Countdown Romance

Chapter 3: Award-Winning Smiles and Strawberry Ice Cream

Faith squealed and I sighed.

How am I gonna keep her mouth shut?

"We have to start planning!" Faith squeaked.

"For what?"

Faith rolled her eyes. "Your Soulmate Party! Duh."

Panic filled me. "No, no, no! We are not doing that!" Ugh! I knew this was going to happen. With the help of Faith the whole school would know by tomorrow.

Faith parked in front of our favorite ice cream parlor. "Why not?! Every one has a Soulmate Party!" Faith stuck out her bottom lip and pouted.

"Exactly! I don't want to be like everyone else, Faith! I'm tired of being basic. Meeting my soulmate should be a  personal and special thing! Not some public display . . ." My voice cracked. 

Faith smiled. "We'll discuss more after I persuade you with delicious ice cream." She wasn't going to give up on this. I gave a defeated sigh and headed inside the parlor. Faith bounced up to the counter as I followed behind her grumpily. 

"Hey, Freddie!" Faith chimed. 

Freddie always worked the counter at the parlor. "Faith! Allie! My two favorite customers!" He shook out his ash blonde hair and gave us an award-winning smile as he always did. "What can I get for the two beautiful ladies?"

Faith glances back at me giving me a smirk. "Um, I'm gonna need a second. Allie, how about you go first." She grabbed my wrist and pulled me up to the counter. I opened my mouth to order, but Faith opened her big mouth once again. "Actually, Freddie, we need a special mix. Allie is meeting her soulmate tomorrow, so we need something to discuss her party over!" Just like the Grinch's heart, Faith's grin grew three sizes on the spot. One size too large.

"Faith!" I said shocked," You are supposed to keep you big mouth shut!"

Freddie laughed. "Don't worry, Allie. I can keep a secret." He walked over to the ice cream container. Fred plopped two scoops of strawberry and two vanilla  into a large bowl. Drizzling hot caramel and red sprinkles on top, he handed us the feast. 

Faith pulled out her wallet. "Okay, how much?"

"It's on me, ladies." 

Faith and I chimed a "Thank you!" and started to head towards the outdoor tables.

"Oh! And Allie?" Freddie called," If your soulmate isn't up to standards, I'll always be here!" He winked at me in, what I think was, a flirty way.

I felt my face heat up. "I'll keep that in mind!" I called back and headed out the door with Faith.

Faith and I sat down at a silver table in the shade. Faith was laughing to herself. 

"What are you laughing about?"

"Freddie just totally offered to date you, dude! Who needs a soulmate when you already got a guy willing to date you on the spot?"  

I simply rolled my eyes at her and dug into the ice cream. I knew there was a grin on my face, and I tried to ignore the fact I was still blushing. The sweet and icy taste of the ice cream flooded my taste buds. Strawberry, vanilla, and caramel was the perfect combination. I sighed. "Ice cream is simply the best thing!"

"Okay, so we'll have strawberry and vanilla ice cream at the party!" Faith took a bite of the ice cream. "Yes. We have to have this at the party!" she confirmed. 

I looked up at the sky. "I am not having a Soulmate party!" I grumbled.

"Fine! I'll just get Brad to help me plan it!" Faith grabbed the ice cream bowl and started bouncing towards the car. I ran after her.

"No! Faith, you can't tell anybody!" I exclaimed. Faith glared at me from across the car. I stared back at her. She couldn't let this get out. The fear swept over me like being dropped into the ocean. I was drowning in it. "Please?" My voice was shaking. "For me?"

Faith glanced away. "Fine." I let my breath out. I hadn't even realized I was holding it. 

I gave her soft smile. "Thanks."

Faith smiled back. "You owe me." I punched her softly on the arm as we got in the car.

"Do not!"

We started to drive towards my house. My mind wandered back to the ice cream shop. 

Did Freddie actually offer to date me? 

I mean, Freddie's sweet, he's funny, and only one year older than me, so there is not much of an age difference. His dark chocolate eyes could make you smile any day. Plus, the way he ran his hands through his ash blonde hair could make any girl swoon. A sigh escaped my mouth, and I immediately snapped a hand over my mouth. 

Wait! When did I start having a crush on Freddie!?

I glanced at Faith to see if she noticed me daydreaming. Her eyes were focused on the road, as they should be. Thank goodness Faith was a somewhat safe driver.

"You know? Maybe we should plan a Soulmate Party," I whispered quietly. 

Faith's eyes widened and she let out a squeal. "Yes! This is going to be great!"

This will be good. I would have all my friends there. We'll eat ice cream, and they'll embarrass me in front of my soulmate. There will be a big dance floor and a rocking playlist. A nice, big, extravagant party. A party I would share with my soulmate, which I would meet tomorrow. A party for my soulmate and I.

A party to get my mind focused on anything but Freddie Green. Yes, that would be great.

AN: I hoped you guys liked this chapter. I will be trying to be making my chapters a little bit longer from now on. I want to thank all of y'all for reading. I really appreciate it! Don't forget to vote and comment what you think about the story. Thanks!