What if there was a timer on our wrists with the sole purpose of counting down to the exact moment you were going to meet that one person, who would love you forever. When the timer reaches zero you would meet the person you would gladly spend the rest of your life with. Would you take the opportunity?
"Yeah so, long story short, my Dad's making us all go visit Grandma during Thanksgiving." I only hummed in response with a few unfocused "yeah" as I constantly kept taking glances at my wrist. 0000d 04h 54m 35s, I feel so much anxiety, nervousness, and a strange sense of... longing? I have so many questions like "What if they don't like me?" Or "What if I don't like them?" and so many others I think I'm beginning to get a headache. I shook my head, willing away any more questions. I inwardly groaned 'Why did it have to be today? Why not next week? Ooh, better yet 3 to, I don't know, 20 years. I'm sure I'll be ready by then. After all, I am only fourteen.' Though the feeling in my gut told me that no matter how much more time I had, I would never be prepared for today's meeting.
"Cunningham, you listening?" Said Howard pulling me out of my thoughts. I blinked at him.
"Uhh, yes?" I responded making what I could I only hope weren't suspicious glances at everything but him.
"Cunningham, you and I both know you're a bad liar. So spill the cheese. You've been spacing out on me all week." He said giving me a look.
"Oh... um have I? I said giving him a sheepish smile. Howard gave me a look.
"I'm sorry Howard, it's just, I only have a few hours left before I meet my supposed 'love of my life'. And well… I guess I'm just… Not prepared. You know?" I said trying to find the right words. 'Why is this so hard?!' I thought to myself angrily.
"What? Since when?" Howard exclaimed looking at me incredulously. I looked at him shocked, and promptly looked at my wrist.
"4 hours 39 minutes and 28 seconds." I said aloud.
"What? Nuh uh, just a while ago you had, 6 months." I looked at him dumbfounded.
"Howard that was six months ago! See!" I exclaimed showing him my clock to prove a point.
"Oh." Was all he said. I sighed.
I checked again, it read 0000d 04h 38m 34s. I honestly have no idea why I keep checking, I didn't always do this. Before I could go days without looking at my wrist. Though it did eventually become a habit of mine later on. "Maybe I'm just worried" I thought feeling trying to force away my anxiety. Though it can only happen if the other dies before the meeting time. It's not impossible, and the clock on your wrist will stop counting down because that one person meant for you, just isn't there anymore. There is no other half for you to meet because some unknown force destroyed that chance. So it stays still. To keep things simple everyone just calls them the 'Shattered'. Though I can only hope that they're only referring to the Timer. The government does try and help by providing therapy, and I don't know that many people that have gone through this. Everyone I do know, always leave and go into the homeschooling system. I don't really know what I would do if I had to go through that. I have what I could only call sympathy for the Shattered, after all I am one of the lucky ones.
"Well it's just a dumb clock. Why should it matter? It won't do anything to you." Howard said like it was the most obvious thing in the world. I gaped at him till it felt like my jaw would hitting the floor. 'Wait this is Howard.' I thought to myself and suddenly it was the most hilarious thing in the world, and I found myself laughing so hard that my sides were killing me. I continued to laugh and Howard just stared at me like I'd grown another head. It wasn't until what felt like years that I was able to breath again I finally managed to speak.
"Haha good one Howard." I said patting him on the back.
"Uhh who ever said I was joking?" He said blankly.
"So you mean… You're not…?" I said with a shocked expression.
"If by that you mean I don't really care... then yeah pretty much." Howard said
unimpressed. I gasped in shock.
"Have you lost your cheese?!" I said grabbing by his shoulders.
"This could change our lives! You know, for like. Ever!" I was shaking him like a rag doll, but I was too busy explaining to him how life changing this could be. Though I think it might be because he won't be meeting his until after graduation, which is pretty common as far as timers go, to meet your soul mate during early adulthood. My clock is earlier than most. It's not as common but not it's not unusual either. What's really rare is to meet yours really late in life or really early, like adorable baby early and late as in you're in your late 50's and up.
"Okay! Okay! Just quit shaking me!" Howard yelled starting to look a little green. I paused momentarily just barely registering what he said before letting go and gently patting his back.
"Oh right. Sorry." He was fine, just looked a little dazed… and green. As soon as he was able to stand straight he was about to say something but was interrupted by ringing.
