Soulstone

Chapter 1

Rain hammered on the window as the thunder rolled across the sky. Although it was a gloomy day, I never felt happier. I never favoured hot, sunny days. I liked them, but for some reason, I saw a beauty to the thunderstorms that shook the earth.

My eyes followed the drops that danced their way down the glass, following them with my finger. I watched another flash of lightning rip through the dark clouds before the sky growled in response.

I never felt more relaxed...

More at peace...

More...

"Max!"

My eyes snapped open as the shrieking voice interrupted my thoughts. I sighed and looked out the window once more, trying to ignore the calls of that annoying little...

"MAX!"

I grumbled, cursing under my breath as I got down from the window ledge and went downstairs.

"What took you so long? I was calling you for at least ten minutes young lady!" Erin said as I came stomping down.

"Fucks sake Errie I was just trying to have some peace and quiet. Or at least trying not to have my eardrums burst again" I knew she hated being called Errie, and although it was a cheap shot, it was worth the smack round the head I got before lifting my plate to the table.

I had been living with my Aunt Erin and Uncle Alex for 13 years. It was the only family I had left and although Erin was almost unbearable, I enjoyed Alex's company. He always made me laugh and didn't go on about the "outcast" business. Too bad he was away working most of the time.

Erin sat opposite, and looked at me with disgust as I slouched and practically absorbed my food. (As much as I hated Errie, the bitch could cook). She always wanted children, she dreamed about raising her little ones and watching them find their soulmate as they grew. Instead, she got stuck with me, Max Stevens. And it would have been all well and good if I had been normal, but of course, I was the outcast, the freak. She sighed, "Now missus, you aren't going to find your soulmate when you look like that, straighten up and take your head out of your food."

I was about to come back with another remark, but lucky for her, Alex walked in with a big smile on his face. I instantly relaxed, Alex had always been more than an uncle, he was like my dad and my big brother all in one.

"Jesus Christ it's pissing down out there" he said, shaking the water off like a dog.

"LANGUAGE, ALEX!" Erin boomed. As if the hag could be any worse, she has a thing about cursing. Which doesn't work for me and Alex, considering we swear a lot, almost religiously.

"English love, the language is English" he chuckled as he came over with his food and ruffled my hair as he sat down.

Erin rolled her eyes and held back a smile, although her reaction was fairly subtle and well-concealed, her soulstone glowed slightly as she refused to show the emotion on her face.

"Ah see, I know you looovvve me baby, you LOOOOVVEEEE me" Alex giggled as he teased her, the stone on his necklace also glowing.

I smirked at the two of them, Erin, so uptight and "precious" and Alex, a laid-back goof who takes all opportunities to make someone laugh, especially Erin.

I never got them as a couple, logically speaking, he always seemed too good for her bitching and disapproval. But I guess the heart wants what the heart wants, or in this case the stone.

The soulstones have been part of society for hundreds of years, every child is given one at birth. Nobody knows where they came from, there are many theories. But they aren't a piece of technology, in fact they're the closest piece of evidence to magic that we have, they essentially tell you who your soulmate is. When you find your soulmate, both yours and their stone light up, it then means that's the person you spend your life with.

Everyone finds their soulmate by the time they're 18, except for me of course. I'm 21 and I haven't even come close to finding my soulmate. My stone is ice cold and pure black, meaning that I will be alone forever. But I like it that way, the more alone you are, the less people there are to break your trust and in turn, break you.

"Max what do you think?"

I'm suddenly pulled out of my casual depressing thoughts by Alex, who is now staring at me, expecting an answer.

"I'm sorry, what?"

"Do you think psychology is the career path you want to take after university?"

"Well yeah, I mean, it's the last year of my degree, a little late to change my mind now don't you think?"

Alex hesitates, "I think that no matter what you study, no matter what you are told what you can or can't do by other people, only you can make the choice for yourself. I mean look at me, I took a degree in engineering but now I'm a manager at a multinational trading company, I was told I was only good enough for engineering but now I can tell all those assholes to suck it!"

"Alex, watch your tongue!" Erin exclaims.

"Sorry love, look Max what I'm trying to say is that fate, destiny, whatever you want to call it, it's not always set in stone and you don't need to listen to anyone else about what you can or can't do, because only you can really make an impact on your own life."

I smile, Alex always knew how to say the right stuff. He was in his 30s but he was the wisest guy I know.

"Well obviously she knows about going against expectations and all that, considering the freak she is" Erin sneered as she glared at me from across the table, "Although, as I always say, the apple never falls far from the tree."

I saw Alex's expression darken, he looked like he was about to say something but was interrupted by the loud BANG of my hand as I slammed it on the table.

Stunned silence filled the room as Erin's jaw nearly hit the table and Alex's eyes widened in concern, but had a hint of wariness in them. They both stared at me in disbelief as I slowly stood, put my dishes in the sink and began to walk out. Just before I went through the door, I paused and turned to face them.

"I'm not hungry for dessert" I quietly and calmly stated before exiting.