♥ 𝓢𝓸𝓾𝓵𝓶𝓪𝓽𝓮𝓼 ♥

The Timer- Two- Kathleen

I walk to the library alone. Fifth time this week. Honestly, I'm getting bored of it. I am meeting Gary there... Again. I stop as I stand across the street. I don't really want to go in. Being there with him is so awkward, but I have to. He's the person my Soulmate Timer pointed me to. I have to make it work out. So here I stand, forcing a smile on my face as I walk into the building. I turn a few corners preparing myself for what I'm about to see. I slink down the stairs, wanting to prolong my walk. But there he is. Down the long hallway, Gary sits at a table, reading a book. His curly brown hair covers his face. I sigh, walking towards him.

Once I get there, Gary looks up at me, smiling. "You made it," he says. "I didn't think you would.

I force a smile. "Of course, I did. Why wouldn't I?"

He doesn't answer, as I predicted. Instead, he stands. "Um... Do you have anything in mind that you want to do?"

I shake my head, not even hesitating. "Not really."

He nods. "Okay. Um, alright then." He smiles again, sitting back down.

And then the awkward silence begins. I tap my fingers on the table, longing for this to be over. I am tempted to hide in the bathroom, as one does when they don't want to be somewhere. But I force myself to stay. Soulmates. I need to make it work.

Gary clears his throat like he is about to say something that scares him. "Um, I don't... I know how this'll work out," he mutters, not meeting my eyes.

I raise my eyebrow. "What do you mean?" I ask, slightly hoping for him to say us.

He ran his hand through his hair. "Everything," he whispers after a moment of hesitation. "You and I, the whole soulmate thing. Everything."

I force a smile. He feels the same as I do. Then my face falls. We are breaking the soulmate code.

"We have to make it work," I say, my voice barely audible. "That's the thing with soulmates. We are meant to be together. We need to try."

He sighs. "I know, but what if it was a mistake? What if we aren't actually meant for each other? What if-"

"We are meant for each other. We just need to try a little harder. I promise it wasn't a mistake."

Gary nods, smiling. "I guess you're right."

I smile back. My smile falls, however, when I feel a slight buzz in my pocket. I stand suddenly. "I'll be right back," I mutter, jogging towards the bathroom.

I slam the door and reach into my back pocket. My Soulmate Timer brushes across my fingers. I sharply inhale as I pull it out. I look at it and my hands begin to shake. I drop the timer not before reading what it says.

21.56.03

My timer restarted.