This might turn out in our favor for tonight thankfully. People come from all around the Amara kingdom just for this event.
“Are you planning on talking to Maya tonight?” Glaide asks, as he wipes his dripping forehead with his tight black tee.
He really had to bring up talking to Maya.
I titter, running my hands through my sandy and now sweaty, blonde hair. I’d rather not discuss my brother Erasmus, and his soulmate, Maya, even if this whole festival is their soulmate celebration.
It's something that leaves a pit in my stomach when it crosses my mind. Worst yet, it’s a city-wide event instead of a house party or a little family gathering like for everyone else. It's something special for the child of Amara, the Gift of Lover herself, to find their soulmate, and with her having such a small family, it's a rarity.
There's also the fact that it's impossible for me to have a soulmate, so he'll be the only one of this generation. The next time this will happen is with his own kids.
“We’ll see,” I reply to Glaide. I'm a little reluctant when it comes to Maya. I don't want to talk to her and make it a point not to. It's not because she's a bad person or anything. It's that she's a reminder that I'll never live up to my brother's standards. Erasmus is a military hero, highly praised for his achievements by all the family. Handsome and charismatic, he now has a beautiful soulmate to go along with it all.
I'm none of those. Everyone sees me as a brewing villain. To them, it must be the reason I have no soulmate. After all, I should have one considering that my grandmother is the Gift ofLove herself. Why wouldn't her own grandson receive her gift of having a soulmate?
The rumors say I'm the uglier sibling that will succumb to those filthy dreamscreechers and become their puppet. They say I'll lust for them and leave the kingdom in shambles for them to enjoy.
Dreamscreechers. Their name leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, reminding me of their horrific screech and their worship of the Gift of Dreams. How could anyone think I'd support them?
But maybe I can prove them wrong. I'm meeting with this girl I met online on Soul-dates after a month-long search for another good match. One would think being the descendant of not only the Gift of Love but also Cosmo, the creator of life itself and our planet Adoro, would make things easier. It seems to be making it harder.
But this girl seems lovely. She has very cute dirty blonde waves and bright green eyes, paired with a good sense of humor and positive attitude. Maybe she can be the one who suits me at last.
Maybe a small connection can pull us a long way. If it could just glow a little bit when we both touch the flower, even if we're not soulmates, it would be enough.
“Good luck on your date,” Glaide smiles as he walks towards his car, the opposite from the city square where I'm heading. I wave after him.
I dig in my pocket for my phone, taking out the invisible device. Pressing on a silver button to make the glass screen appear, I look at the time. I should really get going. It’s setting one. I helped the vendors this morning by making the garlands, and yet there's so much more to do. My family will probably need my help in other preparations and I need to get ready formy date. Time is going to go by so quickly and the celebration will be here before I know it.
Hopefully I'll finally get to see my flower glow….
Chapter 2
Amias
Gloria nervously brushes her fingers through her blonde hair. "I'm so sorry I have to say this, but… you're not my type…"
My heart plunges, even though I saw this coming. "Oh… Okay then…"
My date, Gloria, sucks air through her teeth as we stroll between the food trucks and tents. "Look. Don't get me wrong. You're a great guy. You seem very motivated to help other people, and I think it's sweet to see you talk about how much you love the orphanage, but…" She finally let’s go of her hair and squeezes her hands together, stretching her awkward grin. "I just don't feel the chemistry. You'd make areallygreat friend, but I'm not feeling a romantic connection, you know?”
I attempt to keep my heart afloat, despite it yanking itself down. The disconnect between us was obvious the whole date, but I still hoped we’d work out. "That's completely okay."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah. People have their types. We just don't match and that's fine." At least this is less devastating than finding out you're holding someone back from true love.
She exhales, her hands falling to either side of her scarlet sundress. Her smile looks less exaggerated and more relieved. “I’m glad you understand."
"Well, I wouldn't want to waste your time." We continue our walk underneath short brick buildings, catching whiffs of fat and sugar from food trucks that would've provoked my hunger any other time.
In the silence, I stare at my black tuxedo instead. It doesn't help the awkwardness like I thought it would.
Our steps seem to drag when there's pressure in the atmosphere, like an invisible magnetic field pushing me away from something.
I let my eyes strain them so the faint pink line tied to Gloria’s heart becomes visible. She's not soulmateless after all. The other end of the bond is nearby.
Glancing around, I try to find the person she's linked to. I should bring them together if they're so close. It would make the date better for one of us at least.
