He's waiting a table at a diner with that stupid apron tied around his hips, I watch while paying for my lunch in a fast food restaurant.
He's flirting with someone else, I try to ignore while doing my homework.
Soulmates are stupid.
When we connected a few years ago, it was torture on my end. I would see him everywhere and it was terribly distracting. He seemed ecstatic, though - I learned to read lips through him and I catch him saying "soulmate" all the time to others.
He can't see me, though, and for that I'm relieved. I would've hated to break down his spirit if he saw how annoyed I was when we connected.
The universe is stupid.
It decides to connect two strangers together spontaneously and give them consequences for it. Not even everybody gets connected with someone, so why did I - someone who hates the entire concept - have to be one of the few who did?
Soulmates are able to feel the emotions, pain, and pleasure the other feels as long as their connection is open or if it's strong enough. Along with that, if they're connection is open, they also can taste, smell, see, or hear the other, but it's different for everybody.
For me, I see my soulmate through reflective surfaces. I suspect mine can taste what I taste. It's sometimes funny, though - I ate a jalape o with our connection open and laughed as he started bouncing around and fanning his tongue. But that's the only sentimental moment we've shared in the years we've been connected, and I often feel guilty about it. After all, it is my fault for being distant with him His name is Lance, but I feel uncomfortable knowing that private information without him knowing even what I look like. The only reason I found out was by basically spying on him while he was working and read his nametag while our connection was open. However, I can't lie about his looks; he's really attractive. Sometimes when our connection is open, I find myself blatantly watching him just because I can't resist.
It's torture, really.
I'm always chastised by my friend to be thankful but I can't stand when something this big is out of my hands. And that's where I am now - stuck through a lecture led by my friend, Shiro, on why I should be grateful to be paired by the universe.
At moments like this, I regret choosing him as the only person to know about my soulmate.
"-that so many people wish they could have a soulmate? And by the way you're describing him, it sounds like your soulmate is ecstatic to have you," he crosses his arms and leans his hip against the side of the bench where I sit.
I roll my eyes and tighten my leather jacket around me - it's colder today than I expected it to be - before saying, "Okay, but is it necessary to tell me every time I breath?"
"Yes," he replies matter-of-factly.
I huff but hide my smirk as I point out, "You're just jealous because you're secretly a hopeless romantic at heart."
He punches my shoulder but I don't have to look at him to know he's sporting a small blush on his ears and neck.
Before he can protest, the bus finally comes and we hurry onto it and out of the cold, even though it is only a few degrees warmer inside. We take our seats side by side in silence.
"Have you found a new job yet?" Shiro suddenly asks after a while.
I sigh. He has asked me everyday since I got fired from my last one. "No."
"Good," he grins, causing me to look at him incredulously. "I think I can get you one where I work. Matt just quit so there's a new opening for a cashier."
"Really?" I sit up, hopeful.
Shiro nods, "I'll talk to my boss about getting you an interview and text you later to let you know what he says."
I smile, "Thanks. That would help a lot."
"I know," he smiles back. The bus slows to a stop and he stands up, resting his hand on my shoulder briefly. "I'll talk to you later, yeah?"
I nod and he gets off. Fortunately for him, this bus stop is on the same block as the convenience store where he works. Unfortunately for me, after two more stops I get off and still have to walk three blocks to get to my apartment building.
Once I pay and get off the bus, I immediately put in my earbuds and turn on some music. The wind picks up and the sun has set almost completely so I cross my arms and duck my head down in an attempt to keep myself warm. It has gotten ridiculously cold and it's only November. I don't even own a winter coat.
With a frostbitten nose, I finally make it inside the building and shake out my limbs, as if it will expel the cold faster. I press the button for the elevator and toy with my keys as I wait. That is, until I feel the connection opening.
It's like a wind hitting me full force. I shudder and hurry into the elevator where it's a little more private than the lobby. After pressing the fourth button, I press my back against the wall facing the closing doors and grip onto the railing, a sudden, strong feeling pounding into my chest. I grip my eyes shut but can't help feel worried - usually my soulmate's emotions are positive, but this one feels like a dull anxiety.
I swallow and risk opening my eyes. A green "2" blinks above the elevator doors. My eyes flicker to the metal wall to my right and I see him pacing in his room with his friend - who I often see with him - sitting on his bed watching him nervously. Once the elevator lugs to a stop, I rush out and into my apartment after nearly dropping my keys several times trying to unlock the door. When inside, I avoid looking at any reflective surfaces while kicking my shoes off and tossing my jacket and backpack on the couch.
