Point of View: Roman, First Person
Timeline: Present Day

The three of them had reached the end of their day.  It had been busy - designed to help Virgil not worry about the name that was going to show up on his wrist at sunset.  Thankfully Virgil's birthday was in the winter, meaning that "sunset" was actually fairly early - 4:39 p.m. to be exact.  After the name appeared on his wrist the plan, as far as Virgil was concerned, was to go out and find his soulmate.

I couldn't help being nervous.  What if Virgil was disappointed that I was his soulmate?  What if he was mad at me for not telling him when I found out back on my 25th birthday in June?  Oh gosh, what if this was all a big mistake?

"Are you anxious?" Patton asked Virgil, who very clearly was. His leg was bouncing up and down, he kept biting his bottom lip, and he kept staring at his wrist, as if that would somehow make what I knew would be my name show up any sooner.  Patton and I had driven to the nearest lake, hoping the sound of water would help keep him calm, but it didn't seem to be helping much.

"No, I'm not quietly freaking out because in less than three minutes I'll know the name of the person who I'm supposed to be with for the rest of my life," Virgil snapped, voice sarcastic and bitter.  One had gripped the edge of the weather-beaten bench, clenching so hard that his knuckles turned white, and the other was out in front of him - his purple patchwork hoodie sleeves pulled up to elbow barring his entire forearm towards the sun.

"Hey," I smiled encouragingly, placing a hand on his shoulder. "It's going to be okay."

Virgil nodded after a second, taking a shaky breath. "Yeah, uh, yeah. Sorry Pat."

"No, I get it, Virge," Patton sighed, blinking sadly at his own blank wrist. His birthday was January 15th - next month.  "You're so close to knowing your soulmate - of course you're a little on edge. That's totally reasonable. But hey - you've got nothing to worry about," Patton encouraged, giving Virgil's shoulder a comforting squeeze.  "He'll be perfect for you."

Virgil gave Patton a shaky smile, grateful.

"It's almost time," I declared.  One minute left.  "Ready?"

Virgil hesitated.  "What if no name shows up?  What if what happened to Logan happens to me, there's no name there and I'm just destined to be alone for the rest of my life?"

"Well, whether a name shows up or not," Patton squeezed Virgil's hand.  "We will love you all the same.  Just remember that," Patton encouraged.

Virgil seemed to appreciate that, taking another shaky breath.  "Love you guys too," Virgil returned before his eyes returned to his outstretched left wrist.

The three of us sat in tense silence as we awaited the swirl of black ink.

...

And waited.

And waited.

"Uh, should something have happened by now?" Patton asked tentatively after two minutes of us just sitting there and staring.  He looked over at me, considering that I was the only one of us to have a name on my wrist.

I checked my phone, my heart sinking. 4:41.  Two minutes past sunset.

"No, wait..." I whispered.  "Wait... this is wrong - "

Virgil quickly yanked his sleeves over his hands.  "Told you," Virgil said halfheartedly, laughing dryly.  "I mean, who am I kidding? Who the heck would be a good match for me anyway? Even the universe doesn't know."

"No, no," I stood up, dazed.  "No."

Virgil blinked at me surprised.  "Ro? Are you okay? You've gone as white as a sheet.  You look like you're going to faint.  Here, sit down," Virgil gestured back to the bench and gently coaxed me back down.

"No, I  - no, I - I don't - don't understand..."

Patton looked confused.  "Ro, hey what's wrong? Talk to us."

"You - Your wrist, there's no name, there's no name," I managed.  It felt like a sponge had gotten stuck in my throat and it was harder to speak, harder to breathe.  Where is my name?

"Hey, focus on me - just look at me," Virgil said quietly but clearly and I couldn't help staring.  "Breathe in for four seconds, hold for seven seconds, and out for eight.  Match my breathing," he instructed.

I tried to follow his instructions, but nothing could stop the overwhelming despair that crashed down onto my shoulders.  I sobbed helplessly, curling in on myself.

"Hey, I'm not going to do anything stupid if that's what you're worried about," Virgil encouraged, brushing my tears away with his thumb.  "I'm not going anywhere.  And, despite this, I... I still had a really good day, Ro.  And I appreciate all the effort you went through to make today special for me."

I didn't just do it for you.  I wanted it to be special for us, I thought selfishly but I nodded, trying to ignore the feeling of my heart sinking into my stomach.  I managed to get myself under control and Virgil seemed to relax at that.

"Really I'm okay, Ro.  I'm not going anywhere, I promise," he smiled softly at me.

I nodded.  Virgil and Patton both took it upon themselves to hug me, even as I cried into Virgil's shoulders.  I couldn't help it.  I was terrified.

Where is my name?  

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