Memories Lost, Love Found

I was leaning up against the smoothest tree I could find at the edge of the clearing. It gave me a good view of the party, I was just watching everyone else from the village enjoy. Almost everyone was dancing around the huge bonfire that had been set up in the middle, lost in the music or in the movement of their bodies. My body ached to join them, my fingers tapping against my arm as I watched. Other people were talking in small groups in the throng of bodies, and drinks were scattered throughout the group. It looked like everyone was celebrating something, and I could see people sneaking glances at me from the crowd. When I made eye contact, most looked confused, which I could relate to. I had no idea who I was, just my name, Sam, and that there were some strange rules in this village. The first thing I remember is waking up in the woods alone. My whole body ached, and I didn't know where I was. After some time wondering around, I ended up in the clearing I was in now. But five days ago it was just the village matchmaker and I in the clearing. He had told me I was late for our meeting, so he would have to speak quickly, and wouldn't have time for questions. Not that he said a lot, just that I was not allowed to speak to anyone other than him until my " Chosen One" made himself appear to me in five days in this clearing, and to not be late for that. So, here I was, leaning against a tree in the clearing I was told to be in. And of course no one was speaking to me. I was starting to doubt that I hadn't been lied to and this night would end with me back in the woods. Or maybe after the party it would be revealed that everything was a big joke, and someone would explain to me what happened to my memory. Suddenly, a guy who looked about my age walked towards my tree. I thought at first that he was just heading to the bathrooms, but they were on the other side of the fire. My next thought was that he was drunk, and was going to break whatever rule kept people from speaking to me. Not that I would have minded, I was dying to talk to someone and this guy was hot, like really hot. He had the arms, legs, hair, and eyes to make anyone into men swoon. Had this tree not been holding me up I might have. Which is a great reason to love trees, if I might add. "Hey baby, how you doing?" As he runs a hand through that hair of his and looks down at me, smirking the whole time like it was some joke. I couldn't believe he had actually talked to me, me! Finally, someone had acknowledged the fact that I was alive other than uncomfortable glances! I had to be sure though, he could be the " Chosen One" I was told about, but maybe he was just drunk. "I thought no one was supposed to talk to me..." I got out before I looked like an i***t for too long. I also couldn't escape with one of his arms on the tree to my right and a thick bush to my left. A confused look crossed his face at my words, "Your soulmate can, your chosen one Sam. I am your soulmate, Love" "What?" I put my hands of my hips and glared at him, "I haven't been able to talk to anyone in a week, because of some stupid rule and now you're telling me it's all your fault. Or that this tradition is really so important to everyone that they would not even look at me for days?" All the anger and confusion I had felt in the last few days was just rushing out of me at him. I could hear the crowd gasp behind him, and I realized they had all gone quiet listening in to our confusion. I could see them standing closer to the tree watching us in shock. Except for one girl. Dark brown hair and tanned skin, she looked oddly happy in a sea of shocked faces. Something in me didn't like her. I looked back at the guy, his brown hair falling in his dark blue eyes. There was a black ring around his iris. It made him look so sexy. I shoke my head. He looked so hurt I shouldn't think about how hot he is right now. I need to figure out what's happening. "Sam, are you okay? You knew this was coming, baby, we agreed to this." Even his voice sounded sexy and hurt. "How do you know my name? I don't know who you or anyone else is!" I didn't even know what to say about all this. :What do you mean how do I know your name? Sam, we've known each other for years. What happened to you?" He sounded so distraught. "I woke up five days ago in the woods near here. I didn't remember anything before that, not even my name. That matchmaker guy told me it." My voice sounded small even to me. Probably too quiet for anyone else to hear but him. His eyes went wide as I explained. He looked confused, then hurt, then angry. Scary angry. He pushed himself off the tree and turned quickly, almost running towards the crowd. As he stormed toward the brunette, I noticed earlier the crowd parted away from them both. He grabbed her upper arms, holding her there. That girl looked like she would run if she could have. "What have you done to Sam?" He demanded. "What have you done?" He was yelling into her face, utterly convinced she had done something to make me lose my memories. I watched as her mouth quirked to the side in a quick smile. He noticed it too and threw her away from him onto the ground. "If what you have done is irreversible, I will end you. I will go unbonded for the rest of my life before I become bonded to you." I saw the crowd physically recoil from what he said. I watched as several people even put a hand to their mouth. "Get out of my sight, you have ruined what was supposed to be a great day." He turned and walked to me, thankfully none of that anger was turned on me. "I will help you get your memories back. I will make sure you remember my love for you, and how much you love me. Even if it takes all year."