April Laryn was your average sixteen year-old. She loved listening to music, dancing, and hanging out with her friends and boyfriend. She had a good childhood, and her family was always filled with love and compassion. Her life was perfect, until the day of her seventeenth birthday.

“Open your present sweetie,” April’s mom, Joan, gleefully repeated for what seemed to be the billionth time. April’s family decided to have a small celebration this year. Just April, her parents, and her boyfriend, who had yet to arrive.

Laughing, April replied, “Okay mom, calm down! Wow, you seem a little over excited today.” She pushed her shiny brown hair behind her ear.

“Oh, well, it’s just that it isn’t everyday that your little girl turns seventeen!” Joan handed April another gift as April’s boyfriend, Jonathan walked in. Almost immediately, Joan’s face fell. “Oh. Hello Jonathan,” she said, loathingly. She was never all that fond of Jonathan.

“Hey Mrs. Laryn,” Jonathan replied with a casual wave, before walking over to April. “Hey babe,” he said as he kissed April on the cheek and handed her a nice gift-wrapped present. “Happy birthday.” April unwrapped it with more gusto than she had any other present, to reveal a beautiful picture frame containing a picture of Jonathan and her from over the past summer. Her hair was casually tied up in a ponytail, and his blue eyes were sparkling brighter than ever.

“Oh, Jonathan,” she breathed. “It’s perfect!” She leaned in to kiss him, but her mother shoved yet another present in her face. This one was a small, black, velvet box with a small, red bow on it.

“Before you open this,” Joan began, “I want you to know that this one single present will change your life. Enjoy!” Joan flashed her wide grin as April opened the small box, revealing a diamond ring.

“Mom, is this the engagement ring you got from Dad?” April asked, astonished.

“I believe I heard my name,” April’s dad, Hector, said, smiling as he entered the dining room carrying the cake. “I hope I’m not in trouble for anything!” Hector set the cake down and kissed April on the top of her head.

“April just opened the ring,” Joan replied. She turned back to April. “Yes, that is the engagement ring I got when I married your father, but it wasn’t from him.”

“Uh, I’m lost,” Jonathan said with a look of pure confusion on his face.

“Yea, so am I,” April agreed. “Mom, what’s going on?”

“I’ll explain, honey,” Hector cut in. “You see, April, when your mother turned seventeen, her parents gave her the ring you hold in your hands. It was the same ring your grandmother received on her seventeenth birthday, when she was set to marry your grandfather. Your mother’s family has a tradition: the first-born female in the family is to be married one month after she reaches the age of seventeen.” April and Jonathan looked horrified.

“But Mom, Dad, Jonathan and I aren’t ready to get married!” she cried. Jonathan just sat there, looking as if he had been punched in the stomach.

“Oh honey, you don’t actually think that we paired you with Jonathan, do you?” Joan asked.

“Wait a minute, are you saying that April’s going to be marrying some other guy?” Jonathan asked, furiously. This appalled Joan.

“Of course she’ll be marrying someone else! Someone approved by her father and I. We picked him when Joan was only a year old.”

“That’s it. I’m out of here!” Jonathan got up and walked to the door.

“Wait, Jonathan! Don’t leave, please!” April pleaded.

“Sorry, April, but it looks like you don’t need me anymore. It looks like you’ve never needed me. Have a nice life with your new husband,” he replied bitterly as he slammed the door.