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Alice passes time waiting for her soul-mate by befriending a human.

-Wren-

"Can I buy you a drink?"

How many times had I been asked that? It was either out of pity or lust, obviously--neither of which I wanted. It was my ninety-eighth night at the Philadelphia bar, waiting. All the workers knew me by now, and every night I would order one glass of water. After a while, the price dwindled to nearly nothing, and I would simply come there and have company in the friendly bartender and waiters.

I looked up now, realizing that I had been leaning on my palm's heel, seemingly asleep. I batted my lashes out of faux sleepiness and focused on the man asking the question.

He looked sort of nervous, meaning he found me attractive--but also attainable and approachable, even if I was sleeping. I smiled gently, not wanting to shock or scare him with my 'fangs' or beauty. It was still odd to caution my own beauty, something I never really believed it. What with my short-chopped hair and tiny frame, I wasn't exactly the statuesque bombshell men wanted.

The man's eyes were a pleasant color in the dim amber light. Aqua, sort of, with flecks of emerald. Pretty. He has a tanned face from yard work, I could tell that from his white calluses on his thumbs. His teeth were straight and white, his hair relaxed and tawny. He had a handsome face, a straight nose and high cheekbones. His eyes glittered on his pretty tan skin.

"Actually, I don't drink." I shrugged and gestured at my full water glass. I couldn't down their water--my acute senses detected everything that the liquid filters hadn't. His face fell, and he muttered his apologies while he began to stand.

"No, wait! You don't have to buy me a drink, but you can keep me company." He seemed very kind-hearted, and I wanted more conversation than the staff offered. He hesitantly lowered to the stool again. "My name is Alice." I offered happily, sticking out a hand, palm down if he wished to kiss it.

He took it; didn't touch it with his pink lips. "Wren."

I smiled a little wider, pulling away politely. "Nice name."

"You too." He bashfully smiled. After a couple beats of silence, I whispered, "I'm waiting for somebody."

Wren looked alarmed. I shook my head, laughing softly. "Wren, you are a great man, I can already see that. You'll make someone happy someday, but that person isn't me. Just be my friend for tonight, okay? And listen to me rant." I smiled and touched his shoulder while he blushed slightly.

"Who are you waiting for, Alice?" He asked finally. I took my water glass and touched the rim thoughtfully.

"My soul mate." Wren's eyebrows shot up.

"How do you know he'll be here?" he asked suspiciously. "And how do you know it's not me?" He said this more playfully. I shrugged, trying to be vague.

"I dreamt it. I know what he looks like."

"You cannot blindly believe he's real…?" I nodded positively. He looked away.

"He's tall and has wavy blonde hair. He'll be pale and rugged looking, because he's had quite a journey in the past. He's beautiful." I smiled dreamily while Wren looked at my face. He smiled a little too.

"It's refreshing to meet a grown woman that will still follow her dreams." Wren said thoughtfully.

"Of course I follow them. Otherwise, what was the point in having them? I really do know this one is real. I dreamt this place, and it's real, isn't it?" Wren looked around, nodding silently. "Exactly." I said happily, glad I could tell someone new about my soul mate.

We talked for quite a while, mostly about me, which were mostly lies, so I supposed we really didn't get much out on the table. He checked his pocket watch and got up, taking my hand and kissing it like he hadn't before. He promised to come visit me the next day if I wished. I certainly did.

Wren didn't always make it to the diner, but the nights he did, he'd order a beer and we'd talk and talk and talk. It was wonderful.

Soon enough, Wren arrived with a pretty woman with chalk-white skin and hair. Her eyes were deep brown, and her face was delicate. Her limbs were long and slim. She was gorgeous. Actually, I had been there when Wren first met her. At the bar, the two collided when he had gotten up to the restroom. He had helped her up and assisted her in cleaning off the lemonade she had spilled down her shirt. One vision later, I was assured in their love.

I was pleased that Wren had found her. However, she was the reason he stopped showing up. She didn't think it was quite right that Wren came to talk to me for long night hours. I understood, but I was still heart-broken.

I supposed it was only a week after that did I find what I was looking for. I supposed Wren gave me a great distraction--the days would have gone by painfully slow if it was just me and a glass of water each night.

My eyes fell to my silver pocket watch, watching the needle-thin second hand tick, tick, tick.

At exactly 9:38:47, the entrance bell rung with such a new meaning that I knew it was him. Everything was suddenly brighter, and my body felt like it was floating. Slowly, slowly, I turned around, and let my eyes drink in the most beautiful being I'd ever known. The fact that he would soon be mine made me almost sickeningly lucky and merry.

I knew in the back of my mind that Wren and his girl were sitting in a nearby booth, simply chatting over night malts. I hoped he was watching--just to see I was not crazy. I hoped the staff was catching this too, making all those water glasses worth it.

My bottom would never touch that stool again, I thought happily as I slid off it. I listened to the world around me--the people, the dishes, the chewing, the bustling--my footsteps.

My hand drew outwards, my chest catching. My face broke into a smile, and I knew the wait was worth it.

"You've kept me waiting a long time."