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Chapter Twenty-Two
“There’s a thin line between a win and loss,
the line being how you respond to it.”
—Oliver Masters
mia.
I THREW MY HEAD back into the pillow. “I didn’t like that one.”
Ollie looked up from the last chapter with a smirk. “And why not?”
I’d been at the hospital for four days now, and Lynch brought Ollie during each visit. Today was my last day here, and I’d talked to the cops this morning, told them what I knew. Also, confirmed Ollie had nothing to do with it.
The stab wound to my right thigh scraped an artery. After an operation, a blood transfusion, and the four days of being looked after, I was given the okay to head back to Dolor. The doctor had said I should have a full recovery, just needed to be on the lookout for infection.
“You know why,” I said through an exhale. It wasn’t the fact I didn’t like unhappily ever after’s in books, but it was because of this particular story. “It’s stupid. If they are soulmates, why can’t they be together?”
Ollie chuckled, dug his elbow into the mattress at my side, and dropped his head into the palm of his hand. “Do you believe in soulmates, Mia?” His brow quirked up, and his smile deepened. “Because from your reaction, it sounds like this book got to you, yeah?”
“In the story,” I made clear, “If they were soulmates, then they should be together. Isn’t it … like … a law or something?”
“There are no laws in love. In this particular story, they were not meant to be together in this lifetime. Their sole purpose in this story was self-discovery. To accomplish a journey apart from each other and grow as individuals. When the time is right, possibly even lifetimes away, they will reunite and become one again for eternity. But first, they have to find themselves.”
“They were lost.”
“Yes, but only because they aren’t together.”
“You’re confusing me.”
Ollie made a fist with his hand. “Think of it like this. When we’re created, we’re a single entity, all inside the infinite light. Most call the infinite light, ‘God,’ yeah?”
“Yup.”
“Okay, so the spark is the first time the soul splits from the infinite light,” Ollie’s fist changed into his pointer and middle finger crossed together, “A soul on a mission to seek experience outside of the infinite light. Then, to continue its growth, this single spark divided into two,” he uncrossed his fingers, “The birth of soulmates, each wanting to explore human delight.
“This process is in need to heal the planet. To keep the infinite light’s creation thriving and alive. We live on for many lifetimes, growing as individuals, providing balance and peace. Once we’re done with our journey, we must equally be filled, each having done our individual work. It is only then we can merge once again with our soulmate. When we do, the combined energy heals the earth, offering completion on the way back to the infinite light to spend eternity together as one again.”
“Why can’t soulmates go on the journey together?”
“When the souls are together, in their minds, they are already complete, not needing anything other than one another. When they are separated, a part of them is missing, which forces them to continue to learn and grow without knowing the reasons why. They must first know pain and heartache, learn to overcome trials and tribulations. Grow strong apart so they can be even stronger together once reunited.”
He spoke passionately about this. I was unsure if this was something he believed in, or if he was retelling the story of A Thousand Years Apart. “If this is all true, then there is no way we are soulmates.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because … ” we were both broken before we found each other. We weren’t complete, healed, or filled, as Ollie called it. “I was a mess before you came along. And I’m pretty sure I’m still a little fucked up.”
“You’re missing the point, love. It’s not about seeking perfection. There is no way one soul will ever reach perfection without the other. It’s about finding the best version of yourself, and perhaps we met sooner to push each other in the right direction because, as I said, love also has no laws. It’s not a coincidence we’re here.”
“Will Harry and Nora get their happily ever after?” I asked, returning to the characters in the story.
Ollie returned his attention to the hardcover book laying over the mattress between us. “Harry and Nora knew it wasn’t their time. They met, the instant co
“Moral of the story, not all books will have a happily ever after.”
Ollie shook his head. “The story is about doing what’s best for the one you love. Harry had a purpose in this lifetime. Despite what Harry wanted, Nora would have only held him back from accomplishing it. She knew this and understood the only way to love him, was to love him unselfishly.”
“You’re all set to go,” Lynch stated as he walked into the room with a wheelchair. I rolled my eyes as Lynch parked it at the end of the bed. “It’s necessary, Miss Jett. Unless you’d like to walk all the way to the car.”
“You don’t want to overdo it, love,” Ollie added as he stood and tucked the book under his arm.
He held out his other hand as I moved to the edge of the hospital bed. “I got it.”
Ollie chuckled and gestured over to the chair with a raised brow. “Alright. Have at it.”
Both of my sock-covered feet hit the ground, and my right leg buckled, sending me hopping on my left foot and using the bed for support. “So bloody stubborn,” Ollie muttered with a shake of the head.
I fell into the wheelchair and lifted my feet onto the pegs with a smirk on my face. “Now which one of you is wheeling me out of here?”
Two weeks had passed, and I’d made a full recovery. In the mess hall, the students of Dolor had come around and shown forgiveness toward me, but everyone remained on high alert, knowing there was a predator within the walls of the school.
It was December. The air was crisp, and we were days away before the staff would leave for holiday. Though, this year was different.
This year, security remained in full force.
“Trust no one, love,” Ollie had reminded me each time we parted ways. Ollie didn’t trust Ethan, and he never had to say it. I saw the way Ollie took notice in Ethan’s every movement in every room we stepped foot in.
Ollie and I disagreed on very little, but we were on two different pages of the same book when it came down to Ethan. When Ollie had a feeling, usually his hunches were correct, but I was sure Ethan would never hurt me.
On the last day of classes before holiday, I dropped my completed essay inside the bin over Ms. Chandler’s desk before taking my seat beside Tyler. I pulled my arms through the sleeves of the hoodie and stretched out my numbing leg.
“All healed up?” Tyler asked.
“Yeah, got the stitches removed yesterday by the new nurse. My leg still cramps up from time to time, but I think maybe it’s all in my head.”
“Understandable. Your body’s been through the wringer. You got a proper scar?”
I turned in my chair and showed her my thigh. “This big,” I said, using my thumb and pointer and pressed both fingers against my black jeans.