Fated Marks

Two and a Half Years Later-

If someone had told me five years ago that this would be my life I would have laughed. I was always good with computers but I never thought I’d be majoring in it.

About six months ago it was finally time to apply to transfer to a four-year college or university. I applied to all the good schools in the city and waited to see where I would get in. Imagine my surprise when I got accepted to Columbia. Will was almost as happy as I was, especially since that meant he didn’t have to find a new roommate.

Will was Liam’s roommate who Tess tried to set me up with. As it turns out I wasn’t his type because he was gay which neither Tess nor Liam ever figured out until after said date. Will was great, he ended up being one of my best friends. He was an English lit major at NYU and we had a lot in common, mostly our love of movie marathons.

Flashback- June 2010

“Come on Hayley just give him a chance. He’s a nice guy and he’s into those movies with the bad special effects you watch.” Tess said.

“You mean classic science fiction?” I corrected.

“Yes and he’s smart and he just moved to the city. He’s on his own and even if you guys don’t hit it off you could both use a friend.” Tess said.

“Okay, I’ll give him a chance.” I said.

“Thank you, now how do I look?” She asked.

“Like you’re trying too hard for a date at a burger restaurant.” I said.

“Then it’s perfect, I need to look good for my guy.” She said with a smile.

“Your guy? Last I heard you two were just keeping it casual.” I said.

“We were until he got me naked and saw my soulmark which happened to be his and then I saw mine on his…” Tess started.

“Whoa TMI we’re about to have dinner with him I’d like it if I could make eye contact without picturing his… you know.” I started.

“Right so, he’s my soulmate and I’m trying to win over his best friend so help me.” She said.

“I’ll be on my best behavior just don’t go over board with the PDA.” I said.

“I promise strictly PG.” She said.

Five minutes into dinner Tess and Liam were making out and getting past second base.

“Ehem.” I said clearing my throat.

“Mhm.” Tess moaned.

“I think you need to be less subtle.” Will said and I heard a thump that was followed by a yelp from Liam.

“What the hell?” Liam groaned at Will.

“Oh look they aren’t glued together.” Will said.

“Good to know.” I said going along with it.

“So you never told us where you’re from Hayley.” Liam started trying to get Will to stop glaring at him.

“I’m not really from anywhere, I moved around a lot as a kid.” I said.

“I know the feeling I was an army brat.” Will started.

“Did you stay in the country or overseas?” I asked.

“Bit of both but mostly stayed in the country. We drove past the grand canyon way too many times.” Will said.

“It’s not so grand the second time around.” I said.

“And they’re at it again.” Will said.

“Yeah, it’s kind of cute.” I said and then some drool spilled out. “And now it’s gross.”

“You want to get out of here? Maybe catch a movie?” Will asked.

“Sure I’ve been dying to see that new Leo DiCaprio movie.” I said.

“You like Sci-Fi?” He asked.

“Uh yeah, Back to the Future and Star Wars are the greatest movie trilogies ever.” I said.

“Original star wars or prequels?” He asked.

“Original duh.” I said.

“You and I are going to get along really well.,” he said. We looked over to Tess and Liam and they were still making out.

“We should go.” I said.

“Yeah, bye guys.” Will said and we were off.

After the movie he decided to walk me back to my place, which was actually only a few blocks from the theater.

“So that entire thing was a dream?” I said confused.

“He’s self aware but he was so in it he can’t tell dreams from reality anymore, at least I think that’s what it was.” Will said.

“Damn, Leo’s come a long way from Titanic.” I said.

“He’s still pretty hot.” Will said.

“Ages like a fine wine.” I said in agreement shocking Will.

“Wait you’re not, you know I’m…” Will started. “How?”

“Well for one you have freshly manicured nails, you’re outfit was perfectly coordinated and I have to say, crushing on Leo sealed the deal.” I said.

“You’re not…Mad?” he said.

“Why would I be mad?” I asked.

“Because this was supposed to be a date?” Will said.

“I was just going for moral support for Tess, she’s worried you don’t approve of her.” I said.

“Are you kidding? Liam asked me to show up because he was freaking out you’d hate him for hitting on you then ditching you for Tess.” Will said.

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Soulmarks or not those two are made for each other.”

“They really are.” Will said. “Can I ask you a favor? Can you not tell Tess or Liam that I’m… you know… he’s my best friend and I don’t know how he’ll take it. My parents kicked me out when they found out so I don’t really have anyone else.”

“Don’t worry, you’re secret’s safe with me and for the record you’re not alone. I happen to be looking for a movie marathon buddy and seeing as those two can’t keep their hands off of each other we might be kicked out of our apartments on occasion.” I said.

“Thanks and that’d be great. You can crash with me if it ever comes to that. And your secrets safe with me too.” He said and I gave him a look. “I know you’re not Eighteen.”

