In Chinese mythology there is a story. A story of the red strings of fate. It says that every person is connected to their soul mate by a red string. They twist and tangle but they can never be broken because it is fate. I used to believe this was true, I'm a hopeless romantic with nothing but an awkward group of misfit friends. But as of last week I don't believe it anymore. Not because my heart was broken by the girl I love (if there even was one) but because when I woke up Monday morning, there was a red string tied to my finger that ran out the window, that's why I don't believe anymore, that's why I know.
I thought it was a joke, I had talked to some of my close friends about it but when I went to take it off it was as if it wasn't there. I couldn't feel it. I couldn't even touch the thread that trailed away from my hand. It just passed straight through.
Immediately I thought it was only a dream until a book came flying though the doorway and hit me directly in the face. It was my little brother.
"Get the fuck up or mom is going to kill you" the way he tilted the corner of his mouth up made me want to break a metal bat upside his head, but I digress.
"You mother fucker! I'm already up! Was this fucking string yours and Ryan's idea?" I was still not convinced of its phantom touch.
"I don't know what you're even talking about" he turned to leave a hand brushing the bottom of his chin in consideration. "Maybe I threw that book too hard".
"I can hear you mumble, asshole! My head is perfectly fine!" It was not.
At this point I was most certain that I was in fact going bat shit fucking crazy because when I pulled my hand away from the damned string it just slid directly through the pane of the window! Talk about physics being a load of fucking bullshit!
I moved my hand back and forth and the string floated on a nonexistent wind gliding around the room. I watched it float and realized that I really couldn't tell anyone, they'd all just think I was crazy. Maybe I was.
"The fuck are you doing waving your hand around like that? Did you take that fucking acid from Nick again?"
I froze mid motion. Of course the little shit was back.
"We need to leave in ten or you can deal with mom when she gets a call from school saying that we were late" He stalked off that shit eating grin strewn across his face. Fucking brat.
Regardless he was right. I needed to get my ass out of bed. I rolled off landing like a cat on the floor and dragging myself upright. My pants were where they belonged. Placed haphazardly beside the dresser along with a stray T-shirt or two and some mismatched socks. I slapped them on with a procrastinator's proficiency and was packing my bag with 6 minutes to spare. The string forgotten in the back of my mind. It didn't seem to effect anything and simply passed through the solid objects it came into contact with. Every step left me awaiting a tug on the string, but it never came. I figured it best to simply ignore it for the time being.
The car was started when I slid into the kitchen and glanced out the window and my coffee cup was sitting on the counter full. It smelled dark, maybe a little creamer, and a dab of honey. I guess my brother isn't as much of a prick as I like to imagine he is. I walked to the car that phantom string floating behind me and realized that he had one too. It trailed out the passenger side of the car and floated towards the school. I began to wonder where this string of mine, as well as his, might lead.
"Hey shit for brains" My dearest brother must have the best pet names I can concoct. "Why don't you drive today" He had just got his licence a couple weeks ago and I knew he loved my Datsun. Plus I didn't think it wise for me to drive, with the way my day was going I'd run over a fucking string and freak out sending my beloved (it's the car don't worry) into a tree. Not how I want to spend the day.
"Done" He said as he slide across the hood of the car and jumped into the window of the car. Dumb ass thinks he's Luke Duke or something. I got in the car next to him and watched his string float across my lap and out the door. Beyond his was so many more, including my own. They were everywhere across the road but... you could see the road just fine as if they really were simply translucent ghosts.
"You did take acid didn't you? God damn it. I am not babysitting you again!" He slapped the back of my head.
"What the actual fuck Ethan!" I spun to face him. "I'm not on acid I just slept shitty okay! Lets fucking go before were late".
"Oh we won't be late" His smile turned wicked as he put the car in reverse.
