Each square marked the days to go. The previous pages had been filled with squares with dates, each one crossed out as they passed. 10 more days to go after today. That's what the calendar showed me. 10 more days till you came back. You had been gone for a year to study out of country and now in 10 days you would be returning. And I could give you my answer. I hope you had waited just like you promised me you would when you asked me that question. I had told you the question was too sudden but now I knew my answer. And i couldn't wait to tell you. Really, I had known my answer 6 months after you left, a date I had marked on the calendar with a heart. A small red heart among the crosses had marked my realization. But even though we talked every day, telling you my answer in anything but in person felt like cheating. I wanted to see your eyes and the smile I am sure would adorn your lips at my answer. I wanted to feel your arms around me when you joyfully hugged me. I want to feel your lips on mine as you try to convey your happiness to me, for when I say yes, we will be together forever. [WC: 233]

Nevermore, never again, It should have never happened, I wish it never did. Nevermore will you see me, Nevermore will you feel me, Never will my voice reach your ears, Never will my words reach your heart. The future that I craved, No longer exists. Shrouded in nevermore, Drives my mind to distraction, A maze of cognition. Two paths lay before me, a choice had existed, Truly, it was something masquerading as one. No matter what, to my destruction I was led, This path I was given, my endless torment. But for your sake, even this nightmare I will bear, As long as you live, I shall not care. Like petals, I too fell, Corrupted, void of life. Tears like acid rain down my face, Tomorrow is now nevermore, Yesterday feels like figment of imagination, The sun no longer shining on my skin, Moonlight has captured me in its embrace. The day has left me, night has fallen, My smiles have left me, my nightmares in ecstasy. The night sky shrouded in clouds, No light to be seen, no stars shine down. Listen to the wind, I hear it talking, This is the price of my sin, The consequence of a life given, In exchange my life is enslaved. It seems forever ago, you and I, These shadows warp my mind, Erase you from my memories. But the pain of your absence, Forever it haunts me, Will I ever be rid of it I wonder, The wind answers me, “nevermore”. [WC: 250]

One lifetime with you would not be enough. It would not be enough to shower you with all my love and adoration, show you the world, go on all the adventures we wanted to. One lifetime with you would be just the beginning. I want all my lifetimes to be intertwined with yours, our souls linked eternally. You are my one true friend, love, confidant. Even if we are not married in another lifetime, not having you in my life would leave an emptiness in me. That lifetime would be incomplete without you. How would I fill the void of your absence. Just thinking about a lifetime without you is enough to bring tears to my eyes. I cannot imagine not feeling your presence in my life without feeling a piece of me break. So I don't imagine it. I wish on every falling star that our destinies are forever interlinked, in this and every lifetime. I pray to every God known to man, despite not being religious. But for you, I would even go against my beliefs. If it would keep you a part of all my lifetimes, I would fight destiny itself. My love for you consumes me. And you love me just the same, I can tell. Your whispered words at night, promises to always stay with me. Your prayers and wishes, wanting to be with me always, no matter what. We are meant to be. I promised all my lifetimes to you when we got married just you did the same and I will hold true to that promise. We are forever. Lifetimes cannot change that. [WC:270]

Beep...beep...beep The alarm rang, jerking me awake. Groggy and half asleep still, my arm reached over to the night table, feeling for my phone to shut off the sound. Feeling the cool screen of my phone, I dragged it into my hand, blearily looking at it to shut off the alarm. Putting the phone beside, I returned to blissful sleep, snuggling into my blanket. Only for my peace to be short lived. Because more beeping woke me after what felt like mere seconds but was actually an hour. Annoyed I shut it off, throwing the phone under my pillow and going back to sleep. And yet again, I was awoken by the alarm, this time the sound louder and more incessant as if it was yelling at me. Turns out it was both my phone and my digital bedside alarm clock that were loudly beeping at the same time, the combination of both sounds loud and ceaseless. Giving up, I got up, looking at the time, only to end up bolting out of bed in panic. I had an exam today. A very important one and I had set the alarms so I would make it to the exam on time. And I had woken up at my last alarm, resulting in me running around as a headless chicken, trying to get ready and get everything I needed, and making it to the exam on time. [WC:236]

