From now onwards, you have to carry this guide with you all the time. Don't leave it anywhere, keep it safely with you. The next two days are crucial for you, my boy. I must leave now. Hope you find the one you have been waiting for all this while, soon.
Adios!

I closed the guide and sat up straight, inhaling deeply as I adjusted to the chaotic situation. Everything that was happening was far beyond my interpretation now. I nonchalantly walked toward the window, feeling my socks absorb the gritty sole of my sneakers.

So it's over. The final characteristic has been revealed. The girl with dark eyes, a tattoo and a tender heart. The girl who is my Prom partner.
She is my soulmate.
She is Fiona Jennings.

The words echoed within the four walls of the hall as well as somewhere deep within the chambers of my heart. There was no scope for confusion. Everything was clear as crystal. The screams of truth deafened my ears.

I stashed the guide in my backpack and headed toward the exit. I made my way down the stairs, uninfluenced by the tumultuous chatter of the dispersing crowd. I silently walked out of the lobby and entered the field.

In the midst of the sunlit field, I stared at Leah, her cheeks flushed due to the unflinching sun gaze. She smiled and giggled innocently as Marc ruffled her silky, brown hair playfully. He made something by curling his fingers while Leah stared at its silhouette on the ground with the utmost bemusement. They were entirely involved in each other, without a care in the world.

The sight in front gave me a sudden adrenaline rush, my veins pulsating with fury. I felt powerless at the moment as jealousy continued playing its cruel tricks. I started heading toward the car, hastening my steps as I hopped into it violently. Fastening my seatbelt, I accelerated the car.

Where am I going?

What am I doing?

I barely had strength to answer any of these questions. The farrago created by the fragility of the situation was hard to take in. The speed of my car was no longer in my control. I kept increasing it, the stifling heat making me dizzier with every passing moment.

I firmly held the steering wheel and kept driving.

Ethan stopped abruptly in front of my car as I vigorously applied the brakes, bringing my car to a screeching halt. He came running toward me, his forehead sweaty with beads of perspiration and eyes widened in horror. He tapped on the ajar window of the car.

"Blake, are you freaking stupid? How can you be such a reckless driver? Get out of the car. Right now!" He scoffed as he pushed a hand through his hair, exhaling short, nervous breaths.

I managed to shift to the other side as he took over and fastened his seatbelt.
I kept swirling the hem of my T-shirt, cautiously avoiding Ethan's perplexed countenance.

"Blakie, calm down and tell me what's up. Okay?" He kept a hand on my shoulder.

"I don't want to go to Prom. I c-can't, just can't." I trailed off, wiping the beads of sweat on my forehead with my bare hand.

"Then don't go. What is making you so restless?" He reassured.

I sighed as I eyed him nonchalantly, "Is it that easy?"

"It definitely isn't. But what's the actual fuss about? The Blakie I have known since childhood has never been bothered by anything as trivial as Prom."

"My Prom partner." I finally gathered the courage to speak those words, drowning myself in a sea of guilt and regret again.

"I honestly can't hold her waist and dance with her, when my mind is habitual of the soft touch of Leah's fingers on my bare palm. I cannot hold her hand adorned with that pretty corsage, when all I think about is Leah's fragile hand with her favourite wristwatch, buckled neatly on her fair wrist. Somehow, I can't."

"Come on, bud. You are not a kid, Blakie. We all know that Prom is nothing but a mere High School norm. All you have to do is go there and dance with Fiona. It's just one night. You can't do that much? She is not a stranger, she has been your best friend for quite a long time." The sense of maturity in his voice had that strange power of persuasion.

"The guide says that my Prom partner is my soulmate. I am afraid--"

Ethan shushed me calmly. "Fiona loves you Blakie. You are being unnecessarily indignant to her. Think about her, about her love. Give her the opportunity to live that golden moment with you. It's just a matter of one damn night. True love finds a way no matter what." He consoled me.

"Now cheer up! I'll assist you with the shopping part. Allow me to buy you a droolworthy tux. You can't just ruin an awesome night with this monotony of yours." He smiled wickedly as he accelerated the Mercedes.

*

The day was lost in the glitzy aura of shopping for the so-called Prom. I returned home with a bodycon midnight blue tuxedo, its lapels made of rich black silk and a pristine white shirt underneath. The jacket was intricately woven, with every thread perfectly stitched in place, like it belonged there.
Its trousers were of the same hue, though a little shorter at the hem to reveal my ankle.

I sighed as I stared at the resplendent design.

Thanks to Ethan for his perfect fashion sense.

I got distracted by a knock at the door. "It's open, come in." I replied and averted my gaze back to the contents of the shopping bag.

"Do I have the permission to borrow a precious minute of yours?" Mom whispered. I abruptly got up from my bed, almost bumping my knees into its legs.

She chuckled slightly as she motioned me to sit. Settling her skirt, she sat down quietly on the bed beside me.
"Let me see what my champ has bought today," she examined the tuxedo intently, her eyes shining with appreciation.

"I trust my son's choice. I know you have a lovely fashion sense." She smiled at me.

"This is Ethan's choice, Mom." I bit my lip.

An awkward silence enveloped the room.
"Yeah, I mean...It's just...a great choice." She shrugged.

I put both my hands on her shoulders and sighed. "Mom, you don't need to show false interest in something just to show me that you care. I know you are very busy. And it's absolutely okay, as long as it makes you content. I know that you love me, you don't need to prove it everytime." I cupped her chin in my hands.

She caressed them lovingly and her lips formed a thin smile.
"Now go sleep mom, it's already very late."

I followed her to the door. "Goodnight Blake." She held my hands.
"Night Mom." I smiled.

I shut the door and inhaled, as a weight lifted itself from my chest. I picked up my phone and stared at the screen which was flooded with new notifications.

Thirteen new texts from Fiona.

She had been sending me the pictures of the dress she had bought, asking me if it matched my suit. She even sent a picture of an array of enchanting boutonnieres, displaying the beautiful blue hydrangeas perfectly assembled in place.

She was so excited.

A pang of guilt hit me as I stared at the guide and narrowed my eyes, losing myself in the maze of my thoughts again. I calmly snuggled under the comforter and closed my eyes.

The day after tomorrow was going to change my life. I was on the verge of the path to my soulmate. And the countdown had begun.
_________________________________________