#coincidence

The end credits to dirty dancing play as you relax on your bed, humming along. It had always been your favourite movie. When you were 14 you even went to see the theater production of it with your mom and now in college it’s become a comfort movie after all life has thrown your way.

You sigh, stretching out on the bed when the slow creak of the door makes you lift your head. Your best friend’s bright smile greets you and you instantly move to sit up and cross your legs.

“Hey.” you smile.

“Dirty dancing?” she walks in and takes a seat on the edge of the bed.

You nod and laugh nervously. “You know it’s my favorite Page.”

Page sighs, her features no longer holding a bright smile. “Don’t you get lonely?”

The question catches you off guard, making you shift as you clear your throat. “I mean… sometimes.”

“Then why not date again?”

“It’s not that simple Page.” You shake your head.

“But it is,” she counters. “Come on, it’s been years since you dated. We’re in college. This is supposed to be the best times of our lives and you’re watching this movie for like the fifth time this month.”

Her words might as well have been a slap in the face. It was true. It had been years since you dated, but it was hard to get over your first love. That’s not something to just forget about. You’d be lying if you said you hadn’t thought about it but even the mere thought left you with so much guilt it ached in your chest like a stab to the heart. Selfish. it would be selfish to love after him.

“He didn’t care enough to stay and he was quick to move on. You owe it to yourself to find love.”

“But I’m not him. I-” the words die on your tongue as you search for the alternative. “He was the only one I wanted.”

She shifts closer, taking your hand in hers and giving it a reassuring squeeze. “But what if you’re losing your soulmate because of a love that was or possibly could be mediocre in comparison?”

Page’s eyes fill with hope that makes your lips twitch despite your somber mood. Your eyes dart to the laptop screen showing the replay button to the movie. “I tell you what,” you start as a smile creeps up your face. “If I find a man carrying a watermelon and singing ‘the time of my life’ then I’ll consider dating again. Deal?”

She squeals, pulling you in for a hug. “That’s so unrealistic.” she laughs as she pulls away with her hands still on your shoulders. “But you know what? It’s progress.”

You laugh and shrug. “It’s the best I can do.”

She stands. “Well lover-girl, get up and get dressed. We’re going to Malone’s to celebrate this new idea!” she pulls you up from the bed. “Now.” she eyes you up and down. “Go take a shower and I’ll find you something cute to wear.”

“I don’t need a shower.” you scoff.

“Honey, you’ve been in bed all day and-” she freezes and then pokes at your cheek. “Is that chocolate on your cheek!” she laughs.

Quickly you wipe at the evidence of your earlier snack. “Okay, fine. Shower it is.”

Quickly you take a shower, wrapping a towel around your body as another hold your hair on top of your head. When you exist the bathroom your bed is an avalanche of clothes that you don’t remember owning.

“Holy shit.” you laugh.

Page turns with a top in hand when she sees you. “I did not know you owned cute clothes, you’re always in some baggy stuff.” She waves the corset top at you. “Since when does my best friend own corset tops?”

You shrug as a blush rises across your cheeks. “I buy them but never wear them.”

“Well that changes today.” Page steps forward handing you the top and a black jean skirt.

You take the clothes and look at her with furrowed brows. “Shoes?”

“Change and then we’ll worry about the rest.”

With a mock salute you go to the bathroom to put on the sapphire blue corset top and black jean skirt. The material hugging your curves perfectly. You move out of the bathroom and towel dry your hair some more before she helps you blow dry your hair and apply makeup. Grabbing a pair of knee high boots and a leather jacket you both head to her car and make your way to Malone’s.

The music is loud when you arrive, the base drumming through your rib cage. “You look so good!” She squeezes your arm reassuringly. You laugh as you shake your head and head inside with her.

“I need the bathroom. Can you grab us some drinks?” she asks and moves toward the bathroom before you can reply. You head for the counter grabbing beers and finding an empty booth in the corner. You move your upper body to the beat of the song and wait for Page to return.

A loud cheer ripples through Malone’s as the Briar U hockey team enter. The first person you see being Dean with a cocky smirk on his face before you return your attention to Page as she takes a seat.

“Damn line is so long.” She groans.

Every now and again Page nudges you, indicating that some guy is checking you out, but true to your word you don’t engage. You drink your beer and as the hours pass and the people become less and less you sigh.

“I think I’m just going to the bathroom and then calling it a night.” You shift from the soft seat and stand, fixing your top before heading to the bathroom that by sheer luck has no cue. You move to the mirror and place your hands on the sink as you look at yourself. “What was I thinking?” You shake your head.

You close your eyes and let out a breath when the familiar song rings clear as day through the walls. The melody making you snap your head up and laugh.

Your idea to use the bathroom entirely forgotten as you exit and yell. “Come on Page this is-”

But it wasn’t page. Page still sat in the booth with a smirk on her face and sipping her beer as your head swiveled back to the stage. The familiar locks in view as John Tucker stands on stage with his back towards us.

“Oh. My. God.” You shake your head and move toward Page, eyes glued to the man on stage. “That’s one. Impossible for him to be a soulmate, like come on.” You scoff.

As Tucker turns your eyes widen. Dean is approaching him with a watermelon, urging him to take it. As they get into a playful shoving match Tucker continues to sing the song you told Page your soulmate would sing, and as he approaches the chorus he raises the watermelon above his head as Dean holds the microphone for him and you cannot help but let out a laugh.

“Guess the universe said it’s time.” Page teases.

“I knew it was you.” Your eyes travel to her and she shakes her head.

“Oh I wish but I didn’t have the time to set up something like this, trust me.”

You roll your eyes. “So, you’re telling me. This was just pure coincidence?”

“Some would call it fate.” She winked.

The song came to an end with an emergence of drunk cheers. Page smiles at you. “Go grab your lover-boy.”

Tucker gets off the stage as the rest of the boys pat him on his back for his performance. You approach with your hands stuffed into the back pockets of your skirt.

“You were great up there.”

His eyes meet yours and it feels like peace entered your system for the first time in years. “Thanks.” He smiles as he places the watermelon under his arm. “Do I know you?”

You shake your head. “No, not exactly. I just wanted to say it was really good… and also ask what made you choose the song.”

He laughs. “Would you believe me if I told you I won a bet?”

Your smile widens. “Won a bet?”

“Mhm.” He eyes your nervous stance and his shoulders tense. “Sorry, can I maybe buy you a drink?”

“That would be great.” You follow as he leads you both to the bar. “I don’t really approach people often as you can tell.”

He hands you the beer and takes a seat right next to you. “I noticed, but I’m glad you did.”

You blush besides wanting to keep calm. “You are?”

“Of course!” he clears his throat. “I don’t know how to explain it, but you feel so familiar.”