It was only when he squeezed his hand that I realized he was still holding mine. “Avery, I understand what you mean, and these four years haven’t exactly been filled with patience either,” Carlo said, shaking his head lightly. “Maybe for you it’s a waste of time, but for some people, for me anyway, it’s not. After all, we’re not waiting for a pizza delivery; we’re waiting for our literal other half, the other half of our soul. Whoever it might be, they will make it worth all the years I’ve spent waiting.”

“You can just as easily meet a nice person and have a shot at happiness.”

“Maybe,” Carlo said. “But they wouldn’t be my other half. Besides, what if one day I have a click? I would end up hurting two people, not just one.”

“You’re just going to wait?”

“Of course.”

“What if your soul mate never comes? What if you waste your whole life waiting for someone who never shows up?”

“Then I shall meet my soul mate in my next life.”

He noticed the disbelieving look on my face, “Look, I’m not trying to change your opinion—I believe each of us can have our own—but don’t feel sorry for me by thinking that I’m wasting my time because I don’t think of it that way.”

We were quiet for a moment before he cleared his throat. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“I’m just curious. You know if you don’t go through with your first Gathering you could live as a Nescient, and your gift will never be awakened, right?” I nodded. “Then why are you signing up for your first Gathering if you think that this is a waste of time?”

“Because I have no choice,” I answered matter of factly.

“That’s where you’re wrong, Avery.” Carlo’s kindness danced in those hazel eyes. “You always have a choice.”

My dad showed up moments later, but not before Carlo and I had exchanged phone numbers. After a few days, he texted, telling me he hadn’t met his other half. Even though I still wasn’t entirely sold on this soul-mates business, I couldn’t help feeling relieved that he hadn’t met his. With Carlo, I felt a spark of hope. I met him exactly when I needed to, and he offered me a new solution to my fears. There was this small, yet unwavering thought growing inside my head that maybe, if my soul mate turned out to be someone I knew—and actually liked—then maybe clicking with them wouldn’t be as horrible as I had thought.