December 31st. The last day of one of the worst years of Stella's life.
It was 10pm, just two hours away from a new year and a new start.
2020 had already been shit, who was she to assume 2021 would be any better? And it didn't help that her best friend had become all spiritual and believed in tarot readings.
Though most of them said their soulmate worked in the music industry and had long black hair, masculine energy and a beautiful face - she still didn't really believe in it.
So, to prove that she wasn't bullshitting, Justina - who had recently changed their name to Jaii - had bought herself a tarot deck.
"STELLA! It's here~!"
Their voice rung through the small house they shared, and Stella resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
"Your Pokémon card deck?"
"Ugh, no, not yet. Those Amazon bitches always take forever."
...she was joking.
"No, you clown," hypocritical, but carry on, "it's my tarot deck. I learned how to shuffle and read them after a few days of research! But I might still have to look online for some card definitions. It ain't easy bein' stupid."
The two sat down as Jaii hummed, "Sooo, do you want a love reading, a life reading, wealth, etcetera?"
Stella shrugged.
"I guess a love reading."
They nodded and started to shuffle the cards, asking Stella's spirit guides for her love reading.
"Alrighty~! Now I'm not a professional, so just bare with me, alright? I'm also kinda shit at shuffli-"
Amidst their shuffling, a card flew out.
"Oh my fuck- DUDE-"
Jaii's energy was through the roof. Stella was just.. sitting there.
"You got The Lovers right off the bat. There's someone you're after, huh? Here, lemme pull a card to see what you should do-"
Once again, mid-shuffle, another two cards had jumped out.
"DaMn bro your spirits be wildin."
They looked at the cards and shrieked.
"THE SOULMATE?! Bro what the fuck- this person could be potentially tied to you in some way spiritually, emotionally or mentally. Though I'm getting a lot of legit soulmate energy from this reading." They purred.
They flipped the other card. "The Ace of Wands- DUDE-"
Stella had started to feel her friend's positive energy in her own self. It was weird in a way - since she didn't usually believe in this stuff.
"You're going to be successful - whether it's in relationships, workplace, or hobbies - go for it. You have the capability to do it, but I'm sensing a lack of drive or understanding of what you want to truly do with this."
They shuffled a bit more, and lo and behold, three more cards tumbled out.
"Woah what the fuck-"
Jaii examined the cards as they set down the rest of the tarot deck, their eyes widening with each card that was read.
"Ten of Cups, The Sun, and Death."
None of those sounded good.
"The Ten of Cups is telling me that you'll have a fortunate marriage, you'll have or already do have a perfection of love and friendship, and contentment of heart.
The Sun is saying that the universe is accepting you, you just have to be willing to accept it as well. This card represents good fortune, happiness and harmony in life for you.
While the card may sound intimidating and negative, Death is actually implying an end and a new beginning in a point in your life. You may be stuck or bored somewhere, but follow your intuition,"
They held up the Ace of Wands once more,
"And you'll be successful. Let this new beginning take you to your soulmate - it will be worth it. Trust me."
"But this year's already-"
"Ah. Don't give me that. Your negative mindset is what's preventing you from believing in the universe's abilities to heal and help. I let go of my belief in the year being awful, and look at me! I met my soulmate for cryin' out loud, and my depressive episodes hardly ever show up anymore. I believe in you - you can find yourself. I know you haven't done it yet, since you don't seem to be truly happy doing what you do."
Their words surprised Stella. She never thought her best friend could ever be this.. open about the way they thought. Usually they didn't really think at all.
Still, Stella felt the energy of the card reading she had gotten. She had an odd sort of faith in it, like a doubting one, but there was still faith.
"Do you want a reading on what your soulmate looks li—"
"JAIII?"
A loud voice called from upstairs in their room. Jaii shouted back, "YEAH?"
"DO WE HAVE ANY BANANA MILK? ALSO - NAMJOON-HYUNG SAID HE WAS COMING OVER IN A FEW MINUTES."
"Ugh, this sweet boy- YEAH, I'LL BRING SOME UP FOR YOU!"
Jaii reshuffled the cards and splayed them down in front of Stella.
"Here, choose six that you're drawn to, I'll be back in a minute."
Stella nodded, looking at the cards as Jaii skipped up the stairs.
"Soooo, what I'm getting from this is Namjoon is your soulmate."
"WHAT?!"
Jungkook had waddled downstairs and was observing the card reading from behind Jaii, just draping himself over his significant other's back.
"Well, look, you got The Tower, dog. That represents chaos or destruction, as well as The Star. You're going to feel inspired by this person, AKA Namjoon, and I know he hypes you up all the time. And the physical attributes are literally identical, I can't make this up."
A loud knock on the door was heard.
As well as a muffled, "I didn't mean to step on your plant, it just happened-"
Stella felt her heart clench.
"Oh no."
"Oh yeah."
"That's poggers," said an excited Jungkook, patting Stella on the shoulder while reaching over Jaii.
"Go get him, man!"
