Brianna had no preconception of her predicament.

   As the last year for the red string to appear approached, her apprehension could not be quelled by her family or her best friends, not that it mattered to one of them.

   Sofia Östberg, the oldest one of the four best friends, cared very little for the red string. It could be because hers had not appeared, and she had turned sixteen at the beginning of the year. It left her with only eleven months before turning seventeen.

   It was already mid-March, seven weeks from Brianna's birthday in May.

   Her other best friend, Indigo Bamford, whom she called Indy, was only slightly worried. Indy tried to express how little importance the red string played in falling in love. However, Brianna wouldn't listen as her parents met through the existence of the red string. Plus, there were no historical records of anyone never having a red string. Then again, who could admit to it?

   Her best best friend, Arisbeth, or Beth for short, was at least very worried for her. Beth's red string had long ago formed around her ankle, tying her to her current boyfriend.

   Beth only spoke of good things when it came to her red string. It was a blessing, she often relayed.

   Brianna wanted what she had which meant the red string had to appear this year or else.

   Two weeks before her birthday, her mother sat her down.

   "As you know, Bri, my string appeared when I was fifteen. I was so scared it would never come that I forgot about everything else that already did exist in my life, things like my parents, my siblings, and my closest friends. But they stuck through the wait with me, and I couldn't be more thankful for them. I think you should focus on what you have rather than the things you don't yet have."

   Her mom stroked her daughter's long auburn hair that resembled her own.

   "You'll see," she started again, "your worries today will be nothing more like a dream in passing."

   Taking to heart her mom's words, she slept well that night only to be awakened again the next morning by dread and more anticipation as her birthday approached ever more closely.

   "Big day," Beth face-timed her, "Bri~ It's almost your birthday."

   "Ugh, I know."

   "Come on, only positive things today," Beth cheered.

   "You can only say that 'cause you have yours."

   "Well then, I'll say it, positive thoughts only, Bri," Indy chimed, her face popping up.

   Sofia's line was still black, but she was there, listening.

   "Fia, you gonna say anything?" Beth called her out.

   "You already know what I have to say," she didn't hide her animosity against the topic. "But... don't worry so much, Bri. I can guarantee you that you'll see it."

   Beth raised a brow and asked, "Can you really, Fia?"

   "I thought you wanted me to reassure her?"

   Beth shrugged and then changed the topic. "Jazz is bringing a friend to your party, Bri. Is that okay?"

   Bri nodded and gave her a verbal okay.

   "One more day. Hang in there," Indy cheered for her.

   "Hang in there," Fia dryly said.

   "One more day! We'll finally be Reddies together, Bri. I just know it!"

   Bri took a long breath in the morning, midday, afternoon, evening, and late at night. She watched the clock turn from 11:59 PM to midnight. She was officially sixteen, but the red string appeared nowhere.

   She got dressed at five in the morning before the sun rose. Her cereal tasted like cardboard.

   "Honey!" Her mom jumped back. "You woke up so early. I was going to make you waffles for breakfast and serve you in bed."

   "I couldn't sleep, mom."

   Her mom kissed her on the top of her head before heading to the stove to whip up the waffles she intended to make.

   "Good morning, my princess," her dad entered the kitchen area, looking a little groggy.

   "It's an early day, Simeon."

   "You know that's right, Pheebs," Simeon returned.

   Her parents looked always in love in Bri's eyes. They got along well and never fought. They were the epitome of what having a red string meant. On the other hand, her mom's brother, her uncle, came through the kitchen threshold alone.

   Uncle Oliver came to live with them when Bri was five, and he'd been alone since.

   Though he'd never told whether he had a red string or not, Bri assumed that he'd never pursued the connection because everyone has a red string. They had to.

   Before she knew it, the party had started. She was standing at the entryway with her mom and dad, greeting everyone coming.

   "Why don't you go hang out with Indy, Bri," her dad said when more invitees started to come.

   "Alright, Dad."

   But spending time with Indy didn't make the wait for the red string any less nerve-wracking. It had yet to come, and she was already eleven hours older.

   "Counting the hours won't help, Bri," said Fia who came to with her siblings to greet the birthday girl.

   "Not to worry, Brianna," Fia's older sister hugged Brianna, "everyone's red string eventually appears. Even for this sourpuss."

   "Shut it, Reg."

   Regina and Sofia were not loving sisters, but they were sisters nonetheless.

   "Whatever, Fia. Happy birthday, Brianna."

   "Thanks, Regina."

   "Happy birthday!" The youngest Östberg cheered.

   "Thank you, Micah," Bri accepted his gift, "and I hope you have fun today."

