Watching her friends pair off should be frustrating for Rachel but it really isn't. Because as junior year ends and summer begins she knows something big is going to happen.

Something huge.

And most definitely soon.

By the time that Fourth of July rolls around she is finally ready to start showing off her markings. And what with Blaine hosting a pool party at his house with Kurt for everyone in the New Directions and the Warblers there is no possible way she can hide them anymore. Especially the brand new adornment that has shown up on her body recently.

The Eiffel Tower tattoo is larger and more colorful than anything she has seen on her friends. On anyone really. Finn and Quinn's cheerleader and football combo were just black silhouettes. And honestly really not that big at all.

Blaine and Kurt's soul tattoos are a little more detailed. Rather elaborate patterns of sheet music and notes, although still completely in black and white. Blaine's wrapping entirely around his right upper arm, 'Not the Boy Next Door' from the Boy From Oz, in Kurt's key. And Kurt's, for Blaine, wraps around his right lower leg. 'Teenage Dream' by Katy Perry, in the exact arrangement that he sang to Kurt that very first time he showed up at Dalton to 'spy.'

That is the thing about the soul tattoos. The size of them can vary, usually in direct correlation with the intensity of the love. The extent of the connection the two souls, the two people have with each other. It is outlined in all of the literature.

'When the time for the soulmates to meet finally draw nigh they will each start to develop 'soul tattoos' somewhere on their bodies. These are generally incredible pieces of artwork, of great significance to their soulmate, their likes, interests, and / or personality. The majority of these are in only one or a few muted colors. But those fortunate few who have tattoos in multiple vibrant colors are fated to have quite powerful connections / attractions with each other.'

The prospect of Rachel finally meeting her Sebastian and them having an extraordinary connection, a romance that will span the ages, is just exhilarating.

So she thinks nothing of it when she shows up at Blaine's house in Westerville that bright and sunny July afternoon, dressed for the blistering heat.  Tiny pair of shorts and flowy white tank top over her jade green bikini, perfectly showing off her tanned skin.  White flips flops on her feet, for once leaving the scripted Sebastian clearly visible.

It doesn't matter anymore. She's going to be in the pool later, so all her markings will be on full display anyway.

She's biting her lip, glancing at her feet when the door flies open. Two pair of eyes taking in the sight of her on the front porch. One blue, carefully taking in her wardrobe choices, small smirk on their face. The other wide, hazel puppy dog eyes. Smiling face full of joy.

It is Blaine that grabs her by her left wrist, the one with Sebastian's initials on the inside of it, and pulls her into the house.

"Rachie!!!   I'm so happy you could come!!  Everyone's already out near the pool.  Do you need me to grab you a towel??  We usually keep them in the cabana in the backyard.  Can I get you a drink? A snack??  I made sure my mom picked up some vegan friendly treats just for you."

Rachel is shocked into silence by Blaine's exuberance. She's only really ever met this boy a few times, since Kurt and he met on that spying mission to Dalton. Where they discovered that they were soulmates.  But still she allows him to drag her through the house as he chatters along eagerly.

Kurt comes and whispers in her ear after Blaine deposits her just outside of the house, at the very edge of the pool deck.

"Sorry about him Rach.  But isn't he just the absolute cutest when he is all excitable like that?"  She nods in response but Kurt wasn't really looking for an answer as he continues on with his stream of consciousness.

"Don't think that I didn't notice the name when you came in.  How long have you had that??"

Rachel blushes softly as she looks down at her flip flop clad feet, smiling as she takes in the name of her soulmate written in beautiful script.

Sebastian.

Her eyes travel back up to Kurt's, his bright blue eyes holding a curious glimmer in them.  Rachel shrugs and gestures nonchalantly with her left hand.  Kurt gasps as he then notices the initials on her wrist, which have only recently started to fill in with a soft heather gray coloring.

"Oh that.... I've had that for like forever now. About six years or so, since my trip to Paris."

