"Okay guys. So Ethan told me everything about the guide and the soulmate thing. Even though I did not understand anything, I guess we have a happy ending here." Rachel chimed in as she smiled at Fiona.

"Marc, come join us here." Ethan called out.

Marc inched towards us and quietly occupied a spot, completing the circle  of six. "Uh oh. I am sorry?" He looked at me with a grin.

Even though I didn't very much like that toothy grin of his, I smiled back with the hope of tying broken, old knots.

"Fiona, I really don't want to force you. I love you, but I don't want you to love me back just because I do. Take your time." He smiled at Fiona, his cheeks turning red as he blushed slightly.

"Yeah okay. It's...totally cool." She smiled awkwardly.

A screeching sound of a microphone distracted us as headmistress Laura took over the stage. "Students, it's time to know the names of the Prom King and Queen. Ladies and gentlemen, give a big hand." She announced.

We clapped our hands vigorously as the hall filled with bated murmurs of anticipation.

"Hold your breath. The Prom King and Queen of Amethyst High School batch 2019 are...Ethan Beckett and Rachel Hanks. Give them a big round of applause."

I patted Ethan's shoulder as we screamed and cheered with excitement. Mrs. Laura helped them with their crowns as they settled their prestigious sashes cautiously on their outfits.

Everything was happening the way I had wanted.

I held Leah's hand and slowly whispered into her ear, "Let's get out of here now, shall we? I guess I have a lot of things to talk about."

"You're an idiot honestly. Come, let's go." She spoke between her snickers.

We carefully sneaked out of the school hand in hand, laughing hysterically without any reason. "It feels so good to be here, doesn't it?" I inhaled deeply.

"It indeed does." She smiled and lowered her head.

Just as we moved forward, I stopped in my tracks at the sight of an old man.

"What happened?" She asked.

"The old man Leah. It's him- the one who gave me the guide." I stood frozen as he inched closer with an unaltered smile etched on his lips.

"Congratulations to you two! You did a great job Blakie." He patted my shoulder.

"Thanks. Now can you please do the honours of letting me know who you are?" I smiled wryly.

"Impatient brat! Why do I have to explain everything? I have grown old, doesn't mean you don't recognize me. I even gave you a hint by writing 'ex' after the love quotes. But you, my boy, are really dumb." He rolled his eyes.

"I really don't know what you are talking about? Why will I recognize you?" I furrowed my brows in confusion.

"I guess you are expected to recognize your father, Blake." He smiled.

"Dad? You...How are you? I mean you...you are dead. How? Look, I am in no mood for a prank right now." I spoke with the utmost bemusement, finding it hard to connect the dots.

"Hush Blake. This is Anderson family's tradition. It is going on from the time of your ancestors. Every father has to write a soulmate guide for his offspring. Even if he is dead, like me. So in future, you will write one for your kids too. And it will continue for another millennium. Ours has been a royal family so a little magic is expected. Cool, isn't it?" He wriggled his eyebrows.

"What...? I really didn't get whatever you said. But I can say for one thing that if you were the one who wrote it, you surely need to improve your sense of humour." I let out a chortle.

"You will understand everything when your child will reach the perfect age to hunt for their soulmate. Till then, enjoy the whine of life. Do something big, both of you, and make your parents proud for now. I am running out of time so I really need to go. But before going, let me tell you Blake that your sense of humour is pathetic too, huh!"

"Of course, dad. It's in our genes." I giggled.

"Indeed, it's in our genes." His smile faded slightly as his lips parted to say something. "Tell your mom that I miss her." He whispered.

His words made a part of my heart ache terribly. The happiness and sorrow was mixed in such strange proportions that it was hard to have control over my smile, while the tears still clouded my vision. I hugged him tightly, feeling his warmth, my father's warmth, for the first time. Last time I had hugged him was twelve years back, and I didn't even remember what childhood was like. I just had hazy recollections to stud my lashes with.

"It's time to go now." He detached himself from me.

"I love you dad." I whispered.

He turned to walk on the road and slowly disappeared into oblivion.

Leah tried to break the awkward silence as she kept a hand on my shoulder.

"Blake, you alright?"

"Yeah, I am fine. This day surely can't get any better." I smiled to myself.

She locked her arms around my neck and smiled a smile which I had always loved. A pink glow tinged her cheeks as our foreheads collided softly.

"I say it today, I love you Leah Harlow. More than words could ever explain, more than poetries could ever express." I whispered with a smile.

"I love you too Blake. But you are still a trashcan." She whispered with a slight chuckle.

"And you are a dumbhead." I replied as I locked my hands around her waist, shutting my eyes to lose myself in the pricelessness of the moment.

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