The bell rang, and students began pouring out of their classes. Aria walks out of her English class, which she shares with Travis. She waits by the door for him, and then they walk down the hall together. As they get onto the elevator to take them down to the first floor, he looks up at her and asks, "W-where did your ride say they were meeting?"

She adjusted the books she was holding in her arms. "Steven said the parking garage."

Travis nods. "Natalie t-told me that Elliot's going to m-meet me in the parking lot. There's not an elevator in the garage, unfortunately."

The elevator door opens. Travis rolls out, and Aria quickly follows. She has a concerned look on her face. "That's silly. Why would they not put an elevator in?"

Travis shrugs. "I guess they figured that people who would need it wouldn't be driving to school."

They walk to the front of the school. Natalie is waiting there for Travis, and she stands on her tip toes and starts waving when she spots him. "Travis! Over here!"

Travis smiles slightly at Aria, waving. "See you later." She nods, and turns towards the parking garage. Travis rolls up to Natalie, and gives her a shy smile. "H-hey. N-n-Natalie, right?"

"Nat. Only my brother and Kay call me Natalie." She rolls her eyes. "Speaking of my brother, his car's this way. I can get your bag if you want." She points to the backpack perched precariously on his lap.

"Uh. S-sure. Th-thanks." She takes his bag, and they head for the car, which is on the other side of the parking lot. "S-so. E-elliot is you brother?"

"Step brother. Our parents got married this summer." She giggled. "It's actually because of us that they met. We've been friends since elementary school." She turns her head towards him, remembering her conversation with Elliot last night. "Ell said you went to our elementary school. But I don't remember you."

Travis nods slightly. "Uh, yeah. I did. I transferred out in second grade."

"But aren't you a year younger than me? I met Elliot when I was in first grade…"

But her question is not answered, for they reached the car just then. Gavin waves at them and hops down from his seat on the trunk of Elliot's car. "Little sis! Talking a hole in this motherfucker's ear, I see."

Natalie giggles, and greets Gavin with a hug. "Sorry I haven't gotten to talk to you at lunch the last few days, Gav. I've been crazy busy." She opens the trunk, and adds Travis' bag to the quickly growing pile. "Video Game Club sign ups yesterday, and today I was running around trying to find a sponsor for Otaku Club."

Gavin just smiles. "It's all good, little sis. Trav here's been keeping me plenty company. Right, man?"

Travis smiles and awkwardly nods. There's silence for a moment, and then he asks Natalie a question. "Uh. W-w-what's O-Otaku Club?"

Natalie giggles. "Otaku. It's the manga and anime club I'm trying to start." There is no change in Travis' confused expression. "You know, Japanese comics and animation."

"Oh."

Elliot appears at the front of the car. "Don't worry. She'll catch you up if you make any sort of friends with her."

Travis forces a nervous smile. "Uh. Okay."

Elliot walks around the car. "It's nice to see you again, Travis."

Travis' smile gets slightly less nervous. "Y-you too, Elliot."

Elliot opens the car door. He stands there awkwardly for a moment, before starting, "Do you –"

"N-no, I've got it." He rolls over to the open door, locks the wheels on his chair, and hoists himself in using the door and the side of the car. "T-the ch-chair is c-collapsible, s-so you sh-should be able f-fit it in the trunk."

"I've got it." Elliot finds the lever on the back, folds the chair up, and moves to put it in the trunk. "I have to say, I'm impressed with your strength."

Travis smiles slightly as he pulls his legs into the car. "T-thanks." He shuts the door.

Gavin opens the door and takes the seat next to Travis'. "Seriously, bro. That was cool."

Travis rubs the back of his head nervously. "I-it's really nothing. It's just. How I get around."

Natalie hops into the seat up front, and Elliot into the driver's seat. He looks around. "Is everyone ready? I believe we'll be the last group there, I saw both of the other cars pull out a little bit ago."

Natalie rolls her eyes. "Yes, Ell. Just go. The directions you printed off last night are on the dash."

"Alright, Natalie." He rolls his eyes at her rushing, and pulls out of the parking lot.

"This place is so cool!" Teresa walks around the club house. She had originally been running, but after being mocked for running into two walls, she had slowed her pace down.

Steven is checking out the entertainment center on the screened-in porch. "Thith thet-up ith thweet! KK, check it out. It hath a PETH3, an XBOX, and a Wii!"

KK bends down next to him to look. Kaleigh shakes her head, looking at one of the two bedrooms. This one had a very nice computer in it. "It's like someone designed this house for us."

