I've been trying to avoid the Find Your Mate Center ever since I turned 18. Once you find your soul mate you are supposed to start your family of your own and move in together two weeks after finding them. I'm supposed to start a new life when my mom is barely hanging on to hers.

Our father died when I was 14 and because they were mates he took the other half of her with him. People tell me I should put her in a care home but I can't. My older brother tried to drop by with his newfound mate but it still isn't enough. I promised my dad that I would always be there for her. I've also decided I don't want to feel that pain.

I'm visiting my brother’s soulmate today so “we can have sisterly bonding time” my brother said the other day. My brother and I became extremely close after our father died. So I guess it makes sense he wants me to be on board with his relationship. I think he is also trying to convince me to find mine.

“ Heyyyyy,” she says as she waves frantically.

I take a seat across from her at the table

“I invited some friends by the way just a heads up”

“Which ones?”

“My best friend and her brother. He is your age maybe you guys can be friends.”

I nod knowing I need new friends. I haven't been in touch with my high school friends because life got in the way. Making new ones in college isn't any easier either. Between work, classes, and taking care of my mom, I just don't have time.

We make casual conversation for a few minutes and a waiter comes to take our drink order. Once the waiter goes two people are left standing behind him. The world stops as my eyes land on him. His eyes are hazel and they are looking me in the eyes. My heart rate speeds up, the hairs on my body stand up, my palms start to sweat and I can't speak or think. I need to get out of here but my body doesn't want to corporate. I hear Samantha, my brother's mate talking to me and touching my shoulder but I'm frozen.

He moves first breaking the trance. He takes a step toward me and it takes everything in me to get up and not go to him but to the door. I breathe in the fresh air outside. I bend over placing my hands on my knees. I didn't realize that I was holding my breath until now. I feel his presence from behind me. I spin around and there he is standing there with Sam and her friend a step behind him.

He gapes at me trying to find his words but it's like I already know exactly what he wants to say. I don't want him to say it. I step back trying to convince my heart to walk away.

“ Don't! “ he says panic and a plea shines in his eyes “Don't go”

“I-I h-have to go” I stammered out

“No, we need to talk. Stay.”

“I can't. I just can't” With those words I walk away.

I don't see him again for 2 weeks and it's the worst feeling I've ever felt. How do I miss him when I don't even know him? Sam and my brother talked to me about it but I won't talk about it. I was starting to think things were going back to normal but then one day he shows up at my doorstep.

That feeling in my chest from when we first met comes back.His eyes spark when they meet mine. He opens his mouth to say something but then my mom walks up behind me.

“Is that your brother?” she says as she tries to look around me.

“No mom you should go-”

“Oh is that the young boy your brother told me about? I can't believe you finally found your soulmate I'm so happy” She was genuinely happy too. I haven't seen her smile like that since dad.

“ I'll go watch tv you go ahead and talk to the cute young man” she walks away leaving us alone.

I step outside and close the door behind me and met his eyes. He breaks out into a smile as I take ahold of his hand.

“Hi, I guess we are soulmates”

He lets out a breathless laugh.