1 minute.962Please respect copyright.PENANA2rxdNk5Hel
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.962Please respect copyright.PENANAQTt1814pNp
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.962Please respect copyright.PENANAU791Vs6dkW
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.962Please respect copyright.PENANA7UAXMUTe1u
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.962Please respect copyright.PENANAzSRRK8o8aa
"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.962Please respect copyright.PENANANG0aEYt6TK
And holy shit, you were beautiful.962Please respect copyright.PENANAHlwfWDFqam
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. 962Please respect copyright.PENANA0RIH0dLUNt
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.962Please respect copyright.PENANArjTMNm1RkY
"You're my soulmate." I blurted out, dumbfounded. How could a girl this perfect be mine?962Please respect copyright.PENANAQADF8rkwkp
Your smile fell and your eyebrows furrowed. "Pardon?" you asked, confused. I straightened up. 962Please respect copyright.PENANAxi8P7TIqGP
"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.962Please respect copyright.PENANAmCeQoZNtAA
Oh no.962Please respect copyright.PENANAgDBWfqO6UO
You stayed silent, staring at my wrist. I chuckled nervously. "...What's wrong?" 962Please respect copyright.PENANATgoj7NCnm5
You finally looked up.962Please respect copyright.PENANAzuCJ0JCIxv
"I am so sorry."962Please respect copyright.PENANAKmtHYI0OK0
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.962Please respect copyright.PENANAj0i9l0Mm2O
Your timer was still counting down.962Please respect copyright.PENANAcEJQ8Odaa8
"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.962Please respect copyright.PENANAskgJVSuTtE
I finally found my soulmate, and I wasn't hers.962Please respect copyright.PENANAM9FSUhVrDf
"Are you okay? I'm so sorry. If there's anything I could do--"962Please respect copyright.PENANASD05hEb7CE
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.962Please respect copyright.PENANALpad61WXqd
The glass that cased the timer away in my skin broke. Shattered.962Please respect copyright.PENANA6bwiA55QgR
The last thing I heard before everything turned black was your voice and a car horn.962Please respect copyright.PENANAHMeOLMOV2V