Over the next 10 minutes, the other two cars arrived and everyone filed in and began inspecting the house. KK closes the door after Travis, and then yells over the noise of everyone talking, "Alright! Everyone in the living room, and we'll get this thing started!"

It takes a few minutes of maneuvering, but eventually everyone gets a spot. Veronica, Elliot, and Gavin take the couch, claiming seniority. Kaleigh sits in the armchair that everyone else had shunned as looking uncomfortable. Travis was, of course in his wheelchair. Natalie, Fathia, Teresa, Aria and Steven had spots on the floor. Erin and KK had dragged in chairs from the dining table.

KK clears his throat. "Alright. As you can all see, Dr. S has gotten us a seriously cool club house.

"Emphasis on the house." Natalie mutters, still looking around excitedly.

"So. First order on business…" He looks at the email he had turned black and printed out. "Introductions."

Everyone groans. Steven rolls his eyes. "KK, we all already know each other."

"Excuse me, Mr. Gumpypants. But I'm following Dr. S's instructions. And no, we don't all already know each other. I think those two," He jabs a thumb at Erin and Fathia, "Have only met maybe four of us a piece. So we're going to go around in a nice little circle and say our names and grades and whatever other spiel we feel like. Okay?" He glances around the circle. "Alright. If there's no response from the peanut gallery, I'll start. Hey everyone. For those who haven't been listening, I'm KK. I'm a sophomore, and I hate you all."

There are a few giggles. Veronica rolls her eyes, and sarcastically says, "Hello, KK."

"Veronica, I'm going to shoot you in the face." He jabs his thumb to the left. "Next."

Aria jumps slightly. "Uh. Hi. I'm Aria. I'm a freshman. And. Um. I'm going to abstain from saying something cheesy like 'I think we're all going to be great friends.'" This brings a few laughs.

"Hello, Aria." Natalie joins in with Veronica this time.

"Seriously guys? This isn't alcoholics anonymous. That's down the street. Feel free to leave if you're in the wrong meeting." Natalie sticks her tongue out. KK signs. "Whoever the fuck is next. Go."

"Hello." Steven is grinning.

KK immediately cheers up. "Oh god, this'll be good."

"Thut the fuck up, KK." He goes back to smiling at the group. "My name is Theven." He says it with bit of effort and quite a bit of spit. KK and Teresa give him a round of applause. Steven rolls his eyes. "I thwear to god you guys. In an effort to avoid further mocking, I'm in KK's grade. I'm who you thould go to if you ever need tech thupport. I can fix just about anything."

"Hello, Steven."

KK rolls his eyes. "Oh look. Blind Girl has joined the 'annoy the fuck out of KK' group."

Teresa snickers. "Was I ever out of it?"

Steven looks to his left. "You're up, Trav."

Travis nervously taps on the arms of his chair. "Uh. Hi. I'm…I'm Travis. I'm a f-freshman. And. Uh. I d-don't really have anything else."

"Hello, Travis." Steven and Aria join in.

"Is there a wall somewhere where I can go beat my head on?"

Gavin stares off into space, and then realized it's his turn. "Oh. Hey, everyone. My name is Gavin. I'm a motherfucking senior."

"Hell yeah!" Veronica cheers, and gives Gavin a high five.

"Veronica, nobody fucking cares that you're a fucking senior. Sit the fuck down." Veronica sticks her tongue out at KK, and then sits back down.

Gavin laughs. "It's all chill, KK. Anyway. I'm looking forward to you all becoming my best bros and sises."

There's a pause of silence. KK looks around at the group. "What, you're not going to –"

"Hello, Gavin." The entire group says in unison.

KK begins to beat himself on the forehead with his fist. "Fuck my life. Nat. Go. Before I murder someone."

Natalie giggles. "Hey, everyone! I'm Natalie, but please call me Nat so that I don't have to remind you a bajillion times. I'm a sophomore, this one's my step brother," She jabs her thumb at Elliot, who is sitting behind her on the couch, "And I'm super duper uber excited for this club to get going. Oh, and if anyone wants to join Otaku Club –"

"Hello, Nat." KK interrupts her, and everyone quickly joins in.

"Hello. My name is Elliot. As Natalie said, I'm her step brother. I'm a senior." He gives Veronica a look, and she doesn't move. "I don't really have much else to say other than I'm looking forward to getting to know you."

"Hello, Elliot." The entire group is grinning at KK, who has now begrudgingly joined in on the tomfoolery.