It had been 6 years since that fateful day. The day Avery found out she had leukemia. She had undergone medical treatment for it, had gotten better and had even been in remission for two years. But then, it came back. It came back and it came back more aggressive than the first time. So much so that the medications weren't working, and she had to get far more heavy medical treatment this time around. But the medicines left her body week, and her parents, while amazing, weren't able to take care of her as much as she needed. So, she had to be admitted to the hospital. The cancer ward of the hospital was quote gloomy, the sword of death hanging over everyone's head. But there was one highlight of her week, one that would brighten her day and keep her holding on. Every week, around mealtime, the hospital would have therapy dogs come to th ward. Volunteers would bring them around to cheer the patients up. Nothing soothed her hear as seeing a dog, lovingly giving you kisses and cuddles. It fulfilled this void inside her that was left behind when she had to essentially leave her life behind and get admitted to the hospital. Sure, her family visited as did her friends but all she could see in their eyes was heartbreak or pity. In these dogs' eyes, all she saw was adoration and love and she craved it. Craved it so much that despite hating the meals here, she looked forward to mealtime just because the dogs might come. It was mealtime again, and Avery was hoping the dogs were going to be there today. It was Friday, and they hadn't come the rest of the week, so it had to be today. And she was right. Because just as she saw the person passing out meals came to the ward, behind them there were the volunteers in their pink tops, corralling the dogs towards the ward. Seeing them, a gentle smile replaced the slight frown on your lips. [WC:344]

Until the day we find ourselves together, Will we be happy just as friends? Or will we jump at the first the opportunity that presents, To become each other's, for forever and ever? Until the day we are parted, Let us love each other like tomorrow doesn't exist, Be the only ones our bubble consists, Forget that destiny has our separation concocted. Until the day we meet again Keep me in your memory like you remain in mine, Let your self burn bright, let everyone see you shine, Don't forget me, even if destiny commands. Until the day you leave me, Let me be your one and only, The moth to a flame so lovely, That burns so bright, it's all I can see. Until the day I die, You will forever be my first and last The brightest shining star, This is just the truth, not a lie. Until the day we are reunited, In the next life, ours fates shall once more be intertwined. Destiny cannot tear us asunder, no matter how many fates threads it unwinds. Rest assured, the flames of our passion will once more be reignited. [WC:191]

All her childhood, Avery had dreamed of what her 18th birthday would look like. She had imagined being surrounded by her family and friends, having the typical 18th birthday bash she would see in the movies. Sometimes she would imagine that she had a quiet night in with her family only, a nice dinner, presents and then a movie. Sometimes it was her going out on a date and then coming home to a surprise party. She had dreamt many different ways her birthday could have gone. But never in her wildest imaginations had she even thought she would ever be where she was on her birthday, in a hospital gown, lying on stretcher in a waiting room in the ER. Most of her life, she used to get nosebleeds and would have feelings of fatigue. Her doctor had attributed it to different things. But recently, both had gotten worse, along with her sudden weight loss. She had even fainted earlier in the day and that's when her family had rushed her to the ER. Now here she was, sitting in shock as the doctor told her the diagnosis. A plethora of tests later, they found that she had cancer. She had never thought she would ever be sitting in this position. She was numb, barely able to hear or notice anything around her. She was sure her mum and dad were heartbroken, her mum probably teary and her dad stoic, trying to stay strong for the family but feeling just as helpless and heartbroken. She noticed the clock on the wall behind the doctor, the time pulling a bittersweet smile to her face. On her 18th birthday, she was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. [WC: 284]

The colors were changing again. Looking out her window, the tree in their backyard had a multicolored umbrella. Some leaves were starting to shed, falling onto the makeshift swing her and her dad had made when she was younger. The crisp morning air felt refreshing. It was sweater weather again. Huddled under her cozy blanket, she listened to the birds chirp, a ghost of smile playing on her lips. The swing brought back memories of summers spent playing on it, first with her father, then with her friends as she grew older. The fallen leaves reminded her of jumping into piles of dead leaves with childish glee, her dad laughing as he took pictures and her mum torn between amusement and admonition. Many more memories of her childhood flashed before her eyes while she looked out at her backyard. She just sat there, looking out, lost in her memories for a while, the chill wind caressing her face, and playing with her hair. Her perusal of the beauty outside her window was broken by the notification tone of her phone. Looking at her phone, she saw it was her friend asking her when they were meeting for lunch that day. Checking the time, she saw it was 9 in the morning already. She had spent 2 hours just lost in memories and enjoying the serenity that morning had brought her. Quickly replying to her friend, she jumped out of her bed, heading to the washroom to get ready. On her way, she couldn't help but glance back at the window, a sad sort of smile on her lips. She would be leaving behind all these precious memories in a few days as she headed to her university. Just as the seasons of the earth were changing, so were those of her life. Falling behind her were days of high-school and in front of her loomed unknown experiences of university that she had to weather. [WC:324]

