The Soulmate System

11. A New Start Always Has Bumpy Roads Ahead

Pact (pakt) n. – a formal agreement between individuals or parties; an arrangement, covenant, or compact.

But one assumes a pact is for something significant, like staying together after university, a declaration of peace or war between two countries, or two friends deciding to be friends for the remainder of their days. Having kissing and hugging benefits between two people, with no supposed strings attached, was just odd in comparison.

Nevertheless, at nearly eleven that night, having completed the website in its entirity, a very worn out Dylan and Bryce worked out the details of this peculiar pact, followed after by intermittent awkward pecks and hugging before deciding to end the night. Bryce invited his Soulmate to stay at his flat for the night. Dylan declined, and, after somewhat awkward goodbyes, the two returned to their respective buildings for the weekend.

But their evenings together would come to a close as abruptly as they had started.

Bryce returned to his flat first. But immediately following his entry, Jack called from the kitchen, "Hey, do you want any leftover chips?"

"No, thanks," Bryce called back, beaming out of a childish excitement. He rounded a corner before abruptly turned into the kitchen, mumbling, "Actually, yes. I'm starved."

Jack withdrew the disposable container from his flatmate's grasp. "Oi, get your own. There's another one in the fridge." Bryce grimaced but obliged, retrieving the remaining Styrofoam container filled with chips. Dumping them onto a plate and slipping them into the microwave, Jack nonchalantly asked, "How's the Soulmate?"

Bryce was facing away, watching the plate spin under the golden light. He bit into his cheek to suppress a smile, which Jack didn't see. He answered, "Still hates me."

"Who what?" asked Katie, who entered the kitchen with her hands outreached for something stable. She swiftly smacked Jack in the arm. "You useless Soulmate, I wanted a glass of water."

"I told you to get it yourself," Jack retorted, smirking.

The girl raised her hands and choked the air in front of him, but kissed him on the cheek immediately afterwards and uttered, "Useless Soulmate. Shame I love you or whatever."

Jack released his large, toothy smile and gestured to Bryce. "His Soulmate still hates him," he explained, slipping another chip into his mouth.

"Really?" she asked as she retrieved a cup from the cupboard. Slipping it under the faucet and filling it with water, Katie queried, "What, haven't won the 'False Alarm'er over with your charm yet?"

Bryce turned to his flatmate with a death stare in his eyes.

Katie didn't understand. "What?"

He glanced away. 'How does Dylan put up with it all the time?' Bryce wondered.

"Bryce?"

Chuckling, he replied, "No. I think he's more turned off from my attempts to be charming." Bryce wiped his face. 'I don't think it my charm that impressed him.' He paused, smirking. 'It was either my hugs or my kissing skills that did him in.' This thought made him unintentionally snort, but he cleared his throat and took out the plate of chips.

Katie smirked. "I can see that," she replied, taking a sip of water and stealing a chip from Jack's plate; he gently slapped her hand in retaliation. "It's so weird. He still doesn't like you?"

Bryce turned and stared daggers. "You shut your whore mouth."

"Woaaaaaah, that was not needed, mate," put in Jack, who swung his arm forward, protectively covering Katie's chest. "What's your deal?"