"Hey everyone, I'm Veronica."

"We know." Teresa rolls her eyes.

"I'm a senior."

"We know." Steven snickers.

"Will the blind peanut gallery please shut up? I'm trying to introduce myself."

"We know." KK grins. Veronica glares. He shrugs. "I'm not blind. But hey, they don't shut up for me either."

Veronica rolls her eyes. "Since the 'random spiel' has turned into 'what are you looking forward to', I'm going to say I'm most looking forward to the competition. Getting a chance to beat everyone at once will be really cool."

A chattering arises at the challenge. KK quickly settles it down. "Hello, Veronica." There's a pause. KK rolls his eyes. "Blind Girl, you're up."

"Oh I am?" Teresa laughs. "Hi, everyone! I'm Teresa, Teri, Blind Girl, or whatever else you want to call me. I'll respond to just about anything, and my hearing's exceptional. I'm a Junior, but for some reason all my dumbass best friends are sophomores." Natalie giggles, Steven waves, and KK scoffs, identifying themselves. "I'm looking forward to getting to know you all, and to kicking Veronica's ass in every game."

Veronica scoffs. "Sure, Pyrope. Sure."

Kaleigh diffuses the fight. "Hello, Teresa." Then she looks at the group and smiles. "Hello, everyone. I'm Kaleigh. I'm a Junior. And before you're shocked when she decides to do something 'cute'," She puts air quotes around the word cute, "Veronica and I are dating. I am also looking forward to getting to know you all, and want you to know that if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here."

"Hello, Kaleigh."

Everyone's eyes turn to Erin's who's arms are crossed. "Hello. I'm Erin. I suppose I'm what you call a 'Junior' here in the States, though I'm in a variety of classes do to our different curriculums. I normally go to Ackworth School in England, but am staying with Natalie and Elliot for the year with the foreign exchange program. And I suppose I'm looking forward to the competition as well."

"Hello, Erin."

Fathia giggles and flips her long blonde hair over her shoulder as the eyes turn to her. "I guess I'm last. I'm Fathia. I'm also from Ackworth School, and if I remember correctly, I'm what you call a freshman, age-wise. I'm staying with the Serket's, which is Veronica's family for those who don't know." She begins smoothing her skirt over for folded legs nervously. "Er. I hate to end it on such a bum note, but I don't have anything else. Uh. I'm happy to be here?"

"Hello, Fathia."

"Alright then. Now that we all got our ridiculousness out and got to know each other's names, the next order of business is…" KK looks down at the email. "Officer positions." He whistles slightly. "Alright. How do we want to do this so we're not arguing into all hours of the night?"

Elliot put a finger up. "I suggest nominations. And then when we have two or three, a vote."

KK rolled his eyes. "Okay, Captain Obvious. Let's just pray that the peanut gallery can reach a consensus. One rule, no nominating yourself." Veronica crosses her arms over her chest, defeated. "Who has nominations for club president?"

"I nominate Kenny!" Teresa spoke up.

"What?" KK is dumbstruck.

"I second the nomination!" Natalie grins. "KK, you got everyone organized for the ride here today, and you're practically leading the meeting now."

There's an agreeing chatter throughout the group. Teresa grins. "All for Kenny, raise your hands." Everyone, surprisingly even Veronica, raises their hand.

KK is shocked silent for a moment, and then his thoughts catch up with him. "Um. Okay then. Vice president."

Natalie speaks up first. "I nominate Elliot. He's probably the most mature out of the group." Another agreeing mutter runs through the room.

KK nods. "Any other nominations? No? All for Elliot?" There is another unanimous vote. "How is it that you can go on for 40 minutes about absolutely nothing, and then make important decisions in the blink of an eye?"

"Because decisions are easy." Teresa snickers. "Tomfoolery takes time."

"Whatever. Uh." He glances down at the list. "Secretary. Basically, you gotta write everything down. Who's the most organized out of all of us?"

"Kaleigh." Practically everyone that knows her says this in unison and points to her.

She shakes her head. "I decline. I have too much work to do in the boutique."

KK shrugs. "Anyone else?" Nobody speaks up with a nomination. "Anyone at all willing to do it?" There's a moment of silence.

Finally Aria raises her hand. "I'll do it. I'm fairly organized."

"Cool. And the last position is…" He glances down at the list and grins. "Treasurer."

Steven reacts in a split second. "I nominate Teretha!"

"I second the nomination!" KK responds a split second later. They both have stupid grins on their faces.

