The World In Color

iii

"Maybe when we go for our morning run on Monday you'll bump into your soulmate again." Sam said trying to be positive.
"I don't even know if I want to bump into him again." I told her.
"Well, why ever not?" She sounded horrified at my response.
"Because what if he turns out to be a completely incompetent fool?"
"But what if he turns out to be a handsome prince?" Sam countered.
"Looks aren't everything, you do know that right, Sam?" I commented.
"Of course I know that! But even so, you can still want him to be handsome. Anyway, why do you really not want to know who your soulmate is?"
"I already told you. I don't want to know becau-"
"Not what you want me to think; what the real reason is."
"I'm afraid I won't be his soulmate." I whispered.
"Come on Zar, you know that rarely ever happens."
"It's still a possibility though."
"A very slim one. Besides, since when has tough 'ole Zara ever been afraid of things as petty as that?" By this time I was almost in tears imagining it happening.
"You're right." I sniffled.
***
The colors. They're back. Where did they come from? I turned around and began walking through the crowd trying to bump into him again. There they were.
"Hey!" I yelled getting his attention.
"Who? Me?"
"Yes! Come here."
"Okay?" He followed hesitantly.
"Who are you?" I asked him. I was just trying to make a bit of small talk before I just jumped in and asked him if he had seen the colors.
"I'm Adam. Who are you?" It seemed like he was sizing me up. Trying to figure out my intentions.
"My name is Zara." My voice was shaking and it felt like my entire body was shaking as well.
"Why did you ask to talk to me?"
"Well, technically I asked you to come here." I joked.
"Yes, well talking to me was implied."
"Did you see them?" I blurted out. I couldn't hold it in any longer.
"See who?" He asked. I was losing hope by the second.
"Not who. Did you see the colors?"
"No, why?" My heart shattered. I couldn't do anything but cry.
***
My eyes opened and I could feel tears streaking my face. I let out a shaky breath and felt my shoulders relax. It was just a dream.
"Zar! Wake up!" I heard the knocking and was grateful for once.
"Okay! I'm up! No need to break my door you know!"
"If I don't, then you will never wake up!" I let out a groan when I saw the time.
"It's four thirty in the morning Sam!"
"But I want to run!" She was using her pouty voice.
"Don't start. Please don't start."
"I won't if you come run."
"Weekdays are my days off. I am not exhausting myself for you."
"How could you!" She cried. I could only imagine her putting her hand on her forehead and swaying back and forth.
"You do know that I can't see you through the door, right?"
"Then how do you know what I'm doing?"
"Because I know you. Anyway, I'm going back to sleep. See you later."
"Zaaaar!!!" She whined.
"Goodnight!"
***
"Did you really stay here until I woke up?" I ask as I make my way to the living room to find Sam sitting on the couch watching television.
"Yeah, why wouldn't I?"
"Sometimes I think you have a crush on me." I joke.
"Oh, I could do so much better than you."
"I doubt it." I say, turning around with sass. "I'm the best anyone could get."
"Aren't you Miss. Humble today."
"Why, always." I say taking a bow. I looked up and Sam wasn't there. "Are you stealing my food?"
"Always."
"Quoting Harry Potter now? Is there anything you don't steal?"
"I'm not sure. I'll get back to you on that." And, with that being said, she plopped back onto the couch and began watching television again.
"You're so predictable." I say, taking a seat next to her.
"How so?" she asks with a mouthful.
"Can you ever swallow first?" I ask with a groan.
"No. Now, you can explain how I'm predictable later, for now though, will you please tell me, your best friend, what you plan to do?" She was almost bubbling over with excitement.
"Plan to do for what?"
"You know exactly what for." She said putting her hands on her hips.
"I'm not quite sure that I do. Oh! Did you hear about the expected weather for this week? It might keep us from being able to do our morning runs." I could tell Sam was getting a bit irritated.
"Fine, don't do anything about it. you may never get this chance again though."
I knew she was right but I didn't want to face it. I didn't want to face my fears. I got up and walked over to the little window nook in the living room and stared out of it. Maybe I was being a bit of a worry wart. What was I supposed to say, though? That I don't want to find my soulmate for fear of not being his? The memory of my sister was still fresh in my mind. She had been so excited when she saw the colours. They began hanging out every moment of every day. One day they were holding hands and she got so caught up in the moment that she just said, "they're so beautiful." He had no idea what she was talking about. I remember her running into the house; broken.

"Okay." I say. "I'll try and find him."

"I promise you won't regret it, Zar!" Sam raced over to give me a hug and didn't release me until I had promised to go put a call in to the newspaper.