"Annabelle! Annabelle where are you?" My friends called, what could they possibly want? Oh well I needed help French braiding my hair anyway. I opened the door and my best friends and house mates Sarah, Rachel, and Mary burst in. They were wearing their signature mischievous smiles so I knew something was up. " We have the latest gossip and it has to do with you." Rachel told me smirking.

"What's going on?" I asked wanting to be apart of their juicy gossip. I tried to figure out what it could be. I hadn't done anything special I wasn't married, He Who Walks Behind The Rows had not chosen my beloved. I hadn't done anything scandalous, and I wasn't interested in any of the boys. Maybe it had to do with Ezekiel's birthday he is Sarah's son and my godson. Maybe someone else was moving into the house, Sarah had moved out when she married John.

"We heard Malachai and Isaac talking and it's Malachai's birthday!" Mary told me happily.

"Whoop-di-doo!" I said sarcastically. "What does that have to do with me?" I know it was a bit harsh, but Malachai gave me the creeps. He was just so serious all the time.

"Well Mrs. Grouchy," Sarah started sarcastically " it's time Malachai gets married and Isaac wants him to marry you!" She told me shrieking with delight.

"No not me, maybe there's a different Annabelle." They all shook their heads. I knew I was being irrational but there was only 15!

" He's cute!" Mary gushed like a 7 year old. No this cannot happen I'm only 15 and he's only 16. Why must He Who Walks Behind The Rows choose Malachai for me?

" He'll be a good husband, a strong husband and a good father. He will take good care of you and your children." Sarah told me finally getting serious. Wait did she say children? I barley knew him, I didn't want to have his children, that's gross! I guess that's the reason we get married…

"What if I don't want to marry him?" I asked already knowing the answer.

"You have no choice." Sarah said simply. "I know you don't want to marry someone you don't love, but you'll learn to love him." I trusted Sarah besides she knows from experience, she was also married off to someone she barley knew. Eventually she fell in love with John, then they had Ezekiel, my godson. When they went to He Who Walks Behind The Rows (John in four months Sarah in 6) he would go into my care. Well now mine and Malachia's care

"Come on we have to pretty you up for the ceremony!" Rachel said happily. They helped me into a light purple lave dress and French braided my hair in two sections. Then they put ribbons in my hair and white shoes to complete the look. I looked amazing, Malachai better like it took us long enough to get ready.