1 minute.1158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUFygJWWP4
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.1158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkaOZptCUI
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.1158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeynPFACBh
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.1158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIYRKVlaKJ
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.1158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ365Q8W8Wud
"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.1158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFmJ8v8t7E
And holy shit, you were beautiful.1158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9dTz83Rjd
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. 1158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlKtBTncON
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.1158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdiufi7hwq
"You're my soulmate." I blurted out, dumbfounded. How could a girl this perfect be mine?1158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sgHmXuDGk
Your smile fell and your eyebrows furrowed. "Pardon?" you asked, confused. I straightened up. 1158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3g52Sl9yTi
"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.1158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9sKzylgDz
Oh no.1158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCw04Hl6Es
You stayed silent, staring at my wrist. I chuckled nervously. "...What's wrong?" 1158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxohsJgTUd
You finally looked up.1158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjg5LArT9o
"I am so sorry."1158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcL6rYS7vzX
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.1158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5kVidAzuv
Your timer was still counting down.1158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK47ybUvhzh
"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.1158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyUYMJfLU1
I finally found my soulmate, and I wasn't hers.1158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvFG7smjr9
"Are you okay? I'm so sorry. If there's anything I could do--"1158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTkuiAY4dD
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.1158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYBK4QYowO
The glass that cased the timer away in my skin broke. Shattered.1158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJBRqwpUiv
The last thing I heard before everything turned black was your voice and a car horn.1158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzWYT7Ymzn
