Author's note:

Hey guys! So this is my first fanfiction story. I would love to get you feedback. Especially feedback on grammar, that the number one element of writing I think I need to work on. I want this to kind of be as close to a book as possible, so I am not going to give summaries for each chapter because I want people to catch on as the story goes along. However, I will tell you that this story will be solely from Clare's point of view, and that Clare, Eli, Jake, and the rest of the gang are all high school seniors. There will also be some elements of this story that will go along with the television show. I obviously do not own any of the characters…and I'm hoping that this story will last for 20 chapters.

P.S. I got this idea from a picture on Tumblr, and went with it. Enjoy!

Chapter One:

00011 days, 17 hours, 36 minutes, 45 seconds.

My time is running out.

I only have eleven days until my fate is sealed.

Eleven days until I meet my supposed soul mate.

There's only one problem.

I don't believe that some stupid watch that has been around my wrist since the day that I was born could possibly determine when I am supposed to meet my soul mate.

I am the first of my friends that will meet my "soul mate". They still have at least two years until they meet theirs. My current boyfriend, Jake has one year until he meets his.

Jake and I are considered to be "unfaithfuls". That is, we don't only date our soul mates. We have been childhood friends and we started dating in ninth grade. We knew very well that our times didn't match up, but frankly, we didn't care. I knew that I cared about him and he cared about me and that was all that mattered to us.

Jake can't keep his eyes off my watch. Even now as we are holding hands on the table I see him glance down at my wrist to watch the countdown for a few seconds. I don't care what happens when I see my soul mate. When I do, I will be holding onto Jake's hand—or kissing him—I haven't decided yet.

"So tell me why you can't hang out tonight." Jake asked. He rubbed his thumb over the back of my hand to bring me out of my thoughts and back into his conversation.

"My mom wants to take me shopping."

"For what?"

"An engagement dress."

"Are you serious?"

I squeezed Jake's hand. "I know, I told her he wasn't going to automatically fall in love with me; but she is absolutely determined to make sure that I make a good impression on lover-boy."

Jake grimaced. "Please, don't call him that. I know you're joking but, it just isn't funny."

I kissed him on the cheek. "I know. I'm sorry. I just don't know how to deal with this."

Jake forced a smile. "We'll handle it like we always have" he said. "Together."

I smile back and give him a quick kiss and then get out of the car. I look over to the house next door and see that the for-sale sign has officially been taken down. My mother says she met the woman that was moving in and said that she was "an eccentric heathen."

I took a deep breath before opening the door. I wish I could turn around and run back towards Jake's truck. He was still stalling in front of the house, waiting for me to go inside. I look over my shoulder and wave. Jake waves back to me and gives me a reassuring smile.

I turn around and walk into the house.

"I said no, Helen!"

"I only asked you to take one night off for our appointment."

"And I told you not to schedule them on Thursdays!"

"What is so important that you can't take two hours out of your day to improve your family life?"

"How about working so my family can sustain the life that they are living!"

I slammed the door to announce my arrival and ran up the stairs.

"Great look what you've done, Helen. You made a scene when Clare was here."

This is why I don't believe that the matchmakers are always right. In fact, I believe that the matchmakers don't know anything. My parents are supposedly soul mates, but when they met my father was already in love with someone else. Their parents forced them to marry five months later, and now here they are. My mother is in love with my father and my father is still in love with the girl he planned on running away with.

The matchmakers know nothing about love.

My parents are living proof of that.

I put on my stereo and turned it up as loud as it could go. I knew that it would only be a matter of time until my dad told me to turn it down, but for now I was going to revel in the fact that I could not hear them screaming.

"These times will try hard to define me…"

I will not let someone dictate who I am supposed to love.

"but I will hold my head up high…"

After I meet my "soul mate" I am going to ask Jake to run away with me.

"Cause I've seen despair here from the inside, It's gotta one track mind…"

I can't end up like my parents. I just can't.

"Now I'm sitting alone here in my bed, I'm waiting for the answers I don't know that I'll get. I cannot stand to look in the mirror I'm failing, I'm telling you these times are hard…"

"Clare Dianna! Turn it down!"

I reached over and turned down my stereo.

"…but they will pass."

I looked at my watch.

11 days, 13 hours, 24 minutes, 57 seconds.

Since I'm almost finished with my first year at college I'm going to try to update twice a week, but if I can't I will for sure update every friday. Thanks for reading!