Soulmate

Chapter 48: Overdrive

Grace

    "I would love to," I agreed, smiling a little at him. His shaggy brown hair was endearing, and his cute awkwardness was adorable, but I was hesitant. Everything led up to this moment, and I apparently met my target percentages because I met him, but was it worth it? Was any of this worth it?

    Was love really worth the wait?

    He held out his hand, and I took it as we started walking down towards the beach. It was weird, but maybe that was because I haven't held hands with a boy that I was being forced to like. Wait, love. We were both silent for a few beats, but it felt like hours so I stopped him. "Wait, I need to do something," I muttered as I tore my hand away from him.

    He looked surprised as I ripped off my shoes and socks, leaving them in the sand, but then he smiled as he looked down at me. "You are brilliant," he commented and then he did the same thing, throwing his shoes and socks in a pile next to mine. Then, I latched onto his hand and let him lead me down towards the water.

    Suddenly, I was aware that I was only in a tank top and a pair of shorts I had worn to work. This wasn't the way I had wanted to meet him, but I suppose it wasn't the worst way to meet my soulmate. At least I met him and didn't have to be disappointed again. "So is Alex short for something, or is that just your name?" I asked, wanting him to talk to me.

    He looked startled that I had asked him a question, but I caught him staring at me more than once. "It's short for Alexander, but nobody calls me that," he answered, giving me a small smile to make up for the fact that he was beyond awkward.

    "Can I call you Alexander? I like that name," I insisted even though I was afraid to push him too much. I didn't know him, I didn't know what he liked, or what I could say without upsetting him. All of this was too hard.

    His hand tightened around mine, but it was comforting; it was nice that he was finally here to comfort me. "Yes, of course, Grace," he replied, and I realized I liked the way my name sounded when it came from him. Lately, I've only heard it when people have been irritated with me, so it was nice to hear it from such a special man.

    I couldn't help, but smile as I looked over at him. He was adorable and muscular, perfect, but I couldn't stop thinking about everything I've gone through up to this point. The beach where Chase met his soulmate, and I had nothing. I still haven't even talked to him because I've been bitter, so I've avoided him and his soulmate. Then, I thought about losing my grandma, and how he wasn't able to be there for me. Thoughts of the Genetic Anomaly Laboratory loomed in the back of my mind, but I didn't want him to know about it. How was I supposed to talk to him about it? When was I supposed to talk about it?

    He pulled me towards the water and I wasn't sure what he was trying to do. I didn't have a swimsuit on, so I didn't really want to swim today, and all I could think about was a week ago when I didn't get to meet him. "Are you okay? You look like you're thinking, unless I'm reading you wrong already," he joked as we approached the edge of the water. The waves started lapping at our toes, sending a chill up my body.

    I smiled at him, resisting the urge to wrap my arms around him. Instantly, I shook the thought out of my head, knowing I couldn't let my guard down yet. "Yeah I'm okay, and you're reading me pretty well," I commented, feeling myself ease into him as he held onto me tightly as if he needed me as well.

    He looked as screaming kids ran passed us, a blonde boy with a crab in his hand, chasing a smaller girl who I assumed was his little sister. "You know, there's a more secluded spot, if you're interested," he offered as he dug his toes into the sand.