1 One

This is an AU (alternate universe)

Finally Christie turns 18. It's past midnight but she's awake, sitting on her bed and looking at her ring finger. She's waiting for the soulmate to form. She has seen several times, her friends having it and bragging about it. She also wanted one badly. She had to wait until she turns 18.

The appearance of soulmate ring differs from person to person. She's waiting for the ring to appear so badly, so that she can also brag about it.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR CUPCAKE, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUUUU" Christie's parents barge into her room to surprise her, only find a sad daughter sitting on her bed, while staring at her ring finger.

Christie finally comes back to earth when she hears her dog barking. She sees her parents. Tears well up in her eyes. She's so happy that her parents are back from their trip. She gets down from her bed, runs to them and hugs them tightly. It's been years since she felt that warmth. She spent her whole schooling in hostels because of no good schools near her place. She had to go out of the town for good education.

She forgot about her ring and celebrated her birthday with her parents. She came home a week earlier, but her parents were out of town for some personal work. She got caught up in talking with her mom about how her days were and how she much home she was to her mom. Her mom couldn't help, but tear up seeing her daughter all grown-up. She had some plans with her friends in the neighborhood and went back to bed. She fell asleep.

She woke up the next morning and was feeling very refreshing. Since it was a countryside, she could hear birds chirping, sound of the river flow. The sunlight hit her right in the face reminding her to take a shower and get ready to meet her friends. She brushes her teeth takes a shower with steaming hot water and wears a nice summer dress. The dress perfectly fits her. She goes into the living room and twirls around to her show off her own new dress.

"It suited you so amazingly my cupcake" her mom says in awe. Her father is just stunned by seeing his daughter so beautiful. He couldn't believe his eyes. "You surely take after your mom my baby" her father says and gives her a hug. Christie feels like she owns the whole world. Her dress gives her some confidence. Her beautiful brown locks fall on her shoulders and her amazingly beautiful blue and brown heterochromia eyes sure did attract a whole lot of attention. The people in the area saw her when she was a little kid but not when she grew up to be a beautiful woman. She's kind of proud of herself. She spots two girls who look familiar, but she's not able to make out who they are exactly.

"Chrisssss!!" a girl shouts from afar. Christie immediately recognizes the voice and runs to hug her. Amy is Christie's childhood best friend. They were inseparable, but had to separate when Christie was in elementary school and had to go to hostel for good education.

"Oh my God Amyyy I can't believe you grew up so well" Christie says, almost in tears. "See who's the one saying that, you grew up so amazingly too! I could barely recognize you babe! I missed you so much" Amy says while hugging her. They both go to the Cafe that recently opened in the neighborhood and start to talk about this lives.

"Where should I start? I've got my soulmate ring right after you left for the hostel. It's just changing all colors, except pink. I wonder when I'll meet them" a sigh of disappointment can be heard in her tone. "What about your ring? Did it appear?" she asks out of curiosity, only to hear a disappointed sigh from Christie.Um.. You okay sweetheart?" Amy asks. "No, I'm not fine. I'm definitely not okay. The ring didn't appear anywhere on both of my hands. Oh God, what if I have no soulmate? Am I gonna get a death penalty?" Christie walks tro and fro in front of Amy. "Listen bub, the soulmate ring appears to different people at different times. Don't worry, it'll all be fine" Amy calms her.

"So miss birthday girl, where is my birthday party? I remember someone saying that they would treat me whatever I like? Who's that? Do you know?" Amy teases Christie. "Oh wait, I remember her, actually she decided to change the plan and make her best friend pay for whatever she asks" Christie also gives a taste of her sarcasm to Amy. Amy scoffs in disbelief, "Look look who's talking, what can I expect from you" Amy says jokingly and acts like she's sulking. Her charm always on Christie. "Sorry m'lady, forgive me. Would you like have whatever your small yet big hungry stomach is asking?" both of them laugh. It was the best birthday for Christie. She got to spend time with her best friend.

Christie was on her way back home. She suddenly sees a familiar place. All the memories she spent with that person flood in. Tears well up in her eyes. She couldn't help, but go to the lakeside where she spent her good amazing time with her first love. "Where are you? Why did you go? Who knew, maybe you were my soul mate, now that you are gone, I'm not gonna have a soulmate. Even if I had, I can't love him like I loved you. Oh God Rick, why did you have to do that mistake or experiment or whatever you call it. Why did you do that! Just why?" Christie starts to cry out so loud. It's been 8 years since Rick went missing. She didn't cry this much even when she got to know about him missing. That was the downfall of her life. She started to become numb. She had no one to talk to. She was all alone in the boarding school, without Rick by her side, she felt so empty. Whenever she would come home, she would act like she's doing great, but deep down she knows, she isn't doing well.