♥ 𝓢𝓸𝓾𝓵𝓶𝓪𝓽𝓮𝓼 ♥

The Timer-Three-Gary

I pace around my living room, sweat pouring down my forehead. Ever since yesterday, when my timer restarted, I've been planning on telling Kathleen. Today is that day. I invited her over to my house so I could tell her.

"You'll be fine," my father says. "She'll understand."

I stop pacing. "What if she doesn't? What if her timer didn't do what mine did? What if she still thinks I'm her Soulmate?"

I melt onto the couch. "This is all too much." I glance down at the timer on my wrist. 00.21.45. That's how long until I meet my new Soulmate. That makes me sweat even harder. Internally, I'm screaming, but I have to pretend like I'm calm.

As I'm in the middle of my internal monologue, the doorbell rings. I stand up and rush over. I swing it open so hard it almost falls off its hinges.

"Kathleen!" I exclaim as the red-haired girl greets me. "Um, could-could we take a walk?"

She smiles, though it seems fake. "Of course!"

I lead her out the door. "So um I have something to tell you," I mutter, stuffing my timer-encased wrist into my pocket.

"I do too," she responds, holding her hands behind her back.

Oh no, I think. A shiver shoots down my spine. "Y-you go first," I insist, my voice low. I force a smile.

Kathleen's face pales. "Oh, no. It's okay. I'll listen to you first."

Great. I take a deep breath. "It's best not to prolong this conversation, so I'll try to cut it short." I pause, trying to calm my thoughts before starting again. "My timer restarted."

Kathleen sighs with relief and began laughing. "Oh, thank goodness! I was hoping that's what you were going to say!" She shows me her hand.

01.00.00

I sigh. "So you understand if I don't want to...you know...date you?"

Kathleen laughs again. "Of course! Hey, maybe since I'm supposed to meet my new soulmate soon you could meet him."

It feels like a weight is being lifted from my shoulders seeing how calm she is about that. That's how Kathleen is, I guess. Chill.

"Maybe." I grin.

Just then, a football flies past her head.

Kathleen gasps whipping around. She comes face to face with a tall blond-haired guy just as her timer beeps and flashes the words "TIME UP".

"I'm so sorry," the guy apologizes. "Are you okay?"

Kathleen smiles, turning to me for a moment. "Yeah, I'm fine. It's okay."

I laugh to myself. "I'll leave you two alone," I mutter, leaving.

I walk back constantly glancing at my timer. I count down each second, just as nervous as I was the first time. I look around at everyone and no one seems to be nervous like I am. A familiar force pulls my body towards a coffee shop, I smile to myself, trying to hide my fear.

I walk towards the counter.

Ten.

No one is there.

Nine.

Well, there is one girl.

Eight

She's pretty.

Seven.

At least, from what I can see.

Six.

The line moves forward.

Five.

I catch a glimpse of her curly brown hair.

Four.

I accidentally step on the man in front of me.

Three.

I'm next.

Two.

I stand at the counter.

One.

"Oh, hello! What can I get you, soulmate?"

I smile, knowing this is the right one.