Thin Blue String

Chapter 1: 19

The ship around us becomes still as we leave the atmosphere. The team rushes to their respective stations, and all I have to do is tell them where to go. It could take years to reach our destination. It could take lifetimes. But why do I feel like its something I need to sacrifice so much for?

[6 years earlier]

"Order up! Table 5." Not me this time. I sigh and pull on my sweater, leaving the hot and greasy diner. The smell isn't bad, but after working the same job for almost three years you get sick of the food. The cold air soothes my overheating skin as I begin the shuffle home. It had already gotten dark, the scent of melting frost and rain-dampened earth filling my nostrils. All I can hear is my shoes tapping on the sidewalk and the rustle of fresh, early-spring leaves. Its a walk I've taken many nights before but none of them had ever felt this soothing.

I wandered. The lights, the stars, and the peaceful quiet almost made the night seem endless. Like time had stopped for everyone besides me.

Ring, ring.. Ring ring..

It didn't last long.

I pulled my cell from my pocket, now illuminated with the name 'Clarissa'. I sigh, answering. "Whats going on now?" A gasp on the other end almost turned my eyes into bowling balls with how much they rolled.

"You think I would forget my best-friend-in-the-whole-world's birthday? Wow."

"Clay, you know how I feel about the whole birthday thing. And besides, thats tomorrow."

"I know, I know, but it's the one day in the whole year where it's socially acceptable to smother and spoil you." I hear the smile.

"Oh my God, you didn't."

"I did."

I reached the apartment building, groaning softly. "Do I even wanna know?" 3rd floor, going up. The gears hum as I ascend. "Oh c'mon, Naomi, it's a gift not a bomb. Just open it when you get home. Your mom should have it." I roll my eyes again. "You went shopping with mama?" "Hey, she has some good fashion choices. And she knows you better than I do."

Ding

"I told you not to get anything. As far as I'm concerned, today's just another day." I opened the door, immediately being greeted by mama. "I'll call you back after dinner. Bye." I didn't wait for a response before shoving the small rectangle in my sweater pocket.

"Don't be mad with Clarissa. I was the one that wanted to buy you something."

A sigh hangs in my breath. "Mama, I told you. I don't need anything, so you don't have to buy me anything. I appreciate the thought, but I just cant-"

"You better accept it, cause I'm not returning it. There's something special inside." She holds the small box in front of her. It couldn't have been holding much. I nod. There's no harm in a present.

"I'll open it later. Promise. But right now, I just wanna get something to eat."

A weak smile across my face leaves Mama nodding and grabbing me a plate. It was a quiet dinner, but it was a cozy one. I smiled. It was thoughtful of them, truly. I'm just not one to celebrate the day that I'm a year closer to being chained down. Everyone is expected to fall in love and give up their hopes, their dreams, to settle down.

I refuse to let that happen.

"Thank you for the food, Mama." I smile and leave a kiss on her fragile cheek. "You will open the gift for me tomorrow, yes? I want to see your face."

"Yes," I nod. "I promise Mama." I take care of the mess before slinking off to my room for the night. The grease-stained apron comes off first, and then the awkward-fitting, orange and tan uniform. They'll need to be washed before my shift tomorrow.

Ring ring.. ring ring..

I pull a tee-shirt on quickly. Apparently too quickly, as my watch catches the hem of my sleeve. "Dammit-" I release myself before answering my phone. "What is it, Clay?" I sigh.

"I told you to call me after dinner. Did you forget me already?"

"Nah. Just didn't feel like it."

"Aw, you're so rude to me Naomi...that hurts."

She laughs anyways and the box ends up on my nightstand, watching me silently as I try to ignore it. Before too long I'm stuck in the vacuum known as conversation, laughing and reminiscing while I lay on my bed and pick at my nails.

"Jax is married already? The bastard promised he'd invite me to the wedding when he found his soulmate."

"Easy there Clay. Its probably because he ended up marrying your ex."

"No fucking way!"

"Yep. And don't feel too bad, I didn't end up going either. I-"

"Don't. Just let me guess. 'I was busy with work'?"

"Ding Ding Ding, winner. Do I seriously say it that often?"

A laugh erupted from the machine in my hand before she hummed out  a sassy "mmhm". I roll my eyes, looking at my watch.

"Crap, how long have we been talking? Its almost midnight already and I still have work tomorrow."

"See what I mean?"

"Yeah, very funny. Get some slee-" I stop myself. "No." There's a short pause before she asks me whats wrong. I cant answer her as my throat seals up out of sheer horror. "No. No no no no. This cant be happening."

"What is it?!"

I look to the ceiling. "I just got my soulmate."

"...but, thats impossible. You aren't old enough."

"Why don't you tell that to whoever is at the other end. Its going right over my head."

"No way!" She practically squeals with excitement. "Go upstairs and see who it is!"

Are you kidding me? I don't know who's above me. There's only one other floor, so it has to be them. But what If its some creep? Or some jerk? I can't say anything as I shut the apartment door.

Why don't I remember leaving my room?

Clay laughs and squeals on the other end. "I cant believe you have your soulmate already!!" I cant help but cringe at the thought of it. "Just stop! That string stuff is useless! I dont want a soul mate, I want a life, I want adventure, I want to -" I stopped, somehow on the roof. My wrist, the blue thread, I stare confused and a bit hurt.

Clay speaks up, concern obvious in her voice. "Did something happen"

"...It's going into the sky."