1 minute.971Please respect copyright.PENANAs2ukkA74Ng
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.971Please respect copyright.PENANA2cQTBB42eG
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.971Please respect copyright.PENANA4DaxIwTvMq
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.971Please respect copyright.PENANAxW0o2A3nAN
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.971Please respect copyright.PENANAHOzaVr0S5S
"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.971Please respect copyright.PENANAVP4PEMpjlO
And holy shit, you were beautiful.971Please respect copyright.PENANALzZMKBoxLy
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. 971Please respect copyright.PENANAVACT6mMZ2n
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.971Please respect copyright.PENANAWptUPXB8Y4
"You're my soulmate." I blurted out, dumbfounded. How could a girl this perfect be mine?971Please respect copyright.PENANARvlbHUapRl
Your smile fell and your eyebrows furrowed. "Pardon?" you asked, confused. I straightened up. 971Please respect copyright.PENANAccO6JQdPah
"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.971Please respect copyright.PENANA0zDJePDuyr
Oh no.971Please respect copyright.PENANA37kqe5vu9J
You stayed silent, staring at my wrist. I chuckled nervously. "...What's wrong?" 971Please respect copyright.PENANAMA7MfOlcj6
You finally looked up.971Please respect copyright.PENANAnDaqGqmQtH
"I am so sorry."971Please respect copyright.PENANA4VrLH88KiT
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.971Please respect copyright.PENANA1gHgN6w9nz
Your timer was still counting down.971Please respect copyright.PENANAYTPvGFlg5b
"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.971Please respect copyright.PENANAiLHUqOHrcr
I finally found my soulmate, and I wasn't hers.971Please respect copyright.PENANAPOtTjwglBk
"Are you okay? I'm so sorry. If there's anything I could do--"971Please respect copyright.PENANAKT8Bk5Kd2R
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.971Please respect copyright.PENANAdzlLnHSq39
The glass that cased the timer away in my skin broke. Shattered.971Please respect copyright.PENANAW1SQrPKrDU
The last thing I heard before everything turned black was your voice and a car horn.971Please respect copyright.PENANAJ7Dmq2LKZv