He lifted up his index finger as the universal sign for 'one moment' as he began to fumble around his pocket for his cellphone. He groaned when he saw who it was. I already have an idea of about who was on the other end.
"Your Dad?" I asked. He groaned again in response before pressing the speak button. I knew that this might take a while so I went ahead and grabbed the bag of chips and sat myself down on a bean bag. Throughout Howard's conversation, most of it was filled with "but Dad" and gibberish on the other end. After about five or so minutes he grumbled a goodbye and ended the call looking very irritated, angrily mumbling things to himself.
"So what'd your Dad want?" I asked curiously from my bean bag.
"Sorry Cunningham, Dad wants me to go home and help Heidi with the chores." He said irritably grabbing his bag from somewhere off the floor.
"What the juice Howard? What about my problem?" I said beginning to feel my panic rising.
"Oh right. That. Just call me later and tell me how it went." He said such with nonchalance that he might as well be talking about the weather. Which clearly didn't help. After noticing my face he continued.
"Sorry man, I'd love to help you and all, but it's either this or I get to be the one who rubs Mom's bunion cream." My expression switched from panic to one of pure horror, I shuddered. I've only seen Mr. Weinerman apply that stuff once by accident and I still get nightmares.
"It's fine. I'll call you later. Just… don't ever tell me about that kind of cheese again." I said still slightly horrified at the memory.
"That, I can do. See ya!" Howard waved before running downstairs and out the front door. I sighed as I stood to look out my bedroom window, I could see Howard's retreating form as he walked down the street towards his house. He was never one for running. I usually don't like to stay home alone because it was always too quiet. But since I am a little stressed I might as well distract myself, as I checked my wrist again, 0000d 04h 08m 53s.
"I guess I have time to play some grave punchers." I said to myself with a small smile.
"Well this is officially the worst day ever." I said dryly. "Of all days to go on an investigation outside of Amity Park." I muttered bitterly under my breath.
"Oh come on Danny going on a trip will be good for you." Jazz said in a matter of fact tone.
"Maybe not, but today is the day the timer hits zero and I don't want to go out!" I whispered loudly in frustration not wanting Mom and Dad to hear. My parents are making me and Jazz go with them on "business". Though I doubt that was the case because I did mention that I didn't want to meet whoever it was that was behind the clock, and coincidence isn't really a thing in this because I might have let it slip that it would hit zero today. Then the very next day Mom and Dad already had everything packed to go on a "business trip". So I have no idea where I'm going with a clock on my wrist, that is continuously going down as we speak.
"Oh I'm sorry Danny." Mom said sympathetically from the front seat. "But if it makes you feel any better, even if you don't meet yours in Amity Park you will meet someone" She replied with a knowing smile. I sighed, that's not what I want. I thought dejectedly.
The thought of this clock being there annoys me, I mean what happened to the struggle of finding out who's meant for you. The idea that I'll just love whoever the clock presents to me, is just… wrong. That's why I never wanted to know what it was, I wanted to find love on my own. So that's why I wore bands. Since I'm not the only that feels this way, there are pieces of cloth that can wrap around your wrist, that can cover up the timer successfully, since there is no way to physically remove it since the timer continues to tick and will only stop unless you or the other die... Yeah I know.
Jazz never liked the idea of bands to begin with so there's really no point in saying how she reacted. Sam, well, let's just say she sort of agreed with me, after all, she was the one who gave me the band. Tucker… well he just didn't care, which to be honest I appreciated very much.
"That's right Danny. Maddie and I met at the University and it was undeniably the best day of our lives." Dad said happily grabbing Mom into one of his "bear hugs". Though I wish he didn't because he is behind the wheel after all.
"Thanks Dad…" That was all I could think of to say.
"No problem Danny!" Dad said completely oblivious to my lack of enthusiasm.
I figured that now would be a good time to check on Sam and Tucker and pulled out my phone. When we left, Sam and Tucker would be handling things in Amity Park until I get back, I'm not too worried about them getting overwhelmed since Valerie's there too. It took a while but in the past two years that I've known Valerie, she did eventually become an ally. It took about half of that time for us to realize that we both have the same goals. So we both have a mutual understanding that if one of us can't be there to protect Amity, the other will. Which has probably saved us both a lot of stress.
