1 minute.984Please respect copyright.PENANAVqjcZQVL1Q
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.984Please respect copyright.PENANAvGZGcDAKzl
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.984Please respect copyright.PENANABsRkq0IX7H
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.984Please respect copyright.PENANAnPBq2apMVZ
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.984Please respect copyright.PENANAv7ZgmhVmGE
"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.984Please respect copyright.PENANAsYpy1ghVwm
And holy shit, you were beautiful.984Please respect copyright.PENANAvJUvhtuBNB
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. 984Please respect copyright.PENANAF5uKji3l8X
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.984Please respect copyright.PENANASBoM0G6LTN
"You're my soulmate." I blurted out, dumbfounded. How could a girl this perfect be mine?984Please respect copyright.PENANAaQcDIbqJQL
Your smile fell and your eyebrows furrowed. "Pardon?" you asked, confused. I straightened up. 984Please respect copyright.PENANAQNglYMqNu6
"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.984Please respect copyright.PENANACkK4l1ZsqY
Oh no.984Please respect copyright.PENANA3TnMukPJcM
You stayed silent, staring at my wrist. I chuckled nervously. "...What's wrong?" 984Please respect copyright.PENANAN92no08cs8
You finally looked up.984Please respect copyright.PENANA9nwWMsZLZT
"I am so sorry."984Please respect copyright.PENANA56oQEXLx4S
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.984Please respect copyright.PENANAbRM72XeBjP
Your timer was still counting down.984Please respect copyright.PENANA0jl36s3GO4
"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.984Please respect copyright.PENANAGUcqcRAYgi
I finally found my soulmate, and I wasn't hers.984Please respect copyright.PENANANILDEW7rGu
"Are you okay? I'm so sorry. If there's anything I could do--"984Please respect copyright.PENANA0HbtAc1IjG
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.984Please respect copyright.PENANAxWnns4wmcS
The glass that cased the timer away in my skin broke. Shattered.984Please respect copyright.PENANAkf7aaKpPP9
The last thing I heard before everything turned black was your voice and a car horn.984Please respect copyright.PENANAC3ObD3W1tF