"Seth. Seth. SETH!" What on earth was he doing? He just sat there staring at Maddie. He looked like he was…..like he was….like Maddie was…

"NO!" I knew everyone was staring, but I don't care. There's no way that he was imprinting on my best friend!

"Audrey calm down! What is going on?" I ignored my mother and turned to Edward. "Am I right?"

"Well, I haven't dealt with it since your parents, but it sounds pretty much the same."

"It has to be true. Her future just disappeared."

Suddenly I heard a loud 'thud.' I turned to see Maddie passed out on the ground. As I stepped over to check on her, I was shoved out of the way by Seth.

"Are you alright? Please wake up!" Seth was leaning by her side trying to gently rouse her. I thought he was going to have a heart attack. She began to stir.

"Wha…what happened? Where am I?" Maddie looked around. She looked at me confusedly, and then she locked eyes with Seth. "Who are you?"

"My name's Seth Clearwater. Are you okay? Do you need help getting up? You took quite a fall there. Here, let me help you up." Suddenly Seth was prince charming? I thought I might hurl.

"Ahem." My mom stepped forward and helped Maddie up. "I think we need to have a talk. This would probably go best if us women stayed inside and you boys took a walk…" My mom, always the voice of reason. I love that about her. Edward got the hint. He began to steer the guys to the door, practically dragging Seth behind him.

We sat round the living room, silent and staring at Maddie. Well this was going to be akward.

"Okay, Seth. We need to lay some ground rules." Jacob had basically taken the lead, considering he was the only one present who had imprinted. "First, you cannot stalk her. I know that might be hard at first, trust me. I never wanted to leave Reneesme's side. Maddie knows little about our lifestyle, and nothing of you. If you want to make this work, you have to be sure to give her time.

"Okay, I think I can handle that."

"Second, you also have to resepect my daughter's wishes. Madelyn and Audrey have been best friends forever. I wouldn't get on Audrey's bad side. Follow these two rules, and you'll be okay."

"I guess I can handle that. I can't believe how good this feels! This is great!"

"I always thought the concept of imprinting was fascinating." Carlisle looked at Seth in awe. "I can't wait to observe this again!"

Seth chuckled to himself. "Glad to know I'm wonderful for observation." Then he glanced back toward the house. "I wonder how she's taking it."

"No. No, no, no, no, no. I am not signing my life away to some stranger. I don't care if we're 'soul mates.' It's not fair." Maddie was not happy with this. She just became more and more confused and angry as the women kept explaining what was happening.

"I know it's hard to grasp, dear. I had to grow up with a best friend and realize that he was going to be my husband. It's not easy, but you have to trust it. I love Jacob more than life itself, and I know he feels the same."

Maddie looked down and sat quietly, deep in thought. Then she looked up.

"No. I refuse to give up my life for a stranger. I will choose who I love." With that, she turned and walked right out the door. We heard a car start and pull out of the driveway. Audrey shook her head. "I knew this was a mistake."

Madelyn was pushing her car to the limit. This was just too much. Imprinting? Soul mates? She just wanted to graduate! She had to think about this. It seemed like her car was crawling to her destination. When she needed to sort things out, she drove out to the cliffs of La Push. The sound of the waved and the cool breezes calmed her down and helped her focus.

Finally, she arrived. No one was in sight as she approached the edge and sat down. "Oh, Lord, what have I gotten myself into?"

"Madelyn?" She turned her head and saw Seth standing behind her.

"What are you doing here?" She didn't say it accusingly, which made Seth a little less nervous. He walked up and sat next to her.

"Well, technically I live here." He turned around and gave her a half-smile. She couldn't help smiling back. "But honestly, I wanted to make sure you're okay. I know this is a lot to take in. I'm sorry it all happened at once."

Madelyn gazed out onto the water.

"I just don't know how to take this, you know? I mean, it's not like you're unattractive or anything. It just seems so final. I'm graduating soon. This is supposed to be a beginning, and now my life is all decided?" Madelyn started to cry. This was too overwhelming. Seth looked at her with sad eyes. He wrapped his arm around her and she put her face into his shoulder, sobbing uncontrollably.

"I'm so sorry, Maddie. Please don't be sad. This is a beginning. Maybe not the one you planned, but I won't hold you back. I know this will be tough, but you are my perfect match. My soul mate. You are my life now." Maddie looked up into his eyes. This was the kind of thing you read in a cheesey romance novel, but his eyes told her he meant it. She leaned up and kissed his cheek. A large smile formed on Seth's face. He pulled her closer and they sat, gazing over the water at the sunset.

An hour later, they returned to the Blacks. Audrey rushed to the door.

"Thank goodness! I was so worried! Seth, I told you not to go! I can't believe you would do this! She just found out and you had to go and freak her out! I am just so…so…are you guys holding hands?

Maddie and Seth looked down. Sure enough, their hands were together. They looked up and smiled. "Audrey, do me a favor and calm down. Your head's gonna explode." Everyone laughed. Then Reneesme stepped forward.

"Alright. Now that that's settled, who's hungry?"