Summary: Turning sixteen was supposed to be simple for John. He would dream of his soulmate (probably Vriska) and then he would be happy with her. He didn't count on dreaming of a boy who was who-knows-where. He didn't count on the political shift the country would be going through. He definitely didn't count on worrying whether or not his dad would come home alive. And when your soulmate is hurting himself but you have no way to reach him?
God damn it! Since when was turning sixteen so complicated?!
John squirmed excitedly in the car. It was his sixteenth birthday! He and his friends were all going to the beach! John grinned at Jade and Vriska, who sat on either side of him. Of course John was excited because he was going to the beach with his friends. But he was even more excited to fall asleep!
"What if I can't fall asleep?!" he exclaimed.
"You'll collapse from exhaustion eventually," Vriska said.
"What if my soulmate isn't sixteen yet?!"
"I guess you'll have to wait until their birthday," Jane said.
"What if my soulmate isn't asleep at the same time?!"
"I guess they'll pass out when you fall asleep?" Jade said.
"Someone better catch me then!" Vriska joked. John and Jade laughed. They didn't know for sure that Vriska was John's soulmate, but John hoped she was.
"I can't wait to find out who they are!" Nepeta called from behind them. John turned and saw she looked as excited as he was. Equius seemed to be trying to calm her and failing.
"Guys!" Jane yelled. "We're here!"
John's dad pulled over into the parking lot. John and his friends could see the beach. They all jumped out of the car as Feferi's mom pulled up next to them. Feferi, Eridan, and Aradia all came out. Soon they were all running at top speed to the beach.
Feferi and Eridan dumped their stuff in a random spot and raced into the water. Jade and Jane stopped and began to set everything up. John, Nepeta and Equius helped them.
"Come on John!" Vriska said, grabbing his arm.
She dragged him over to the water. John grinned and splashed as much water on her as he could. She laughed and splashed him back. She chased him through the water, splashing him every chance she got. John laughed and splashed her back. Then he tripped on a rock and fell.
"Whoa!" His head plunged underwater and he immediately grabbed his glasses. He closed his eyes and kicked his legs. He broke through the surface and laughed. Vriska tackled him, sending him underwater again. They wrestled until they couldn't hold their breath any longer and swam to the surface.
"OTP!" Nepeta yelled, making a heart around them with her hands. John laughed and Vriska wrapped an arm around his shoulders. She tousled his hair and he laughed, causing water to get into his mouth. He spat it out and coughed.
"Boo!" Feferi yelled, jumping up behind him. John squealed and jumped. Vriska and Feferi laughed and he tried desperately to convince them he hadn't squealed.
"You did too squeal!" Vriska said, laughing. She tickled him under his chin and John flapped his arms.
"C-cut it out!" he yelled, laughing. Vriska grinned and tackled him again, sending them underwater. He squirmed and wrestled until he broke free and swam up to the surface. He and Vriska laughed for a few seconds. Then she tackled him again.
They kept that up for a whole hour. By the time their friends got them out of the water John was exhausted. He flopped onto his blue towel and closed his eyes. He could hear his friends laughing and talking, but they all sounded distant to him. He was so tired, he soon found himself drifting asleep.
John saw a boy sitting in what must have been his bedroom. He had white hair and dark aviator shades that hid his eyes from view. He was fiddling with some turntables and after a few seconds John could hear him. He was rapping something.
As John listened, he had to admit the guy was pretty good. He got every note right and the rhythm was perfect. John found he was a bit jealous. He couldn't sing well at all.
Then the scene changed suddenly and he was watching the boy sword-fighting someone. For some reason though, he couldn't see who he was fighting. But he was really fast! He dodged and jumped and swung his sword so quickly he looked like a blur to John.
John watched him get kicked and fall to the ground. He wanted to yell to him, but he couldn't open his mouth. Then the scene changed again and the guy was sitting in his room again, drinking apple juice. John listened and realized he was rapping about drinking apple juice while he drank apple juice. He couldn't help but giggle. He was so silly!
Then the scene changed again and John's smile was replaced with a frown. The guy was sitting on his bed with a red laptop on his lap. His hands slid under his shades and clutched at his hair. He was breathing heavily. John wondered if he was crying.
Then the scene changed and John gasped. The guy was curled up in a ball in his bathroom. Blood ran down from his right wrist and a razor was clutched in his left hand. John felt his stomach clench and churn. He felt a desperate urge to help the guy, but he couldn't move at all!
Finally the scene changed again. The boy's wrist wasn't bleeding anymore. He stood in the bathroom, staring in the mirror. His shades were clutched in his hands. He turned and looked at John and John gasped. His eyes were a startling bright red. Seeing them sent a sudden rush of warmth through John. His eyes widened as he realized what he was seeing.
John gasped and sat up.
"Oh my god! My soulmate's a guy!"