Soulmates

“Julia,” I whispered, rubbing my thumb against her lip as an unknown red substance smeared down to her chin. “What is this mess?” I chuckled, trying to wipe the liquid off.

“I was craving cranberries. I simply couldn't resist,” she whispered, her breath hot and heavy against my face.

I huffed, “At 2 am?”

She pouted and stepped back. Looking at me daringly, she took another berry and put it to her lips. I stepped forward, my toe brushing hers, and she looked at me coyly. I placed my palm over the small of her back and yanked her close to me. Leaning down, I bit the other half of the fruit that was projecting from her lips. The taste of the fresh cranberries filled my mouth, mixed with the essence of her lips as we couldn't help but kiss. My other hand moved over her upper back, gripping her dress, knowing that she'd slip away soon. She held me dearly as we kissed like it was our last moment. Merging together as we sucked on each other's lips as we simply couldn't get enough.

‘Julia Julia Julia Julia Julia Julia Julia Julia Julia Julia Julia Julia’—that's all I could think of.

Suddenly, my body, which had seemed to be in motion, halted. Then I was shaken and pushed. I opened my eyes, severely confused and scared. “Julia! Julia!” I yelled as I moved back in my seat, looking at my surroundings. My eyes fell on a bald bloke who was hovering over me. He had on a uniform. I realised I was on a bus. Alone. “W-where is Julia?” I asked, lurching forward and grabbing his collar. He pushed me and stepped back.

“Are you crazy? Get off my bus. We’ve reached the last stop!” he yelled.

I looked at the diary in my hand. Opened was another page dedicated to her. Julia I am sorry Julia Julia Julia where are you? My sweet Roselia where did you go? Julia Julia Julia Julia I will find you Julia Julia Julia Julia Julia Julia Julia, my pretty flower come back to me Julia Julia Julia Julia I miss you Julia Julia Julia Julia I will love you forever. Julia Julia Julia Julia I will marry you Julia Julia Julia Julia please stay Julia Julia Julia I need you badly Julia Julia Julia Julia hello Julia. I ran my fingers over her name scribbled all over the left side of the white page. Reality slowly sank in. Dread filling my nerves. On the right side, there was a painting of us. A blurry image taken from a dewy window. The words I love you written on the fog. A scene I will never forget.

“Helllllo!” The bald bloke snapped his fingers in my face. I stood up and took her photo from my shirt pocket. Holding it to his face, I asked, “Have you seen her?” He took the photo and examined it. Then he pushed it back into my hand. “No, and now get off my bus.” I obeyed, not wanting to waste any more time.

I got down and looked at the busy city ahead of me. My stomach grumbled, complaining at me for the way I've been treating myself. I remembered the last time I ate was yesterday. I felt in my pocket for some cash. But all I pulled out was a few pennies and a five-pound note, along with her photo. I sighed, unsure where to go from here.

I found myself on a park bench with a hot dog I managed to buy. The vendor must have felt sorry for me, for he only took the pennies from my palm when I held out the change. Like a man starved, I gobbled the hot dog and then wiped my hands. My phone rang, lighting up with a message from my friend. I made a bunch of phone calls and managed to get an address. Be careful. Call me once you see her. Don't do anything stupid. I jolted up, jumping with joy. “I'm coming for you! I'm coming for you, Julia. We are adults now. No bugger can keep us away.” A lady walking by gave me a weird look. I muttered an apology before grabbing my things and running.

I found myself in front of a big bungalow. Acres of open land filled with neatly pruned trees, water fountains, statues, manicured bushes, and flowers. In the distance, a big white mansion stood. In front of me was a tall, gold-railed gate shielding the house. I tried to open it when a hand stopped me. I looked at the tall, bulky man dressed all in black. “I'm here to see Julia,” I told him, holding up her photo.

“The family is not at home and will not be returning soon.”

“When will they be back?” I questioned.

“I don't know.”

“Can I go in?” I asked, placing my hand on the gate, desperate to see my girl.

He grabbed my hand and pulled me away. “I said no one is in there,” he growled. I frowned, noticing a familiar red Hyundai Tucson inside. “You're lying,” I said, stepping forward. He shoved me, making me stumble back and fall. “Clear off before I whoop your arse,” he growled. I nodded, dusting myself off. I walked away, though I kept looking back. Part of me hoped she'd emerge from that gate. I noticed a small letterbox on the wall a few feet away. I saw the guard on his phone, probably updating his boss. I slipped a letter inside, hoping it would find her well.

Soon, I was back in the park. In the dimly lit light, I was sketching the girl of my dreams. I focused on drawing her eyes. Those same brown orbs I saw every night in my dreams. The pencils I used were barely fitting my fingers as some of them were barely an inch long. Especially the brown pencil, which I used a lot for my Julia's long locks.

‘Julia Julia Julia Julia Julia Julia Julia Julia Julia Julia Julia Julia my Julia.’

I heard her name. I looked around and saw a familiar figure by the gate. Pushing my belongings into my bag, I ran after her. My hand reached into my pocket, searching for her photo. ‘See, Julia, I kept your photo.’ I looked around the empty road and saw her silhouette on the other side. “Julia!” I yelled, jumping. She was too far to hear. There was a lot of buzzing behind me. I ran after her, trying to catch up. “Julia!” My fingers clutched her photo with total hope. “Julia!” My voice was muffled by a loud honk. I looked to the side and saw a bright white light that pulled me into something hard. Then it threw me far, far away from it. From Julia.

My body ached as I tried to move. I heard a cracking noise, but my eyes kept their focus only on her. Her soft smile that always lit my day. “Julia,” I whispered, rubbing my thumb by her lip as the unknown red substance smeared down to her chin.