I find myself glancing at the TV, watching Lance in its reflection. His friend is no longer in his room and he is sitting on the edge of his bed, elbows on his knees and hands crossed. I step closer to get a better look and notice he's talking to himself.
"-really wish you. . . with me. Are. . . even there?" I make out. I sigh and slump over, letting his now lonely and longing emotions fill my chest, too. He's talking to me.
I desperately try to think of a way to cheer him up. I hurry to my fridge, knowing taste is the way to go with this, and search through its contents. I can't help but smirk when I see the almost empty jar of jalape os. I grab it and my half-gallon jug of milk and hurry into my bathroom before the connection splits. Lance is now laying on his back, hands covering his face. The lonely feeling is getting stronger.
After practically tearing off the lid to the jar, I take out two slices of jalape os and drop them in my mouth, masticating them thoroughly so the spice covers all sides of my tongue. It doesn't take long until I see Lance snap up, hands covering his mouth. He searches around his room frantically for anything to drink so I take my milk and chug some of it. Relief instantly washes over his face and I notice his shoulders shake with a small chuckle. A warm feeling radiates through my chest and I smile.
Relief and happiness.
"I'm here," I whisper without thinking. The connection ends shortly after and the reflection of Lance in his room fades into my pale face, clouded by dark hair. Immediately, the smile from my face and happiness in my chest are replaced by a frown and a sour feeling in the pit of my stomach.
Soulmates are stupid.
"I mean, I really appreciate the help getting me a job and all, but did you have to schedule my interview for me?" I huff, shrugging my shoulder to hike the strap farther up, walking quickly down the sidewalk. "For the last time, I didn't schedule it for you. This morning is the only available time my boss has for the next two weeks. Don't you need to pay for rent?" he points out, enticing a scowl from me. "He's leaving tonight with his family for Thanksgiving break. You're lucky he even agreed to interview you today."
I roll my eyes, "I guess I should also thank you for waking me up at two in the morning to tell me the interview was six hours from then, yeah? I hardly got any sleep after that! I had to find an outfit, rewrite my resume, and run to the library and back to print it. And it was freezing out! Not to mention we missed the bus because of it, hence why we're practically jogging there now."
Shiro groans, "I'm sorry, okay? I fell asleep and forgot to tell you. Then, Slav woke me up at 2 and I couldn't go back to sleep - that's when I remembered to call you."
"I hate your stupid cat," I grumble.
"Yeah, he tends to be very. . . inconvenient," he winces, rubbing the back of his neck. "Anyway, come on. We have ten minutes to get there," he says, grabbing the handle of my backpack and pushing me forward.
"Easy, easy, we're right down the block from it," I frown, swatting his hand away.
When we walk inside a short while later, I shudder in the warmth. It's colder today, but I was more prepared than yesterday. Above my dress shirt, I have a hoodie and my leather jacket on top along with my gloves. Shiro orders me to take off my layers while he fetches his boss in the back of the store, so I do without too much protest since it's much warmer in the store. I also take my resume out from my backpack and kick the pile of my jackets and backpack out of the way in case any costumers come in.
Soon after, he returns with a tall man. But, when Shiro sees my wrinkled, black dress shirt with the top button undone, the pep in his step turns more into dread. I mentally blame the fact that I couldn't iron it this morning on him.
"You must be Keith," his boss states, holding out his hand for me to shake. He doesn't seem too concerned about my wrinkled shirt, at least. "I'm Kolivan."
I shake his hand, "Nice to meet you."
"Shiro tells me you need a job. What hours are you available to work?" he asks. After telling him the available hours around my school schedule, he says, "Great, you've got the job. I'll pencil you in the schedule and we can get you started by next Monday. Does that sound good?"
I blink at him, surprised. "Uh, really? Yeah, that sounds great."
"Good. Now if you two will excuse me, I have quite a bit work to get done before my flight," he grins before walking away.
"Uh. . ." I mumble, my forlorn resume crinkling slightly in my hand. Even Shiro looks surprised. "Respectfully, what the hell?"
Shiro laughs breathily. "I have no idea. Just be glad - he's usually much harder on people he interviews."
"Must be because he's in a rush," I shrug, crumpling my resume into a ball.
Shiro smirks, "Or he just likes me."