I dialed in Sam's number. I figured I could use advice from someone who is somewhat knowledgeable in this type of thing. I could ask Jazz but she goes into full detail about how to let out stress, and how to look on the bright side of things. If not Sam can at least distract me for a while. I let it ring and subconsciously tugged at my wrist band. I guess it wouldn't hurt to take a glance. I thought.
0000d 03h 02m 19s
'Three more hours to go.' I thought to myself, feeling more anxiety as a watched the numbers count down. I was originally planning to stay locked up in my room today and hope that no one would ask me to come down, but here we are now.
"Hello? Danny?" I heard Sam say on the other line.
"Uhh, yeah. It's me." I responded.
"Oh hey. What do you need?" She asked probably raising an eyebrow on the other line. Straight to point I guess. I thought not really expecting anything less.
"Just wanted to see how you guys have been holding up." I said with a shrug.
"Danny you just left a while ago, were fine" There was a pause. "Are you?" I flinched. I really have no idea what to do.
I must have been too slow respond when I heard Sam say something "Right. I'm getting Tucker."
"Wait Sam I-" I yelled out trying to stop her but gave up when I heard Tuck.
"Hey Danny, Sam told me you had issues." I groaned.
"Quit complaining. Now what's the problem?" Sam questioned.
I sighed into submission. "The Timer." I answered defeated, I knew there was more to it than that but that was pretty much whats causing my conflict anyhow.
"What about it?" They asked. I sighed This is what I get for not ever saying how much time I had left. I thought annoyed.
"I've only got a few more hours until it hits zero." I said while rolling my eyes.
"Oh yeah! Congrats man." Tucker said happily, and I couldn't help but feel annoyed at that.
"Yeah… just don't do anything until we get there." Sam teased no doubt a smirk on her face. I could feel my face heat up.
"What are you talking about?!" The only response I got were snickers on the other end. I groaned allowed. "You guys aren't being very helpful, just so you know." I said irritably.
"Sorry man, but you're irresistible." Tucker replied with humor in his voice. I rolled my eyes.
"But yeah, teasing aside. Maybe you should give this a shot." Sam asked. I raised both eyebrows at the sudden change in attitude.
What? I thought mouth agape, she felt just as strongly as I did about the whole situation, if not significantly more. Tucker was probably just as shocked as me since I haven't heard him say anything yet. I think there might be something wrong here, maybe, she got possessed or something.
"What?" I heard her ask, though not in a curious way, in way that says bite me.
"Uh nothing." I said. She's fine. I thought somewhat more relieved.
"Still though, I know what I said before, and it still stands." I was more than I little confused at this point.
"Sam, I have no idea what you're trying to say." I responded bluntly. I heard her huff, and I for moment I heard her mutter "boys" disdainfully under her breath.
"What I mean is, prove the timer wrong. Meet whoever it is and if what you say is true, then you don't have to worry falling in love in an instant. Get it now?" I was about to interject but as her words settled in, I couldn't help but consider it.
"Wow Sam, thats harsh." I heard Tucker say on the other line but I didn't pay much mind to it, being too deep in thought.
"Well, what better way to prove the timer wrong, then to resist falling in love, with whoever it sets us him up with." Sam continued as if it made more her response more justified.
"Yeah, well what's wrong with that? I mean all of our parents were soulmates, what's so bad about it?" I heard Sam groan in frustration before I heard a resulting "Ow" from Tucker. At this point, I've learned to just zone them out. Whenever they start bickering they usually last a while.
"Our parents let "fate" decide their future, there's no real love in that." Sam remarked defiance clear in her voice.
"Could be worse. At least they aren't Shattered." Tucker replied, and I felt my attention return to them immediately, at the mention of… well anyway there was a moment of silence and it almost seemed like Sam didn't know what to say either.
"Well… t-they shouldn't dwell on that for too long." I heard Sam say defiantly, though I couldn't help but note the slight stutter in her voice. At this point I knew better than to continue the conversation especially looking at where it's going.
"Look guys, I think I'm going to stick with Sam's idea." I said after a moment of awkward silence.
"See Tucker. He doesn't need superficial emotions in his life." Sam said returning to her earlier liberationist mode. I sighed.
"Sam, that's not what I mean." Sam tends to go a little overboard at times and even though I might agree with her at times, I can't deny that I don't feel as strongly as she does. "I mean that I'm going to keep it covered up for the rest of the day, and if I happen to meet someone along the way then great. But I'm not going to let this thing determine who I'm going to like in the long run." I resolved.
