Time Will Tell

Chapter 7

I start to come to, but my mind still felt heavy and I can't move. I feel completely paralyzed. I remember one of my school councilors telling me to try and ground myself if this ever happens. I thought out to my fingertips and imagine the grass they should be touching. I try to smell the trees mixed with the scent of coffee that blankets the area. I start to feel the sun's warmth on my skin and my mint toothpaste in my mouth. I listen for the chatter of the students milling around the campus. I finally feel my senses come back to me. My first instinct is to check and see how much time I had left, but that means I have to open my eyes first.

I feel Riley's arms around me and I can hear his voice again. But, this time there was a voice that felt familiar and angelic, yet unknown to me. I pry my eyes open to see Riley; however, he wasn't focusing on me. He was looking across me to someone on my left. I look over to see her. It must be.

"Hi," I breath, still a little hoarse.

"Hello there," Riley returns, but I not talking to him.

"This is just like the first day of classes, isn't it?" I say, directing it toward her.

"You saw that too? I was just thinking about it," she replies. I knew it. It is her. She is my soulmate.

"Yeah, I did. I'm Vivian, by the way," I cautiously introduce myself, unsure of how she was going to respond to my awkwardness.

"Vivian. That's Latin for lively. Did you know that? Sorry, I'm Blake," she informs me, adding some uncertainty of her own.

"Well looks like you two are going to get along just fine. I'll be going now," Riley interjects. I gave him a pleading yet thankful look, trying to tell him I'll be okay. I can do this. I have to do this.

"Thanks, skyscraper," Blake tells him. That's why he freaked out about me calling him skyscraper. I reminded him of Blake.

"Want to get some coffee?" I ask my newly discovered soulmate, trying to break the ice a little more.

"Sure. How do you like yours?" She likes coffee, a good sign. Her curiosity about me was also good. It shows that she's not as self-centered as I had often found myself wondering.

"Double shot latte. What about you?"

"Same, actually."

"That answers that question," I think aloud.

"What question?"

"I remember wondering what kind of coffee you like, if you even like it," I fell slightly nostalgic, recalling the beginning of school for a second time.

"I actually work at the coffee shop."

"Really? That means you know how to make the perfect double shot latte, right?"

"Pretty close to perfect if I do say so myself. I'll make you one one day," she plans. Good idea; saves money on buying coffee every morning and every other time I crave it.

"Can we go on a date? Right now? Like, let's grab coffee and go talk somewhere or something. Only if that's okay with you though. Sorry, it didn't even cross my mind that you might have been on your way to go do something. Were you?" I ramble on.

"Actually, I was. I was on my way to meet my soulmate." With that kind of response from her, I blush.

"So is that a yes for a date?"

"Absolutely."

"Coffee, then go to the bookstore on campus?" I question, unsure of how our 'plans' would turn out.

"Sure. I'll get the coffee. I know Claire, the manager, and she'll put a rush on them."

"Okay, great. I'll just grab my things here and meet you over there. Okay?"