Hey! So, new story! Yeah...commitment is a scary thing. So, this idea came from a Tumblr post about the countdown to your soul mate, this beginning is not my own more rather an edit of some other genius' work. There is also a film called Timer that has this idea, but I think it's awesome.

Copyright: Sorry, whoever did that Tumblr post and Cassandra Claire for the characters

I suffer Isabelle's excitable babbling in silence, her gorgeous face is bubbling with excitement. Exactly 2 minutes left, she tells me. We're standing at the bus stop and the bus is coming in two minutes. I think she hoped she'd meet them on a beach at sunset or something.

"I mean that's ok - these things can't always be romantic I mean my mum met dad when he was working at the book store and it's not like you can plan it to be romantic I just hoped, I mean everyone hopes don't they-" she breaks off, looking at me awkwardly. "Sorry. It's just a big day for me you know."

Yes I do know. You've only been going on about it for the past year. Instead of verbalising my thoughts, I smile at her.
"Don't worry. You'll be ok, you always are," I grin, determined not to ruin this for her. It's selfish of me to be moody. This is her future being determined. Right here. In precisely 1 minute and 30 seconds.

She smiles at me, but it isn't quite reaching her eyes. She's restless and keeps tapping her foot. Her eyes are wide with…fear? Excitement? Nerves? Probably all of them and a thousand more things I can't imagine. She keeps checking her wrist. So do I. The bus comes around the corner.

1 minute 10 seconds.

"Hey. I'll leave you alone now ok? The bus is here. I'll sit a couple of seats away, and be there if you need me," I say, squeezing her arm reassuringly. "Good luck." I hope it sounded sincere.

The bus pulls up and I climb on first, taking a quick glance at her while I give the driver my ticket. She looks like she's trying to hide all her feelings, I sense that she's very nervous, although Izzy would never admit it. I want to give her a hug but know I shouldn't interrupt now. I look at the passengers and it's full of pensioners. My heart starts beating frantically. What? I can't see anyone else at the bus stop. But she's only 18, she can't end up with a 80 year old! I turn around and look at her - she's breathing hard. The bus driver asks if she's ok but she ignores him. Her eyebrows are creased and her face is flushed. Oh. Oh no. Stay calm. Someone is probably late. I give her a thumbs up and try to smile reassuringly. I think it's more of a grimace.

I take a seat near the back. Look at my watch. 25 seconds. She sits down a few seats away.

Suddenly a dark shape runs past my window and a boy jumps on the bus. He has that same frantic look in his eyes. I breathe out with relief.

"Yeah get on, we're running late," the driver says, taking his ticket. The boy looks around, carefully stepping towards the seats. He's tall and handsome, holding a comic book and wearing an darthvader t-shirt. I smile slightly; my friend hates star wars.

4 seconds

He spots her.

3 seconds

His eyes widen as he walks closer, as if being pulled by an invisible rope.

2 seconds

My friend stands up too, that same rope tying her to him.

1 second

"I was worried the bus would leave. No way could I miss meeting my soul mate!" he jokes, though he looks just as nervous as she. They smile at each other as they both sit down together. I can't hear what they're talking about.

I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. Suddenly I'm crying. Hot tears dropping down my cheeks.

I look at my wrist, scratching at it. Trying to get rid of it.

The numbers have never changed.

They've always been at 0.