I squint at him, "That doesn't make any sense."
"Sure it does. Now, let's go. You need to get to class soon," he says, nodding at my things on the floor.
"I still have half an hour," I protest, but put my stuff back on anyway.
"Then we'll stop for coffee to celebrate your new job on the way," he smirks. I tug my gloves on and throw my backpack over my shoulder again, sighing. "I'll pay, don't worry. Plus, there's a diner on the way that I've been wanting to try out."
We head out and ride the bus into campus. The wind picks up so I throw my hood over my head on our way to the diner. "I don't have to go in, do I?" I ask once I spot a familiar silhouette ahead walking towards us.
"No, we can get it to go. Why don't you want to go in?" he asks.
"I see a friend up there I want to catch up with, do you mind?" I ask.
He shakes his head, "No, I'll be back out soon."
I nod and we split up, him entering the diner and me walking past it. "Pidge!" I call out, winning her attention over the phone in her gloved hands. I wave to her and she waves back, jogging up to me.
"Hey, Satan, what's up?" she grins.
I roll my eyes but smirk at her new, odd greeting. "I'm going to head to class after my friend grabs me a coffee," I say, nodding my head towards the diner. She glances at it briefly as I add, "What about you?"
"I'm heading to class, too. Who's your friend?" she asks, shoving her phone and hands into the pockets of her giant, puffy coat. "Shiro. He sometimes works as an assistant to one of the professors."
"His name sounds familiar," she tilts her head in thought, "Which professor?"
"Mr. Wimbleton. He teaches prosthetic nursing, I think," I respond.
"Why only sometimes?" she asks, kicking a pebble past my feet.
"Well, Shiro actually has a prosthetic arm so whenever Mr. Wimbleton needs him for a class, he's there," I shrug. "Plus he has a second job."
Pidge's eyes brighten. "No way! That's so cool, can I see it?"
I smirk, "You'll have to pay him a lot to get him to take off his coat in this weather, Pidgeon."
She scowls as I attempt to ruffle her hair through the hat on her head. Shiro comes back outside as she fixes it. "Ready?" he asks, handing me a steaming to-go cup.
"Not yet. Shiro, this is Pidge. She's a student here for technological astrology-" I start.
"Astrophysics. Technological astrophysics," she corrects. "Keith tells me you have a prosthetic. Could I see?" she adds excitedly. Shiro grins, "Sure." He rolls up his sleeve just below his right elbow and stretches out his metal fingers.
"Wow," Pidge muses. "That's so cool!"
"Pidge believes that someday she will have prosthetic legs with jets built into the heels," I smirk at Shiro.
She kicks my shin, "Only when I was younger I did!"
"Hey, you wouldn't happen to be related to Matt Holt, would you?" he asks before taking a sip of his own coffee.
"Yeah, he's my brother, do you know him?" she asks.
Shiro nods, "I used to work with him but he just quit."
"That's why your name sounded familiar," Pidge realizes.
We make our way to our classes together, Pidge somehow managing to drink half of my coffee before we go our separate ways. Once inside the building of my first class, I chug the remaining coffee before tossing the cup in a bin outside my classroom. So much for my reward for getting a job.
By the time I finish my classes, it's past lunchtime and my stomach had been growling throughout the entirety of the last one. I take a mental note to eat more than a bagel for breakfast from now on as I head for the bus stop. It's Thursday today, meaning Shiro works all afternoon and therefore I have no plans. I spot the diner from this morning between me and the bus stop and my stomach growls again. After contemplating the small and quickly diminishing money in my wallet, I decide to indulge into a well-earned lunch.
At least, that's what I tell myself as I pass the bus stop. After all, I still have twenty minutes until the bus comes and it's freezing out.
As I walk past one of the windows to the diner, I look inside for the first time - I didn't get a chance to this morning. Instead, I see Lance waiting a table with the same stupid apron around his hips. I huff and look down to avoid seeing him, heading for the door. When I reach for the handle, I feel my chest spasm in panic as I realize something.
The connection between me and my soulmate isn't open.
I shouldn't be able to see Lance right now without the connection, but I do.
Lance is really here and there are only a few feet and a door between us.
I look up again and sure enough, Lance is grinning at some customers while writing down their order.
He is really here.
I snatch my hand back as if the handle burned me and hesitate for a moment before racing down the sidewalk, skipping the bus entirely to get as far away from that diner as possible.
Because soulmates are stupid.