Chasing Hearts

Chapter One

Charlotte May waited anxiously as the clock ticked to 4:01. All 21 years of her life had been waiting for this moment. She had always felt his presence, but it wasn't strong enough for her to find him. She worried with every twitch of her heart, every gut-wrenching cry. The connection she felt with him was too deep for words.
Twirling her purple locks between her fingers, she dazed off wondering what he would be like. She couldn't sense much, it was like he was trying to push her out. She remembered how amazing she felt when she turned 16.

---Flashback---

It was 3:59pm on June 14th. Charlotte was so excited to finally feel what everyone had been talking about all her life. All her family and friends were over for her sixteenth birthday. They were all excited for her, it's a day you'll never forget. She decided she didn't want everyone to see her first moment and excused herself to her bedroom.
Following her was her best friend, Sophie. Sophie was 17, so she already knew what it felt like.
"Nervous?" Sophie asked, softly closing the door to give them privacy. "You only have a minute until you're officially 16. Sit down and close your eyes, it'll calm you down more."
Charlotte counted down the second as she sat down on her bed. She's been so excited for this, she was terrified it wouldn't feel as great as everyone said.
3..2..1..
Suddenly, she felt it. All the emotions rushing into her like a waterfall. She was so overwhelmed she wasn't sure what to do with herself. She sat there, soaking in everything. She could suddenly feel him, as if he had been there her whole life. Tears of joy rolled down her cheeks and a smile spread across her face.
She was happier than she had ever felt. He was happy, too, she could feel it. Suddenly, she could feel his happiness fade. He wasn't sad, nor was he angry. He was just no longer excited. She didn't understand it, why he wasn't happy.
Her smile started to fade, but she plastered it back on so Sophie wouldn't notice. She figure it was just because she's so new to it, it must take some time to get used to it. She opened her eyes and saw that everyone had snuck into her room.
Her mother, Janice, came rushing to her side with her own tears of joy. "Oh, Char, I can't believe how fast you've grown up! My baby is  experiencing the first feel of true love! Jeffrey, can you believe it? It seems like just yesterday our baby girl was learning how to walk."
Her father shuffled, uncomfortable. He never was big on being mushy, and he just couldn't bring himself to believe she was growing up. "Now, don't be thinking you can just wander off whenever you want. It'll be a few more years till the connection is strong enough for that. Don't try growing up too quickly, darling."
Charlotte just smiled at her parents. She knows they mean well, but it was a little weird knowing they watched her discover the new feelings. Not sure what to do, with everyone staring at her, she recommended everyone go eat and she'd join them in a minute. Once everyone left the room, she laid back and focused. She focused on him, his feelings. But she couldn't feel him. No matter how hard she tried, she just couldn't figure it out.
Frustrated, she walked back to the main room and made a plate of food. As she ate she asked Sophie for some tips. She told her everything she needs to know. How to block your feelings, how to ignore his, how to tell yours apart and how to get past his walls. 
Char talked to the rest of her friends and family, genuinely enjoying their company. One by one, they slowly started leaving. After saying goodbye to the last guest she leaned against the closed door, sighing. As much as she loved all them, she was exhausted.
Going to the bathroom to get ready for need she looked in the mirror. She studied herself. Long, curly purple hair, she always loved experimenting with her hair. A slight tan with brown eyes. She was about average in height and weight. Her cheeks were naturally rosy giving of the appearance that she was always blushing.
She quickly stripped out of her clothes and showered, brushed her teeth and braided her hair. She walked into her bedroom and looked for her favorite pajamas, plain black shorts with a loose fitting Mickey Mouse shirt.
Climbing into bed she thought over her day. She decided to give it another try now that she was alone. She closed her eyes, laying back, focusing. She doesn't know anything about him, so she has to focus on the general idea of him. She thought about their connection, what will come of their relationship. She doesn't know how long she laid there, thinking. It was now 2:00 am. She was just about to give up when she felt it. She felt him.
It wasn't anything spectacular, at least the feeling wasn't. 
It was like a soft glow, spreading throughout her body. Her fingers down to her toes were tingling. She could sense his content, his soothing nature. Oh, how she wanted to know him. To see him and get to know him. She can't wait for the day. With a smile on her face, she drifted off, dreaming about their future.

-----Flashback over-----

It was now 4:01, and the feelings washing over her were much more significant than the last time. She was suddenly so much more aware of him.
I

t was like a soft glow, slowly spreading through her body. From her fingertips to her toes, she tingled. She felt him more clearly than she had ever felt anything in her life. He was happy, she could tell. And this time, he didn't push her away.
She let the feeling rush over her, like a waterfall. She couldn't wait to see him. To finally get to know him. She's felt most of his emotions. The ones she let him feel anyway. The sadness, anger, excitement, the occasional happiness. She was worried about him. It seemed his most common emotion was sadness. It broke her heart knowing the love of her life was so sad all the time. He tried to keep it to himself, most the time. But, sometimes, even he couldn't hold it all in.
She lay awake at night, crying from worry as it wracks into her body on his worst nights. The worst part was that she had no idea what was happening, why he was so sad. No matter how much she wanted to, she couldn't help him. Sadness consumed her late at night while she cried herself to sleep.
Thankfully, tonight is not that night. She feels nothing but happiness emanating from him, and that in itself was enough for her to blissfully fall into slumber.