Born on the nineteenth, Blue eyes looking around, Trying to find clues in this life like labyrinth, Your comforting presence continued to surround. Lullabies and rocking chairs, First steps and first words, Handprints, footprints, tufts of hair, All of it captured in time from your efforts. First day of school, that moment of separation, Learning to navigate this new world without your constant presence. Returning home to your arms, you pepper my face with kisses, Both you and I despair, for tomorrow brings another day of missing. Time moves forward, lullabies replaced with pop songs, Despite the changes, our bond still stands strong. First fight, I stomp away to my room, Sulking in anger, my day is filled with gloom. The misery of this forced separation, I cannot stand to bear your absence. I leave my room only to see you outside my door, You too suffered, this pain you too had to endure. Exams and tests, late nights filled with coffee, You worry over me, nights just as sleepless as mine. Exhausted and elated, in my hands I hold the degree, Your face looking at me, pride and adoration brightly shine. Decked in white, my nerves are a jumble, Pacing before you, worries I cannot help but mumble. Once again, your arms surround me, Your mere presence comforting my bubbling anxiety. Yet another separation tears us apart, This day I leave you for a home anew. You put my hand in his, bidding me adieu Promising I will forever be your sweetheart. Years have passed, separated yet together we lived, Sitting beside you here now, I already feel your presence being missed. Bedridden you lay, yet your aura is still strong, Thank you for being in my life, I will forever love you, Mom. [WC: 295]

Before I go to sleep, I always call you, Your voice melodic and deep, Soothes me. You talk about your day, The small details keep me enthralled, Hearing your voice, my demons stay away, Your words become my own lullaby. You ask me about my day, I share the stories of it all, From the coffee run made to the café, To the pop quiz that made my head hurt. Sometimes I think these nightly calls must be annoying, You assure me that they don’t. Your words are a soothing balm to my soul. I hear my mom remind me to sleep, My bedtime nears, the demons get eager. Before I get lost to them, your voice draws me out, A gentle melody you hum just for me, your love no one could doubt. Read me a bedtime story My demand sounds absurd when spoken out loud. I just want to feel young again, Leave behind these demons that roam about, In my brain. I want to wake up, filled with solace, Dreams where fairies and knights reside, Bringing a smile to my face. I don’t want to save my tears for bedtime, After a day of laughs and smiles. Weave me a story, where the world is of no concern, Reality ceases to exist, and unshed tears no longer make my eyes burn. My request is met with silence, I almost think you too have left me. Before I can break once more, you hum in compliance. Tonight, my pillow does not see my tears, The moon and stars do not witness my sorrow. Your words keep away my fears, Enthralling me in a story of a beautiful tomorrow. Before long, my bedtime has passed us, But your words keep me entranced. Slowly, my eyes close of their own accord, The last thing I hear is about the princess whom the prince so adored. [WC: 314]

It was 11pm. She stood atop the cliff, overlooking the vast forest below. Staring up at the night sky, she tried to locate her favorite stars, a gentle smile across her lips. The wind caused her hair to flutter behind her, the chill from it causing her to wrap her hands around herself. Several minutes passed with her just looking at the night sky. Behind her, her boyfriend was trying to build a small fire to keep them warm. A few minutes pass again, and he is able to successfully get a small fire going. Calling her over, both sit by the fire, a blanket draped over their shoulders. Leaning her head onto his shoulder, she wraps her hands around his waist. “I am so excited to see this meteor shower” “I know. I am excited too, more because I know how much you wanted to see one, and getting to share in this experience with you is just so special.” “Thank you for finding out about this.” Checking his watch, he sees it is 11:10PM. He pulls his laptop closer that had been lying beside him. Clicking onto the website that was live tracking the meteor shower, he saw that the timer for their location still had 10 more minutes to go. Seeing that he has time, he gets up and grabs a bag of marshmallows and wooden skewers from the trunk of his car. Coming back, he hands them to her, re-joining her on the ground under the blanket. Tearing open both bags, they get to assembling small marshmallow skewers. Roasting them over the fire, they sit in silence, just enjoying being beside each other. Soon, his phone and computer both alert him to the fact that it is time. Nudging her, he points to the night sky. Slowly but surely, bright sparks show up in the sky. Soon, enough, the sky is filled with meteors, lighting the night sky up, making it so bright that the stars become hard to see. He turns to face her and sees her awestricken face, wonder dancing in her eyes. She closes her eyes, hands clasped together, wishing upon them. Sitting on the ground, cuddled together, they spend the next few minutes just enjoying the view of the meteor shower, with her slowly falling asleep on him. He gets up and picks her up bridal style gently, carrying her to his car and depositing her into the seat. Buckling her in, he sees the clock in his car reads midnight. Smiling, he turns to go around to the driver’s side of the car. Before getting in, he turns around, closing his eyes, clasping his hands, sending out his own wish seeing that the meteor shower is still ongoing. He wishes to spend every day with her like the past hour, just enjoying the simplicity of life. [WC: 475]

