally looked up.1336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sKCfChX3m
"I am so sorry."1336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodgdVkVanO
It was barely a whisper, but I heard it. You let go of my wrist and pulled up your sleeve. You held your hand out to me. My heart dropped.1336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6n5kPplYU
Your timer was still counting down.1336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9PZuihjqf
"No," I whimpered, hands clenched at my sides. "No, no, no, it has to be some mistake." Tears formed at the corners of my eyes. I felt like I was suffocating.1336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdKe8sg1Mx
I finally found my soulmate, and I wasn't hers.1336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kpyM5zKpB
"Are you okay? I'm so sorry. If there's anything I could do--"1336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr773tJlOB0
I didn't realize I was walking away. I could hear your shouts from behind me, but I paid no mind. It was a blur of sounds and lights. My feet did all the work, carrying me in my empty shell. I felt nothing but heartache. Blood dripped from my wrist.1336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DJ20CaNOP
The glass that cased the timer away in my skin broke. Shattered.1336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefSKFtriSe
The last thing I heard before everything turned black was your voice and a car horn.1336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XHPBIfusa