   Micah was a year and a half younger, but he never hung out with his sister's friends, only briefly mingled.

   "I will, but uh, don't worry so much." He was always a sweetheart to them. "I'm sure it'll appear like Reg said."

   Just as everyone said it would, Brianna felt a velvety ribbon wrap itself around her neck. It tied itself into a bow and trailed along from the back of her neck.

   In the middle of blowing her birthday candle, she turned her head to watch it extend to where she could no longer see it. A smile crept over her face.

   "You see it, don't you?" Beth interjected as soon as she saw Bri's divided attention.

   "It's here! It's finally here!" Bri rejoiced.

   It tugged her, and for the first time in a long time, she felt alive.

   It tugged again, and she tugged back.

   At first, the tugging was light then it got rougher. Another tug launched her forward. She had to stop herself from face-planting, so she tugged again.

   The ribbon yanked her over and over and over again until she lost her footing, crashing to the floor.

   "Brianna!" Her mom called on her.

   It yanked again and then the ribbon fell to the floor. Her brows furrowed. She tried to yank in return, but as she pulled, the ribbon felt different. She pulled and pulled until the end of the ribbon showed itself.

   Before her eyes, the ribbon that had only recently shown itself started to disintegrate until only the velvet ribbon around her neck and a small tail remained. The remnant of what had been her fated connection looked like a noose around her neck that had failed to take her.

   Tears rolled from her cheeks, words unable to leave her lips as her mom tried to ascertain the situation.

   "Bri!" They all called her name, but they echoed in the chaos that consumed her mind.

   The sun set and all her visitors left, all experiencing for the first time that the red string was breakable.

   "No sleepover today, girls," Mrs. Richard told the girls. "I hope you understand."

   Fia couldn't keep her eyes away from Bri's neck as Bri traced over her ribbon again and again, willing for it to return.

   "We understand, Mrs. Richard," Indy answered for the other two.

   Beth was too shocked to say anything. She had never entertained the idea that the red string could ever be broken. No words from her could be of comfort for Bri, especially since hers was wonderfully intact.

   "Say something," she expectantly turned to Fia, "anything."

   Fia finally turned her attention away from Bri's neck and looked to Mrs. Richard.

   "If it's alright, Mrs. Richard, I think she needs us now more than ever."

   Mrs. Richard couldn't help but look at her red string that had manifested and stayed in tact, then she looked at Fia and Indy who still hadn't gotten theirs.

   She hestitantly nodded her head. "Maybe you're right, Fia..."

   However, Fia kept to herself most of the time, staring at Bri's neck and listening to Beth stumble over words they thought could reassure Bri. Indy on the other hand fiddled with her pinky, chiming in on Beth's broken sentences whenever she found anything she could add.

   "Really, Bri, if it can break, it can be put together again!" Beth concluded.

   They all paused to think about what Beth had said.

   "But he broke it," Bri cried out.

   "She's right, Beth," Indy whispered, almost inaudibly.

   "Ssh!" Beth hushed her back. "Fia, say something..."

   "I told you before," Fia started, "the red string is only as important as you will it to."

   Beth frowned and said, "We have no idea how it feels, Bri, but maybe if it can be broken, we can fix it!"

   "You said that already," Fia reminded her.

   "I know, but it's better than what you're saying."

   "Is it though?" Indy asked.

   "What do you mean?" Bri managed to join in again.

   "I mean, what's so good about the red string? You got hurt, and Beth has a jerk of a boyfriend."

   Beth jumped up, fuming. "Jazz is kind to me! Why can't you see that? You've never liked Jazz," she cried.

   "He's abusive to you, can't you see that?" Fia added in.

   Beth scowled and folded her arms, close to crying.

   "Both of you just never understood."

   Bri didn't say anything.

   "Bri, you tell them how kind Jazz is."

   She couldn't.

   Beth shook her head nonstop.

   "I can't believe you guys. I stayed here because I felt bad for you Bri, but I've had it with you all talking about my soulmate as if he's the worst person there is."

   Bri sighed and said, "He tells you to do everything for him, Beth."

   "Plus, he never considers how you feel when he ditches you or cancels on your dates. He hangs out with all those girls-"

   "Stop it," Beth warned.

   "You know he's seeing them, right?" Fia continued for Indy.

   Beth sharply inhaled. "It's one thing to hear it from Fia or Indy, but I didn't think you also thought the same, Bri. He's my soulmate. He will always only love me."

   "Will he?" Bri traced the ripped ribbon. "If my red string can break, it means all red strings can."

   Streams of tears came running down Beth's cheeks.

   "I-I stayed to comfort you, and..." She got up and started to pack. "I hate you."