Nursing what had to be my fourth pint of the afternoon I continued to watch the 'Tour de France' on the plasma TV screen in the bar. Bike racing wasn't my favourite sport, but it was better than talking to Xav, who was only interested in discussing how he should propose to Crystal.
"So, I was thinking that I could ask her at the top of the Eiffel tower. I could get Zed to come up with us and he could get a photo of me asking her! Or, do you think that would be too tacky?"
"No, that sounds great." I replied, not taking my eyes off the screen.
"Or-" he continued. "I could take her for a picnic on the banks of the Seine, and put the ring in a cupcake. Although, I'd have to be careful she didn't eat it…"
"That sounds good too" I say, totally engrossed by the massive crash on the screen that' s just knocked out nearly ten of the riders.
"Maye I should take her to a mortuary and I could propose to her amongst the rotting corpses with a Haribo ring. I mean, if that doesn't scream romance, then I don't know what does!"
"Yeah, that would be-" and then his words registered. "Wait, what the f*** Xav? That's disgusting, man!" I turn quickly to look in disgust at my brother who's looking at me with much amusement.
"I knew you weren't listening."
"Right. Sorry" I say abashed. I didn't realise that my lack of attention was that obvious.
"It's just that I've got a lot on my mind." He nods in understanding, and we lapse back into a comfortable silence. I drain the last of my beer.
"Another one?" I ask, raising my bottle to demonstrate my question. He nods in reply.
"Go on then." Grabbing the empty bottles I head for the bar, and order another couple of ciders.
It's then that I felt it. A sort of, pleasant tingling at the nape of my neck- it gets stronger the longer I stand at the bar. I feel a sudden urge to move- to move towards the source of the sensation. Curious, I allow my body to move of its own accord and find myself in the hotel's reception. I can hear Xav yelling at me to stop, to ask me what on earth I'm doing. I don't acknowledge him. Instead, my eye catches sight of a girl in the elevator. She's not looking at me, but I know it's her. Suddenly the tingling makes sense!
I start running. I don't know if I'm going to make it in time- the doors are just about to close. I push myself faster, sprinting across the lobby. 'I've got to make it. I've got to make' I chant to myself, urging myself to run faster.
"Stop! Hold the elevator!" My feet pound on the tiles, but I'm just not fast enough- the doors are beginning to slide shut. I get there a few seconds after they've closed, and I pound on the doors in frustration.
"God damnit!" I growl. The anger had evaporated, and I was left with a feeling of bitter disappointment. My soulfinder had been metres- mere metres away from me, and I'd let her slip through my grasp.
"What the f*** was that about, Will?" he asked, running a hand through his hair in a futile attempt to tame it.
"That" I say "was my soulfinder."
"Congrats bro!" he exclaims, thumping my back in excitement. "She's definitely gonna be there tomorrow then- we're as close to the convention as you can get."
"You think?" I ask, hopeful.
"Bro, when have I ever been wrong before? It's your last night as a single man!" I beam broadly.
"Yeah." I reply confidently. "Tomorrow I'm gonna meet her." We walk up to our floor together, elated- I couldn't wait to tell the rest of my family of my good news. Tomorrow was the start of the rest of my life, and I couldn't wait!