A familiar-faced stranger sat on her table, claiming to be her soulmate.


His vibrant blond hair shined in the evening rays as he brushed his locks back, his pale and freckled face scrunched nervously as his hazel eyes displayed his discomfort of the situation. Lydia gazed at him with wide eyes and a frazzled expression written across her face. “You’re what?” She asked, a weak smile involuntarily creeping on her lips as she couldn’t believe the words that fell from his lips. “I’m… your soulmate.” He repeated, lowering his head as he felt scrutinized under her blue eyes. A moment of silence passes as she threw her head back in a warm laughter, her curled brown locks flowing back gracefully as he couldn’t help but admire the way she sounded. She slowly calmed down, slowing her laughter as she shook her head. “That’s cute, but you have no idea what you’re talking about. Soulmates don’t exist.” She responds in a matter-of-fact tone, taking a sip of her coffee and displaying her diamond ring resting on her ring finger as he felt a sharp pain at her words. “Lydia, don’t tell me you changed so much the last time we talked.” He continued, his voice gentle and filled with pain as he watched her tense. Her soft demeanor slowly shifted to one of caution, her eyes shooting a subtle glare as she lowered her cup. “…How do you know my name?” She asked, her voice harsh as she watched an urge of panic cross his face, causing him to scramble and grab something from his bag. “Y-you told me when we first met, don’t you remember?” He asked, oblivious to her reaching for something in her purse, her fingers tightly gripping around the pepper spray as she continued to glare at him. "I think I would remember meeting someone like you." Her voice was harsh, and her eyes displayed a high distrust, observing this stranger to wait for any cracks in his facade. Lydia would have remembered such a man with a tall height and muscular build, but something kept nagging at her. His face. Her thoughts were cut short as this strange man place an old and dusty composition journal on the table, watching as her eyes stared in disbelief. Nearly spilling her coffee, she swiftly snatched the journal and brought it closer to truly see. Its page have yellowed and looked brittle, the cover losing its paint, and old letters painted on the cover made with gorilla glue and glitter.

 

Lydia And Matthew's Dream Exchange Journal

 

Her heart stopped for a second before pounding in her chest, her hands opening the old pages as a soft chuckle escaped her lips. "This..." "So you do remember?" He interjected, watching her with a fondness as she gazes up at him. "Where did you...? How did you...?" She stammered, unable to fully understand what was happening nor think of a question. He simply responded with a soft chuckle, finding enjoyment in her confusion as he revealed a thin gap between his front teeth. She lowered her head and began flipping through the pages, the memories of each story, each day, each... Dream. Her hands stopped as she raised her gaze once, fully putting the pieces together as she stares at his face. "...Matthew?" She asks, watching his face beam with excitement as he nodded. "Yes! You do remember." He exclaims, gently taking her hand as he felt a rush of relief and joy course through him. However, Lydia takes her hand back, her expression still holding doubt. “You’re… not what I remember. Not to mention you aren’t supposed to be real. You were a dream, an ideal, so… How are you here? And how did you go from lanky to… this?” She asks, unable to comprehend his existence as he smiled warmly in response.

“Well, to answer the easy question first,” He started, lowering his eyes to the table as his smile only softens, the curve of his lips sending a sudden flutter to her stomach as she attempted to listen. “I wanted to impress you and show off my new look, but I guess that didn’t work since you didn’t recognize me.” He continued, bashfully chuckling as Lydia smiled and nodded. “You can say that again, but still you look great. Lanky and fit.” She complimented, watching him tense and sheepishly smile. She let out another warm laugh, a spreading comfort and fondness in this interaction as he cleared his throat, changing the subject.


“As for how I’m here, I flew here. After many, many months of just trying to see you again. Especially since the last time we last saw each other was when we were kids, right before middle school, too.” His voice dropped low and woeful; the pain of his aching heart shown in his eyes as Lydia’s face softened with sympathy, quietly listening as Matthew continued. “I also thought you weren’t real as well, believing it was some strange dream, but then I saw you. On an ad for a hair product with the cheesiest catchphrase, in fact.” Lydia let out an embarrassed groan, leaning back and overing his face as the thought sent chills through her body. “You’re joking, right? Tell me you are.” She pleaded, her face growing red as Matthew let out a soft laugh. “No, sorry. It’s true.” He answered, watching her continue her display with an amused smile. She shook her head, a strange way to shake the memory away as she let out one more sound of embarrassment. “So, you saw me on one of my first times on tv and find out who I was?” “Yes, but only after I had to find out why I knew you. That’s when I found out about soulmates and the ways they can interact with one another before ever even meeting in person. One of them happened to be with dreams.” He continued, pulling out his phone as he pulled out his search browser and showed his research. She carefully took his phone, scrolling through a website as he continued to speak. “It said soulmates could meet in the same dreams, but only if they fell as sleep at the same time, which can explain what happened with us. We were kids, so we tended to sleep around the same time thanks to curfews.” He chuckled, slowly tensing as she noticed her silence and her pained expression.


