The soulmate serum was released to the public two years after Lily was born. So, she didn't really know of a life outside of the concept. Her parents often read her fairy tales growing up, and she would change the story a bit. The prince in the s...
A/N: I don't think it's necessary to do pronunciations for the side characters that appear in this chapter, but if you aren't sure how to pronounce a name just leave a comment, and I will reply when I can.
Also, for those of you that have read Encoded in Our DNA and noticed/commented on my overuse of "exceptionally" I'd like to let you know I am growing past it, and I'm only "trying" to use it to stress something I feel like the character in question feels excessively important. (As of right now it only appears 8 times in the story. It was originally 30 some before I changed it.)
Published: 4/8/22
4719 words
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My eyes were burning with unshed tears caused by extreme frustration as I tried, once again, to turn the key in the ignition of my car. I bend over, resting my head on the steering wheel while crossing the index and middle finger on my left hand, hoping that by some miracle my car will cooperate and work. I really can't have it finally break down today of all days. The appointment I made is exceptionally important, and I have to keep it no matter what. The engine still doesn't turn over, and I have to pinch my lower lip between my teeth so I won't let loose the tears that I have struggled to barely keep at bay up until now.
What makes matters worse is the fact that I had already been behind schedule when my alarm failed to go off at 6:30 this morning like it was supposed to. Truthfully though, I had probably accidentally shut the blasted thing off since I worked an unplanned double shift yesterday. What was I going to do? Tell Liz that she had to come to work her shift despite the fact that her son, Micah, had a fever? I don't bail on people like that. Not to mention, if she hadn't gotten me to cover her shift she probably would have lost the job at the diner. Her mom had been doing poorly last month so she had to use most of her sick days to take care of her then. If she had called in instead it would more than likely end up leaving her and Micah in an even worse position than they were in now. I couldn't even imagine trying to balance both being a single mom and working such unpredictable and long shifts at the diner.
I take a deep breath before trying to give my car a pep talk. "Please Molly, you can do this!" Molly is a custom painted carnation pink 1995 Dodge Neon that used to belong to my mother. She named her Molly because of her love and obsession with Molly Ringwald, and to pay homage to her role as Andie in Pretty in PInk.
I take one last deep breath before once again crossing my fingers and trying the key one last time, but of course all I get in return is a grinding mechanical noise. That is definitely not the sound of the engine purring happily, nor is it the sound of it turning over at all. I don't know anything about cars and honestly at this point I am starting to worry that in the long run I am probably doing more damage to the engine than anything else. I huff in disappointment before I get out and plan a new tactic. I look down at my old scuffed tennis shoes. "Well feet. I guess we are walking." I mutter out loud. Voicing the words gives the idea more conviction, or at least that is what I often mentally assure myself of when I find myself unintentionally speaking my thoughts.