We had been friends for as long as I could remember. Growing up together, we had been there for so many of each others life events. We were practically joined at the hip. Friends and family would say if you couldn’t find one, just look for the other, and you would find both. We had been there for birthdays, anniversaries, sharing in each others’ triumphs, being a shoulder for the other to lean on through the losses. And in all those small moments, I slowly fell in love with you, each one making me love you more than before. But I remained silent, scared to change our relationship, scared to lose you and what we had. So, I kept my feelings to myself. Months passed and soon the way you were with and around me made it seem more and more like you might like me back, maybe even love me as much as I did you. Each of those shared moments built up my courage even more, and I made up my mind to break my silence and finally tell you how I felt. I decided to do it after the party of my birthday, one that was being held the weekend of my birthday, since mine fell on a school night. I had a whole speech prepared and I was bursting at the seams, hope blossoming in my heart, needing you to love me back. But then you walked into the party with her on your arm. And proceeded to spend the rest of the evening with her, barely acknowledging me except to wave hi. You never even came up to me to wish me. Even the actual day of my birthday, you had only sent a message, something I had attributed to you planning some surprise, a move you had pulled previously on my birthday. But it seemed that it was not the reason. She was the reason. While you still shone the brightest in my life, in yours, she had replaced me. Seeing you with her, all the hope in my heart shriveled and died. Behind me ‘radiant’ smile, my heart wept. Wept for the loss of what could have been. Wept for the missed opportunity. Wept for the fact that I would forever have these unshared feelings in my heart and be left to wonder about what could have been. I suppose this was my birthday gift. My punishment for not sharing and telling you sooner. For delaying it all. Happy belated freaking birthday to me, I guess. [WC: 423] *I wanted to post this, despite the belatedness of it due to tech issues, just because I did write it. I know it won't be counted but I still wanted to post it here.*

Back in time, when things used to be different, You cared more for me than I myself did. Nowadays, as I sit here and lament, In the aftermath of the bitter farewell that we bid, I wonder if you too suffer through the shame, Of a turning us into naught but a sham. Back when things were different, You smiled, love sparkling through your eyes. Nowadays, I sit here, numb and indifferent, Wondering if love is worth all the cries, If now there is dread instead of love in your eyes, Your mind wondering if love is not worth all the tries. Back when things were different, You and I loved each others heart. Nowadays, as I sit here, my mind in torment, I wonder if fooling each other had been our true art. It is not just nowadays that love is a mere transaction, Even back then, love was sometimes nothing more than a mere deal negotiation. Nowadays, I look back on those days of past, How quickly they seemed to have passed, Yet in memories of mine, they forever do last. I wonder if things would have changed, If on that one day, words had remained unspoken, No pleasantries from our lips exchanged. [WC: 205]

