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

I feel so alone in the world. Everything has become a stagnant routine. Wake up at the same time every day, go to the same menial job to make just enough money to get by, go out with the same people every weekend, rinse and repeat. 
 
 My group of friends was growing smaller by the minute it seemed. Three months ago Pete met his mate and I've seen him twice since then. I'm happy for him though; Pete is a great guy and the last time I saw him he was so happy you'd think he just won the lottery. Good for Pete. 
 
 A week ago Nick said he saw his mate at school. She just moved here a month ago and ended up going to the same college. Good for Nick, he's a goofy kid with a big heart. It makes me happy to see him so happy. 
 
 Meanwhile the rest of the group is sitting at the same bar, drinking the same beers and telling the same stories. I'm the only one that seems restless. I'm the only one that seems to be dissatisfied with life. Nick is n't here tonight but I'm not surprised. It's his first weekend with his mate; we all drink to another fallen comrade. 
 
 After another typical weekend in a long line of typical weekends I find that I'm almost looking forward to work. Almost. 
 
 That Monday morning I woke up before my alarm had a chance to startle me awake and just stared at the ceiling reflecting on my life. For the first time in months I did n't feel so helpless. I did n't feel quite as lost or as bored with life. I was trying to think of why today might be different when my alarm started sounding off, shaking me out of my contemplation. I went about my regular routine with a little more energy than I was usually able to muster up to face the day, all the while telling myself it was going to be a good day. It had to be; I needed a good day. 
 
 Work seemed better than usual, not quite as mundane as it can be at times. We ended up having a three hour `` meeting'' that turned out to be a surprise birthday/retirement party for Frank, the head of payroll. I some how wound up singing karaoke and making a complete ass of myself and had more fun than I've had in a long time. As the party wrapped up and we said our goodbyes to Frank, I decided to treat myself to a nice dinner to finish off this excellent day. 
 
 I left work as soon as the mess from the party was cleaned up and started heading to the store to pick up ingredients for my dinner. As I wandered down the street I remembered reading about a new grocery store that had just opened up and decided to give them a shot, they were supposed to be an all natural joint and seemed promising from what I had read. I finally arrived ten minutes later and was greeted by a friendly cashier, `` Hello, sir. Welcome to The Pantry'' I replied with the usual pleasantries, grabbed a cart, and started thinking about what I was going to make. I decided to grab a steak, a few potatoes, fresh green beans, and a six pack of a new local beer. Everything looked amazing, as fresh as fresh can get. 
 
 As I made my way down the last aisle, feeling very satisfied with the store and my dinner choice I got a queasy feeling deep in the pit of my stomach. It was so sudden that it startled me and made me start to double over my shopping cart. 
 
 Out of nowhere, bent over my shopping cart in this new store, the most beautiful scent begins permeating the air. It smells like sunshine and earth, maybe the way a freshly planted garden smells on a warm spring day. 
 
 I take a deep breath, savoring the smell and forgetting this odd feeling in my stomach. As I steady myself I feel a hand on my shoulder, a light touch, a stranger checking to see if I was okay. Whoever this was, their touch was electric and warm, full of promise and the most soothing thing I'd felt. I forgot the odd sensation in my stomach, I forgot about my fantastic day, and I forgot about my steak dinner. 
 
 I drew myself upright and turned around. 
 
 I was seeing an angel, I was sure of it. I was hallucinating. Maybe dying. I did n't know what to think. She was... incredible. She was all legs and curves, skin as smooth as marble but the color of gold. She had hair the color of honey, cascading over her shoulders. Eyes so green I could have sworn they were carved from jade and they were staring right into mine, full of concern and... something else I could n't put my finger on. I was drunk on her beauty. 
 
 `` Are you okay?'' 
 
 Her voice was as sweet as the rest of her, a perfect melody. 
 I was dumbfounded. She could see me, really see me. Not just look through me. And I could see her. I knew what that meant but I could n't believe it. my heart was pounding and my palms were getting sweaty. My mind raced as I groped around the murky puddle that my brain had become in that instant. 
 
 `` Is she really my mate?'' I thought, `` If she is... has anyone every scared their mate away before? If not I'm likely to be the first, that'd be just my luck'' 
 
 `` I do n't... I think so. I do n't know what came over me.'' I managed to stammer out, proud that I had n't just stood there drooling. 
 
 She flashes me the most incredible smile, `` I'm Amanda.'' she states as she offers me her hand. I took her hand and felt the same electric and warm sensation as before. A sense of relief flooded through me in that moment and I smiled back, `` I'm Jacob, it's wonderful to meet you, Amanda.'' 
 
 `` It's wonderful to be met.'' 
 
 There's that smile again. I really ca n't believe this is happening. We stood in a briefly awkward silence, her hand still in mine. 
 
 `` So...'' I hesitate for a moment, not wanting to break the spell, `` Does this mean... I mean... are we...?'' 
 
 `` I think so,'' she almost whispers, `` I hope so. I've been waiting for this for so long...'' 
 
 `` I've been waiting for you my whole life. And of all places to finally see you. I'm just happy we're both here.'' 
 
 ___ 
 
 It's been a month now since I met my soul mate. We're getting married in a week and I could n't be happier.
