The next few days I found myself holding hands with Jer in the hallways at school and his arms around me on the bus. The other kids in my class keep giving us the evil eye, but I ignored them.

"Fern, there's something in the mail for you." My mother handed me a envelope. "It must be the schedule for the First Date."

I opened the envelope. It read;

Dear Ms. Fern Starr,

Congratulations on your Choice, Jeremy Mistriff. Your First Date has been scheduled for April, 3rd. A Official will be at your house at 6 o'clock in the afternoon on that date to pick you up for your dinner with Mr. Mistriff. Please dress accordingly.

"Mom, you're right. My First Date!" though I'm disappointed that a Official will be watching us the whole time.

"Awww. Are you going to kiss Jeremy?" Jackson asked in a mocking tone. I shot him my death glare. He stuck his tongue at me.

"Jackson, stop!" my mother scolded. Then she turned to me, "Oh, darling, I'm sooo proud of you!" My mom gave me a hug. "April, 3rd. That's tomorrow. I'll get you a dress at work."

"Get a blue one!"

"Of course! Now, get to bed. You too Jack."

"Yes, Fern," Jackson said mockingly. "Go dream of kissing Jeremy!"

"Shut up!" I chased Jackson up the stairs hitting him with my jacket. He locked his door so I couldn't get in. I sighed and promised to get him later.

I layed in bed but I couldn't go to sleep. I can't wait until tomorrow afternoon! I wonder where we'll be going for dinner. What will Jer be wearing? What will the Protector be like? What might happen? Will the Official let us kiss? Finally my mind just couldn't take more and I drifted off to sleep...

"Fern..." Someone called my name. Jeremy? No. His voice was deeper. I chased after the voice through a wheat field and into the forest. What am I doing in the forest? Jeracians were banned from the forest long ago.

"Fern... Help! It's comming!" What's comming? How am I supposed to help?

"Who are you?" I called out. Suddenly, a boy appeared from the undergrowth. He had short brown hair and syrup colored brown eyes.

"My name is Nathan Jemiah. Come to the Boarder. I'll be waiting. Don't disappoint me." He gave me a sad smile.

And I fell off my bed.

"Owww!" I groaned as I hit the ground. Sunlight streamed through the cracks between the blinds. It's morning already? Ah! My alarm clock said 7:45. I only had 15 minutes before the bus came. Better hurry.

Through the whole day I couldn't take my head off of Nathan. Who is he? A Choiceless? A Mainlander? What was comming?

"Fern? Are you okay?"

"What?"

"Are you sick? Is something bothering you?"

"Nothing."

"Oh, I know why." What? Jer knows about my dream?! "You're nervous about the First Date!"

"Yeah, something like that." I feel bad lying to Jer.

"Don't be. It's gonna be fine."

"Of course." The bus screeched to a stop at our street.

"Come on, I'll walk you home."

"Okay."

My mother held out a dress in front of me. "What'd ya think?"

"It's beautiful." I said and went to put my bag away.

"Fern? Are you okay?"

"I think so."

"Sounds like someone's caught the nerve fever."

"Yeah." I took the dress. "I'm gonna go change."

As I finished up in the bathroom, the door bell rang.

"Fern, honey? Are you ready? The Official's here!"