Almost everyone in the world has someone they are fated with, and the ways to find your soulmate are infinite- whether that be their first spoken words to you inked into your skin, a world of grey until you touch for the first time, or even being able to see anything written on their skin mirrored onto your own.
For Billy and Stu, its the red string of fate.
In some instances, the way to find your soulmate is something you have from birth. In others, it's something that you can only begin to see at a certain time, such as the fated being eighteen. Billy and Stu had both turned eighteen already yet neither of them had any signs of having a soulmate. At that point they both assumed neither of them had one, perhaps as punishment for the crimes they have committed.
However, they soon realize that they do have a soulmate bond, and that it's not like others.
When you finally turn eighteen, the red string of fate appears on both of their pinkies along with yours. They quickly realized that theirs were connected meaning that they're soulmates, but what confused them was that it seemed to extend even further. They've never heard of anyone having more than one soulmate so it was entirely unexpected to find that they apparently have a third person meant to be with them.
On the other end of the red string, you're none the wiser. To you it appears as a single string stretching far into the distance where you assume a single person awaits you. Much like them, you've never heard of multiple soulmates so why assume differently? The only real thought was whether or not you were ready to meet them. You've just turned eighteen, so are you ready for the commitment of a soulmate already? Truthfully, you feel as if nobody is ever truly ready. At least your bond gave you eighteen years to prepare for meeting them rather than having a bond that can be completed at any random moment.
The day after the red string appeared was a school day and you weren't expecting it to be all that different. However, upon getting there you quickly realized that the string was getting shorter and thicker, and upon closer inspection you could see that it appeared twisted with another one. Curious, you blindly follow it, not really caring much about class anymore. You're much more interested in your abnormal string of fate.
The string leads you outside where you spot two people in the distance by the fountain. You can tell instantly who they are- Billy Loomis and Stu Macher. Both are well known around the school, Billy being a popular bad boy type while Stu is known for his parties and fun personality. They're like two polar opposites. On top of that, you've never spoken to them before nor did you ever have an interest in even speaking to them.
To you, they're far out of your league when it comes to popularity. While you're certainly not unattractive, you're more of the loner type, never really caring for parties or large friend groups. Your only real friend was Randy, and despite him being in their group you never joined. You didn't want to intrude on them even though you know Billy and Stu have similar interests as you due to seeing them at Randy's job where they pretty much only ever rent horror flicks. You always wait for them to leave before approaching Randy, even going as far as to linger in the aisles with godawful flicks you'd never be caught dead watching.
Maybe you should've spoken to them at some point. Bond with them over your mutual interests or even just because you're all friends with Randy. Maybe that way finding out they're both your soulmates would be less shocking and intimidating. Maybe then you'd actually feel relieved and happy because, hey, at least you're already close with them and they're not complete strangers. But it's not like you could've seen this coming. You honestly were hoping to be one of the few in the world without a bond just so you could avoid awkward situations like this. Instead you're one of the even fewer to have more than one.
Billy and Stu were both quietly chatting with each other at the fountain, essentially ditching class for fun while the shortening red string went unnoticed. It wasn't until they both felt slight tugs on their pinkies that they both looked towards the string, following it as it traveled a couple yards towards your lone figure. You're standing there, obviously debating with yourself as you stare nervously at the ground.
"Is that..?" Stu trails off, squinting a bit to try and see you better.
"Randy's friend." Billy confirms his thoughts, just as surprised as Stu. "She's always at the movie store despite not working there."
Stu smiles, recognizing you now. "Oh yeah! She's always lingering in random aisles while waiting for us to leave Randy alone. Didn't he say she's as big of a fan as he is when it comes to scary movies?"
"I think so." Billy drags his eyes away from you to look towards Stu. "Should we go talk to her?"
"Hell yeah, man!" Stu stands up without second thought, heading towards you without waiting for Billy. Billy chuckles softly, shaking his head as he stands up to follow after him. You're so lost in your thoughts that you don't realize they're approaching you until the string suddenly feels warmer. Confused, you look down at the string to see it glowing a bit before looking up to see both of them coming towards you. Looks like they made the decision for you.
They stop right in front of you, standing only a foot away. You feel a bit intimidated under their gaze yet try your best not to shy away. Instead, you allow your gaze to flicker between them, taking in their features now that you're seeing them up close for the first time. "You're (Y/N), right?" Billy questions, his eyes trailing over your figure before flickering back up to your face. He'd be lying if he said he never found you attractive or that he never wanted to talk to you. Seeing that you're at the other end of the string is a rather pleasant surprise.
You nod, blushing under his intense stare. "And you're Billy and Stu."
"Awe, she knows who we are!" Stu's smile widens as he laughs, nudging Billy.
"Of course she does. We're always around Randy." Billy points out, nudging Stu back.
"Oh yeah. Honestly, I would've thought you'd be his soulmate rather than ours. He's gonna be so upset when he finds out!"
Your brows furrow a bit as you tilt your head in confusion. "Why would he be upset?"
Stu almost misses your question from seeing how adorable you look when confused but he's quick to snap out of it. "Cuz he's in love with you, duh! Have you really not noticed?"
You shake your head, honestly surprised at the news. You're pretty much the most socially inept person ever so recognizing when someone likes you is pretty much impossible. You thought Randy saw you as nothing more than his best friend but apparently you're way off the mark. "How come he didn't tell me?"
"Because he wanted to wait until he knew if you were soulmates." Billy resists the urge to roll his eyes. Randy should've just grown a pair and asked you out regardless of whether or not you were meant to be. Though, he's glad he didn't. He doesn't exactly like the thought of you and Randy doing things together, especially now that he knows you're meant to be with him and Stu.
"He really is going to be upset then." You frown, feeling bad despite it being completely out of your control.
"Awe, don't be sad babe!" Stu swings his arm around your shoulder, pulling you into a side hug. "I'm sure he's got his own soulmate out there waiting for him."
"I'm sure he'll be fine and that nothing will change between you both." Billy moves to your other side, wrapping his arm around your waist. The second they're both in contact with you the string glows brighter before disappearing altogether, leaving behind red rings around your pinkies. Apparently when you come into contact with your soulmate, the string turns into unremovable rings that emit a slight heat when you're close to them.
Smiling at them both, you decide to not be sad over the thought of hurting Randy's feelings. Instead, you decide to focus on your two new soulmates who are now arguing over what to do next. You simply listen to them as they fight over whether or not you should all go watch movies or do something else, simply enjoying being with them now that you know it isn't going to be awkward. It feels natural to be with them now that the bond is complete.
Nothing will ever change that.
