-Lain-

Elementary School, 4th Grade

 

"Hi!" A young girl with light brown hair said, leaning down to peer at the piece of paper I was doodling on. "What's that?"

 

"It's a deadly monster," I said. "And if you're not careful, it'll kill you!" This was the point where the other kids just laughed or called me crazy or other names. I waited for this girl to do the same.

 

"That's neat," She said, sitting down next to me. "What's your name?"

 

"Lain," I said.

 

"I'm Violet!" The girl said. "Nice to meet you."

 

"Sure," I said, going back to my doodling.

 

---

Middle School, 8th Grade

 

"Hey, look at that new girl," My friend, Blake, said, pointing across the classroom. I looked up from my game and saw a person who looked vaguely familiar. "Her name's Violet. . . something."

 

She was decently tall, exceedingly pretty, with purple-blue eyes and long hair dyed green. She was sitting by herself.

 

"She's hot," My other friend, Mathew, said.

 

"Sure," I said, turning back to my game. "Splatoon's better."

 

"Dude, come on," Blake said. "Are you not interested in girls?"

 

"Maybe," I said. "But she's rejected seven people already. I think it's clear she doesn't want to date."

 

"Bro, at least come with me for moral support!" Blake said.

 

"You're gonna ask her out?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

 

"Yep!" Blake said.

 

"I'm good," I said, going back into my game. I paid a little attention as Blake and Mathew crossed the room. I couldn't hear what was said, but I saw the disappointment on Blake's face as he walked back as clear as day.

 

"Told you," I said. I noticed Violet staring directly at me with a strange expression that seemed almost like longing. But that couldn't be right.

 

"Alright, everyone, listen up!" The teacher said loudly, standing up from his desk. I sighed and paused my game before putting my console away.

 

A little part of me was glad that this 'Violet' girl had rejected Blake. I did feel a little bit of attraction to her, but it was clear she didn't want to date anyone.

 

---

High School, 10th Grade

 

Each year, Violet has been in at least two of my classes. I often catch her looking at me for long periods of time. I don't know why.

 

On top of that, the number of times she's been asked out has reached at least a hundred. All of them were rejected.

 

And yet I still like her.

 

I've gotten to know her some over these past years, and she's nice. She's smart, kind, and doesn't cheat at all.

 

It would be nice to date her. But fate can be cruel like that.

 

---

---

-Violet-

High School, 12th Grade, The day of graduation

 

"No thanks," I said. "I don't date." In my head, I thought, But you're an exception, Lain.

 

"What?" The dumbfounded boy asked, quite confused.

 

"I don't date," I repeated. "Goodbye." I turned around and walked away, mentally adding to my list. Three hundred and fifteen.

 

"Wait!" The guy said, running up and grabbing onto my wrist.

 

"Don't fucking touch me," I said, kneeing the guy in the groin and twisting out of his grasp before calmly walking away.

 

When I got home, I went past my 'father' and up into my room. I flopped onto the bed and closed my eyes. When I opened them, my mother was sitting on her couch.

 

"Another one," I said, slumping next to her. "And Lain rarely talks to me nowadays."

 

"You've probably scared him off," My mother said. "You've made it clear that you don't want to date others, and he probably assumes he's included."

 

"I'm going to find him and tell him tomorrow," I said. "And then you can bring us to Aerylin!"

 

"Alright," My mother said, chuckling.

 

But he was gone the next day. He had moved away.

 

I never even got his phone number or email. I was so stupid.

 

---

Approximately two years later. . .

 

I looked up from my phone briefly on the bus and spotted a familiar face.

 

It was Lain Kanoari! He had moved back from wherever he went! And my Soul Match was here, on the same bus as me!

 

I waited eagerly for when he got off so I could follow. I had never told him about anything.

 

But then, out of nowhere, a huge truck came flying from a side road. The bus driver slammed on the brakes, but it was too late. The truck smashed into the bus and everything went black.

 

When I woke up, everything was dark.

 

"Where. . . am I?" I asked.

 

"Who's there?" Another voice asked suddenly. And then something popped up in front of me.

 

[Soul Match Met]

 

Finally.