There were only two things that stopped me from on purposely getting expelled that month. My friends and The Sharing. The Sharing kept me active, it made me feel like I was effecting things. Like I was someone. So I went to the next meeting.

And the next.

And the next.

One meeting was at a fundraiser and we were selling cookies that would go to a homeless shelter.

I put some money in the bucket and stole one of the cookies,"I'm so glad you convinced me to come."

He nodded, "I'm glad that you came." He scratched the back of his head, "You know, I was sort of worried that you wouldn't show up."

I put my arm around his shoulder, "I never break my promise."
He cocked his head, "Really."

I nodded, "Yep, it's one of the only rules I follow." I cocked my head, "Why would you care anyway?"I handed a cookie to a customer and told them to have a nice day.

He blushed softly and played with his fingers, "I sort of… Like you."

I giggled, "What so you believe in that love at first sight stuff?" I rolled my eyes, "That's so cheesy."

He smiled, "That's why you like me back isn't it?"

I paused, and said, "Maaaaybe."

He pecked me on the cheek, "Well that's that then isn't it."

"That's that I guess."

I continued to go to meetings and not much changed. We were dating sure, but there wasn't much difference between that and being friends. Well other than us kissing every once in a blue moon.

Well that is, until the moment that everything changed.

The two of us were at a carnival thing when he offered to ditch the place and go on a midnight walk on the beach where we first met. I still held cotton candy in one hand and he held popcorn in another. I put my head on his shoulder as we walked.

"Hey Maddy?"

I looked up at him, "Hm?"

"Can I ask you something crazy?"

"'Sup?" I stole a piece of his popcorn.

"Do you ever feel… Hopeless, like your work isn't really worth all that much?"

I chuckled, "What kind of quest-"

"Please just answer." He said quietly.

I looked at him perplexed, "Okay, I sort of do. It's a lot better than it used to be..." I shuffled awkwardly, "I still feel that way sometimes though, when I see my brother on the news. It always seems like he has everything all figured out."

"But you don't," He nodded sympathetically. "I get it. Hey remember how I told you about the full membership?"

I nodded, "You were weird about it but yeah, I remember,"

"Becoming a member can make all of your problems go away, it makes everything so much clearer and easier. You always have someone to talk to and that person will always help you no matter what."

I smiled and closed my eyes, "Sounds amazing." My eyes narrowed, "but what's the catch."

He shrugged, "Just basic responsibilities and stuff, you lose a bit of your freedom, you have to take one for the team a lot of the time but no biggie." He smiled, "But it's worth it for everything you can get in return, you get support, you get a goal, you become someone special and important." He closed his eyes, "The world is going to change whether we like it or not. Why not be on the winning team."

I frowned, "Wait, we are still talking about a girl-scouts, boy-scouts group right?"

"The Sharing was always about more than that, we want to shape the world Maddy and we need your help."

I backed up, this was when I first started to realize something was very very wrong. I laughed nervously, "This isn't some sort of cult right?"

He blinked, confused, than laughed, "Not even close. Don't worry so much, if you don't really enjoy being a full member for less than a month, you can just leave."

"Really?"

He nodded, "Really, heck we'll even be willing to negotiate with you, work with you to make sure you're comfortable and fine with everything that's going on."

I smiled, "Alright then, show me the way. Let's do this!"