1 minute.985Please respect copyright.PENANAEJigq1hS7n
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.985Please respect copyright.PENANAZp73R8hhDJ
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.985Please respect copyright.PENANAS8hF6N90Hx
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.985Please respect copyright.PENANAlDaTdiWdrE
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.985Please respect copyright.PENANAus45yTjUty
"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.985Please respect copyright.PENANAJTteA78h69
And holy shit, you were beautiful.985Please respect copyright.PENANAd2Rxpd75y6
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. 985Please respect copyright.PENANA62obEGXVOT
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.985Please respect copyright.PENANAiSs2G0iO3B
"You're my soulmate." I blurted out, dumbfounded. How could a girl this perfect be mine?985Please respect copyright.PENANAoJocWRKB3C
Your smile fell and your eyebrows furrowed. "Pardon?" you asked, confused. I straightened up. 985Please respect copyright.PENANAxGz9Hhnn1U
"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.985Please respect copyright.PENANAdtFwbT909D
Oh no.985Please respect copyright.PENANACJIDVe7JPT
You stayed silent, staring at my wrist. I chuckled nervously. "...What's wrong?" 985Please respect copyright.PENANAMNqOrHtkov
You finally looked up.985Please respect copyright.PENANArCfHPXmLO9
"I am so sorry."985Please respect copyright.PENANAHiNs9pcaMs
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.985Please respect copyright.PENANAziheNlJrYN
Your timer was still counting down.985Please respect copyright.PENANA35NnRV3Vri
"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.985Please respect copyright.PENANAXDuUoVxmd2
I finally found my soulmate, and I wasn't hers.985Please respect copyright.PENANAJvYGt9iMew
"Are you okay? I'm so sorry. If there's anything I could do--"985Please respect copyright.PENANAQEap976XTy
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.985Please respect copyright.PENANASeAsIaetbd
The glass that cased the timer away in my skin broke. Shattered.985Please respect copyright.PENANAbfKqJ4rXpM
The last thing I heard before everything turned black was your voice and a car horn.985Please respect copyright.PENANA3A1HQOiU1N