Countdown (h.s. au)

Chapter 1

"Honey, you're going to be late for school!" I hear my mother yell at me from downstairs.

I turn to look at my alarm clock. 6:15 AM. I groan. "School doesn't start until 7:30, let me sleeeep." I pull my sheets over my head to try to block out noise.

My mom opens my door. "Junetta, have you forgotten?" I hear her say. What? I take the sheets off and sit up. I look at her, confused. "Check your wrist."

I shriek as I remember. I then pull down my sleeve to be sure and I jump out of bed. "MOM! My timer's going off today! Why didn't you wake me sooner?" I say. She rolls her eyes at me and walks out.

I mean, I guess it's no big deal. Today I'm going to kiss my soulmate for the first time; but it's not really a surprise. When I was in the 6th grade, I met my current boyfriend Sam. His timer is set for the same second as me, we're 100% positive that we're each other's soulmates.

I would never admit it, but sometimes I hope that Sam isn't my real soulmate. I love him, but if I'm honest it's not that kind of love. I've just grown to care for him.

I rush to my closet to find the outfit I set for today. It's nowhere to be seen.

"Mom! Have you seen my outfit?!" I yell.

"No, sorry sweetie. Just throw on something else." She tells me.

Oh god. I forgot to pick it up from dry cleaning. I obviously don't have enough time to go get it. Do I even own any dresses?

I throw on my usual jeans and t-shirt. I know Sam will probably be annoyed that I didn't wear the dress, but this is the best I can do.

I rush to brush my teeth, do my makeup, and put my long hair in a messy fishtail braid.

I grab my phone and check the time, 7:10. I grab my bag and throw my phone in. "Mom, I'm ready!"

I'm only 17, so I don't have my own car. But I do have my drivers license; my mom still doesn't let me drive her car alone.

"I'm almost ready!" She says.

I check my wrist again. It reads 7 hours 26 minutes 42 seconds. That's like forty-five minutes after school, so me and Sam made reservations at a really nice restaurant for when our timers go off.

I sit down on my couch and scroll through my Instagram feed until I get a text.

Sarah: Yo

Me: Oh hey wassup y'all

Sarah: Where u at

Me: I woke up late lol

Sarah: Wtf you're timer is gonna go off today how could you

Me: *Your and idk it's just Sam so

Sarah: Be grateful

Me: Why

Sarah: U know why

Me: What

Sarah: I won't kiss my soulmate until I'm 52