Hello there, everyone! It's been a little bit and I'm sorry for that lol I'm starting this on the 25th so maaaayyyybe I can get it done and published for you all on a decent day lol Anyway, I'm gonna try my hand at angst writing again which might switch back to sappy due to how things are going for me right now lol Blame a Bryar lol

Anyway! Here's the next update and I hope you all enjoy!

I checked my phone for what felt like the hundredth time that night. My walkie-talkie connected to Toby's next to my head as I checked my texts with Claire once more.

Read. Read. Read. Claire never leaves me on read. She says she hates doing that. She hates it when people do it to her. That's why she always told me if she was getting tired while we were texting or if she had something she was doing and that it might cause delays. She hates just ghosting people. It's not who Claire is.

Then why has she not replied since I dropped her off at home?

"You're overreacting, Jimbo." I sighed as I picked up the walkie-talkie and brought it to my lips.

"If it was just me overreacting, she would have replied by now, Tobes. This is Claire. She never just, doesn't reply. Even Mary would say something's up if Claire hasn't replied yet."

"Have you contacted Darci or Mary?" I swallowed a little dryly as I dropped my phone on my chest. Reaching up soon after to place my now free hand behind my head like a pillow.

"No. I thought that would be a little much."

"But sitting here panicking about it isn't?" I sighed leaned my head back so I could look up at my bedroom's ceiling.

"It's hard to explain, Tobes, but I know something's wrong. I just have a feeling something is off and I can't stand it. This isn't like Claire and something is up. Call it a soulmate's intuition if you want, but I know something isn't right." I heard Toby sigh on the other line as he seemed to have given in on my idea of the situation.

"Alright, alright. What could be going on though? What could be so wrong that she wouldn't talk to you about it? You're her soulmate. Hell, I'm sure she has already told you things she has told no one else and you two have only been together for a few months."

"I don't know! That's the problem! She's told me everything! Even the stuff about her parents and how they're against soulmate marks and-." I shut up suddenly as my mind put two and two together.

"Jim? You alright there?"

"They saw us."

"What do you mean by 'they saw us'."

"Claire and I. Her folks. They must have seen me drop her off. They know." There was a moment of silence on Toby's end as he came to the realization as well.

"Oh fuck."

"Exactly!"

"She must have had to explain about you being her soulmate then. Would they ground her or something if she was dating you? That would be a little harsh."

"I have no clue. I wouldn't put it past them though. Mom said by the last few times she's talked to them that they seemed rather strict with her. Expecting her to be a little Miss Perfect all the time."

"Probably strict on boyfriends too then. Soulmate or not." Sight as Toby finished that thought, I felt my phone vibrate on my chest. I lifted my head and brought my other hand from under it. I grabbed my phone and propped it up on my chest to read that Claire finally replied back.

"She said my parents want to meet you."

"Well, you're fucked."

I buried my face in my pillow as I tried my best to ignore all the fresh memories that had just occurred.

"You've been out this late with some boy?"

"My soulmate."

"You've got more things to worry about than some guy, Claire."

"Soulmate."

"You've got the play and your grades. Those two things should be your priority. Grades more importantly."

"But he's. My. Soulmate."

"Soulmates. Don't. Matter."

I swallowed hard as I tried my best to steady my breathing.

I should have known that they would react poorly to him. I wanted to get them to meet him at the end of the play. Let them see how good of a guy he is and how he cares about my interest.

Not see him walk me home and see me kiss his cheek. Despite how much worse it could have been if I went on my instinct of actually kissing him.

But no. Folks want to meet him to judge him and see if he's worthy. If not, they'll disapprove of my soulmate and tell me to never see him again. Despite how much he means to me. Both as a soulmate and as a friend.

I groaned as I buried my face further into my pillow.

God, why do my parents have to be the way they are? So disproving of my happiness if it doesn't fit what they want for me. Hell, I can't even apply to the school I want to go to because my mom doesn't see it as 'worthy'. Acting alone was something that they never wanted me to do before until they heard praise about my acting from my math teacher. If people praise them for it, they approve of it. If I fulfill their image and what they want of their eldest child, then they'll let me do it.

