Life is a ball of yarn. Fate is the weaver. Fate causes your life to be intertwined with others'. Everything happens for a reason. Don't go looking for something you don't have. Whatever you look for, give it a chance to find you first.

My name is Fernadah Starr. I live in the country of Jeracai, in the city of Thaeoria. Jeracai is a large island off the coast of Australia. We are an organized society nonexistent to anyone in the Mainlands, the large areas of lands called continents where people kill each other in war and even for entertainment! The Society tell us that they are brutal and horrible in every way possible. And I believe them. Well, I used to believe them. I don't know what I believe now...

School had just let out and I was going to go pick up my brother. Usually I would hang around and talk with my friends but today's a big day and I wanted to get home early so I can change into my best clothes for the Choice. On the day of a girl's 16th birthday they are presented the choice to decide their future life. They get to choose out of 5 jobs, 5 houses each from one of the 5 cities, 5 wedding choices, and 5 boys. These are chosen by the government system out of a data system telling them which ones I might like best. I feel bad for the boys because they never know when they'll be chosen and they don't get to pick the girl they like. They're stuck with the girl they choose. That's why I'm glad my birthday in March, the beginning of the year. There will still be some good boys left.

My brother is four years younger than me, but still act like he's ten. His name is Jackson. You might say he's a juvenile delinquent. He gets in trouble at school for starting fights and steals from the ice cream vendor every chance he gets, even though that is not what a Thaeorian is known for. Thaeorians are important for our knowledge of right and wrong. We're known for doing the right thing even though it hurts. My brother is the opposite of that. Maybe he'll choose to live in Qivenna, where taking risks is a valued trait.

I found Jackson sitting in the time-out chair when I got to his classroom. I can't believe they still put people in time-outs in 6th grade!

"What did you do, Jackson?" I asked on the walk home. Our house is only three blocks from school so there's no reason to take the bus back.

"I accidentally dropped my lunch tray on Ross's lap, it was an accident!" I would've thought he was telling the truth, if he wasn't smirking the whole time he was talking.

"Yes, and I got a F on my Trigonometry test!" I scoffed.

"But it's true!" I nodded absent-mindedly. He crossed his arms. "Oh, it's no use arguing with you!"

"Did you just figure that out, Sherlock?"

"Oh, shut up!"

Before I can say anything back, a voice called out to me. "Hey, Fern!" Oh. My. Gosh. Jeremy.

"Hey, Jer" I said. "Jackson, go play." Jackson was starting to sing,"Fern and Jeremy sitting in a tree..." I don't want to start that up again. He went running to Jake's house before I can say more.

"Good luck. It's your sixteen birthday, right?"

"Yeah." I said. Of course he remembers. We've been friends practically since first grade.

"Happy birthday." He held out a small box wrapped in tin foil. "I couldn't afford any wrapping paper. Hope you don't mind."

"No!" I said quickly. "It's very creative. That's thoughtful of you. Can I open it now?"

"Sure." I peeled back the tin foil, revealing it to be (gasp!) a box. I opened the box, a beautiful silver necklace with a shark tooth mood pendant glittered in the sun.

"Oh! It's beautiful! It'll match my dress." I took it out and unclasped the tiny clasp. I tried to put the necklace on but I keep missing the link.

"Here, let me help." Jeremy turned me around and helped me put on my necklace. His finger brushed my neck as he did and goosebumps rose on my skin. When he finished he turned me back around and gave a little sigh. "You're beautiful. Whoever you pick will be a very lucky boy indeed."

From down the street I heard my mom call my name. "I have to go. See ya. Thanks for the necklace!" I waved goodbye and rushed down the street.

"Who gave you that beautiful necklace?" My mother asked as she helped me into my dress. The dress is turquoise and purple with rivulets running just below my knees.

"Jeremy."

"Oh, that wonderful boy!" she tied a bow in the back and stood back to look at me. "Oh, Fernadah, I'm so proud of you! And whatever choice you make, I'll be happy for you." She pulled me into a hug. "Your father would've been proud too."

The Official came around 4 o'clock with a government approved device used for the Choice. After 15 minutes I had already finished 4 of the 5 choices. I picked to be a Protector, someone who guards the Walls from the Choiceless, the ones who rebelled against the Choice system. My house has three stories painted baby blue with a light green door and large windows in the front. The house on the outskirts of Thaeoria near the Wall. I picked a blue, black and white wedding where people can wear casual clothes to.

Then, on the screen, 5 faces popped up, each with a brief discription at the bottom. I looked through the faces one at a time. The first choice was Jayden Koffman, the second was Wyatt Samuels, and the third one... Jeremy Isaiah Mistriff, my best friend, classmate, and science partner. I can't believe it! I never thought he would be one of my Choices! I clicked on him and a video showed him laughing with his friends, running on the track team, and making something accidently explode in science. I clicked the select button and the device registered my Choice. It showed me a list of the Choice rules. I skimmed it and clicked OK. I was done with my Choice test.

And my Choice is Jeremy.