“…It’s wonderful that you came all this way Matthew, but I’m sorry you wasted all this time.” She lowered her, handing Matthew his phone back as he softly frowned, taking the phone back as he watched her rest her fingertips on her ring. “I don’t believe in soulmates and I’m not going to throw everything just because of some childish story. I’m sorry.” She spoke, watching him shift in his seat as she can sense his disappointment. “…Yeah. I figured as much.” “ So, why?” She asked, both refusing to gaze at one another as she listened to him slide his phone over to her, the screen displaying a blank contact. “I wanted to talk again. Like old times.” He answered, his voice genuine and kind as she couldn’t help but let out a breathy laugh, a sweet warmth spreading through her body as she opened her phone and passed it to him as well. They both look up to one another, their expression child-like as they filled out the information. The evening had disappeared under the curtain of stars as they talked more, a sweet reunion Lydia never expected as they both prepared to leave. “So, you’re getting married tomorrow, huh?” Matthew asked, watching Lydia nod as her smile faltered gently. “Yeah. Peter is very sweet and a gentleman. He was there when I needed him.” She answers, trying to maintain her smile as she gazed up to the starry night. “Well, I’d love to be at your wedding, if you want me there, of course.” Matthew spoke, not expecting her widening smile as she pulled out an invite from her purse. “I still have one in case someone had changed their mind, but looks like it goes to you.” She placed the invite gently in his hand before walking away, waving to him as she said her goodbyes. Matthew looked down at the invite, smiling bashfully as he held it with extreme care.


Lydia opens her home and sighs in exhaustion, taking off her coat as a voice called to her. “Ladybug, is that you?” A male voiced asked, his slicked back, hazel brown hair moving into view as his brown eyes rested on Lydia fondly, but distant. She let out a soft chuckle, smiling softly as she walked over to him with extended arms. He accepts the embrace, Lydia feeling a deep rumble spread through his chest as he chuckled. “Indeed, Penguin.” She answered, planting a soft and quick kiss on his lips as he kissed her cheek. “You’re home late.” “I know, I’m sorry. I was catching up with an old friend.” She responds, gently putting her coat on a rack and her purse on the floor. “That sounded fun.” Peter spoke, wrapping his arm around her waist as she nodded. “It was, but I’m glad I’m home. Even more so as tomorrow is a very special day.” She spoke, walking to the kitchen as Pedro’s expression faltered. “Yeah… Special.” He muttered before following after her, trying to smile as they spent the rest of the night together.

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Lydia nervously paced her dressing room, holding a phone to her ear as she continuously muttered to herself. “Come on, come on. Please, pick up.” She quietly begged; her breath shaky as her other hand cling to the skirt of her wedding. After a moment, the call goes through, much to her relief. “Oh! Thank, God. Pedro, where are you? The ceremony is about to start, no one knows where you or your family is.” Lydia informed him, trying to calm her nerves as he began to speak. “…I’m sorry Lydia, but we can’t get married.” Those words halted her steps as she stared off to a wall, part of her hoping to not have heard correctly. “We… what? Peter, what are you talking about?” “I’m sorry. I’ll pay you back every cent for the cancellations, and you can keep the house, but… we can’t marry.” He continued, Lydia feeling a heavy weight in her chest as she shook her head. “Why? What changed?” “I… I found my soulmate.” She felt her blood run cold as she couldn’t believe he said those words, confused even more. “I know I said I never believed in them, but this was real. I saw her in my dreams the other night. I couldn’t believe it at first, but she’s real.” “Y-You can’t be serious! You can’t throw everything away just to chase a fantasy!” “…I’m really sorry, but I never felt this way before with anyone. You are amazing and I cherish every moment together, but it’s time we find our soulmates.” Before she could speak, the call ends. Her hands became weak as her phone slipped out of fingers, her knees following after as she felt a harsh burn at her throat and eyes. She lowered her heads tears rolled down her cheeks, burning as she let out shaky gasps. Before she could begin her rightful wail, she felt a comforting hand on her shoulder, making her jump as she swiftly turned her gaze up to whoever was next to her.


Matthew was there, knelt down by her side with concern and worry etched on his face as he wordlessly pulled her into a warm hug. She froze for a moment, millions of thoughts and feelings slowly thawing her as she wrapped her trembling arms around him and sobbed into his shoulder. Matthew raised a hand to her head, stroking her hair with care as not to ruin the time taken to make her a beautiful bride, his other hand resting gently on the lace on her dress as she continued to lean on him with painful wails. He help her close, patiently waiting as Lydia’s breathing slowed and her body soothed itself. She gently pushed herself off of him, sniffling as she wipes at her running mascara. “You’re here.” She mumbled, her voice still hoarse and quiet as he chuckled softly. “Yeah. I am. What happened?” He asked, watching her slump over and sigh. “…He left. There isn’t going to be a wedding.” She spoke, chuckling weakly as to prevent herself from crying once more. Matthew stared at her with a pained expression, his hands gently cupping her cheeks as he softly whispered. “It’ll be okay. You’re not going to face this alone, okay?” His voice carried an indescribable warmth, his presence lifting the pain of her chest as she nodded, smiling fondly as she rested her hands on his. “You don’t have to…” “I know, but I want to. I am your soulmate, afterall.” He chuckled, Lydia unable to stop herself from smiling as she sighed happily.


“Yeah. You are.”