The red strings (FrUK)

Chapter five

"So you can still see it?" He asked curiously. I looked at my hand, nodding. "Have you tried to follow yours?" He asked sipping his tea. "No... I guess I do not want to spoil anything for myself" I laughed. "Can you see mine?" He asked, pointing to his hand. The hand that did not have it. "I can see it, also it is this hand" I corrected making him nod. "Can you see where it leads?" He asked. "Yeah, sure! I am a little curious. If that is okay with you?" I asked and he nodded eagerly. I looked to his pinky and started to follow where it went. My eyes continued to follow the string.
Following...
Following....
I wonder where it is...
Following
Goin-
"Uhhhh" was all I could say seeing it come up to my hand. "That can't be right; give me a second" I laughed looking over it again. He looked at me confused as my eyes started to follow it again. Soon I stood up grabbing his string following it around the room and still back to my hand. "Arthur?" Francis asked, concerned. "I..... it went out the door" I lied to him. He looked a bit sad but nodded. "I wonder what lucky person it leads to," he laughed. "Me too," I said, feeling my eyes widen. Very scared.

"Are you okay?" He asked, getting closer to me. "Yes!" I said as my voice got high. "I just got confused, "I laughed nervously. "Okay," he smiled, sitting back down at the table. I sat down as well but kept thinking about it. "We should hang out more often" he smiled sipping more of the tea. What do I say? No? He is supposed to be my....my... "yeah sure...just tell me when and I will try and make time" I smiled again nervously. "Great!! Here is my number" he smiled writing something on a napkin and handing it to me.

~
545-942-3500
~Francis
~
I looked at the note, smiling a bit. "Here is mine," I said, handing him a slip with my number. I have no idea what to do. Should I even try and push him away? I need to talk to Alfred and Kiku tomorrow. Francis can't know who his soul mate is. Not now. "Well then, it has been a lovely evening with you; maybe we can do this again another time?" He asked, getting his thing. "Sure, we can go to the pub with some of my buddies" I smiled. "If you get to bring friends, So can I" he laughed, putting his shoes on. "Definitely," I smiled back at him.

"Here, don't forget this," I said, handing him my number. "Being with you for an hour has made me forgetful," he joked, making me roll my eyes. "Wow, That was hilarious," I laughed, opening the door to see him off. "Goodbye Arthur, it has been a pleasure" he called to me waving. "Likewise," I called back, watching him leave with a smile. Wait! No, no, no, Arthur, this is why I did not want to see who my soul mate was. I am a hopeless romantic; I am not in some fairy tale. I need to get it together.

~
"So, I found out who my soul mate was" I sat at my desk in a slump. "I thought you said you would not look?" Alfred said confused. "I did not mean to find out. Francis asked me to find him, and it led to mine" I admitted worried as they both jumped at the news. "Francis? You mentioned that name yesterday" Kiku pointed out. "Yeah, He has helped me out. But it does not make sense. I have this feeling that the lady did this to me to help me out actually. But I met Francis before I found out about my soul mate, so maybe there was a different purpose to this," I said, confused as to what to do.

"Hmmm, will the both of you speak again?" Alfred asked leaning against my desk. "Maybe, we exchanged numbers," I said and they both looked at each other smiling. "That was fast; by tomorrow the both of you will be married," Alfred mocked me. "Hey, don't start with me," I said, pointing to him. "If you got to find out about yours, I think you should tell us ours," Alfred added, looking at me as he sipped soda from his straw. "I would rather you figure it out," I said turning back to my work.

"Well, Fine then. But can we meet this Francis guy? He seems interesting if he is your soul mate. Speaking of which, I did not know you liked... guys," Alfred whispered the last part making me glare at him. "I don't," I said, trying to defend myself. "I am no one to judge. Am I right, Kiku" Alfred laughed, pulling him closer, but Kiku pushed him away. "Well, I think you should try and make the most of it and avoid showing him who his soul mate is," Kiku suggested making me nod. "Yes, sir," I smiled, writing notes down. "Is it weird seeing everyone's string?" Alfred asked, looking at me.

"Well, at first, it wasn't noticeable, but now I start to see it even if I am not trying to look. It is like they are all around me now," I said, a bit sad at the situation. "Wow, that must be confusing at times," Kiku added, tapping his chin. "It is. Especially in big crowds," I said, leaning against my hand. "I keep thinking I will trip over them or something, but I can just walk through them perfectly," I said, troubled. "Well, I am sure you will get used to it," Alfred said, a little sad for me. "Hopefully"

Throughout the day, I would see Kiku and Alfred flirt with each other, and it made me frustrated knowing they are soul mates. I wanted them just to kiss already. Damn it, why am I like this? I breathed out, excusing myself to the bathroom to take some alone time.

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