The Choosing [First 3 Chapters]

4. Andrea's Wedding

We pull up into the overhang and I dart out of the car. Andrea cannot catch me with Evander! I'm racing through the lobby to the stairs when I hear her.

"Ummm, worst M.O.H. ever, why are you running?" Andrea, Kendra, Whitney, Mihwa, and Nene are all staring at me from the lobby seats with annoyed expressions. I stop dead in my tracks. Crap.

"Oh, hey guys! I was just trying to hurry back to get ready and help and whatnot." I cringe at my own words.

"That was some walk you took." Nene raises a brow.

"Pass out on the sidewalk?" Whitney picks at her just done nails with a slight frown.

"Well, at least you weren't out with that guy from last night." Kendra downs a Red Bull. **grrr** Dangit Kendra!

"Good afternoon ladies. It's a pleasure seeing you all again. I don't believe most of us have formally met. I'm Evander." Evan strides forward and shakes hands with each of them in turn.

"oooOOoh. scratch that..." Kendra says softly as she ducks her head in apology.

"Mads, can I speak to you over here for a moment?" Andrea's fake-syrupy tone fools no one as she drags me to a corner with a crazed look on her face. "What are you doing?!?" She whisper-screams when we're out of earshot.

"I'm not doing anything." I wrestle my arm away from her.

"Mads, how did he find you? Is he like stalking you?" she demands.

"No, no, he just happens to be staying in the same hotel. I ran into him and we decided to have a drink together." Not entirely a lie.

"Oh my goodness! Why? WHY?!? You are like, a loser magnet! You could have just ignored him!" she breathes heavily.

Next thing I know I'm yelling and my eyes feel like they're burning up. "I didn't want to ignore him! I like him ok? I like him a LOT and...and he's...he's important to me OK!? And if you have a problem with that then that's just too bad! Why can't you stay out of my business? Focus on yourself!" I need him!

And then I hear him. Birdy, my dear, you need to calm down. You're not yourself. We may have moved too fast today. I think your mind is being overwhelmed by the telepathic changes. Try to focus on my voice.

I can't! Go away! I glare at the back of his head, but he doesn't glance in my direction.

Please, Madison. Let me in. I can help you.

NO! I push at him. Evan flinches and touches his forehead. I think I hurt him. What is happening to me? Did I hurt you? Evan sends no response. I must not being doing it right.

"Woooow Mads. What the hell?" Andrea fumes.

"I-I don't know. I need to get out of here." I try to head back to the stairway, but she moves to stand in front of me.

"Oh no, you don't! We are not finished! What is wrong with you? You just met him and you act like you're in love with him!" She fires.

I feel like cold water has been dumped over my head. I know she's right. I did just meet him, but HE's MINE! I shake my head. Where did that come from? What is happening to me?

"Mads, Mads, look at me!" I peer up at her. "You are like, I don't know, having a hormone overload, girl" she shakes my shoulders and then stops. "Fine you think he's hot or whatever. He looks better with all that nasty hair tied back. You're infatuated, but you need to get to know him. If you're for real about him, then don't just make out with him and get all caught up. Do NOT be that girl. I'm just lookin' out for you."