CHOSEN

Chapter One

Chapter 1 Songs:

Get Home - Bastille

Summertime Sadness - Lana Del Rey

"Audra!" someone called from behind me. Lena came running down the sidewalk, blonde curls flying behind her. I smiled at her, because it was an easy thing to do. Even if we lived in a world of nothing but grief and pain, Lena could provoke a smile.

"Good morning," I said politely. Lena smiled, her bright blue eyes crinkling around the edges.

"Always such a prude. How was your summer?"

"Actually, really good. But honestly, whose wasn't?" It was the truth. Life grows more and more tedious with every step closer to perfection. But I wouldn't have it any other way. I looked around the neighborhood as we walked to school. Every house lined up in a row, some had flowers, others had trees. Everything was green though. I wanted to stay here forever, soaking in the familiarity of everything. This was home, and this would always be home.

"I heard Taylor Manson got caught sucking face with a vamp!" Lena giggled. I scoffed. If you ever wanted the juiciest gossip, just go to Lena. Perfect as she was, her Achilles heel was that she loved a good rumor.

"Oh, she probably would've gotten Chosen anyway. She couldn't have waited until today to see?"

Lena laughed. She had changed over the summer. Her skin was tanner, her teeth whiter. Her loose, blonde ringlets had grown longer and her eyes had gotten brighter. I felt a small pang of envy stab me in the stomach.

Lena was beautiful and I was completely terrified to know how stunning she would be as a vampire if she were ever Chosen. I didn't have to worry about that, though. She hadn't been Chosen, there was no certainty she would be Transformed. We only had until December, and it was already September. Our little group of friends was sure to stick together.

That didn't stop her from being prettier than I was, though. I know I shouldn't feel this way, Lena was my best friend. Maybe it was just easier for her because she knew she was so much better than I was. My eyes wandered over her, noticing everything. Her slight form, her round face. At the sight of her, I felt my jealousy fade. No, Lena didn't think of me as a wounded animal. She saw me as her friend, her best friend. I needed to stop feeling so bad about myself.

"Why just today? You still have to go through training before you're Transformed," Lena asked.

"At least she'd have known she'd be able to have her little make out session soon. Now she might not be able to be trained or Chosen."

"That's true, but I mean...just LOOK at them! Stephanie Meyer wasn't lying, they're flawless!"

I laughed then. She was right. That was one of the major perks of being Transformed. Girls had the perfect body that every 14 year old boy thought every girl would have. Guys were jaw dropping, always having huge muscles, and their eyes were always so bright.

"I guess they are."

"You nervous? For the Choosing Ceremony today?"

I shook my head no. My life didn't depend on being Transformed. No matter what I was, I would live my life happily.

•

I hated the fact that the Choosing Ceremony was on the first day of school. The two councils thought it would be a good idea, so the Chosens could see their friends one last time. But in my opinion, it's like putting a band-aid on, then waiting just long enough so that it hurts when you rip it off.