“How did you…” I started.

“You said the word cute a lot and you have a lot of celebrity crushes.” Will said.

“Do Tess and Liam know?” I whispered.

“Are you kidding? Those two are oblivious to half of the things that go on around them. I doubt they even noticed we left.” Will said, just then his phone dinged. “Speak of the devil, looks like I just got kicked out of the apartment.”

“Lucky for you we have a pretty comfy pull out couch.” I said.

“Sounds great.” He said with a smile.

End Flashback-

After that it went from being Tess and I to Tess and Liam and me and Will. It all went well until New Years Eve. We all decided to use the frequent flier miles Tess and Liam’s parents gave them to fly out and see them to fly us out to Vegas, that is of course after they called their parents and say they were staying in New York to work on a last minute internship application.

Flashback- December 2010

We hopped on a plane and we flew to Vegas. One special brownie and many shots later we blacked out. We woke up to find a photo album of our friend’s wedding and a cope of their marriage license.

“Oh my god we got married!” Tess shouted waking us all up.

“Uh, too loud.” Will groaned.

“It’s too bright.” I whined.

“Anyone know where my pants are?” Liam asked, “Oh shit there’s a henna tattoo on my stomach. Of fuck it’s real.”

“Aww, you got all of our names tattooed.” Tess said.

I probably shouldn’t mention Hayley isn’t actually my name…

“That’s not all you got tattooed.” I said taking both of their left hands and seeing the tattoo of a wedding band in each of their left ring fingers.

“We got married!” Liam said. “My moms going to kill me.”

“My dad’s going to kill you.” Tess said.

“Oh fuck.” Liam said.

“Not if you guys get an annulment.” Will said.

“Let’s get going.” I said throwing Liam his pants.

“Wait, I found this CD and it said to press it before we leave.” Tess said putting it in the DVD player.

The video played and it was me walking Tess down the aisle towards Liam and Will. We all looked completely trashed.

When we got to the end the officiate started the cliché love is patient love is kind speech followed my Tess and Liam reciting their vows.

“The day I saw you in that club everything changed you walked into my life and made everything brighter. Everything just clicked and you make me complete. You make me be a better man and I may not be good enough for you now but I will spend every day of the rest of our lives together trying to be.” Liam said.

“Aww.” Tess, Will, and I said at the same time video me said it.

“Liam, I never thought I’d get to meet you. What are the odds that on that given day we’d both walk into that club and that you’d even try to talk to me? I’ve spent every day since trying to figure out what you see in me and I still don’t see it.” tess started. “But I count myself the luckiest bitch in the world you did. I love you.”

“Wow you were really drunk.” I said. Then video me puked in a flowerpot adorning the aisle. “And so was I apparently.”

“I love you too.” Liam said.

“Baby.” Tess said putting her arms around Liam and kissing him.

“I don’t think they’re getting an annulment.” Will said.

“Yeah, I don’t think so either and I’m kind of happy about it. Just look at them if I hadn’t agreed to go out that night they wouldn’t have met.” I said.

“If I hadn’t kicked him out so I could study they wouldn’t have met either.” Will said.

“We did this.” I said with a smile.

“I wonder who’s moving into who’s apartment?” Will asked.

End Flashback-

In the weeks that followed the four of us worked it out and Tess moved in with Liam and Will moved in with me. It was a surprisingly easy transition and it wasn’t like we never saw each other. Tess and I worked and went to school together and we also had group dinners. We took turns with who hosted or if we went out.

It was also towards the end of the year that Will and I kind of got into a fight.

Flashback October 2011-

“So the application for transfer students opens tomorrow have you figured out where you’re applying?” Will asked.

“Uh actually I’m thinking of taking another year or maybe taking the year off.” I said.

“What? Why?” Will asked.

“Well for one, school is expensive. I’m in community college and I can barely make ends meet what am I going to do when tuition doubles or even triples?” I said.

“There’s financial aid, scholarships, even student loans. I’ve seen your test scores I know no matter where you get in they’d do whatever they could to get you to stay with them even give you a full ride.” Will said.

“Will, it’s just not a good time.” I said.

“Hales, you’ve taken all the required classes to transfer to a great school and you’ve passed them all with flying colors. You get along great with your teachers so I know you’ll get a great letter of rec…” Will started.

“Will, just drop it. The answer is no okay.” I said harshly.

“No, I’m not dropping this. You’re holding back because you’re afraid. I don’t know what screwed up thing happened to you to make you so scared of moving forward but you have to snap out of it.” Will said. “You have an amazing opportunity you just have to take it.”

“You’re right Will you don’t know what happened to me because you don’t know anything about me. Butt out.” I said.