I felt my phone vibrate beside me and I glanced over to see that the screen lit up once more. It's been going on and off every so often the last few minutes but I've been ignoring it. Mainly due to the amount of pure anxiety I've been having over everything right now.

Maybe I should just check.

I reached over and grabbed the phone and picked it up slightly. The name appearing there being Jim's as he showcased his worry for me in his most recent text.

Jim: Hey, are you alright? You normally tell me if you disappear.
Claire?
Just let me know if you're alright. I'm hoping you just passed out or something.

I smiled at his few worried texts as it was obvious he didn't want to seem too clingy or something along those lines.

That's my soulmate.

I opened up the messages with one hand as I typed up a quick reply for the boy.

C: Hey, just had an encounter with my parents about the soulmate thing. They want to meet you. I'm okay though. We can talk more about it later though.

As soon as I sent the message, bubbles appeared on the screen indicated that he was replying.

Jim: I guess they saw us then?

C: Yeah.

Jim: I'm sorry, Claire.

I couldn't help but smile a little as I shook my head.

C: Nothing to be sorry about there, Jim.

Jim: I still am though. It's something you shouldn't have to deal with.

C: It's nothing you can change though.

Jim: I wish I could though.

I felt my smile softened as I typed back a reply without a second thought.

C: You know, this is why I lo-.

I stopped myself as I was about to finish the word.

Four little letters. Ones that mean so much but sound so easy to just send.

I swallowed hard as I contemplated my choices. My thumb looming over the 'v' button as I went deep into my thoughts.

I love him. I know that for certain. He makes me smile when nothing else can. His laugh makes this feeling that could only be compared to the fuzziness after drinking a hot drink after a cold evening. He gives me butterflies just but looking at me and can hold my attention longer than anything ever has. Counting school, friends, or even theater.

He brings me joy. He's my friend. He's my soulmate. He's my love.

My thumb hit the backspace once as I replaced the word with ease.

But that's something he deserves to hear in person. Not over text.

C: You know, this is why I like you so much lol

Jim: Me wishing I could help you with your parents is why you like me so much? lol

C: The fact that you would if you could is a lot more than anyone else would, Jim lol

Jim: This is true lol

I smiled like a fool as I rolled over onto my back. The next few hours passing with ease as the boy took over my mind and erased all my anxieties from the moments prior.

I love him more than anything.

I smiled as we both said our goodnights as we decided that we've kept each other up long enough. The early morning hours rolling in as I turned off my phone for the night.

And I can't wait to say that to him.

I smiled as Claire said her goodnights before heading off to bed. My hand flopping beside me with my phone still within it as a happy chuckle released itself from me.

I could tell she was anxious. I could tell she was going through something and I wasn't going to let her go through it alone. So I stayed up much later than I should have to make sure I made her laugh a few times and that she didn't go to sleep upset.

I yawned a bit, feeling my jaw pop in the process as I brought my hand back up with my phone so I could power it off.

Will the lack of sleep be worth it? Absolutely.

I closed my mouth from the yawn just to smile like a fool once more.

Gods, I really do love her.

Have I been meaning to say it? Multiple times. Hell, when she said 'You know, this is why I like you so much', I almost joked about how I wished it was more than just 'like' or if she was sure it was just 'like'. But each time I try to say it, I get tongue-tied. I get to this point where I can't speak or think. She makes my mind halt and I can't even get my words right.

Will that mean I'll ever be able to say it?

I gave my ceiling a dorky look as I closed my eyes without a second thought. Sleep taking over me rather easily as I turned onto my side.

I sure as hell hope so. Parent's approval or not.

An update a little on the shorter side, but it's getting late and I wanted to finish this today lol Anywaaaaay~! I hope you guys enjoyed this update and much love to the lot of ya!