The Soulmate Guide

Chapter-15

I closed the guide with frustration running through my veins. Caressing my aching temples, I decided to clear my mind of all the depressing thoughts that had somehow managed to make room in its core. There was only one thing I had to focus on. Tomorrow's exam. Pestering my reluctant heart which had still not recovered from Charlie's wounds, I decided to sit at my desk and study.

I started with the first definition. Ecosystem. I read it for a couple of times, trying to get it inside my head. I shook my head in defeat as a wave of helplessness hit me.

I just couldn't help it.

I inhaled deeply and closed my eyes. After a moment of self motivation, I finally began to read out loud. It did help as I had steadily started indulging in the chapters with an unbelievably stupendous level of concentration. I kept studying for as long as I could and finally took a break for dinner.

After having dinner, I resumed, not caring about anything else. As the guide had predicted, It was now or never. After continuous hours of proper studies, I got up from my desk. My back ached terribly and my leg seemed to have stopped functioning.

4:15 am.

I couldn't believe that I had studied for almost thirteen hours straight. A sense of achievement filled my heart. There were still four and a half hours left for school, so I decided to take a three hour nap to refresh myself.
After I woke up, I took a quick cold shower and had a cup of steaming tea before leaving for school.

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I entered the campus and made my way through a chaotic crowd of students who were all busy revising and discussing answers. Anxiousness was visible on each of their faces. Trying to keep myself composed, I made my way to the classroom. Fiona stood near the end of the door, worriedly taking brief glances at her wristwatch.

"Hey Fiona. Best of luck!" I wished her, trying to keep things from messing up.

There was an awkward pause.

"Same...t-to..you," she stuttered nervously and went inside.

This was the awkwardness. The awkwardness I never wanted to witness on someone's face. I knew that this realization was certainly going to eat our friendship up. The beautiful bond of friendship between us had steadily started to fade away and was slowly being replaced by an uncomfortable one-sided infatuation. I didn't let the thoughts piss me off again so I started heading forward.

"Hey Dumbo. How's it going?" Leah appeared out of nowhere.

"It's going fine, I guess. I am just panicking a lot. I am afraid I won't be able to make it to the top..,"

"You will. I can vouch on that. Now go and nail the paper," She interrupted my speech and cheered enthusiastically.

"Thanks. Lots of luck to you too," I smiled at her and we parted our ways.
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Drops of sweat trickled down my forehead as Mrs. Emily distributed the question papers.

Just three desks and she would be here.

Two now.

One.

"There you go," she said handing the sheet to me.

I attempted the paper in all my senses, trying to analyse  each and every tricky question and using every nerve of my brain. It got over in three hours after which I headed to the ground, confident about my performance. I had not exactly nailed the paper but I could say that I had got through it. At a distance, I saw Leah stuffing her tumbler hurriedly in her backpack.

"Hey loser. How did it go? ," I waved at her from afar and ran to her, breathing heavily.

"What are you talking about?," she asked me confused.

"The paper you moron,"I rolled my eyes at her.

" How does that matter? Exams aren't at the top of my priority list after all, " she chuckled briefly and left, leaving me in the middle of the ground, absolutely clueless.

What sin had I done to get a riddle instead of an answer? Such a weirdo.

I made my way out of the school premises and headed to my car.

During my drive back home, I decided to play the stereo.

Trying hard to breathe 1 2 3
Trying not to freak when you look at me
Gotta make a move but I freeze
You don't have a clue what you do to me
Girl you make me shy shy shy

I quickly changed the song.

For a Thousand years, I love you for a thousand more

The songs played on shuffle.

Uncomfortable by the feeling in my belly, I switched it off. My cheeks felt warm. I had been smiling like an idiot. These love songs I tell you, they could do this to anyone.

"Not anyone. It's only happening to you,"  A voice in my head spoke.

Yeah whatever

I ignored the voices in my head and headed to my house. I  waved to mom and ran to my room upstairs.
Without even keeping my backpack away, I opened the guide excitedly.

Welcome Blake. A new characteristic for you today. Your soulmate is a girl.

I paused for a moment.

A girl? Wasn't that obvious when the guide kept using the pronoun 'she' for all the characteristics. That was such a waste of time. Or rather, a waste of a characteristic.

I read further.

Oh God. I never knew you were this boring. Learn to take jests, Blakey. I was kidding.

I paused for a moment. Again. I never knew it could crack jokes. A guide could crack jokes. That was hard to digest.

I read further.

You soulmate's zodiac sign is AQUARIUS. It is a air sign which is clearly compatible with the LIBRA zodiac sign, which is yours. You signs have a deep connection, signifying eternal love and pure bliss throughout your lives. You will have arguments. Which couple on Earth doesn't? But your perfect compatibility and companionship will find a way to your hearts, no matter what. You both believe in each other and that's all you will ever need my boy. Good luck.

I closed the guide with satisfaction. It was a way more specific characteristic which was sure to solve the mystery. To some extent, at least.
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