Ria always wanted love.

With the concept of soulmates ruling society, she never was sure that she would get that after Lizzy died.

She isn’t even certain she was in love with her. Just that maybe she could have if given more time. By the rules of soulmates, one doesn’t get another. They are very spelled out. You are born with powers, meet your soulmate, first physical contact takes away your powers, then you kiss your soulmate to bring your powers back, and then you live happily ever after.

But what happens when that doesn’t happen?

Ria didn’t care really about what society said, but it did affect her nonetheless since it affected other people.

When she met Amelie (in her dream and in real life), she knew that all those bullshit rules were bogus. She gets to choose who she is with. Not the universe or fate.

Amelie makes her wonderstruck. Her quiet observations and funny quips both fascinate and cause Ria to cackle (not in a ladylike way).

Usually when people first visualize Ria, they see her bold hair colors and weird changing sense of style. The first thing Amelie focused on was her freckles.

No one saw Ria like Amelie. She would talk to Ria about how her boldness inspires her instead of deterring or putting her off. Her changing style isn’t a phase to her. Amelie likes to say that it is “an expression of freedom and a sign that a woman can be anything.”

Amelie and their group of friends showed Ria how soulmates don’t always have to be the main attraction. There’s Bell and Cross who are soulmates but fell in love before they knew. Roman and Jeremiah (her beloved cousin) who are the perfect couple, though Roman has a complicated view on soulmates, having divorced parents. Lou and Jones are happy with their animals friends, not needing romance. Lane is a newer friend who she is slowly seeing more of. Being aroace, she has a unique perspective since she doesn’t want to meet her soulmate. Doesn’t need them.

And then obviously, Amelie. The soulmateless girl with the desire to find someone but the resignation that she won’t.

Ria found solace in her. Found an unexpected peace.

If Lizzy was her soulmate, then Amelie is her endgame. She is the plot twist that no one sees coming. And all Ria wants to do is keep reading.