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Chicago. July 5th, 2014 ( 23:41 pm)
Clara stared out her room window as the moonlight reflected through the window, casting a beautiful glow in the room.
"Clara, you should be in bed. What are you still doing up?"
Clara turned to her mother, "Mum, do you think I'm destined to be alone."
Her mother sighed sadly before taking the seat next to her, "Of course not honey. Why would you think that?"
"Well the kids at school said I will be alone. I will never find anyone to like me because I'm so different. That one day, you will leave me just like Dad did."
Her mother wrapped her hand around her, "Don't listen to them. You are a beautiful soul and one day you are going to find people that your soul will sync with and it will be the best feeling. One more thing, you are special Clara. Don't let anyone ever tell you otherwise."
Denver. July 5th 2014( 22: 42pm)
"Derek, I am giving you five more seconds to close that book and go to bed."
Derek groaned, "But Mum I have to finish reading this text book. Just ten more pages left."
"Derek Jacob. Don't make me come up there."
London, July 6th 2014 (5: 54am)
Axel placed everything inside his suitcase, ticking them off his list one at a time. A knock sounded on the door.
He didn't glance at his father but he said, "Come in Dad."
His father smiled, "How did you know it was me?"
He rolled his eyes as if the answer was the most obvious thing in the world, "You knock once everytime plus you have calluses all over your hand. So when your hand meets the door-"
His father laughed, "Sorry for asking. Are you packing for your science trip?"
"Yes I am Dad."
"You do realize that it is two months away right?"
"I like to be prepared."
"Okay. Well, are you excited?"
"No. Children get excited. I am a young man."
"You are only nine years old Alex."
"Like I said, young man. Well, would you be needing anything else?"
"Not really. I passed to go get a glass of water and I saw your room light on. I thought you would be sleeping, it's still pretty early."
"The world waits for no man."
His father stood up walking to the door, "You know it's okay to just be a kid right?"
"I don't like kids. They are mean."
"But you need friends. Everyone needs friends. Even the smartest of people."
"It's no worries Dad. I'll build myself friends if I ever get tired of being alone."
Denver, 2023
"Derek, you are going to give your father and I a heart attack. Open the letter already."
Derek laughed, "Okay. Here it goes."
He opened the letter and frowned.
"What? You didn't get in?" His father asked
His mother grabbed the letter from him, "How did you not get in?"
Derek burst out laughing just as his mother screamed.
He threw his hands around his parents, "I am going to Harvard."
Chicago 2023
Clare threw the door open.
"Oh my god. Oh my god."
"Jesus Christ Clara. You made me think we were being attacked. This had better be important."
Clara handed her mother the letter.
She read through it, "Oh my God! Oh my God! My baby is going to Harvard."
London 2023
Axel's father pointed the camera in his face.
"Well aren't you going to open it?"
"I already know what it says Mum."
"Come on Axel, humor us just this once."
He sighed picking up the letter, "We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted into Harvard University. Can I go now? I have to finish building my robot arm."
His father sighed as he turned off the camera, "You can."
August 2023. Cambridge, United States
Clara squeezed herself through the bodies of students.
She took a sharp turn to a corner and bummed right into someone spilling her entire books on the ground.
"I'm so sorry."
Axel glared at her, "You should be. If your eye has a defect, visit a medical center and get yourself some glasses."
She blinked, "What?"
"Also have your ear checked."
He bent down picking one of her books while she just stared at him.
"Robotics Science and Systems. I read this when I was five."
He handed the book to her before working away.
"Don't mind him. It's probably that time of the month."
Clara laughed as she turned to the person. He extended his hands, "I'm Derek."
"Clara and I'm late for class."
"Advanced Introduction to Robotics?"
She nodded.
"Me too."
The Professor cleared his throat, "As you all-"
"I'm really sorry we are late." Clara said from the door.
"I'll allow it just this once."
Clara rushed inside, Derek following her behind. There were only two available seats and they were right next to Axel.
Clara was about to take her seat when he spoke.
"Don't sit there."
"Why not?"
"Because I don't like human contact."
She glared at him before taking the seat.
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"This year we have three freshmen taking the course. I hope they can keep up."
The class proceeded and Axel and Clara turned the answering of questions into a competition.
A competition which Derek ended up winning when he answered the last question that neither of them knew.
After class, Axel turned to her, "You are really smart."
She rolled her eyes.
Derek came back. "I just checked the grouping for the assignment. All three of us are paired together."
Clara and Axel shouted at the same time, "Can we switch partners?"
December 2023, Cambridge
Clara threw her head back laughing.
Derek smiled, "Remember when you two hated each other?"
"I never hated anyone. Clara was just really annoying. Still is."
Clara poked at Axel's side, "You know you love me."
Just then his phone rang. He excused himself to take the call.
Clara turned to Derek, "Nine years ago my mum told me I would find people that my soul would sync to. I didn't believe her. I always felt like I was too different."
Derek smiled, "Me too. Like I would never fit in."
"I'm glad I met you guys. I don't feel alone anymore."
Derek squeezed her hand.
"I'm fine Dad. How are you?"
There was a pause on the other side of the line.
"Dad, are you there?"
"Yes. I was just surprised. You've never asked me how I am."
"Oh.. I'm really sorry."
"Are you sure I'm speaking to Axel?"
He laughed as he turned back to look at Clara and Derek.
"Dad?"
"Yes Son?"
"You were right. Everyone does need friends. Thank you."
Axel went back to the table, "What did I miss?"
"Nothing much. Clara said we are her soulmates."
He smiled, "Well. I guess we are."
Derek's eyes widened, "Where is Axel and what have you done with him?"