"If you're sure..." Tucker agreed if not a little hesitantly
"Sam?" I asked hesitantly, and I heard a groan from the other end.
"Fine, we trust you." Sam declared, and I felt a smile form on my face as I told them goodbye and I would call them later on, and like I said I covered up my wrist again. I leaned into the seat, getting comfortable. Mom and Dad were talking amongst themselves. Really loudly. Jazz was reading a book in silence. I figured that now would be a good time to get some shut eye, since I had a feeling that it was going to be a really long day, already pulling out some ear plugs.
I don't really know where I'm going to be honest. After gorging myself in sugar and playing GravePunchers, I managed to pass out on the floor of my room. Even though I have a vague recollection of Howard having been at my place, everything else is sort of a bur. Though I do feel calmer strangely enough, save for the head ached I woke up with, I still feel like I'm forgetting something. Though I'm not really sure what it is and I knew that if I tried hard enough I would probably remember, but for some reason I didn't feel like it was necessary at the moment.
"It's probably not important." I decidedly thought as I wandered around to nowhere in particular. I later found myself in the park, a few blocks away from my house, usually I would go to the GameHole or some other place but at the moment I just felt like going on a walk. I'm not sure but I just had the biggest urge to not do anything but go on a walk… almost like I'm expecting something… Meh whatever it is.
"Hey Randy!" I turned at hearing my name being called, I looked around trying to find who'd called me and when I didn't find anyone, I was about to pass it off as my imagination and continue on my way.
"Randy!" I heard it again but this time was able to see Teresa run towards me from my left. Huh, I wonder how I didn't see her? I thought before smiling.
"Hi Teresa!" I greeted happily, she smiled at me in return panting slightly from her unexpected run. "What have you been up to?" I asked trying to start up conversation.
"Me? Well… not much to be honest. I do like to go by here on occasion though" she replied. "Though I don't really see you here often, and you looked kind of lonely, which is why I wanted to come talk to you." She smiled up at me awkwardly. I couldn't help but feel a little bit brighter at the indication that she wanted to talk to me so that I wouldn't just be standing around looking like a shoob, and decided that a chatting Randy is better than a silent Randy.
"Thanks Teresa" I responded happily. She modestly looked away attempting to wave it off. Wow I'm doing so bruce right now! I exclaimed mentally, normally I would be a blubbering mess not knowing what to do. I guess I'm just having a good day today. I thought confidently as we walked forward.
Teresa and I talked casually amongst each other for a while, which I thought was a major score as I now know what her favorite color is and what she likes to do on her spare time, other than hang out friends, she also showed me other parts of the park that I didn't think existed. I also got to tell her what I liked and would ask a few questions here and there. Which I thought was really nice and really enjoyed her company. And I thought I wanted to be alone.
"Hey Randy." Teresa said looking at her phone breaking out of our last conversation.
"Yeah?" I asked, looking up to see what's gotten her attention.
"I think I have to get going now..." She said eyes still locked on the her phone. "Well I guess I should be going home now... " Teresa said sadly, whilst smiling at me apologetically.
"Awww!" I whined as she laughed with light humor in her voice.
"Sorry Randy, we should do this again sometime… I had fun." She said smiling one last time, giving me a small hug before walking away. I watched as she walked away, in what was almost a jog toward what I think is the direction of her house.
I was a little sad that she left, but that was only because I've never been able to talk her that way before, and I can tell that I had made some sort of connection with her, but I wasn't sure what. Also since I began talking to her the, the feeling I had to just go on a walk dissapeared too, and now I just want to hang out with someone. But not just anyone… So yeah I'm confused. Not only that, but I still feel like there's something else I'm supposed to do, being with Teresa only seemed to help me to forget this feeling for a while, but now that she's gone… it didn't help that I still didn't want to go home. So I figured I would deal with my wonk feelings for a while longer and just roam around myself.
I went by some places Teresa showed me and explored the area a little more, I managed to find a little pond, which like everything else Teresa showed me, I had no idea existed. There were ducks swimming around, and since it's spring they've all been coming back. Despite the cold wind, they just continue to swim along without a care in the world. I sighed sitting down at a random bench feeling restless. I sat in silence a while longer until it felt as though boredom was weighing me down and I couldn't handle it anymore and groaned allowed.
