Destiny's Fates

Chapter 9

20 minutes later Chris and I were in my car, heading to pick up the pizza. It was quiet, both of us not daring to be the first one to speak. I remember when we would talk for hours about chemistry and our biology lab reports. Now we can’t even talk in the car. Is this how my future is going to be? Random awkward quiet moments when we can’t figure out what to say to each other? Will I remember anything about this? About us searching for my 4th Fate? Will I remember the lunch I had with Derrek, or this car ride with Chris? Will I feel that I am missing something, or will my mind be completely reset to when whoever I marry knocked on my door this morning?

I take a deep breath. “So, what have you been up to since we saw each other at graduation?”

Chris looks startled, “Not much. I accepted a spot at the Nashville School of Medicine. After this year I start my intern year at a hospital.”

“Cool, so you are still planning on being a doctor then?”

“Yes. I want to specialize in Pediatrics. I have always liked kids, and I like the idea of being able to help them. Let them call me Dr. Chris and give me fist bumps when I walk into their hospital room.” Chris glances at me, “Are you still planning on being a Speech Pathologist Des?”

“I am working as a Speech Language Pathologist Assistant. I got my Assistant certification right after graduation. I really enjoy it and I make as much as the Pathologist does, but I don’t have to diagnose the kids. I just get to play games and read books with them and help them talk clearer.” I come to a stop at a red light and look over at Chris, “Any ideas on what hospital you are going to do your internship and residency at?”

“There is one closer to home in Tennessee, and I was looking at the hospital in Idaho Falls. Just in case I end up being the one you marry.”

The light turns green, and I start driving again. “What happens if you aren’t the one that I marry but you accept the position at the hospital here? Will you remember that you were one of my Fates?” I pull into the parking lot, park, then look at Chris and his beautiful emerald eyes. “Would it be hard for you to know that you almost married me and then someone else did?”

Chris holds my gaze. “Yes, it would be very hard. And to answer your first question, no. I would not remember that I was one of your Fates, just that I was a Fate, and she didn’t choose me. I would still remember you, and probably still have the same feelings for you.”

“So, hypothetically speaking. If I had the courage to ask you out in school, would you have said yes?”

Chris nodded, “I would have been over the moon. But I get why you didn’t. A sweet, sheltered girl like you was taught that the man needs to make the first move. I was too scared to ruin our friendship. Some Fates don’t ever have their Assigned like them as more than a friend. I was scared that was going to be us and I didn’t want to push you even farther away by asking you out.”

I slowly bring the car to a stop in the parking lot and shut it off. “I get that.” We climb out of the car and head inside, Chris holding the door open for me. “Order for Destiny please.” I say to the lady at the front. She nods and heads to the kitchen. I turn my attention back to Chris, “So, you really liked me?”

“Yes, I really did. You were so smart, and whenever you were frustrated with something you would scrunch your face up and it was super cute. I also thought you looked just the right amount of nerdy with your glasses.”

The lady comes back carrying the sodas with a busboy carrying the pizzas in tow. Chris takes the pizzas, and I grab the sodas. “Thank you so much,” I call out as we walk out the front door.

“We can put the pizzas in the back seat.” After we are all situated in the car and the pizzas are secured, I slowly back out into the parking lot. “I hated those things! They would get covered in water whenever it rained, and I could never completely get them dry. Plus, once COVID hit having to wear those and a mask killed my ears!”

“So, what’s your secret to perfect vision now Des?”

“Laser eye surgery. Dad and Mom paid for it for me as a graduation gift. It sure makes everything a whole lot easier.” I glance over at Chris and find him looking at me. “So, if I don’t marry you, will you still come to Idaho Falls?”

“I’m not sure Des. I don’t know if I could handle being that close to you all the time and not be the one who ended up with you.”

“Okay. What happens if I marry you, but you don’t get accepted at the hospital here? Would you want me to move to Tennessee?”

“Maybe, I honestly have no idea though. I guess the only way to find out is to find your 4th Fate and figure it out from there.”

We stayed quiet for the rest of the drive home. I really hope I get to marry Chris; he was the one I always felt the strongest attraction towards. Maybe that was just because we were both adults when we met, and we knew what we wanted to do with our lives. Maybe if I had known Derrek and James when we were older, I would feel the same way I do about Chris. Would it be better if we just never found my 4th Fate? If we never had to go to the Council and have them choose who I marry? How did I end up in this situation? If only my dad was around to explain what was going on and what I should do.