[ WP ] Men and Women are invisible to each other , except each person can see their soulmate

I always considered myself as a somewhat easy going kinda guy but even I get annoyed when soulmates make out in public. Thank god the woman was still wearing her face paint, most people stop after they see the one. Nothing more disconcerting than a man shoving his tongue into empty air with hair on top. Floating fingernails were caressing the lucky guy's cheek. She should really have worn her gloves. 
 
 “ Yuck ” Carol said and put her tray on the table “ It's like two clowns kissing. That paint is totally the wrong color for her face. She looks like an Oompa Loompa. ” 
 
 “ I'll take your word for it. ” I snorted “ The man is n't much better though. That's not the shade of his skin. His hands are a lot paler. ” 
 
 Carol flashed a quick smile my way and went back to eating her food. We work in the same office and pretty quickly became friends. I'd call her my work wife if I'd have one at home. I do n't think single people can claim the privilege. We usually ate lunch together though I fully expect that to stop when she finally sees her soulmate. Most usually do. I got misty-eyed just thinking about it. 
 
 “ I wonder? ” I said aloud as I watched the disgusting couple going at it. 
 
 “ Wonder what? ” 
 
 “ Why lie. Why are they doing that. They're soulmates. They should n't care what they look like. ” 
 
 “ I think people still need the approval of other people even if they ca n't see you. There's issues with my face I'm not too fond of either. Probably you too. ” 
 
 “ I'm really boring. I always ask my painter to put on my real face, or as close as he can at least. He's not very good; cheap though. ” 
 
 “ I was n't going to say anything but your face usually has a Picasso kinda quality to it. ” she laughed “ I suppose your soulmate wont mind it when she sees you. ” 
 
 Quickly wanting to steer the conversation back to her I asked the first question that popped in my mind. 
 
 “ So, Carol, what's your issue? ” 
 
 “ I'm sorry? ” she said her mouth full. 
 
 “ Your issue with your face, I mean. What do you paint over? ” 
 
 “ Oh, that.'' She swallowed `` My freckles. I never have them painted on. It's stupid I know. Ironically it'll probably be the thing my future soulmate would like most about me. ” 
 
 “ Yeah, probably. ” I said absentmindedly “ If it makes you feel any better I think they're pretty cute. ” 
 
 She dropped her fork in shock. It made a loud clang as it hit the stone floor of the cafeteria. 
 
 Shit shit shit. What had I said? What had I done?! 
 
 “ What did you say?! ” she said in a loud upset voice. For a moment all eyes in the cafeteria were on us. 
 
 “ Can you see me?! ” she was almost shouting. Tears running down her cheek. 
 
 The rest of the cafeteria quickly realized what was going on. Even the disgusting couple stopped kissing. Now they all were trying really hard not to make eye contact with me. 
 
 I had really fucked up. If I had just stayed quiet. Why was I so fucking stupid? Fuck fuck fuck. 
 
 I tried to take her hand but she reflexively pulled hers away. They say there's no greater tragedy than to not be seen in return. In that moment I knew it to be an absolute truth. 
 
 Never had I seen that much pity in someone's eyes. 
 
 We never had lunch again.