The jewelry box sat on the dresser, pristine, clear of dust. It was a family heirloom, passed down from mother to oldest daughter on her marriage. The edges showed its age, the original coloring having faded. Each woman that had owned it had taken great care of it. Through the years, despite the great care taken, its hinges had been replaced, years of use causing them to break. The inner lining had been replaced too, soft blue velvet having replaced the original red. It was old and yet new, its mere existence telling small stories of different times. If only it could speak, the stories it would share, the secrets it would tell, some heart wrenching wails shared, some scandalous tales spared. The family had a tradition revolving around it. When the box changed hands, the mother would add one piece of her own jewelry to the box before passing it to her daughter. And with each piece, a letter was also added, telling the story of its owner and her life. Over the years, the box had passed through many generations, each one having left a piece of their own inside. Each piece of jewelry in the box was a symbol of how life had been during the time when it adorned its owner. Each carried with it its own lesson. Today, it would be change hands again. Mother and daughter sat at in front of the dresser, words passing between them. Mother reassuring the daughter, sharing words of wisdom, and promising to always be her safe harbor. Daughter listening with rapt attention, her eyes glassy with tears tracing her mother’s face, happy to be getting married, yet sad to be leaving her mother. Before long, they both cease to talk, just basking in each others presence. With a tremulous smile, the mother reaches forward, gently grabbing the jewelry box. Turning to her daughter, she places it in her hands, her own resting on top. With just the passing of a jewelry box from mother to daughter, the mother sets her daughter free to write her own stories, some shared, some spared. Both share a small smile before the mother leaves, telling her daughter to read her letter, and that her piece inside is her something old for the wedding. The daughter, with shaking hands, opens the box. Inside, amongst the weathered letters is a pristine white letter addressed to her. Underneath is the necklace she has seen her mother wear at every special occasion, since the day her father got it for her. In the letter, she reads how it’s a symbol of the love her parents share and how her mother dearly wishes that her daughter too will have that kind of love in her life. Gently taking the necklace, she clasps it around her neck. Putting the letter back, she takes the jewelry box and puts it among her things, making sure its secure and wrapped so that it will stay safe. Taking a deep breath, she turns and walks out the room. Just like the jewelry box has a new home, she too heads to what and who will be her new home. [WC: 528]

The sun retires, A new world emerges. The sky lights up in hues of fire, Right before in darkness it submerges. Meet me at this time of twilight, When waning moon and infant stars await, Love, take my hand, Let me lead you to the sunset’s land. Let us stay up till midnight, Watching the stars, with you beside. Telling stories yet to be told, Forgetting our scars of old. [WC: 70]

Twisted time or twisted dials, Fixing either takes a while. Springs, gears, screws, hands Piled high wherever the eye lands. Tiny screws into tiny notches, Tedious work as my hands pass through all the watches. Time passes, a tick tock sounds, A melody that brings a smile all round. Slowly I continue to assemble the parts, Fixing what many have tried to take apart. In this life, precision is my lot, Gained over years, after much education I sought. Shaking hands seek to mock, My next work was to create a bejeweled clock. My time seems to run out as I fix time’s tools, I suppose no one can escape destiny’s rules. Impassioned mind tries to resuscitate, Hands weakened by the work of fate. Feeling around slowly, I grasp the tiny screws, Fitting them into place, my success possible from the skills I did accrue. Fixing the last hand in place, the clock dial now complete, This masterpiece becomes the source of my conceit. My last work, my magnum opus, Forever marking time, my tribute to Cronus. [WC: 177]

Rachel sat on her bed, looking through her pictures from her university years. She could not believe Sam was finally going to come visit her and stay with her for a month. It had been so long since the two had seen each other, their respective jobs keeping them busy and unable to find time when both could meet. Looking through the pictures, Rachel couldn’t help but smile. Sam had been her first friend in university. She had helped make her feel comfortable in a country that wasn’t her own. She had introduced her to her now husband. So many things had become possible because of Sam. Coming across a picture, Rachel was thrown back into a memory of the first time she met Sam and how their friendship began. *** Rachel was in her first year of university. Just as any other first year, she was nervous. She knew no one here. Choosing a university in a different country might not have been her smartest choice when thinking socially, but academically, the program she was in was considered the foremost of its kind. But knowing that did little to alleviate her nerves. Steeling herself, she calmly made her way through campus towards her first lecture. Seating herself at the end, near the back, she got her laptop ready, preparing herself to take notes. Looking around while she did so, she saw people talking and laughing with their friends, a pang of melancholy hitting her. Before she could wallow in the sadness, she was startled by a pink haired girl asking her if she could sit beside her. Nodding her head with a small nervous smile, she made space for the other to get to the seat beside her. Before long, the other girl, Samantha, Sam for short, had struck up conversation with her. As the lecture progressed, Rachel found herself clicking with Sam. By the end of the lecture, the two had struck up an easy conversation, finding that they had much in common. Rachel had not felt so comfortable since moving and could not help but thank Sam for putting her so at ease. Sam had blushed at that, before jokingly nudging her shoulder and telling her that she now owed her soul to Sam, bursting into giggles the moment their eyes had connected. Rachel has proposed they take a selfie to commemorate the day and to remember how they had become friends. With both posing goofily in front of her phone, Rachel had taken a quick picture, saving it in her phone with the name, ‘Achievement unlocked: Soul sister found’, a name that had made Sam burst out laughing. *** Finding their schedules to be identical for the year, Sam had proceeded to attach herself to Rachel at the hip, making sure to drag her to cute cafes, fun parties, study sessions, and much more throughout that year, as well as rest of their years there. [WC: 489]

