The Timer

The Countdown, The Fear, and The Encounter

       Everybody has a timer on their wrist. It counts down to the exact moment when you will meet your destined soulmate. Some people get to meet their soulmates while others timer suddenly stops. This means that their soulmate has died before they could meet them.

       Here I sit looking out to the dark stormy night. Crack! Thunder and lightning fill the night sky. Nebula whimpers as she buries her head deeper into my arms. I stroke her silky black fur to soothe her shaking body. Nebula has been afraid of thunder since she was a pup, but then again, most are. 

       "It's okay Nebula. I am here." I whisper gentle sweet words.
I raise my wrist close to my face and the clock becomes visible by a lightning that shone outside. Two days, seventeen hours, fifteen minutes, and eighteen seconds.

       Dread sets on my stomach. Most people are excited to meet their soulmate but not me. Doctors say that it's just insecurities. That my mind makes me believe that my mate will not like me. Maybe they are right.

       I notice Nebula has already fallen asleep. A smile forms on my lips as I lay down letting the darkness take over.

       "Sister! Wake up, wake up, wake up!" My younger sister shook my body, excitement evident in her voice.

       My sweet, smart sister was waking me up. This better be worth her life.

       "I'm up. What is it?" I ask still half asleep. 

       "My timer fell off!" 

       That was enough to wake me up in a split second. "What?!"

       Sophy showed me her arm and sure enough, her wrist was bare. No more timer. She had found her soulmate. Sophy beamed with happiness. 

       "Who is it?" 

       Sophy's smile only grew bigger if possible. "She moved to the neighborhood last week. I met her in my swimming class." Her eyes shone like two bright stars the more she talked about Laurel.

       Her happiness was so contagious that I could not help but smile with her. "I am so happy that you finally found her."

       Sophy smiles with hope in her eyes. "How is your timer going?" 

       My smile falters a bit but it's enough for her to notice. She smiles reassuringly and gives my hand a squeeze. I show her my wrist. Only two days and twenty-seven minutes left.

       "So soon Layla!" Sophy smiles excitedly again. 

       "Yeah..." My smile doesn't show the same excitement as hers.

       "Hey, it's okay. You will be ready"
I smile weakly.

       Sophy nudged me playfully. "May the force be with you."

       I laugh before swatting her lightly on the back of her head.

       It has been two days since Sophy met her mate. My sister would always come home beaming with happiness while I grew more and more worried. My time was running out and I could not stop it no matter how much I tried. Sophy invited Lauren and her family over for dinner. The timer on my wrist had less than thirty minutes left.

       Mom knocked on my door. "Honey, it's time to come down. Lauren and her family are almost here," she said from the other side of the door. 

       My breath hitched in my throat. "I can't go, mom. I'm not feeling well."

       Mom walked in looking worried. " What's wrong?" 

       I must have looked like a mess to my mom with sweat running down my temples and heavy breathing. "It's my timer. Mom, it's almost up!"