Before Us

A Good time

Jayden

Being a guest at a party you don't want to be at is one of the cringiest feelings anyone can have. Now add on the fact that it's your party; that's how I'm feeling now—forced to smile and have a good time when all I want to do is hang out with my best friend. Though I guess that's not possible, Isaiah has to take care of his parent's home while away on a business trip.

"Jayden, honey, it's time." my mom called, knocking on my bedroom door. I took a deep breath. "I guess it's show time."

The hall outside my room was decorated just like the rest of the house, blue and gold, our family colors. I wish they didn't do this. I don't even like the color blue. The only reason we're doing any of this is for the press. I wish my parents cared more about me than our image in the tabloids. Who am I kidding? They'll never change. Today my soulmate is reviled, so everyone has to know who it is. According to my parents, this is a celebration for everyone.

Author

The walk to the ballroom was relatively short; if today was a typical day that is. Unfountennetly for Jayden, today was not a typical day, which made walking to the ballroom seem so much longer than usual. When Jayden eventually made it to the ballroom, it was packed with unfamiliar faces. He scanned the room for anyone he knew and was friends with, only finding Antony in the crowd. Though Jayden did have time to talk to anyone as his mom rushed him to the stage.

Jayden

Everyone clapped for me when I came into the room, excited to finally know who would get to be a part of Parker Airlines. All their smiling faces were taunting me with the fact that my life was over after we opened this book. 

"Jayden darling, hurry, it's almost time." my mom called from the side of the stage. I smiled as I passed everyone not to upset my mother. I hate being so cynical about the whole idea of this soulmate unveiling. I wish I could be pleased about this event.

As I walked across the stage to get to my mom, I could feel the stares of all those greedy fouls below. Their prying eyes bore into my soul, looking for a way into my family. The bling stage lights brought me back to reality as I hugged my mom. I turned to the front of the stage as my dad started his speech for the night.

"Hello, everyone; before beginning, I would like to thank everyone for coming to this event. I want to say that this is such a memorable moment because tonight we have the opportunity to reveal my son's soulmate!"  My dad came to my side, hugging me for the cameras. "Alright, Son, will you do the honors of unlocking our book and reading that name loud and clear." 

The spotlight blinded me as I walked toward the podium. With a shaky breath, I pulled my family key out of my suit pocket. This was it. I placed the key into the bottom of the heart-shaped lock on our soulmate book. With shaky hands, I slowly opened the old book. I swallowed hard as I leaned into the mic so everyone could hear me,

"Kathrine A. Lancaster."

Author

Silence cascaded the ballroom—no one dared to even breathe. Everyone knew who the Lancasters were. None of them had the name Kathrine besides Jhon's Mother, who had already found her soulmate. Most thought there's no way that's who it is. The book must be wrong, or Jayden must have read it wrong. This must be a mistake.

Isaiah

'BING'

'BING'

'RING RING'

"Who is it?"

"Isaiah, what am I gonna do, bro?"

"Jayden, what's wrong?"

"I'm Hiding in my room turn on the news."

"Alright, hold on."

Putting myself on mute, I turned to Alice, whos now awake, and asked for the tv remote. I flipped to a news channel to see

'WHO IS KATHRINE A. LANCASTER?'

I quickly unmute myself, "What happened?"

" I don't even know, man I did as I was told and read the name. Now I'm being screamed at that I read it wrong."

"Are you sure you read the name right?"

"100% man, I read that shit right."

"Alight fuck, man, I'll call you back; hold on."

"Alright, hurry up. I'm freaking out over here."

I turned to look at Allice, shock written all over her face.

Alice

Woah, that's... I slowly turn to Isaiah, "Th..tha that's my name."

"I know," Isaiah stopped getting off the floor to sit next to me," Jayden opened his soulmate book."

"But that's my name,"  I breathed out, trying to ignore the burning sensation in my eyes and the overwhelming tightness coiling in my chest.

"I know"

"M..m..my nam..name shouldn't b..b..be up the..th..there"

"Oh, darling..." Isaiah trailed. I grabbed his hand and took a deep breath in.

"I need my mom. You call Jayden back, okay."

"Are you sure Alice?"

Isaiah
Alice turned to face me her eyes glossy with unshed tears.

"Alice..." how can I ever dream of calling my best friend when my big sister is in so much pain. I know that Jayden is also confused about this whole ordeal but Alice is more important.

"I'll be alright I just want my mom right now."

"Right"

Jayden
Waiting for Isaiah to call me back made my stomach feel as though it was eating itself. The only thought tuning through my mind was who my soulmate was. I now know her name but I'm no where near finding out who it is.

'RING RING'
"Oh thank goodness you called me back."
"Jayden.."
"Bro the people at the party are for real crazy"
"Jayden.."
"Like I read out the name and everyone started to yell at me"

"Jayden listen to me carefully.. I know who your soulmate is."