Strings

My Life= A Really Bad Soap Opera

The ground is falling out beneath me, the sun is exploding, this is the apocalypse. Because August has kissed me, and I kissed him back. And I care and at the same time I don’t care. I don’t care that I’ve just kissed the boy I don’t want to fall in love. And at the same time I’m freaking out.
After we broke apart I managed to disappear into the crowd, which I’m now pushing through looking for Ruby. I find her dancing with Liam and as much as I hate pulling them apart I grab her arm and pull her out of the dance floor.
“I need to talk to you.” I say.
“Charlotte!” Ruby protests.
“Ruby.” I say, turning to look at her. “I need to talk to you.” And she doesn’t fight after that.
As I pushed my way through the crowd and out of the gym I make a decision. I’m not going to tell her about the stings, not today, not right now at least.
I pull Ruby outside into the warm California night air. It may be October but it’s still warm enough to be spring.
“Why are you freaking out?” Ruby asks.
“August kissed me.” I say.
“That’s great!” Ruby says, then catching my look she says, “that’s not great is it?”
“Of course not.” I say.
“Just tell Leo.” She says.
“I can’t.” I say.
“Then I’ll tell him.” She says.
Then, in a moment of pure, certifiable insanity I grab her arm and say. “I have to tell you something.”
Ruby sighs. “Is it that you’re going to tell Leo that you’re in love with him? Because if it isn’t I don’t want to hear it.”
“You want to hear it.” I say, looking around and dragging her away from the school and over to the small, forest like area next to our school.
“I can see these strings, they connect soul mates.” I say quickly, before she can pull away.
“What?” She asks, in a mixture of confusion and astonishment.
“One heart to the other, freaking soul mates.” I say.
“And you and Leo? You have a string?” She asks.
I shake my head. “That’s the problem, we don’t.” I say.
Then it clicks for her. “August.” She says.
I nod.
“Wow, Charlotte.” Ruby says. “A lot of stuff finally makes sense.” She says. “Who’s my soul mate?” She asks.
“Liam Harnet.” I say quickly. “Help me.” I say.
“Liam?” Ruby asks.
“Yes, he’s your freaking soul mate, you’re meant to be, you’ll get married, have kids, and live happily ever after. Now help me, please!” I say.
“Right, uh.” Ruby says, shaking her head as if to clear it. “I’m sorry, Char. I’ve got nothing, this is crazy. How long have-“
“Forever.” I say, cutting her off.
“This is-“
“Insane! Trust me I know!”
“You don’t want to fall in love with your soul mate, because you love Leo. Who isn’t just clueless, but not your soul mate.” Ruby mutters, as if she’s still trying to wrap her mind around all this, which she probably is.
“Yeah.” I say, sighing.
“Man, why didn’t you tell me sooner? This isn’t something someone should have to go through on their own.” Ruby says.
“Actually.” I say, “I’ve told Leo. I told him after my mom and Sam got married, that’s when I figured it out.”
“But he doesn’t know that you like him but don’t have a string?” Ruby asks, sympathy written in her dark eyes.
I nod.
“Oh man, Charlotte.” She says. “This is a hell of a story.”
I laugh, despite the million fears drilling their way into my heart. “I know right, my life is like a really bad soap opera.”
We both laugh.