Soulmates and Exceptions #Wattys2016

What's Wrong?

     "Let's watch a movie." Spencer offered, bored with the entertainment selections on television.

     "Sure, but where's Jacks?"

     "Studying. Again. Go figure." He had been doing that a lot more since his 'conversation' with their parents months earlier.

     "Too bad." Brea settled in her seat. "Spence? Could you toss me part of the blanket? I'm cold."

     "You're too far away. Besides, I'm cold too. You come over here." He pulled back the quilted, patchwork blanket and motioned for her to sit beside him.

     "You're only making me move because I'm comfy here..." She rose from her seat and reluctantly moved closer to her friend. Spencer smirked and wrapped his arms around her to pull her close to him. He then started the movie. The warmth she felt being near him made her think back on their kiss – it always made her blush. She was glad that he was watching the screen so intensely - she'd never hear the end of it if he saw her blushing and it was only the two of them.

     "Now aren't you comfier next to me?" Brea tried to think of some witty comeback to his smugness. "You can put your head on me – I don't bite." Brea did so, willing her heart to slow down and the slowly creeping pain in her head to disappear. They were just two friends watching a movie. Something they've done plenty of times...always with Jackson or one of the three parents around. She shook the thought from her head. Her mom had run across the street to ask Michael a favor and would be back soon. Besides, Spence was never getting matched – so he claimed. On top of all that, they had turned seventeen barely three months ago. From what little information they could gather, they weren't able to be drawn to anyone until they were at least eighteen or older, and even then, society expected everyone to wait a few years before they actively searched for their soulmate. She simply had a crush on one of her best friends. She might as well enjoy it while it lasted.

     "Gabriella! Spencer! I'm back! I'm making..." Rose walked into the living room, finding her daughter curled up into Spencer. The latter with his head resting on top of Gabriella's, his arm wrapped around her tightly, and his other hand loosely entwined with hers. Both had slight smiles on their pink-flushed faces as they attempted to focus on the movie, rather than each other.

     John and Michael entered the house, seeing precisely why Rose stopped mid-sentence. They watched the kids on the couch.

     John dragged Rose into the kitchen, Michael following them. I'm not ready for this..." he rubbed his hands across his face. "Not ready at all..."

     "Now John, they were probably sharing the blanket because they were cold. They've only just turned seventeen. How many instances has there really been of anyone getting drawn early?" She whispered to her husband.

     "Your grandmother. You." He hissed back.

     Rose shot a glare at her husband to silence him. "That doesn't mean that it's happening to Gabriella."

     Michael scratched at the back of his neck. "Spencer's mom did...we were sixteen...had Jackson right before she and I turned eighteen."

     The Prestons jerked their heads towards their friend.

     "Spencer! Gabriella!" John raced over and shook the two friends by their shoulders, causing the two to move away from each other.

     "Hi Daddy." Gabriella, upset at the loss of Spencer's warmth.

     Spencer stretched casually. "John? Dad? Is Jackson here too?"

     "He's by the door." Michael pointed towards Jackson.