Kaleigh puts her face in her hands. "Really guys? Really?" Teresa is quite literally rolling on the floor laughing. Natalie is covering her mouth trying not to giggle. Elliot and Veronica look rather like they have a bad headache. Gavin is staring off into space, as usual. The rest look more than slightly confused.

Fathia is the first to speak up. "I don't get the joke."

Kaleigh sighs through her hands. "Teresa's Jewish. It's a Jew joke."

Veronica raises an eyebrow at KK and Steven. "What are you guys, four? She can't even see the money."

Fathia rolls her eyes, now getting the joke. "On that note, I nominate Veronica." The room goes quiet, the atmosphere abruptly shifting. "I mean, she probably has the most experience in fund raising and all that stuff because of her mom." Veronica grins smugly at Teresa. Teresa growls back. Many in the group begin to mutter among themselves. KK and Steven exchange a glance. It is a good point, but having Veronica beat Teresa in something will bring Teresa's fury on them all (all being KK and Steven, later than night in Trollian).

Steven has a quick rebuttal. "Yes, but with Teretha, we would have an even reprethentation of every clathth." More muttering.

Fathia rolls her eyes. "With that logic, Kaleigh's the best choice."

Kaleigh puts her hands up. "I refuse the office." Now it was not only a matter of time, it was a matter of refusing to get in the middle of the argument. If it was a verbal argument, sure. But in a competition between these two, she would hear nothing but complaints later from both sides that she didn't let them stand a fair chance.

KK shakes his head, and then shrugs. "Okay. We'll take it to a vote. All for Teresa, put your hand up, all for Veronica keep your hand down." KK raises his own hand, and then looks around the circle. Steven, Natalie, and Teresa raise their hands almost instantaneously as well. Erin considers it for a moment, and then raises his hand because this choice is more ironic. Gavin jumps out of his stupor, realizes they're voting on something, and then raises his hand without bothering to ask what the choice is. "That's six each. Anyone want to change their vote?"

Steven sends a look at Aria. She looks back for a moment, before shaking her head and looking down. Elliot taps Natalie with his foot. She looks up at him, and immediately regrets it. He's sending her a look that clearly says, 'You know what the responsible choice is.' She glares back for a moment. They have a silent battle of wills. Finally, Natalie sighs. "Sorry, Teri." She puts her hand down.

"Yes!" Veronica pumps her fist in the air.

Teresa and Steven groan. "This is dithcrimination!"

"Steven, kindly shut the fuck up." KK forced his groan down in an effort to appear neutral, but his disappointment is apparent in his voice. He checks his watch. "It's about 4:45. I don't care what you do, but figure out your rides while you're doing it. I want everyone the hell out of here by 6. I want to eat dinner tonight."

The group begins to mutter and disperse. Steven pulls out his cell, and begins texting. "KK, Teri, my mom is picking me up. You guyth want rides?"

KK rolls his eyes. "Duh." Teresa just nods.

KK looks around the room, mentally checking everyone off in his mind and muttering to himself. He takes the roll of leader of the club very seriously, and making sure everyone got everywhere safely, while not on his list of duties from the email, seemed like an obvious obligation. "Erin and Natalie with Elliot. Fathia with Veronica. Kaleigh has a car…Travis?"

"I. Um. Well. Uh."

"Where do you live?"

"E-Emerson road."

Kaleigh signs. "You're over by me. I'll give you a lift, if you don't mind waiting a little bit." She eyes Veronica, who is currently starting up the XBOX outside for a game with Fef.

"Uh, sure."

KK nods, and continues his scan of the room. "Aria, how about you?"

She fidgets slightly. "I can take the bus. I have some money. Or I could always walk."

"Where do live?" Steven asks, not looking up from his texting with his mother.

She fidgets more obviously. "It's fine, Steven. I don't live too far."

Steven rolls his eyes. "Neither doeth KK. We have plenty of room. My mom driveth a mini van."

"A mini van of AWESOME." Teresa declares.

KK rolls his eyes. "Nobody cares about your obsession with the color red, Ter."

"No. I'm fine. Really." She gives Steven a look. Steven looks right back, determined to be a gentleman."

"Steven, bro." Gavin speaks up. "I'm taking the motherfucking bus too. I'll make sure she doesn't get herself all going to the wrong place and stuff."

Steven doesn't look convinced. Aria's expression turns slightly desperate, and he caves. "Whatever. Don't take my kind offer."

Aria is not sure how to respond to that. "Uh. Okay. I mean, I was just trying to make things easier. I was already planning on getting home on my own…" Steven ignores her. She sets her jaw.

