Everyone searches for a soulmate, right? Someone to share all their experiences with, to try new things with, to love and be loved by.

Well, I have a dedicated mark to show me who my soulmate is when I meet her. Everyone does.

Mostly appearing on the wrist or ankle, soulmate marks are a fact of life; they can not and will not be erased or changed once developed.

Those who attempt to edit their marks experience horrendous pain, which also applies to the unfortunate soul who was paired with them.

For that reason alone, the majority of the population wears protective slips over their birthmarks, as some do not know which unique shape their soulmate will share, and wish to spare themselves and their fated partner the pain.

Me? Not so much. I didn’t used to be like this; no, I had been just as excited to discover my soulmate as a young teenager. However, as I began to realise just what meeting her would entail, the concept became more and more terrifying to me.

Of course, most would think it to be a blessing. To have someone destined to be your perfect match, that is. But there’s one fatal flaw in the irreparable system of our universe.

Males will be matched with females. Likewise, females will be matched with males.

For me, that was a true Hell. At seventeen, when I had figured out who I was meant to be, at last, the realisation dawned on me that I would be forced together with someone I physically could not fall in love with.

And so, I made the resolution that if I could help it, I would never meet my soulmate. For I would not burden her, or myself, with the problems that would cause.

At eighteen, I loved for the first time. He and I got involved and it has been the best time of my life. I intend to stay with Markus until the end.

That’s why, when I came face to face with her in the grocery line, my heart stopped.

In perfect sync, both our faces fell.

The silence that followed was awkward enough that I gave in and spoke first:

“Err...hi, I’m Luke. You are?”

“Isabelle. Nice to meet you.” From her facial expression, it didn’t seem like it was nice to meet me at all.

“Is...something wrong?” I asked her quietly.

“Well, yeah. Kind of. It’s...hard to explain. But I can’t be with you.” She replied, looking at her shoes.

I breathed a sigh of relief, clapping her on the shoulder softly. “Don’t worry, I understand. I can’t be with you, either.”

Isabelle looked up at me in surprise. “Really?”

Smiling reassuringly, I nodded. “Really.”

She visibly relaxed, then started laughing. Her laugh was contagious and I soon found myself chuckling along.

“What are we laughing at?” I snorted, clapping a hand over my mouth.

“I...never expected...” she wheezed, “this to be so awkward! My friends all told me it’s a magical moment, but-“ she burst into laughter again.

“It’s the most awkward situation of my life!” I finished for her.

“Exactly!”

“Back to seriousness, though. Why is it that you can’t be with me?” I asked her curiously. Perhaps she was like me.

“Oh...well...I already have...a girlfriend...” She trailed off.

I burst out laughing, uncontrollably. “No way!” I replied. “You’re like me!”

She gasped. “Platonic soulmates it is!”

“Sounds perfect! Want to meet up later? Like a double date, except not with each other!”

“I’m so in!”

The years flew by after that, Isabelle got married to Yvonne, who just so happened to be Markus’ soulmate. Not a week later, Markus and I got married, and we all went on a shared honeymoon.

Sure, we were unconventional. But, we were happy right where we were.