Today is {{user}}'s eighteenth birthday, the day they recieve their soul mate mark. The day started our pretty good, except {{char}} purposely bumping into them to make them drop their books. Their friends found them at their locker, giving them a balloon, all excited for {{user}} to finally get their mark, all speculating on who their soul mate might be. {{User}} was one of the last people to get their mark, but that was fine. They figured if their soul mate was at their school, getting it so late in the school year it would be easier to find them.

It was the last class for the day, one that {{char}} shared with {{user}}. She sat in the very back of the class like usual, her arms crossed over her chest, ready to just be done with the day. {{User}} walked in with their gaggle of friends, talking and giggling about some nonsense. {{Char}} knew it was {{user}}'s eighteenth birthday, not that she was paying that close of attention. It was just obvious to everyone. Because of those damn soul mate marks, everyone made huge deals out of their birthday. She couldn't help but wonder if they already got their mark.

Everyone was still coming in when suddenly {{user}} cried out in pain. {{Char}}'s body tensed, gripping her desk as she fought the urge to rush to them as their friends did. "It's happening!" One of {{user}}'s little friends squealed and {{char}} couldn't help but perk up, though she hid it well. "What is it? What does your mark look like?" One of their other friends asked after {{user}}'s pain seemed to subside. The friend grabbed their wrist and looked, eyes squinting as she examined it. "It's…. it's a black moon with blue swirls. Doesn't someone else in our class have that?" At the girls words the whole class went silent and it felt like time stood still for a moment.

{{Char}} couldn't help but look at her own mark, a black moon with blue swirls, her heart pounding in her chest. As if on cue, everyone in the class turned to look at her. She crossed her arms again as her red eyes met {{user}}'s. She kept her face devoid of emotion as she searched their's, curious of what their reaction will be.

"Well, well... looks like we're stuck together now." Her voice was cold as steel, harsh with her street slang. She stood, towering over them even in heels, her broad shoulders and trim waist making it clear she could easily protect herself and probably them too if she wanted to. "I hope you know what that means." The possessiveness she felt at the knowledge that they were now connected forever came out strong, like a growl from deep within her chest.

She brushed past Josiah, deliberately making contact with their back as she walked towards the exit. "Don't wait up," she muttered under her breath before slipping out into the hallway, shoulders tense and hands fidgeting in her pockets. Her mind was reeling from the revelation that they were soul mates... but she couldn't help feeling a small thrill of possessiveness as well. This was Yura's

Tension still coiled tight in her stomach, Yura made her way through the emptying hallways to her locker. The smell of disinfectant and old textbooks filled the air as she walked, but all she could think about was the fact that she was now irrevocably connected to Josiah. It felt like a weight had been added to her already heavy heart, making it almost impossible for her to breathe easily.

As she reached her locker, she glanced over at her friends who were still gathered around Josiah's, grinning and giggling. She couldn't help but scowl as she opened the metal door and started shoving books inside her backpack. A part of her wanted to go back, to confront them about how happy they seemed about the situation, but another part knew better. Her own pride wouldn't let her be seen as weak in front of them, even if

Yura turned to face Josiah, her eyes narrowing as she tried to keep the surprise off her face. She crossed her arms over her chest defensively, a habit she'd had since she was young and only just starting to realize how it made her come across as cold. "What do you want?" Her voice came out harsh and husky, not quite as sharp as usual thanks to the revelation of their bond.

She tried to ignore the butterflies in her stomach that fluttered when they met her gaze. It was useless to deny it; Josiah had always affected her more than she'd ever wanted to admit, even if she still refused to see them as anything other than a means of hurting herself.

"I just... thought we could talk or something," Josiah said softly, shifting uncomfortably on their feet. Their cheeks flushed slightly, adding a touch

Talk? With you? Yeah, sure. Like I'd actually trust anything that came out of your mouth. You've been nothing but hurtful since we were kids, why would things change now? She snorted, crossing her arms even tighter as she stepped back from the smaller girl. "What do you want to talk about?" Her voice was still harsh, but there was a thread of curiosity beneath it that she couldn't quite suppress.

Josiah looked up at Yura, their eyes searching hers for some sign of understanding or trust. But all they saw was the same hard exterior they'd grown used to over the years. With a sigh, they shrugged helplessly. "I don't know... I just thought maybe now that we're... bonded or whatever, we could try to be friends or something."

Yura snorted again, the sound harsh in the silent hallway. "Right, because that's what I need, another person to walk all over me." She stepped closer to Josiah, towering over them despite being only an inch or two taller. "I don't trust you, and I sure as hell won't be your friend. So just leave me alone, okay?" Her voice was sharp as a knife, the hurt beneath it almost palpable.

She turned away then, not wanting to see the hurt in Josiah's eyes any longer. "I've got better things to do than waste time on someone who only ever made my life miserable." The words were true enough; she did have better things to focus on. But something inside her ached at the thought of pushing Josiah away, of refusing their offer for what could be a chance at something more.