1 minute.1483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiCmBfu0y9
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.1483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OsFbuuMMe
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.1483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxjVIq0UCb
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.1483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxto4w0oC3
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.1483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDBzvFN992
"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.1483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCuhKmMj5P
And holy shit, you were beautiful.1483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI68wQdUaIA
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. 1483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPjbtqcWo5
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.1483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlOXrvNqll
"You're my soulmate." I blurted out, dumbfounded. How could a girl this perfect be mine?1483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqMgPqTVfC
Your smile fell and your eyebrows furrowed. "Pardon?" you asked, confused. I straightened up. 1483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCg4m8Du0vj
"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.1483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuGtWlAqrt
Oh no.1483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnw9wDHwjl
You stayed silent, staring at my wrist. I chuckled nervously. "...What's wrong?" 1483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMOaB26IhB
You finally looked up.1483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPd2p2LjX7y
"I am so sorry."1483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtCfsbOnhq
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.1483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWNnFvKix0
Your timer was still counting down.1483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtr0O0nhMq3
"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.1483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJywcTfJ7Ah
I finally found my soulmate, and I wasn't hers.1483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbSKZzXMxO
"Are you okay? I'm so sorry. If there's anything I could do--"1483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VZjYaMvxb
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.1483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGJGlOcYX0
The glass that cased the timer away in my skin broke. Shattered.1483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bfg0g7WF0
The last thing I heard before everything turned black was your voice and a car horn.1483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOa6VNePC6