Rachel smirks as she turns to place her bag on a free deck chair, slipping out of her shoes as she sees everyone else in the pool. She eases out of her shorts, folding them carefully and placing them next to her bag just as Blaine returns with a beach towel for her. White with gold stars all over it.

He and Kurt join hands as she winks at both of them, reaching to pull her tank top over her head, so that she can be in her bathing suit like everyone else is.

"You think that's impressive? Check this out!"

The gasp is audible as Blaine and Kurt see her soul tattoo. Kurt reaches out with shaking fingers, hovering several inches over her skin as he ghosts over the image of the Eiffel Tower.

"That is absolutely amazing... whoever this guy is, you are lucky!"

Rachel smiles sweetly at both boys, patting their faces. She calls over her shoulder as she turns away from them, allowing the rest of the guests at the party to check out her markings, no more insecurities in sight. "Oh trust me, I know...."

~~~~~

The end of summer means only one thing for Sebastian, he has to officially start school in Ohio.  Thankfully he isn't attending a public school, that would just be unbearable.  All of those uncultured people.  He shudders just to think of it.

He moved in to Dalton Academy, a prestigious all boys boarding school last weekend.  This is going to severely hinder his chances of finding his Rachel, but who knows.  Weirder things have happened. He is however thankful again that his father's clout scored him a single occupancy dorm room.

But right now finds Sebastian in the Dalton locker room, changing after his tryout for the lacrosse team.  He smiles to himself as he towel dries his hair still wet from the shower, another towel wrapped leisurely around his waist.  The coach awarded him the captain position in addition to a spot on the team.  Perhaps Ohio won't be that bad after all.

"You know you were amazing out there."

"Yeah, maybe we'll stand a chance at winning states this year now!"

Sebastian is slightly startled by the two voices that speak from behind him.  He turns around to find their owners, two boys.  One tall with blonde hair that keeps falling into his face. The other brunette, shorter.  He smiles confidently at them despite his lack of clothing.

"Thanks!  I was captain of my team back in Paris.  I'm Sebastian, Sebastian Smythe."

Sebastian extends his hand for the taller of the two to shake.  The boy does so, although his eyes flit across the name on Sebastian's chest and then over to his friend's face before meeting Sebastian's eyes again.  "Hey...  I'm Jeff. Jeff Sterling.  And that's Nick Duvall."

The shorter brunette waves an awkward hello, opening his mouth to speak.  "How long have you had those??"

Sebastian glances quickly down at his own body and then back up at the boys with a smile.  He uses his right hand to gesture to the different areas they are referring to.

"Well this, her name, it showed up during my spring break when I was 10.  My mom and I were sitting at this little cafe. I remember seeing this adorable girl skip past singing and when I got home that night it was just there."

He shrugs yet continues, lifting his left arm up turning his wrist so that the letters on the inside are facing them.

RBB between the two stars.  Now a soft heather gray color.

His green eyes are sparkling as he looks at them.  "This showed up about last May.  Right around the time my parents told me we were moving.  Upset me like nothing else, because I figured she was close and I was going to end up missing her."

Sebastian doesn't quite catch the look that Nick and Jeff are sharing between themselves.  They both saw Rachel's markings at the party.  The name, the initials and there was no missing that Eiffel Tower on her rib cage.

Both of them almost miss it when he finally turns to the side and uses his left hand to gesture to something new on his right upper arm, covering his bicep and curling in towards his inner arm.

"This I'm most pleased by.  I mean look at this, they always said that colors like this mean that the connection will be extraordinary.  It showed up around Fourth of July, right as we were getting settled into our new house."

Nick gasps as he checks out the colorful stars scattered across Sebastian's arm.  He nudges Jeff in the ribs, raising an eyebrow at him.  The blonde looks at the French boy with wide eyes.  Speaks in a hushed voice.

"I think we can help you find your Rachel..."