Becoming us

The Encounter

Okay, I know what you're all thinking. YES, another love story. What can I say? I love, love! Especially, my own story. Mine isn't necessarily like everyone else's, but I guess you'll just have to wait and find out yourself.

It all started November, 2015. Life was bland, I was 17- close to 18- working a part time job, living with my parents, and finishing up my last year of high school. According to *EVERYONE* in my family, these were supposed to be the best years of my life! So, I was optimistically waiting for that magical day to come, when I'd be happy, and life wouldn't seem like shit.

I liked to classify myself as a pessimist. Anything that could go wrong, would. I didn't have much of a social life, after moving home, all my friends disappeared (no surprise there). Whatever, new school, new me...right? I tried making new friends, I had a handful, I suppose.

Anyways, I don't think anyone here cares about all of that, they want to get to the good stuff.

It was November 18th, 2015. There was probably clouds, blocking the sun per usual. I got out of bed, as usual to get ready for another *great* day of school! Who doesn't love being the new girl? If I had known then, as I rolled myself out of bed, that I would be meeting my soul mate, I probably would have made more of an effort. I throw on my usual outfit, some torn up skinny jeans, a flannel, and my trust ole combat books, brush my hair and teeth, realize the time and book it out the door, of course, forgetting my umbrella.

The day at school drags on, some girls in my second period had asked my if I wanted to go to the mall with them after school, I reluctantly agreed. Not like I had plans anyways. After school, we all meet in the cafeteria, and head to Anna's car.

We all get to the mall, and I shortly after, make my way to the food court. Quick stop at Dairy Queen and I'll be on my way, I place my order, and slide over to the receiving counter. I grab my Reese's Blizzard, and turn around, maybe a little bit to eager, and ended up slamming into someones chest.

I look up and feel his hands go flying up to mine, to stabilize us both- I was excited for that blizzard that now covered the both of us, and was forming a puddle of ice cream on the floor. After realizing what just happened, and feeling his big, warm hands on my biceps, I snap back to reality, and face this absolutely gorgeous man, that's *STILL* holding my arms.

My breathe caught in my lungs, my face slowly getting red, and my hands shaking, I apologize, over and over again, while this *GOD* is laughing nervously at me, walking us both over to the napkins. I continue to apologize, and blabber. He reassures me that everything is alright, repeatedly. I couldn't peel my eyes away from his beautiful face, or forget the burning sensation on my biceps where his strong hands once were place.

I mumbled something along the line of

"Uh- ice cream, didn't eat it..uh, can I buy you some?"

He laughed at my awkwardness, nervously, but agreed to let me get us both some frozen deliciousness. This time, I made sure to turn around slowly, and handed him his Oreo Blizzard. In those two seconds, that our fingers brushed, I swear to you, everything stopped but us. Our eyes met, smiles wide, like we'd known each other all our lives.

We sat down at a wobbly table, and time moved slow. We talked, about everything, where we're from, school, family, anything you could think of. For hours. At one point, we both kind of snapped back into reality, and realized the fire alarm in the food court was going off, no one moved. Looking back, I don't think I could have, even if I wanted to. I was drowning in those big pools of chocolate we call eyes. Admiring every curve of his face, his brassy blonde hair, the shine to it, his dimple under his eye, when he laughs, or smiles at me.

I check my phone, and I have so many different messages from the girls I was with, asking where I was, saying they needed to get home. Ultimately, they left me there, and I didn't have a single care in the world, because I was too sucked up in ours.

He offered me a ride home, when I told him what happened, but I stupidly rejected it, and took the city bus. But not before getting his number. That night, the conversation was endless. Life was finally looking up, and I was pretty sure I found my soulmate.