In Time - [Dan Smith: Bastille]

03

Dan POV.

After spending a day at the coffee shop with Sarah I forgot that my soulmate even existed. As I opened up my flat I head my phone buzz.

"Hey Dan, this is Sarah. Hope you're not too busy. I finished up my screenplay if you want to read it... It's kinda shitty so don't judge me. If you hate something please circle it with a red pen so I can fix it. If you want to read it (which I doubt) can I get your email so I can sent it to you?"

I laughed at how similar we both were regarding our work. I quickly typed up a message adding Sarah to my contacts.

"Hey Sar, shut up I really want to read it!!! My email is dansmithmusic@mailprovider.com I can't wait to read it!!"

She soon texted back.

"Don't get too excited because I'll be reading your stuff soon ;-)"

I smiled and checked my email. I opened the file and printed it out. I picked up the stack of papers and comfortably positioned myself on the couch. The screenplay was untitled so I did not know what to expect. I opened it up to the first page reading the stage directions.

"INT. UNKNOWN APARTMENT - NIGHT
Two people lay exposed on the cold bed both gleaming from the moonlight hitting their sweaty bodies. She touches his skin. He says nothing. They don't mix. They lie together like oil on water."

I grab my red pen and circle one phrase that sticks with me. Oil on water. My eyes travel across pages and pages of script. Every page I turn is gold. Funny and captivating. I never laughed so hard. She never told me this was a comedy, however even though the script is funny, the writing is beautiful. Just like her. I couldn't put it down. I forgot every book that I ever loved. Sarah, you became my favourite writer.
I don't know when I drifted into sleep, but I woke up to Kyle violently shaking my body. I bolted up from the couch. The pages of the screenplay flying up.
"What are you doing here?" I shouted at him.
"We thought you died! You didn't show up to rehearsals last night. We were worried so I came to check up on you."
"I'm fine."
Kyle gave me a suspicious look and then eyed the pages that were scattered everywhere on my floor. He picked up one and studied it.
"What is this? Are you planning to become a screenwriter or something?"
"No give it back." I yanked the page out of his hand and proceeded piecing together the rest of the script. I didn't tell my friends that my clock hit zero. Nor do they know about Sarah. I placed the script on the table and grabbed my hoodie.
"Dan if something is bothering you please tell us. We are your friends. We're worried when you disappear and don't mention anything to anybody."
I just stared at Kyle. My clock began to itch. There was a person out there that I belong with and I will never find them ever again. I threw on my hoodie, but not fast enough for Kyle not to notice the lifeless numbers on my forearm. He smiled, but as soon as he noticed my empty eyes his smile fell.
"Dan who's the..."
"I don't want to talk about it." I cut him off.
"You're so difficult at times.." Kyle sighed.

That's when I snapped.

"I know I'm difficult! My life is fucking difficult. It's so simple for you. You met Janna in high school. You wouldn't fucking understand because it's so easy for you."
"Dan don't.."
"You don't know what it's like to wait half your life! I'm almost 30 and I don't even know who my soulmate is!"
"Your clock hit zero so you must know!"

There are hot tears streaming down my face.

"That's the thing Kyle. I don't. I don't know who I met. I don't know when we met. I don't know what to do." The last bit came out as a whisper and I stood there sobbing. I was a mess. I felt alone.

Kyle came up to me to give me a comforting hug but I just pushed him away.

"Please don't touch me!" I raised my voice.
"Dan please, let's figure it out together."
"It's not something you can help me with!"

I grabbed my phone and began walking towards the front door shoving Kyle out of the way.

"Wait!"
"No Kyle just leave me alone." I slammed the front door shut leaving Kyle inside my apartment. Then I ran. Ran as fast as I could. I didn't know where I was going. I stopped in the middle of London. I don't know where I was so grabbed my phone out of my pocket. My head was a mess. I scrolled through my contacts. My fingers trembled. My vision was blurred from my tears. I dialled a number that I shouldn't of called. But I knew that only she could understand me.

"Hey Sarah, it's Dan. I really need to see you."