The post-Christmas period is usually full of a vague sense of sadness for me, as my favourite holiday is over and I have to face the harsh reality of a new, cruel year of existing. This year however, the only word I can think to describe it is hectic. Almost unbearably so.
The past two days has been full of an enthusiastic, caffeine-fuelled Sam and a lifetimes worth of cardboard boxes. I would say that it's been worth it though, as Sam has been more focused on this than he has been on just about anything in his lifetime. This also means that he's been spending an abnormal amount of time with me. In any other circumstance involving anybody else, I would loathe it, but with Sam it's a dream. After being so deprived of his company, spending nearly every hour of every day together is nothing to complain about; after all, I missed him.
"Hey! Elias, come look at this!" I hear, his voice muffled from within his closet and I manoeuvre my way through the maze of forgotten objects, wincing as my foot comes into contact with something sharp.
For a moment I panic, scared that I have caused Sam pain. My shoulders soon relax and I find myself rolling my eyes at my own behaviour. I forget that our connection is only one way, and I have moments like this almost weekly. In truth, my biggest fear is that one day it might become a two-way connection.
"What is it?" I ask, pushing my worrisome thoughts away for the time being as I wade through his belongings.
"I found a really old picture, come look!" He exclaims, holding the photo out to me and I take it gently. The edges are torn and worn from years of neglect; which isn't surprising.
The photo depicts the two of us, arms around each other, as well as our best friend from high school; Ash. It was taken at the beginning of our final year and fond memories start to flood my mind.
"I remember this day, it was only a week or so before Ash met Robin." I remark, remembering Ash's long-time girlfriend, who had been a welcome addition to our group.
"They're still together, you know?" Sam mentions and I glance up.
"I'm not too surprised, they're soulmates." I mumble, looking back down at the picture, smiling fondly at how happy we look.
"Soulmates?" Sam scoffs and I nod absently.
"For real?" He asks, his tone indicating his confusion.
"You only have to look at them to know. I mean, obviously it's one of those things that you either believe or you don't but, I mean those two, they were made for each other. I'm sure of it." I mutter, finally handing the photo back to him.
He holds it loosely, taking in what I just said.
"Do you think you know? When you meet your soulmate, I mean. Do you know that it's them?" He asks curiously, tilting his head to the side and I shrug. Sam nods to himself, not looking entirely satisfied with my non-verbal response.
"Maybe, I'm not sure. You might not feel anything but joy and love and all that, or you might feel a connection that binds you to that person..." I think out loud, trailing off as several unconnected thoughts suddenly leap together.
A connection that binds you to another person, why would I have felt compelled to say that. I already share a very unnatural connection with a person. That doesn't make Sam my soulmate, does it? No, exactly. Even if he were, it doesn't mean romantically. There could be platonic soulmates, I'm sure of it.
My internal meltdown is interrupted by Sam, of course, who accidentally trips over a very poorly placed box. My ankle twists in pain but it's bearable and I lean down to pull him up.
I grab his hand and steady him on his wobbly ankle, his cheeks a light shade of pink.
"Thanks, 'Lias." He murmurs as I let him go.
YOU ARE READING
Growing Pains
Teen Fiction-A soulmate story- Sam and Eli are best friends, they have been for years and they tell each other everything. Well, almost everything. Elias Grey has felt every cut, bruise and fracture that Samuel Rivera has received for eleven years. He has no...
