[ WP ] When two people fall in love , they receive an object that is the physical embodiment of that love . It changes as their feelings change towards each other and destroying it can have drastic consequences . How does this change the nature of relationships ?

`` What the hell is this?'' 
 
 `` What is what?'' said Jake flatly, not even looking away from his computer screen. He had been with his girlfriend for too long to get worked up over such things. 
 
 `` This!'' Marisa all but yelled, thrusting their token between Jake's face and the screen. 
 
 When they had received their token five years ago, it had looked like a small but pleasantly heavy leather-bound book. He had met Marisa at the campus library, in line for coffee during finals. He had had given her a dollar for her latte when she came up short. To this day, she credited the A on her thesis to that contribution. Jake was n't sure whether the token was a reference to that or simply that they were both huge nerds, but it hardly mattered. It was a token of their love, physical proof of their feelings for each other. 
 
 The book changed as the years passed, as all tokens do. The cover changed color, from brown to blue to a deep forest green. The contents changed, usually to random sections of whatever novel one of them was reading at the time ( though once, and rather embarrassingly for Jake, to a story from *Penthouse* ). The only constant change was the length. As the couple's relationship developed, the book grew increasingly longer. It started thinner than his pinkie finger, more a magazine than an actual book. These days it could have given Stephen King a run for his money. 
 
 But it was n't a big, fat book now. Nor was it green. In front of him Jake saw a jet black book, and noticeably thinner. 
 
 `` Huh,'' Jake said, bemused. 
 
 `` Do you have an explanation?'' asked Marisa. 
 
 `` Of course I do n't,'' Jake said, nonplussed. `` Every couple in love has received a token since the beginning of time, and in all that time no one has figured out why they change.'' 
 
 Marisa snorted derisively, in the way she only does when properly angry. `` Typical male. Just because it is n't an exact science does n't mean the changes are meaningless.'' 
 
 `` I did n't say they are meaningless,'' Jake replied evenly. `` I only meant that cause of the change could be literally anything. I do n't care what Cosmo says. My parents' token changed from an apple into a pomegranate for a hour before changing back. They still have no idea why.'' 
 
 `` Well I've only seen a token turn black and shrink like this once, and that was when my dad slept with his secretary.'' 
 
 Jake sat stunned for a few seconds before he fully comprehended what she was saying. `` You think I'm *cheating* on you?'' 
 
 `` Do you have a better explanation?'Cause you better, or I'm chucking this thing in the fire.'' 
 
 That make Jake sit up properly. Destroying a token is no laughing matter. If it is lost in a house fire or destroyed by another person or something, the effects are bad, anything from depression to partial paralysis. Normally, another token arrives in a few days, but not every time. Even in the best of scenarios, the victims almost always have some level of PTSD. 
 
 But if a member of the relationship knowingly and purposefully destroys their token, it is a whole nother matter. It is bad. Suicide or brain hemorrhage bad. 
 
 Jake almost had to laugh at the absurdity of it, all things considered. `` Babe, I swear on our token that I am not cheating on you.'' 
 
 `` Well if you were, swearing on the token does n't really mean much does it?'' 
 
 Jake struggled to keep his mind from racing, when suddenly it clicked. `` Oh.'' Changes may not always be predictable, but thankfully he thought he had this one figured out. 
 
 `` Is that all you have to say for yourself?'' 
 
 Without another word, he got up and crossed to his dresser. Opening his sock drawer, he reached in and palmed the small black case. `` I meant to do this properly'' Jake said, his voice slightly regretful. `` Dinner. Buggy ride, maybe. A walk in Central Park. But given the circumstances I guess this will have to do.'' 
 
 `` Jacob,'' Marisa said, confusion replacing her anger. `` What are you talking about?'' 
 
 Dropping to one knee, Jake opened the case to reveal the diamond ring inside. It was n't as big as he wanted, but he thought she'd be okay with it. 
 
 `` Marisa Marie Hendelson, will you marry me?''
