Chapter 9

I set down the book, looking at Kim, slightly exasperated. She smiled at me and shrugged.

"It's just a theory," she said. "It makes sense too!"

"Not really. How would Gabe be a guardian angel and The Giver be God? Other people saw both of them, not just Jonas."

"Well, maybe they wanted to be seen."

"I think he found a new community," I theorized and Kim raised an eyebrow. I shrugged. "Or maybe they both died and went to Heaven."

"Don't make it depressing!" Kim protested. I laughed. I was starting to feel comfortable around Kim. I wasn't freaked out by how much she wanted to talk to me, though it still confused me. Kim was a great person.

"Hey, Marlene, Kim, can you girls go get the boys? They are on the back porch. Dinner is ready," Emily asked. My eyes widened at being thrown out of my comfort zone once again, but Kim nodded and stood. She looked at me expectantly and I rose reluctantly. We walked to the back door and Kim opened it.

"...name is Dylan. Keep an eye on him. He is showing the signs-"

"Hey guys!" Kim greeted, cutting off Sam. She practically skipped over to Jared and kissed him on the cheek. Jessie was standing next to Collin, very close to him. She seemed to be trying to get as close as she could with crossing the line into romantic. Kim told me they weren't together, though Kim did slip a 'yet' into that statement.

I leaned against the door frame and sighed quietly. Kim didn't seem intent on announcing dinner, I knew instantly that she was trying to make me do it. She has been setting up tasks like this for me the last two hours.

I caught Paul's eye and he smirked at me. I smiled smally back. He was leaning against the railing of the porch next to Jared and Kim.

"Um.." I said quietly, seeing if that would get anyone's attention. Paul looked at me expectantly, so did Jared, Kim, and Jessie. Brady, Collin, and Sam were still engrossed in conversation about a boy named Dylan. I decided to raise my voice louder, but it was still quiet. "Dinner's ready."

"Dinner sounds great!" Paul announced loudly, walking with long strides across the porch to me. He stopped in front of me. "Lead the way, beautiful."

I blushed slightly, eyes widening. I laughed nervously, turning around to walk into the house. Paul walked next to down the hallway. I heard the others following us, talking loudly. I turned my head slightly, glancing at Paul discreetly. I didn't know what to think about him.

Let's just say I ate a lot for dinner. I wasn't allowed to eat so much at my parent's and Emily makes so much food, it's as if she was feeding a family of twenty. Though I definitely didn't the most. All of the guys practically ate twice as much as I did. They were like bottomless pits.

After dinner, Kim and I finished up our project for The Giver, weeks before it was due.

"You two are such nerds," Paul scoffed, looking at me. I looked up at him and raised an eyebrow. He was leaning against the island with Jared, while Kim and I were sat at the kitchen table. I didn't know what to feel about that statement. It was an insult, but it didn't feel like one. It was more of a taunt, but an affectionate taunt.

"Excuse me?" Kim glared. I looked back at her. Her statement didn't seem as affectionate. She seemed insulted. Should I be insulted too?

"Hey, it's not a bad thing. Well, maybe it is for you, Kim," Paul smirked. I looked at him, seeing the cocky, arrogant side that I only see when he is talking to others. I narrowed my eyes in confusion. Jared elbowed him in the side and Paul winced slightly.

"Don't," I snapped at Jared, without even thinking. My whole body tensed up as I glared harshly at him. Jared flinched back slightly at my was as if I couldn't control myself. My mind was screaming at me to defend Paul. Jared hurt Paul. Your Paul, it screamed.

My Paul? What? Where did that come from? What the fuck just happened?

Jared stared at me for a second, tense like me, but not as much. Then, he relaxed, a knowing grin settling on his face.

"Sorry," I mumbled, looking away from the boys and at the project. I stole a glance at Kim, who was smirking at Jared. I felt like they all knew something I didn't. I frowned at Kim, angered slightly at the secrets.

I then felt like an outsider to their little group once again. In the last hour or so I had started to feel comfortable, now I felt like I was back at square one. I closed my eyes for a painful second before crossing my arms over my chest, hugging myself. I opened my eyes and looked at Kim.

"I should be getting back to my parents," I sighed, reaching out and grabbing our project and putting it in my bag. Kim frowned at me.

"You sure?"

"Yes, my parents are very… strict. I don't want to go against their rules."

I couldn't help but shiver at my own statement. Kim nodded, pouting slightly. She grabbed her bag, standing.

"Yeah, I get it. My parents used to be like that," she said as she slipped her bag over her shoulder. I bit the inside of my cheek and stood, looking away from her slightly. I hope her parents were never like mine.

I turned and both the boys were looking at us, frowning slightly. I tilted my head slightly at their expressions. They looked… sad.

"I'll be back," Kim snickered. Jared smiled slightly. I glanced at Paul and his face was wiped of emotion. I frowned at the look, not liking it at all. "I'll see you guys in a little bit. Come on, Marly."

I was taken aback by the nickname. I looked at Kim for a second, stunned. Marly?

I like it.

I smiled slightly, feeling a swell of happiness run through me. I looked away trying to cover it, grabbing my bag as an excuse. I had friends. Friends. They gave me a nickname, invited me to "hang out", teased me, laughed with me. I felt my eyes water slightly at the overwhelming emotion. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, pushing the tears away. I looked up at Kim, who was smirking at me knowingly, waiting.

"I'm coming," I said, still smiling. We started walking towards the door. Kim opened the door and held it open for me after she walked out. I stopped. Kim looked at me expectantly. What was I forgetting?

I turned my head, seeing Paul staring at me and Jared looking into the living room, talking to someone. I should say goodbye.

"I'll see you later," I said to Paul. He straightened up, looking at me with an expression I didn't get. Was it hopeful?

"Tomorrow?"

I couldn't help but smile. I looked at him for a second, overwhelmed with happiness. I felt wanted for once in my life. Paul made me feel wanted.

"Tomorrow," I agreed. And he smiled. I turned back to Kim, smirking slightly. Kim grinned at me, tauntingly. I blushed as I walked past her out the door.

"Now, you gotta tell me where your house is."

A/N: I had a great time at the football game last night, kinda wanna be on the team now lol.