“Why are you being such a bitch about this?” He shouted.

“Why are you being so damn nosy? I didn’t ask for your opinion, this doesn’t concern you!” I yelled.

“The hell it doesn’t!”

“It really doesn’t you’re just a roommate nothing more!” I yelled and once I realized what I said I regretted it immediately.

“Really? Okay then, do whatever you want. I’ll come back later for my things.” Will said before storming off.

“Oh Fuck me.” I groaned. I really screwed the pooch this time. What the hell did I do? Will was just looking out for me and I just had to go and pull a me. Maybe this is the source of all my problems? Screw this I need some air. I grabbed an olive parka and went out. It was starting to get chilly and I couldn’t afford to miss work because I got sick.

I took a walk until I got to a small park a couple of blocks away from the apartment. I didn’t feel like going back to the apartment just yet and wandering around would just lead me to drink tons of coffee. I sat down on a bench and watched the New York Skyline in the distance. I don’t know how long I was sitting there but I snapped out of my day dreaming when I felt something fall next to my feet. I looked down and saw a dog trying to pry a pizza box open.

“What the…” I said. The dog looked up at me. It was missing an eye but despite that it was very friendly. It nuzzled into my hand as if letting me know it was okay to pet him. “You’re a friendly little guy aren’t you?”

“Woof.” He barked happily.

“Where’d you get that pizza box huh?” I said. It just went back to slipping his paw on it to open it and when he finally did he bit into a slice and then put on my lap.

“Come here.” I said patting the space next to me. It jumped up and I noticed his collar. “Let’s see here, you’re name’s Lucky. Well you certainly are lucky if you managed to get an entire pizza for yourself. How do we find your owner?” I turned the tag over and saw a phone number. I pulled my phone out and dialed.

“Barton.” A gruff voice sounded.

“Hi, I’m here at Liberty Park and I think I have someone here you may be looking for.” I said.

“Lucky?” He said.

“That’s what his collar said,” I answered.

“Is he okay?” the man asked sounding relieved.

“Oh he’s fine, a lot more than fine actually I think he’s on his third slice of pizza.” I said.

“Oh jeez, I’m on my way.” He said hanging up.

“Looks like you scared your owner pretty bad.” I said and he whined. “Any chance you’re owner’s sixteen or seventeen? I happen to be single and ready to mingle. And I just realized I’m talking to a dog about dating. Wow I am really out of it today.”

Lucky just rested his head on my lap.

I gently rubbed its head until I heard someone walking over to us.

“Lucky!” The man exclaimed. “What happened?”

The dog quickly tackled his owner and started licking him. The man was pretty tall, well at least taller than me. He had sandy blonde hair and grey eyes. He was hot, but unfortunately not around my age. Shame. Now I know I’ve been spending too much time with Tess, I’m checking out complete strangers.

“Jeez buddy, I hope you left me some.” He said and the dog barked. “Hi, thank you so much for finding him.”

“I didn’t actually do much, Lucky just kind of stopped by me and started munching on that pizza. Never seen a dog eat pizza before.” I said with a small smile.

“Can I get you a cup of coffee or something to say thanks?” He offered.

“No it’s okay really.” I said.

“I insist, most people wouldn’t have bothered to call or let alone keep Lucky company.” He said.

“Okay, I could use something to warm up anyway.” I said giving him a small smile.

“I’m Clint by the way.” He said offering his hand “and you already know Lucky.”

“Hayley.” I said.

“You new to New York?” He asked.

“I’ve been here about a year now.” I said. “And you?”

“I’m from Iowa but I move a lot for work. I do like New York. Best pizza as you can probably tell.” He said looking down at Lucky.

“It is pretty great.” I said.

“What made you go out for a walk with weather like this?” Clint asked.

“Uh…” I said thinking about my fight with Will.

“Sorry I shouldn’t have asked.” He said noticing how uncomfortable I was.

“No it’s not that, I got in a fight with my best friend who also happens to be my roommate. I said some things that I regret and now he’s mad.” I said.

“You’re friend’s a he? So is it a relationship problem?” He asked and I laughed.

“Oh no,” I said chuckling. “No that’s, yeah no. We’re as platonic as it gets. We moved in together after our former roommates got married to each other and decided to move in together. That was almost a year ago and things were going good. I’ve been taking classes at a community college and I finally met the requirements to transfer to a four-year school. He wanted me to apply but I, I don’t know.” I said. Why was I opening up to a stranger when I can’t even open up to my best friend.

“That’s the entire point of a community right?” He asked.

“Yeah but it’s not as easy as saying I’m done, apply and go. There are a ton of things to consider.” I said.

“Like what?” Clint asked.

“How I’m going to pay for it? My situation’s a bit tricky at the moment.” I said.

