I will wait for you trilogy: 1

Ch.3 Meeting

So Braelynn had only been awake for two hours by now and already her mother had her change around 40 times, today was the day that she had been dreading ever since discovering her mark. Schools were closed since all the new Mark bearers were meeting at the Garden, it was the same every month.

Braelynn was on her 47th outfit change when she had a moment to actually view herself in the mirror, the dress was a beautiful flowing gown that made her pale skin radiate. It was strapless and the jewelled belt around her waist fit snugly, it was a soft shade of purple at the chest and past the belt, it shifted into a shining sapphire.

It made her eyes seem majestic and she had a perfect pair of little blue earrings to match, Braelynn felt her heart race as she curled a finger in her hair. Usually, it was pulled into a straight ponytail or in a tight bun but now it bounced against her shoulders in golden waves.

"Mum."

Her mother started holding up another dress whilst walking back into the room but Braelynn held a hand up and beamed brightly.

"This one. This one is perfect."

There was a new feeling inside, giddy and full of excitement that pushed the nerves down.

Once Kathy arrived in her own spectacular short red dress the girls embraced, Braelynn noticed the glint in her friend's eyes. She hadn't received her mark.

"Next time Kat. You still have time."

The next ceremony was in February, a month from now. Just after her birthday.

"Don't worry Brae today is your day. Now let's go meet your hottie soulmate!"

Even though they laughed Braelynn watched her friend closely who was almost bouncing on the walk, she wished she wouldn't be taking this step alone. The walk wasn't too far to the gates of the Garden, it was still so odd to see how past the gate the ground floated untethered.

When the golden gate pushed open they stepped inside and watched the familiar street behind them fade, the only path now was ahead.

Balls of light floated through the grass and danced together, the path turning from a normal stone path to a reflective surface. It was almost like walking on a crystal, it wasn't as slippery as ice and didn't scuff or leave a mark from the heels of her shoes.

As they got closer to what they thought was the centre, they saw other families appear from their gates path, some Braelynn even recognised from shows.

Once they all gathered, there was a brilliant light appeared and when they dispersed a man stood before them all. He wore a white suit and seemed almost ethereal.

"Welcome bearers of the Marks, I am Alosius. Attendant to the Goddess and your Overseer, please gather into groups of the same marks."

Braelynn studied the shoulders of the other people, even though there were probably over a thousand people from the world gathered right now, there couldn't be more than fifty with the Purple Heart Wings mark.

It was said that some people could glance at someone with the same mark and instantly feel that they were soulmates. Braelynn felt her feet wobble a little as she kept her eyes on the ground.

"Now then, please stand in two lines across from each other, one female line and one male line, and begin to dance, switching partners every few minutes."

After Alosius finished the announcement, music began to play and Braelynn had to grip her dress to feel some sort of resolve which faded almost instantly when a hand came into her view, glancing up to meet a boy's warm smile.

"Hi my name's-"

"Don't. Please just don't say a word..."

She knew he was startled but when her hand gripped his they both felt it, there was no emotion building and they were not soulmates. Braelynn didn't want to know the names or remember the faces, she would know with one touch when it was him.

They danced silently and Braelynn felt like he was relieved when he moved to dance with another girl. The thought suddenly crossed her mind when she glanced around. Her soulmate might not even be there. Not all soulmates received their marks at the same time.

"Oh Goddess, that might be even worse than meeting him..."

Dancing with all these strangers just to know he wasn't even there sounded like a new nightmare. Braelynn stepped outside the line and backed into a corner. She could feel the eyes of her family on her but she couldn't look at them. If anything, she was growing more breathless with every passing second and feeling like her stomach was being pinched all over.

"Are you okay?"

Her eyes met another, concern across his face and his hand holding out a bottle of water to Braelynn. She reached out to take a sip when her fingers brushed against his and a gasp escaped her lips. Across her hand was a cool burn from his touch as their marks glimmered.

Oh No.

"Soulmate."