1 minute.1240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDiSWX6V8O
As I sat on that icy cold metal bench under the awning of the bus stop, all I could do was stare at that dreaded timer on my wrist. My hands were shaking, and not because it was in the middle of winter, white snow falling from the dark sky. Street lamps and car headlights illuminated the busy street. People walked on the sidewalk, looking through windows of shops and small restaurants.
45 seconds.1240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTCTgFDHTb
That was when my heartbeat started to pick up. My eyes stayed glued to the numbers growing smaller and smaller every moment. The air was filled with the scent of diesel. I started to tap my foot in anticipation. I could feel every tick of the changing numbers vibrate throughout my entire body.
30 seconds.1240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKBzQ3wTHi
The rise and fall of my chest was quick and nervous. Puffs of breath were seen in the freezing winter atmosphere. The sounds of the traffic and bustling people diminished to a dull static, the clock getting louder and louder in my ears.
15 seconds.1240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06sQxe7sZn
That was when I heard the footsteps. I willed myself not to look up and stared at the timer as the last tick reverberated within me and silence fell.
ZERO.1240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VloSK7fXF
"Excuse me, do you mind if I sit next to you?"
A voice snapped me out of my trance, and all the static of the world became clear again. I looked up.
There you were.1240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4jCNTmxXg
And holy shit, you were beautiful.1240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUALULUxLGp
Your pale skin contrasted your hair wonderfully. Red dusted your cheeks from the cold. Those eyes had to be the most pretty shade of green I've ever seen. Your facial features were slightly obscured by the darkness, but I could still see the beauty that was you. The small smile that graced your lips was so warm, I almost melted. 1240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrWH5YssZL
You looked around my age, if not slightly younger. The scent of coffee drifted into my nostrils. You probably worked night shift at a cafe.1240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKeCYqls5m
"You're my soulmate." I blurted out, dumbfounded. How could a girl this perfect be mine?1240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChifRlb1Ko
Your smile fell and your eyebrows furrowed. "Pardon?" you asked, confused. I straightened up. 1240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSJvwVl5HW
"You're my soulmate," I repeated. "See?" Holding out my wrist towards you, you took it, looking down on the now still timer. Your mouth gaped open, and shock was on your face.1240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalTOmAWtiF
Oh no.1240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSP0sJaxYRP
You stayed silent, staring at my wrist. I chuckled nervously. "...What's wrong?" 1240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePS6vnkHkg
You finally looked up.1240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTZQU8aUpi
"I am so sorry."1240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXIGTDc1JT
It was barely a whisper, but I heard it. You let go of my wrist and pulled up your sleeve. You held your hand out to me. My heart dropped.1240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOhKn56x9T
Your timer was still counting down.1240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMCP806Wiy
"No," I whimpered, hands clenched at my sides. "No, no, no, it has to be some mistake." Tears formed at the corners of my eyes. I felt like I was suffocating.1240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3f3b4i5rZU
I finally found my soulmate, and I wasn't hers.1240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9fFWKlgT6
"Are you okay? I'm so sorry. If there's anything I could do--"1240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjxNWhU7ej
I didn't realize I was walking away. I could hear your shouts from behind me, but I paid no mind. It was a blur of sounds and lights. My feet did all the work, carrying me in my empty shell. I felt nothing but heartache. Blood dripped from my wrist.1240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwqgOBf8Tk
The glass that cased the timer away in my skin broke. Shattered.1240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGxTPjiqF9
The last thing I heard before everything turned black was your voice and a car horn.1240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQtLWk1SKj
