Disclaimer: I still don't own them. *Sigh*

Author's Note: I'd like to thank Cherry Tulips for the awesome review. This update goes out to you!

Soft-Spoken: A Jamie Stryder Story

Chapter 2: Meeting the Folks

Jamie POV

The van pulled into the cave's entrance. I glanced over at Anna. She hadn't said anything this whole trip. She just sat there; staring out the window like one would watch a movie. I was afraid she had gone into shock or something.

"Anna, we're here," I was careful not to use the word home. I could see her heart was still back there, in that city.

She still said nothing, hopping out of the van. I followed, leading her inside.

"These are the caves where we live. I'll take you to Uncle Jeb; he's like the head honcho of this place. He'll get you set up," I said, smiling.

She nodded. "Jamie…what if they don't like me?"

I then realized that Anna hadn't spoken to anyone except for me since she ran away from her parents. I put a hand on her shoulder.

"Don't worry Anna, they'll love you."

She returned the smile. "You really think so?"

"Absolutely. There's Uncle Jeb. Wait here." I ran over to where he was talking to Aunt Maggie.

"…and then I saved that ball, I did. And everyone cheered…oh hey Jamie. Need anything?" He said.

"Come here. I need you to meet someone." I led him to where Anna was sitting against a wall. "Uncle Jeb, this is Anna."

He leaned down, eyeing Anna with his signature Jeb-Look, head tilted, toothpick in his mouth. "Hey girl, where're you from?"

She shook her head, whispering the answer in my ear. I relayed it to Jeb.

"Sun Valley, huh?" He said, unconvinced. I'd be too, to be honest. She was so pale. He turned to me. "You're girlfriend's the indoorsy type, huh?" He whispered.

"She's not my girlfriend!" I whispered back furiously. Sometimes Jeb was so immature!

He rolled his eyes. "Sure she's not." He turned back to Anna. "You can stay with Lily. I'll show you where her room is." He helped her up, turning to me once more. "You should get back to Mel. She's probably worried sick."

Anna grabbed my hand. "Don't leave," she whispered. I was shocked. I've never had someone so dependant on me before. But of course years ago I also said "I've never met an alien before."

"Okay, I'll come," I said, smiling. She grinned.

"Come on you two, we don't have all day," Uncle Jeb said.

I nodded and let Jeb give Anna the "Grand Tour". But she never spoke to him once. I was worried for her. She was so introverted.

After a while Jeb stopped, sniffing the air like a bloodhound. "I smell dinner."

Anna laughed. I smiled. Good, she was warming up to Jeb.

"Come on Anna, I'll introduce you to everyone," I said. She nodded, and took my hand, still smiling.

***

When we got there the dining hall quieted. Everyone was staring. I pretended not to notice, sitting Anna down at the table where Ian and Wanda were sitting.

"Hey guys, you mind if we join you?" I asked.

"No, not at all," Wanda said, smiling. Anna reminded me of Wanda when she first came here. Hopefully she'd open up to everyone just like Wanda did.

"Thanks. Anna, meet Wanda and Ian. You can talk to them while I go get food, kay?" She nodded. "I'll be back soon," I said, getting up and walking to the kitchen, Ian following.

Anna POV

As soon as they said, "I'll be back", Jamie and Ian returned, both with two bowls of soup.

I accepted the bowl, gratefully taking a sip. I hadn't eaten since last night at dinner, when my parents broke the news to me.

"Anna, we need to talk to you," Mom said over the big bowl of spaghetti that was being passed around.

"What Mom?" I said.

"We haven't been completely honest with you," Dad said.

And with that my life was plunged into Hell. Now I knew why I was homeschooled, and why we never watched TV. Because everyone was a soul.

"So Anna, how do you like the caves so far?" Wanda said. The couple fascinated me. The way Ian looked at Wanda; it was like he wanted to give her the stars, the moon, and anything she wanted. I don't know why, but it pained me a little that Jamie never looked at me that way.

A strange, happy feeling radiated off of her, so much like Jamie. So I decided to humor Jamie and talk to her. "They're great. Jeb's nice."

Jamie looked over, obviously surprised that I was talking to someone other than him.

I leaned in near Wanda. "Has he ever actually shot anyone with that gun?" I whispered.

Wanda laughed. "I don't think so, but I'm pretty new here too, so I wouldn't know."

I smiled. Wanda was new as well. I could relate to her. We could be friends.

Jamie and Ian grinned. Wanda smiled. I sighed. I was going to like it here.

Author's Note: Again, thanks for reading! Please review! The more I get, the faster I update!