Countdown Romance

Chapter 6: Disasterous Streamer Throwing

Two minutes. My heart raced. Freddie stood with me while I gorged on strawberry ice cream. His smile lit up the room.

"Allie, if you keep on eating at this rate, there won't be any left after you meet your soulmate." His voice got a tiny bit smaller as he said soulmate.  I tried to smile. 

"Freddie at this rate time seems to get slower and slower for me. I could've eaten five ice cream tubs by now. This is what I call control," I gave a nervous laugh. 

My eyes accidentally shifted down to my watch. One minute and thirty seconds. I panicked. 

In that second, a switch clicked. My mind was turned off to everything in the world. A little compass, turning inside my chest, told me where to go. I heard Freddie trying to say something to me I couldn't comprehend. I must've looked shocked, but that was how I felt. My heart seemed to be tearing in half if I didn't move any quicker. 

"Freddie-" I gasped," I'm sorry I have to go." It was all I could get out before I rushed out of Faith's backyard.  

Fifty-eight seconds. My feet carried me without thinking. I traveled farther away from the party. Away from the people. Away from the noise. It was starting to get cold outside, and my dress didn't give much warmth. I started to shiver, but I continued to walk down the sidewalk. Faith's house was at the end of her road, so I still had street to go. 

Forty-three seconds. My breathing was shallow. All the overthinking, all the doubt it was gone. Vanished. Only this feeling, there was someone out there feeling the exact same way.

Twenty-five. So close. I am so, so close.

Thirteen. I felt this connection. A string pulling me closer to him. The one. 

I was halfway down Faith's street. An empty feeling filled me. One that reached from the top of my head dropping all the way to the heels of my feet. I kept struggling to walk. I stepped one foot after another slowing down. 

Five seconds. I stopped. I glanced around, but couldn't see anyone. 

Four seconds. I sighed. 

Maybe there was no one.

I looked down at the ground and turned around. Three seconds.

I started walking back to Faith's house.  My breathing slowed. Everything I felt earlier was gone. I didn't look at the watch. There was no point. 

Beep! Beep! Beep!

I stumbled into someone and glanced up.

"Sor-"

I stopped as I stared at the man in front of me.

His hair was black like ink seeping onto paper. He towered two good inches over me and smirked. I had to stop myself from sighing as his soft jade eyes pierced right through my soul. He was handsome to say the least.

My watch's clasp broke and fell to the ground. The beeping in the background had stopped, and so did my watch. It was him.

"Well, finally," he purred. His voice creamy and rich like chocolate syrup. I stared blankly back at him lost of breath.

His hand met my chin gently making my face tilt towards him. "Hi." His breath heavy and warm. My cheeks burned with an internal fire. 

"Hi," I gasped. My heart beat hard in my chest refusing to stop.

He chuckled and stepped a little closer. "Okay, how about a more appropriate greeting?"

He wrapped his arms around my waist and gently placed his lip against mine. The fire from my cheeks spread throughout my body. I could burst into flames. I wrapped my hands behind his neck and pulled in more kissing him back.

He broke the kiss with his smirk back on his face. He seemed familiar somehow, but I could tell I had never been around him before now. It was something about his clothes. His soft black jacket falling onto his forest green tee, or maybe his classic denim jeans and black Converse. Something about him rung a bell. I wish I knew what.

"So what's your name, soulmate?"

I paused a second. My breathing heavy and dizzy. 

What was my name again?

"Allie," I whisper still in his embrace. "Allie Dean."

"Well, Allie, I have to part ways, but I will see you again." His gaze tenses. "You must not tell anyone you met your soulmate. It's very important to me. I will explain this all later."

I stare at him as he continues walking. His mischievous smirk still planted in my makes him unforgettable. I sway as the effects of the kiss still linger.

I smile as he leaves when it dawns on me. I can't tell anyone what just happened.

He asked me not to tell anyone I met him. I don't even know who "him" is, but I know I won't tell anyone.

Then, the second realization hits me. I have a Soulmate Party to return to.

How am I supposed to go to my Soulmate Party when I don't have my soulmate and can't tell anyone about him?

I will have to tell them I didn't meet him. That I don't have a soulmate.

Great. Just great.

This better be worth doing this for my soulmate.

I slowly trudge back to the end of the street, where Faith's house is. I imagine all the pity looks. I will be the first person in history to "supposedly" not meet their soulmate.

I sigh. Am I really going to lie to everyone for my soulmate who I just met? I know the answer, but it still feels like betrayal. Especially to Faith and Freddie.

Ugh! My soulmate better be like a superhero or secret agent for me not to tell people!

This is so unfair.

A cold breeze blows past me. I shiver and squeeze myself into a lonely hug.

I see the string fairy lights a few houses down. Dread fills me to the brim and starts to pour out the sides.

My life's a disaster. Let's throw some streamers!

AN: Yay! She has finally met her soulmate! Now the question is who is the mystery man?? I hope you like this chapter. A warning: I won't be publishing or writing next week because I will be on a trip. I hope you understand. I thank you guys so much for the support. Please tell me what you think in the comments and vote on this chapter! Thanks!