Leanne, an almost 16 year old firecracker of a girl, loved the library more than any other place on the planet. Even before she started working there, she had claimed it as her second home. It was the first place her sister took her when she was old enough to understand letters. It was where she first met her boyfriend and where he asked her out. It was where she had her first kiss.
Rewind to December of the previous year. Leanne had started working at the library a few months before just to give her something to do. Not that she minded the smell of paper and the quiet rustling that was broken only by little whispers and the sounds of gleeful kids in the children's section. She was at peace there, free from the chaos that the world outside those glass doors brought.
She was reorganizing the encyclopedias and softly humming offkey when there was a little tap on her shoulder.
"Hi, Hudson," she responded without looking. Everyday, her boyfriend, Hudson Matthew, visited her at the library. It was the first place he went if he was looking for her because she was almost always there. She felt strong arms wrap around her waist and a head on her shoulder, as she looked up to see the adorable geek she called her boyfriend.
"How's my princess doing?"
"Well," she said turning around, "she was really bummed out, but you seem to have fixed that without even trying. I'd love to know how you always do that."
"You gotta stop doing that."
"Doing what?" she asked, confusion making her slightly scrunch her nose in that cute way he liked.
Before she could continue to question him, her lips were met with his. She couldn't even process the sudden rush of blood to her face and rapidly beating heart before it was over.
"Stop saying things that make me want to kiss you."
Instead of responding with words, she stood up on her tippy toes and pecked him.
"Make me."
But she died when she was 5 years old. Had Leanne lived to see 15, she would have been in a happy relationship with her soulmate. Had she lived to 15, she would've been able to help fill the void in his life. But she didn't and Hudson lived on without her. Everyone has a soulmate, whether or not you ever get to meet them.
