I rush down the busy streets of the city.
Everyone is running around…
Desperately looking for their soulmate.
But I’m beginning to give up hope.
I stare at the heart-shaped pendant around my neck.
I look up to see my friend, Stacy.
Jude
I just want to find him already.
Jude
The government makes finding a soulmate sound so easy.
Jude
Am I really supposed to wear this stupid necklace…
Jude
Until I find my match?
Stacy
Well, yeah. That’s the point.
Stacy
You need to trust the system.
Stacy
When you see your soulmate…
Stacy
Your necklace will light up!
Stacy
And you’ll know you’ve found the person you’re supposed to be with!
Jude
I don’t think it’s even possible.
Jude
There are too many people in this world.
Jude
I’m sick of looking.
Jude
I’ll just die alone.
Stacy
Jude, don’t say that!
Stacy
You’re only 20 years old!
Stacy
You’ve only had your necklace for 2 years.
Stacy
You still have plenty of time.
Stacy
Trust me, it’s not impossible.
Stacy is silent for a moment.
Stacy
I know because I found my soulmate yesterday!
Stacy
That’s what I came to tell you.
I notice that she’s no longer wearing her necklace.
Stacy
I don’t want to talk about him too much…
Stacy
Since you’re so down in the dumps…
Stacy
But his name is Max and he’s so sweet!
Jude
I’m so happy for you!
Stacy
I know you’ll find your soulmate soon too, Jude.
Stacy
Just don’t give up!
Stacy
I have to go meet Max now.
Stacy
But I’ll see you later!
She gets up and skips away.
I want to be happy for her, but I’m not.
I get up and start walking…
I look at every person I pass.
I stop to catch my breath for a moment.
I’m about to continue walking…
When I see my necklace light up.
Trying to figure out who it’s lighting up for.
He walks straight toward me.
Oh no. This can’t be happening!
Chris teased me and bullied me all through school.
One time he even pushed me…
Until I fell onto the sidewalk.
This has to be a mistake.
Chris
Jude, I can’t believe it!
Chris
You’re my soulmate!
It’s as if we’ve been friendly forever.
The system says that we’re soulmates.
Jude
I can’t believe it either!
But I’d much rather run away.
He releases me from the hug…
And looks at me adoringly.
Chris
So, what have you been up to?
Chris
I haven’t seen you since high school!
Jude
Just looking for my soulmate like everyone else.
Chris
Well, lucky for you…
Chris
You’re stuck with the perfect guy!
Jude
Do you want to go do something?
Chris
Let’s just enjoy this moment for now.
He reaches out and grabs my hand tightly…
Then he pulls me in for a kiss.
I try to kiss him back, but it just feels so wrong!
Jude
No! You are NOT my soulmate!
Chris
What are you talking about?
Chris
Our necklaces lit up!
Chris
That’s how it works.
Jude
I don’t care if that’s how it works!
Jude
You’ve been mean to me…
Jude
For as long as I’ve known you!
Jude
You bullied me all through school!
Jude
You pestered me in elementary school…
Jude
And teased me throughout middle school.
Jude
Then, in high school, you turned everyone against me somehow!
Jude
You made my childhood miserable!
Jude
So no, you are NOT my soulmate.
Jude
Because I could never love a jerk!
After a moment of silence, Chris laughs.
Then he pushes his hand against my chest. Hard.
Chris
Jude, you don’t get to choose.
Chris
We’re a perfect match.
Chris
It’s what the government has decided.
Jude
Well, they’re wrong!
I run off before he can argue anymore.
I’m sure Stacy will know what to do…
So I run all the way to her house.
I pound my fists on her front door.
When she opens the door, she smiles.
Stacy
Jude! What are you doing here?
Jude
There’s been a mistake!
I pace back and forth in her entryway.
Jude
I found my soulmate, but it’s Chris!
Stacy
Wait, Chris from school?
Stacy
Jude, it can’t be a mistake.
Stacy
The system never fails.
Stacy
I promise it will work out in the end!
Jude
And what if it doesn’t?
Stacy
It will. You just have to believe.
Stacy
Max didn’t seem like my type at first.
Stacy
But he really is perfect for me!
Stacy
So Chris must be perfect for you.
Stacy
Now, I need to go meet Max for dinner.
Stacy
So I’ll see you later!
Stacy
Please just be nice to Chris.
I exit Stacy’s house without another word.
I know that she wants me to go back to Chris and apologize.
In fact, the government would want me to do that.
The government would want me to make things right between us.
But how could a bully like Chris…
I barely pay attention to my surroundings.
Chris
Jude! There you are!
I recognize Chris’ voice.
I take off running in the opposite direction.
As I run, I can feel my breath growing heavier.
I come to an abrupt stop.
He catches up to me in no time.
Chris
Jude, come on! Let’s go see a movie.
For a second, I consider listening to Stacy.
I unhook my glowing heart-shaped necklace…
And hold it high above my head in a death grip.
I throw the necklace onto the ground.
It cracks on the hard pavement.
I stomp on it a few times for good measure.
It shatters into a million pieces.
Chris’ necklace flickers…
I stand tall and look at Chris.
Jude
Now there’s no way to prove that the system matched us.
Jude
This stupid system might work for everyone else…
Jude
I’d rather be alone…