"This is so honkin boring!" I complained sliding down the bench. I groaned. I wanted to do something, but I don't know what, and whatever it is I pick would be really lonely if I tried it by myself. I wonder if someone could die from boredom.. I thought inconspicuously. Wait, could they? I felt my eyes widen before I shook off the thought, standing up from the bench.
"No Randy! You can't! School has already taught you that, you shoob!" I yelled at myself, causing me to get a bunch of weird or concerned looks from nearby passerby's. I stood there in embarrassment, before walking away awkwardly. I am SUCH a shoob. I thought dejectedly as I walked down another trail, not really focusing on where I was going. I wasn't really concerned to where I was going, and was content in allowing my feet to drag me wherever they want.
I felt my hands suffering from the cold and decided to end their torment by shoving them in my pockets. I sighed happily feeling the warm cloth against my fingertips. Though the moment was ruined when my shoulder got harshly bumped into.
"Hey what the juice!" I yelled at the perpetrator, normally I would ignore this and say maybe an "excuse me" or some cheese, but it felt like my shoulder got hit against a brick wall. I saw him turn at being called out, and I got a glimpse of jet black hair and startling blue eyes, his skin was pale, almost ghostly, but for some reason it seemed to suit him. He was slim, not in a bad way. Lean would have been a better word, which was apparent even through his T-shirt and jeans, also looks around my age, maybe a little older. But looks at the moment looks didn't really matter to me, because I would like an apology, or some form of compensation.
"Huh?" Stranger said dumbfounded. He looked at me as like he just woke up from a nap or something. I mentally sighed allowing myself to let it slide once more.
"Oh um, nothing… Just watch where you're going." I said deciding to give him a break. He simply raised an eyebrow, nodding and turning around. To me his movements seemed sort of sluggish and automatic, which I couldn't help but think was strange. But just as I was about to let it slide I realized something, and it hit me like a ton of bricks. Wait… I've never seen him here before… Looks around my age too. I almost gasped, remembering something. I could hang out with him and I won't be so honkin bored anymore! I almost squealed at my own excitement before calling after him.
"Wait!" I called out as the Stranger turned around.
"Yeah?" he asked tiredly. I tried speaking but my words became incomprehensible as soon as they left my mouth, which did nothing to help me. I noticed him raise an eyebrow with a questioning look on his face, probably not knowing what to say. I can't blame him. my thoughts said snidely and I couldn't help but feel a little betrayed at my own mental monologue.
"Okay look man, if you don't have anything to say, I'm going to go now." Stranger said running a hand through his hair, turning away once more. I groaned.
"Wait!" He paused once more. "What I meant was, that you look wonkin' bored. And I am too. So what I'm trying to say is that maybe I could show you around and we won't be bored anymore." I rapidly said and I hated that I was being such a shoob. What happened when I was with Teresa! I thought cursing my lack of bruce social skills.
The other was now facing me, for a moment he looked as if he was going to decline and I felt my heart beat a little faster . But then the Stranger paused, seemingly contemplating his options. Which was taking a while and thought that he wouldn't come to a decision before he sighed.
"Sure. I'm Danny." He said offering me a hand. I took it with a smile.
"Randy Cunningham." I replied, and with introductions out of the way. "So are you new here, because I've never seen you here before?" I asked curiously attempting to wash away any awkwardness caused by my earlier stutters of nervousness. He shrugged.
"Well, you guessed right. Never been here before, so I have no idea where anything is." Danny added somewhat sarcastically.
"Well it's time to change that!" I added excitedly, Norrisville is the brucest place I know of, so it's only natural I want to show its bruciness to someone new right?
A.N.
Hello! Yeah sorry for the long update… I know, I know I'm terrible. I was meant to publish it while back, but while I was editing with my sister, I didn't like how it was because it was a bit too much of a cliche. Thus it became so much longer and more difficult to write.
But anyway, I had been meaning to make a timer AU for while now, just because there is sooo much to work with, and I also wanted to get more in depth as to how they would fall in love, because looking back at my past writing I realized that they've already had a crush on each other and in this, I wanted to write how.
Right but since it's so long I'm adding a part II and later the second part to Jealousy
Request to Readers
So please let me know how did in the aspect of relationship development, and overall writing skills, and let me know if there's anything I can do to improve in later chapters.
Thank You!