1 minute.1962Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5roJ1NyF6a
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.1962Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnRv7ddTET
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.1962Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdsQZu9zXu
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.1962Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxb2aGfeszQ
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.1962Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClBIPu2X93
"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.1962Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Y1AqA3PAJ
And holy shit, you were beautiful.1962Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTbxFwmcvv
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. 1962Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziyNVCzKVI
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.1962Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZW2F6OHAa
"You're my soulmate." I blurted out, dumbfounded. How could a girl this perfect be mine?1962Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bHm0tObdi
Your smile fell and your eyebrows furrowed. "Pardon?" you asked, confused. I straightened up. 1962Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeIIU8z6Fj
"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.1962Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTrv5DsByy
Oh no.1962Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡob1lmV3NYT
You stayed silent, staring at my wrist. I chuckled nervously. "...What's wrong?" 1962Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDeBq03rXE
You finally looked up.1962Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvZbIcvHHR
"I am so sorry."1962Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNN5nH7gMGE
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.1962Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5lrGBmvOW
Your timer was still counting down.1962Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5rt3T0iPS
"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.1962Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5npSM88Oz9
I finally found my soulmate, and I wasn't hers.1962Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtM4kGxnj4Y
"Are you okay? I'm so sorry. If there's anything I could do--"1962Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VIUCZwt8d
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.1962Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfl2NKKIEuc
The glass that cased the timer away in my skin broke. Shattered.1962Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0dz53NFTe
The last thing I heard before everything turned black was your voice and a car horn.1962Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvWTQoGxLI
and then Add to home screen.