“Did you tell him that?” Clint asked.

“I haven’t told anyone. I’ve been on my own since I was thirteen I’m not used to having people care or look out for me it’s…weird.” I said.

“I know the feeling. I’m gonna go out on a limb and say there’s more.” He said.

“Yeah, he confronted me about it and I may have said that it was none of his business and that he was just my roommate and nothing more.” I said.

“Mhm.” He hummed.

“I screwed up didn’t I?” I said.

“You already know the answer to that.” Clint said.

“I definitely screwed up. I have to apologize now don’t I?” I said.

“Yup.” He said.

“Crap, I’m going to have to grovel.” I said.

“I wouldn’t go that far.” Clint said.

“He’s been looking out for me since day one and I just called him a means to pay rent.” I deadpanned.

“Groveling might help.” He said.

“Damn it, I should have just kept my big mouth shut.” I said.

“It’s not always that simple. I had a friend like you. From what I can tell, you put up walls to keep people out and when someone gets too close you go off to push them away before they can because you’re afraid of what’ll happen if you let them in. My advice, take the chance and let him in he may surprise you.” Clint said.

“That was surprisingly insightful.” I said.

“I can be deep.” He said.

“I just saw you split a slice of pizza with Lucky and throw a spitball and the creep three tables down.” I said.

“He deserved it.” Clint said looking towards the table with a glare.

“I’ll take your word for it.” I said.

“I should get going. Thanks again.” He said.

“Thanks for the advice.” I said.

“Take care of yourself Hayley.” He said.

“You too Clint. Bye pizza dog.” I said petting Lucky’s head one last time before they walked out.

I sat at the table mulling over what Clint had said and he was right. I kept people at arms length but that was more of a necessity than a choice. Will had been there through my highs and lows. He didn’t push me to open up and no matter what he was always there. I can’t tell him about everything but I could stop pushing him away. I knew what I had to do. A simple sorry wasn’t going to cut it. I knew Will and I knew the only way out of this was a grand gesture.

The Next Morning…

I pulled an all nighter at the coffee shop and started writing. By the time the sun came up I had finished both essays for my college apps and was ready to face Will. I took the paper bag I had written my essays on and walked home. I walked in and could tell Will was home.

I walked over to his bedroom door and knocked.

There was no answer but I heard the floor creak.

“Will, I know you’re pissed and I deserve it but I just want to say I’m sorry. I know that probably doesn’t mean anything so I’m pulling a grand gesture, well at least it feels like a grand gesture. I finished both my application essays and I think you should read this. It’s not the entire thing just the only part that really matters. I wrote it on a brown paper bag so please don’t let the letters smear, I still need to type it out. I’m sliding it under the door. I’ll be in my room.” I said before walking away.

I heard his footsteps and the familiar crinkle of the paper.

There are a lot of events in my life that most people can say have defined me but I don’t think it’s a matter of just picking one. Sir Isaac Newton said that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. That is not only true for thermodynamics but life as well. I have had more than my fair share of misfortunes but for every single one of them something good came out of it. I may not have seen it at the time but in hindsight everything is clearer. I’ve been on my own since I was thirteen. I had no family and until very recently no friends. I never thought much of it until now. I thought isolating myself was the way to go but I was wrong. Without realizing it I slowly became surrounded by friends who cared about me and genuinely had my best interests at heart even though I had done nothing to deserve such kindness. Someone once told me that family does not end in blood and that friends are the family we choose. It is because of the family I have chosen that I am writing this essay. My brother Will sees the best in me even though I have tried to keep him at arms length. I used to think that being strong meant doing everything on my own but now I know that true strength comes from accepting the fact that you can’t always do thing on your own and taking help and the opportunities when presented. My self-imposed isolation was for survival but now is not the time for survival it’s the time to take chances and grow. That is why I believe that all the grief I have endured since that fateful day all those years ago was completely worth it if it meant I get to be where I am today.

I was lying in bed staring out my window when I heard Will’s door open and footsteps coming towards me. I felt the bed dip and Will slowly hug me.

“I know you hate hugs but suck it up, you earned it.” He said.

“No one’s hugged me since I was thirteen.” I said.

“That’s really fucked up.” Will said.

“You don’t know the half of it.” I answered.

“We’re going to be okay sis.” He said. And for the first time in a long time I actually believed that was true.

End Flashback

That brings us to present day. Not only did I get accepted to Columbia but Will did as well. He didn’t tell me he had gotten into Columbia Law School because he didn’t want to sway any decisions I might make. The past few months have been pretty great. I still hadn’t told him about my past and I was going to keep it that way but I was making more of an effort to give people a chance and not push them away first sign they got too close. It had been going pretty well. Then a hole in the sky opened up and Aliens invaded New York, but I’ll get to that.