Uncharted Stars // Phan

part one

I live in a world, where you have to find someone else to find your true you. In this world you see, everyone has a soulmate. Everyone also has a superpower. Until you find your soulmate, your superpower remains hidden. For some though, a soulmate is never found, they're known as independents. You never become some famous superhero that fights crime and is loved by all. You become like me, a sad worker. If no soulmate is found by thirty, then you become a manager for an assigned superhero. A person no one really looks at, or is interested in. My name is Dan Howell and this is my story.

I was born on June eleventh, on a rainy afternoon. My parents were so excited to be getting a child. They couldn't wait to get me in their hands. All they could think about was how exciting it would be to get to see their little boy grow up and become an amazing superhero, like themselves. I remember growing up and always hearing "You'll meet them one day" and "Your powers will be better than anyone known". I believed that I would find her or him one day and my powers would have been better than anyone known, but not anymore. Not since I had been looking for a soulmate for a long time and yet still never came across them.
I wished throughout all my years that I would never find them so that I could stay on my own all my life, but I don't feel like that anymore. All I want is to settle down and find the one I am meant to be with.

In late October, I had someone in my life that I thought was my soulmate. Lillian was the best thing that ever happened to me. I remember waking up and thinking about her all the time and never not having her by my side. Lillian used to pretend that we were superheroes that would save everyone, even though neither of our soulmate markings had shown this. She would go on and on about how we would forever fight crime together and how everyone would be jealous of us. Those were the days when I thought everything was okay. That I had my girl and soon our markings would show up. Sadly that's not at all how it happened.

I remember the day when all of that changed. I had just gotten off work from a local coffee shop. I walked up the set of stairs to the front door of my apartment. I put the keys in the door and step inside, calling out to Lillian knowing she had said she was coming over that day. When I didn't get a response I furrowed my eyebrows. Lillian was always on time and never just didn't show up. I walked through the small hallway of my apartment before seeing a small envelope on my kitchen table. Once again I began feeling confused. Picking up the envelope I saw my name written on the front in Lillian's handwriting. I opened it without hesitation thinking it was one of her jokes again. I took out the letter that was inside and felt my heart drop with every word I read.

Dear Dan,
Oh Dan. You do not know how much it hurts me to write you this, but it has to be done. Before you start reading, I just want you to know I have a heart, but I just couldn't face you. It would be too much to try and say this to you in person. You know how much I care for you. I wouldn't be able to bear seeing your big sad brown eyes when I told you that I found her. Yes Dan, her. I had to run down to the supermarket before going to the library and I just ran into her. Like, physically ran into her. You know I'm a clutz. I looked up at her and I just knew. I guess my heart did too, because I felt a burning on my arm and I saw it. A small cloud with rain coming from it right on my wrist. She ripped her eyes from me to her arm, and I saw it. A streak of lightning to match my cloud with rain. She smiled, her eyes reminding me of yours. She said her name was Jasmine and that she was happy to finally meet me. I met her Dan, finally.
If I can do it Dan, so can you. So please Dan, please, don't be sad because we're not together anymore. Just think of this as a chance to be someone new. To meet someone new. You and I weren't soulmates and we knew that. Now that I found mine, I want you to find yours. When you find them I know you'll be as happy as I am now. Much more happy than we were, because you know you'll be with them forever. I hope we can stay friends. You're the closest person I have. Any time you need me, call me. I already got all of my stuff out of your apartment and I'll be over in a couple of days to bring you yours. Please don't hate me Dan, you're my best friend and I don't know what I'd do without you. See you soon, Bub.
                                                    Love,
                                                    Lillian

I remember when I finished the letter just sliding to my kitchen floor. I remember staring blankly at the wall for a few hours. I probably wouldn't have moved had it not been for my answering machine beeping, letting me know someone was calling. I remember not getting up until I heard her voice.

"Hey Dan. I know this is soon, but I'm coming to bring your stuff over. I need to know that you're okay. You're my best friend Dan, love you. See you in fifteen."

I also remember from that day her coming over, me breaking down, and how she comforted me until I fell asleep.

I still cringe today, remembering the events from that day. I was such a baby. She had found her special someone, why couldn't I have just been happy for her? I'm just happy that even though all of that had happened, she still wanted to be in my life. Yes, it took some time, but we're still as close as ever.

I had been with many other girls and guys since we had broken up. With some, I was just trying to find someone to take away the pain for a while and others I thought I actually had a chance with. It's sad though, because any person that I'd ever found true interest in, I'd pushed away. I was scared of being loved by someone who I knew could leave me at any given moment. I remember wishing someone would tell me why I'm alone if everyone is supposed to have a soulmate.

On my trail of heartbreak and being dramatic, I had gotten a promotion. Something at the time I should have been proud of, but wasn't. I shouldn't have taken for granted what I had because I never knew how bad it was going to get in the near future. I put all things that were important behind me, and spent my days pouting and moping.

After about a week of me not showing up to work, my boss called asking where I had been and said if I didn't get into work he would have to fire me. Me being the guy I was at the time never believed that he would fire me, but boy was I wrong. I walked into work that next week and had to turn in my apron then walk right back out.

I was at an all time low, and no one would support me. My mother and father had a job on their hands and agreed that I shouldn't have let something as silly as a heartbreak cause me to not go to work. I remember the next few weeks being the hardest they'd ever been. I had tried to find a new job and everywhere I went they seemed to be full. That was until one day I came across a flier in our local supermarket.

HELP WANTED
If you're looking for a job, well guess what you just found one. I'm looking for someone who will work as a sidekick. I, Phil Lester, am in need of a sidekick. If you're up for the job contact at superphil@superhero.com

I grinned, this is exactly what I had been needing. I laughed walking back home to my apartment. My smile faltered seeing the small yellow piece of paper taped to my front door.

I remember the feeling when I saw the big words written on the paper, Eviction Notice. I had to get four-hundred dollars to my landlord before the end of this week. I groaned taking the paper off the door and walking into the apartment. I automatically got on my small laptop and emailed the guy from the flier.

Almost immediately, he replied saying I had the job and to meet him at city hall the next morning at eight. I was surprised because there had been no interview or anything along those lines. I went along with it with a smile on my face though, because I needed this more than anything else.

a/n
I hope that was good enough , I try really hard when it comes so writing so .. anyways please give any kind of feedback , please and thank you . ily

  - renee