my 8 soulmates

7:47 PM

In the world I'm living in there is a phenomenon called "soulmates". The first historical evidence was in the late 1890th. At the beginning it was pretty unusual to have one, but nowadays one third of the population got one. You know it when you turn 18. In the second you lived your 18th year on this earth a mole, kind of a tattoo, will show itself on your body. The scientist don't know until today how this works or because of which rules the moles appear on a particular part on your body. But it is for sure, that you and your soulmates get the same motive. The motive could be everything, a butterfly, a number or a word. But the real magic happens when you look into the eyes of your soulmate, your body recognises your significant other, almost every couple reacts in a different way. There could be a spark you see in his eyes, or a crucial pain in your heart, everything is possible. You both are going to feel the same in that exact moment your eyes connect. And after this moment there will be your soulmates name next to your mole.

"Soooooophieee" your mother yells through the whole house. "I'm coming!" One last glance into the mirror to check if your dress and the little makeup you put on was all in place. Today is your 18th birthday, the day everyone celebrates big because of the possible mark that could show up. You turn around and leave your room on the first floor. While walking down the stairs you can hear the voices coming from the living room. You take a deep breath and enter the room. Inside that crowded room was almost everyone you knew. Your parents, your younger brother and sister, your friends, your aunts and uncles, every cousin of you. Even the neighbours got an invitation from your mother. You let out a little chuckle, your mother was so overly excited for this. Probably even more than you were, but who could judge her for that. She is hopelessly romantic in every aspect of her life, she and your dad found each other as soulmates while going to college. And now her oldest child could possibly get a mark which means a lifelong happiness. At least that is what your mother always told you.

Honestly you weren't so sure if this whole soulmate thing really is as great as your mother always told you, but even you were a little nervous as you opened your eyes this morning. "Sophie?" a small voice and a soft pull at the hem of your dress shifts your attention towards your youngest cousin. "Yes Tom?" "What are you doing if you don't get a mark?" You kneel down beside the 6 year old "Then I will find myself a prince. You don't need to have a mark on your body to be happy. Heck, you don't even need a prince. I know my dreams and I will work hard to reach them. I am responsible for my happiness, not a mark on my body." You smile at the younger one while he seems to be a little confused over your statement. But it was the truth, you can be happy with or without a soulmate.

The next two hours you talked to everyone in the room and received little presents from all of them. Mostly utensils and pens for your drawing and hand lettering, which was probably your most favourite hobby. Your best friend Layla was the last one to greet, so you both went into the kitchen so you could chat a little. "Happy Birthday, Sweety." She smiled while giving you your present. Swiftly you unwrapped it and a big smile occurs on your face. "Thank you! You really know my weakness!" she laughed at it. "What should I say, I know you even better than you sometimes." In your hands was the I am You EP from Stray Kids. You recently got into their music. You stumbled upon them on YouTube a month ago and even though you never listened to Kpop before, their music was really addicting!

The both of you chatted a while until your mother rushed into the kitchen. "Sophie! It is almost 7:46 PM!" That means only a few more moments until you know wether or not you have a soulmate out there. Your mother gave birth to you at 7:47 PM so in the exact moment 18 years after your birth you felt a tingling at your left forearm. You gasped, and every single eye in the room was on your face, when you realised that the tingling only got stronger. Carefully and slowly you pulled your sleeve away. Almost as if you were afraid, that it will disappear if you use too much strength. There it was, your mark. It was beautiful, an hourglass formed by one single line. You felt tears forming in your eyes, there was one person out there loving you with all your faults and flaws unconditionally....you didn't even know how stressful the thought about not having a soulmate were until this very moment. Yes you could be happy without, but how happy will you be once you found him or her. The next thing you knew was that your mother pulled you into a tight hug, kissing your forehead. "I'm so happy for you darling." After that everyone else congratulated you.

That was almost 3 years ago...