Tick tock…tick tock The sands of time run speedily forward. Tick tock…tick tock Losing you has made me want to run backwards. Tick tock, the clock chimes Another hour, my grief reaches its prime. Everywhere I look, everywhere I go, From the mirror in the bedroom, to even the pizza dough, Your memories haunt me, consume me, My heart rendered to pieces, my tears flowing for all to see. These tears of mine are naught but wasted time, Instead, I focus on bringing you back, With my knowledge, my power, my dime, I will reach into the past, upholding our pact. I will go back in time, to where your loss no longer haunts me, I will go back in time, to where your arms still surround me. I will take you with me to my present, or future it would have been, Far away from the death that seeks to infringe, On our love, on our connection, Tearing us apart, its biggest transgression. Safe in my arms, your teary face greets me, Questions spilling forth, accusations thrown. You refuse to believe my words, Your anger leaves me feeling torn. Did I do the right thing, or was I selfish? Did my grief turn me mad, unable to see how you would resent me? Bringing you with me, was I just being thievish? Tearing you from my own past self, My own memories show my own self now resents me. [WC: 240]

What I believe, I try to put to action Doing my best to attain synchronization. When I don’t reconcile the two, My words are questioned by all of you. The voice of my conscience I refuse to detract, Lest my soul’s light starts to contract. My heart and mind whisper the same thoughts, Their intentions synchronized to keep me aloft. Sometimes my actions betray my beliefs Those nights I spend sleepless, without any relief. My actions haunt me, disbelief clear in my mind, If only it was easy for time to rewind. Sometimes my beliefs and actions, although synchronized, still seem at odds Those nights I spend questioning whether they were truly connected by any bonds. My mind reasons, my heart rebels, my soul torn by the anguish, Questions become a prison of my own making, wherein I forevermore languish. What I believe and how I act, Synchronized are the two, When I break that pact, Question me, why don’t you? [WC: 161]

It was that day again. The day that Avery cherished most above any in the year. Not only was it her birthday but it was also the day she had met her soulmate. Thinking back through the years, Avery couldn’t help but smile at how special today was for her. So many things had happened on this day. Each thing made this day that much more special to her. *** 5 years ago, on this day, she had met Samara, her darling wife, at a birthday party her family had thrown for her. As corny as it might be, it had been love at first sight and then when she got to know her, she fell even more in love. Samara had been a friend of a friend that had come along to the party. Samara too had felt something for Avery that day, evidenced by her asking Avery out on a date right after introducing herself. They had gone on a coffee date a week from the day of the party, clicking immediately. That had been the best date both had gone on. Slowly yet surely, both had fallen head over heels for each other. *** 3 years later, Samara had proposed to Avery. 3 years of being each other’s confidant. 3 years of laughter, joy, some fights, some tears, but a whole lot of love. Samara had taken Avery back to her parents’ house, back to the backyard where they had first met. Samara had held both of her hands, pulling her close, looked her in the eyes, and proposed. Under the soft moonlight and the twinkling stars, she had professed all her love and longing to Avery, and Avery had responded in kind, joyfully screaming yes. Their families had come pouring out into the backyard hearing Avery’s exclamations. Champagne was brought out and they had celebrated the night away. *** 1 year later, Samara and Avery had tied the knot. Back in that same backyard, on the same day as when they had met. It had been a small affair, a combined celebration of their union and Avery’s birthday. Surrounded by their friends and family, they had married each other. *** Coming out of her memories, she couldn’t wait to see what this year brought for her. After all today was not only her birthday, but it was also the day she met Samara, the day Samara proposed to her, and the day they were married. It had been a year since the wedding and Avery could not have been happier. Before, she used to like this day for it was her birthday but now it held so much more meaning to her. It was the day that allowed her to meet and marry her soulmate. [WC: 459]