KENDRICK 

The air between us now was sharper than dalmatian steel. I wanted to tell myself that I had misheard her or that she had said that as a joke, but given the circumstances and the seriousness in her face, I knew I hadn't misheard. I stood there, my chest heaving and knuckles clenched so tight they nearly turned white. 

Why was everyone going crazy over this one thing? Why were they all disagreeing with me and doing everything possible to make this day harder for me? I'd come to her with the hopes of being comforted with the crazy suggestions that the elders had made, not knowing that she...