1 minute.978Please respect copyright.PENANAGxrkWq9kIG
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.978Please respect copyright.PENANAbtlFWNoQ6T
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.978Please respect copyright.PENANAyiKEwuVvLG
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.978Please respect copyright.PENANAAG62jr0XXx
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.978Please respect copyright.PENANAW1AmhKQqiA
"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.978Please respect copyright.PENANABJNPkaejH2
And holy shit, you were beautiful.978Please respect copyright.PENANAaK6i2W2T5f
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. 978Please respect copyright.PENANADAlrNqWyQt
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.978Please respect copyright.PENANAG74b3Bwi2q
"You're my soulmate." I blurted out, dumbfounded. How could a girl this perfect be mine?978Please respect copyright.PENANAuOkE70E6SP
Your smile fell and your eyebrows furrowed. "Pardon?" you asked, confused. I straightened up. 978Please respect copyright.PENANAgTX6CpZWMH
"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.978Please respect copyright.PENANAUFfxXvsuUY
Oh no.978Please respect copyright.PENANA6rM4igxrV6
You stayed silent, staring at my wrist. I chuckled nervously. "...What's wrong?" 978Please respect copyright.PENANAJIURoG70v6
You finally looked up.978Please respect copyright.PENANA4xXtun6lt6
"I am so sorry."978Please respect copyright.PENANAoRomGcQ4c9
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.978Please respect copyright.PENANAFVCBgyURgY
Your timer was still counting down.978Please respect copyright.PENANA03IMc93q68
"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.978Please respect copyright.PENANA1iNNEzKYRz
I finally found my soulmate, and I wasn't hers.978Please respect copyright.PENANA6FxF6JL7bm
"Are you okay? I'm so sorry. If there's anything I could do--"978Please respect copyright.PENANAbSWVuAj8mm
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.978Please respect copyright.PENANAJ2mOb1kshL
The glass that cased the timer away in my skin broke. Shattered.978Please respect copyright.PENANAW8ZBLO1vVC
The last thing I heard before everything turned black was your voice and a car horn.978Please respect copyright.PENANAD0FGiFcQNw