"Oh my god. You are tiny!" My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. A red haired boy walked towards me, "hey I'm Connor!" I nod slowly taking in how tall he is, Damn.
I really don't want to be the shortest here. He rolls his eyes, "what's you're name?" "Trouble." I say easily and push past him. Honestly I'm pretty sure I don't have control over my mouth anymore. I'm not sure who does but it sounds suspiciously like a female Zed.
The boy, Connor I guess, laughs at that. "Sweet. I like your attitude trouble." I make a face at him but it instantly slides off my face, replaced by amazement.
It's a old abandoned apartment for sure, you can still see some signs of neglect epically on the patchy brick walls. However the majority of the room was beautiful.
White walls intermixed with the brick and the concrete floor was covered by a thick rug in certain parts of the floor. The whole space that I could see was obviously a living room of some sort, with a large television.
3 couches were positioned around it, all in a deep shade of red. A room divider cut across the room, leading to a small kitchen. A dark haired guy was focused on the TV show, barely even acknowledging our existence.
"Dude" Luke steps over to him and pulls him off the couch. Literally right off the couch. "Hey!" He scrambles to his feet, his deep voice echoing through the loft. "Oh…. Hey," He spots me, basically trying to blend in with the wall.
It's seriously not going well for me. Connor walks over to the couch and leans against it. Now they're all staring at me and I can feel my cheeks flush.
It doesn't help that they are all the hottest boys I have ever seen in my life. Even though I'm partial to the blond one. Luke. Oh my god how can even a name be sexy? I'm going crazy.
My mind is going crazy thinking of what to do and I settle for meeting their stare with one of my own. I'm way less intimidating than they are but I see a flash of something almost like respect in the dark haired boy's eyes.
"So Trouble what's your story?" Connor speaks almost too cheerfully. Instantly I peg him as a troublemaker, someone like Xav who counts on flattery and a charming smile to get him out of trouble. The dark haired boy, Jon I'm pretty sure they called him, is the strict one.
The one who's always in control. I can't seem to get a read on Luke though. "Not much to tell really." I say apprehensively. "Gotta be something."
I bite my lip and run a hand through my hair. I've literally done nothing in my life. Except tried to fit in and succeeded. "I used to take gymnastics?" It comes out as a question, I'm so nervous.
"Great so what's your real name?" It comes out of Jon's mouth as a bark of an order. "Aria." I say hesitantly. "Aria what?" "I'd rather not say." Jon casts a disdainful look at his companions.
Connor just shrugs at him, Luke however is stretched out on the couch, eyes half shut like this isn't even happening.
"Why not?" This is the moment I'm worried about, do I tell them who I am.
"Not a good relationship with the parents." I murmur. Technically it isn't a lie but that's not why I'm saying nothing. My parents are government officials, the very people trying to kill us. Not exactly a one way ticket to getting into this group.
Jons frown furrows even more, Connor however just smiles. "So you've got the weird skin ailment?" I have to resist the urge to laugh. "What?" "The mark" Connor rolls his eyes and pulls up his shirt a little. And the mark is burned against his ribs.
Also gives me an opportunity to see his six pack. My gaze briefly flickers to Luke wondering is he's as built as Connor. Jon gestures to his ankle, where the mark is again.
Slowly I pull off my coat and rub at the makeup covering my mark. It's always pretty stubborn to come off but thankfully it rubs off today. I feel odd having it out in the open like this as it almost never is. I almost feel like running back to put my coat back on but I resist the urge.
"Ok. So you think we're evil right?" The scathing tone of Jon's voice is surprising and I return it without even thinking. "Aren't we?" Connor smiles,
"Nah. Not even a little bit. Well I mean I've harbored some homicidal urges to these two but aside from that."
"Shut up Connor!" "Why should I believe you?" The question bursts from me before I can hold it back. Connor and Jon both go to answer when a soft voice interrupts them.
"Because sweetheart, have you ever truly felt evil. Have you ever had any urge to murder and actually done it? Have you ever caused someone who had done nothing to you pain and felt joy?"
It's Luke talking and he's sitting back. His eyes are locked on mine and I'm hanging on his every word. I shake my head slowly.
"Of course you haven't. Because we aren't what they thought we were. Sure maybe two of us were nuts but this mark, it isn't a curse. It's a gift. And they just don't see that, but we are just like them. But more talented, we are special. And so many have been killed for being special. That's what we're trying to do. We are going to stop them killing us purely because of a mark on our skin. The question is are you with us?"
Jon snorts derisively. "How can she be with us? I doubt she can even fight. She's useless a liability." But I'm not paying attention to him. My eyes are locked with Luke's and a feel this odd sort of tremor going through my body.
I want so badly to believe him but I don't know if I can. But if what he's saying is true then, I could save lives.
I could help people, people like me, like us. All the fear is gone from my body. All I feel is a sudden rage burning through me, my hands curl into fists.
"Teach me." I interrupt Jon from his rant on why I should just leave and never come back. "What?"
"You are saying I can't fight, your right. Teach me how." The complete shock on his face is literally so worth it. I feel a thrill of hope, maybe I can do something with my life.
"Is it worth our time?" Luke stands and I stand too, but his is a way more impressive gesture.
"Say we teach you how to fight. What does that do for us?" I cross my arms, for once I feel like this is where I should be and I'm not giving up like that.
"Teach me how to fight and I'll show you how to win." I say finally and I know I've said the right thing when his face breaks into a smile.
"I like her" he announces before flopping back down on the couch. "I do too." Connor throws his thoughts on and he and Luke fist bump.
Then they stare expectantly at Jon. "Fine. But you better be worth it." He snaps at me. 'Don't worry. I will be." I stoop and grab my coat before walking towards the door. "Wait a minute sweetheart." Luke waves something and I realize it's my phone.
"How did you get that? It was in my back pocket." He shrugs and chucks it towards me. I snag out of the air with reflexes I didn't even know I had.
"Be in touch soon." I nod and grab the door handle. Slamming it shut behind me, I lean against it and a laugh bursts from my lips. I cannot believe what I just did.
Some parts of me a panicked, screaming at me but the larger part is overwhelmed by euphoria. Because I can't wait to come back. I can't wait to help and try to make our world a better place.
And I'm going to do it. I am going to make sure no savent child ever has to go through what I've been through. Ever again.
Authors Note
So sorry about the lack of updates. Chemistry is kicking my ass. So the chapters are a little boring right now but it's going to heat up soon. Promise…..