Destroying Fate

Chapter 1

I wipe my sweaty palms on the sides of my dress. I can't let anyone see me this nervous... This is meant to be the most exciting moment of my life. I know better than to believe such a thing. I will most likely be dead after this or I will wish I was. I'm over an hour early but I need to talk to Gwenn. She's bound to know something and I trust that she'll tell me. Taking a deep breath, I push open the heavy metal doors. The sting of the air conditioning raging on momentarily shocks me. I've worked with this and I will not let it get to me. Not today. I refuse to die because I was too much of a coward to embrace this part of me. It will help me whether it wants to or not.

***

I swipe my finger across the screen of my phone to see seven texts and three missed calls. I click Gabi's name and press call. Per usual it takes less than two rings for her to answer.

"Hey Gabs, what's up?" I say casually.

"What's up?! That's all you can say. How about 'happy 18th birthday bestie, I'm excited for your Naming. I'll be over there as soon as possible and wouldn't miss it for the world!'"

Suppressing a laugh I say, "Oh it's your birthday? I had no idea."

"You're such a jerk. Get your butt over here."

"I still have a half hour before I'm supposed to be there Gabs."

"Well I'm already here. How long will you be?"

I give an exaggerated sigh and say, "I'll be there in ten."

"Fabulous!" She squeals and the line goes dead.

Checking myself in the mirror one last time I head downstairs. I scribble a note for mom and dad saying that I've left for Gabi's Naming and grab my keys. 

I've been to the Elders Council Building hundreds of times before and its all around beauty never ceases to amaze me. It's in the heart of the town which is convenient because it is close to everything and everyone; it feels like home.

The second I pull into the parking lot I see Gabi run through the doors waiting for me.

"Poppy, you're finally here." I laugh at the nickname she gave me when we were four. I was sitting alone on the grass ripping the petals off of poppy flowers, and she came up yelling at me to stop ruining the pretty red flowers. She started calling me the Poppy Girl, and eventually just Poppy. Gabi wraps me up in her typical suffocating hug.

"God I am so sorry. I'm only twenty minutes early." I say, rolling my eyes and I return her hug.

Gabi pulls away with a serious expression playing on her face, "19 minutes actually, it's 4:41. and you're still the last one here slow-poke."

She yanks me inside the doorway before I can respond. I see Chloe and Thalia did in fact make it here before me. This is surprising because it is practically their nature to be at least 10 minutes late to everything no matter how important or how often they are scolded for this behavior. Gabi, Chloe and Thalia immediately start talking gossip. I try to stay involved for as long as I can, but I can't help but zone out. They know I'm not interested in who said what, who did what, blah blah blah, and so they don't take it personally.

Looking around the spacious lavender room I spot the youngest of the Elders peering in my direction. She motions for me to come. Looking back at my group of friends I see they are lost in a conversation about which guy is the hottest. Their boy crazy behavior is amusing but not so much that I'm dying to stick around. I roll my eyes and walk over to Gwenn.

"Hello Gwenn, it's nice to see you again." I say.

She wraps my hands in hers and gives me a bright smile. "Persephone, I'm glad I could see you today. You haven't come to see me in quite some time. Your big day is exactly a week away; I thought you would be coming over every day pestering me about your future."