To The Ends Of The Earth

Unlikely Encounters, Part 2 - Mostly Original

Mentions of material from Ouran High School Host Club, which belongs to Bisco Hatori.

I was beginning to think that I would never find my soulmate. Ceci and Caleb had both lost their timers. Blake had appeared to never have had his. In fact, most of my friends had lost their timers. Lucky bastards.

"Pi!" Nicole came running over, a black dance jacket over her costume. She threw her arms around me and hugged me tightly. I gladly returned the embrace, laughing. Our dance had been a complete success, and the audience had given us a standing ovation. What more could we possibly ask for?

We were soon joined by Kyoya Ootori, Nicole's apparent soulmate, and their friend, Annie. Behind her, Annie had her boyfriend Ethan and another boy I hadn't met yet. He appeared to be hiding behind Annie and Ethan, as though determined not to be seen. Even so, I caught a glimpse of bright blue hair, which made my lips quirk into a small smile. For someone who was hiding, he sure had bright hair.

"Come on, hun, don't be shy!" Annie cooed at the boy hiding behind her. "Come meet them. They're awfully nice."

There was a jab at my shoulder, and I looked over to Nicole. She tapped the wrist that held my timer and whispered, "Have you checked your time recently?" Shaking my head, I glanced down at my wrist just as Annie managed to shove the blue-haired boy forward into my line of sight.

"This is Ash," I heard her say, but I didn't look up. My timer was at four seconds. "He's nervous today because his timer is almost out!" My head snapped up and I met Ash's startlingly blue gaze.

Three things happened in rapid succession.

First, the sound of two plastic timers clattering to the floor.

Second, the collective gasp of those gathered around me.

Third...

"Ash, would you care to join me for lunch? Zhere's a nice café down zhe street."