Gavin stands up, stretching. "You ready…Ardia, right?"

"Aria." She shoots a last look at Steven, and then stands, slinging her bag over her shoulders. "Yeah, I'm ready. Talk to you later, Steven."

They walk out of the house and down the street to the nearest bus stop. It takes a few minutes, and not a word is said the entire walk. Aria keeps her head down, kicking imaginary pebbles and going over her and Steven's conversation in her mind.

Gavin breaks the silence. "So, little sister. You and Steven. Are you two a thing, or…?"

She sighs. "No. We just met."

"You like him though." She looks up at Gavin incredulously. She was pretty sure she wasn't that obvious. Gavin laughs at her look. "I'm pretty good at reading people."

She keeps her eyes forward. "We just met."

Gavin puts his hands up defensively. "Alright, little sister. You don't have to tell me a motherfucking thing. I'm cool with not knowing."

Aria goes back to playing her and Steven's exchange in her head. 'Something insignificant like that shouldn't affect that much. We just met. There's nothing to affect. But it does make in impression for later. But I just couldn't…' Spotting the bus coming, she sighs, looking up at Gavin. "I'm going to be honest. I don't have any bus fare. And no, I don't need money. My house is a fifteen minute walk from here."

Gavin looks quickly between her and the bus. "You want me to walk with you? This isn't really the best neighborhood for walking."

She smiles a little bit. "Thanks, but no thanks. I'm good." She pats the pepper spray tucked in her pocket. "I walk a lot."

The bus pulls up, and stops. "Alright. If you're chill." He steps on. "See you tomorrow, little sister."

She gives him a smile. "Thanks, Gavin. Have a good night." The bus pulls off. She looks around gets her bearings, and sets off. She again goes to her thoughts. She knows she should have taken Steven's offer. It would have made everything easier, and it wasn't that far out of the way. But she couldn't let him see where he lived. She couldn't.

The street lights flicked on as she walked. It wasn't necessarily shame that made her want to keep her friends away. It was a little bit. She never could guess what kids were going to be out in the yard when she got home, what they would be doing, or how many of them there would be. She looked up as she passed the library. If she had the choice, she would rather just live there.

Her thoughts are interrupted by a car horn. She hears a car pull over to the side of the road beside her. She keeps walking, her eyes down and her hand going to her pocket. The car keeps going, slowly following her. She's about to break into a run, when she hears a familiar voice yell from the direction of the car. "Hey, fuckass!" She turns, and sees KK leaning out of the door of a red van. "Get in before Steven has an aneurysm trying to decide whether to give you a ride or ignore you."

She laughs slightly. "My house is just around the corner. Honestly."

"Even better. It won't take long."

She rolls her eyes, and climbs past KK and Teresa to the back seat. Steven is in the passenger's seat, staring adamantly at the window. Steven's mom, a small Korean woman, turns around in the driver's seat and smiles at her. "Where to, honey?"

She points to the street that she was about to turn on. "Turn here. Number 2708."

The woman turns around, and begin the short drive. There's silence for a few seconds, before KK's short patience wears out. He leans forward, and hits Steven on the top of the head.

Steven half deflects the assault. "That the fuck, KK?"

KK jabs a thumb at Aria. "Apologize, jackass."

"For what? Being overly polite?"

"For being a pompous piece of shi –"

"No, he's right." Aria interrupts. The boys turn their attention to her. "It's my fault. I was being overly. Uh. Secretive, I guess?"

Teresa turns to join in on the conversation now. "I would have just gone with stubborn. But continue."

Aria laughs a bit. "I'm. Um. Not exactly proud of where I live. I prefer to spend my time in the library, if I can."

KK rolls his eyes. "Yeah, whatever. My home isn't too great either. Two bedrooms, and a living room filled with a crabby dad who I'm not sure has been sober since my mom dropped me on his doorstep. Or at least that's his story." He gives her a slightly sympathetic look with the following eye roll. "There is no shame in this group of friends. Trust me."

They pull up to the house. There's four kids in the yard. A blonde toddler is digging holes in the flower bed, and an elementary aged black girl is getting her hair braided by a preteen girl with blotchy cream and coffee skin. They all look up when the car pulls up.

Aria smiles nervously. "Try deadbeat dad, an overworked mom, and a huge number of brothers and sisters that changes too fast for me to count, none of which I'm related to, all packed into a house that should be condemned by the health department." She puts her hands up little sarcastic wave. "Welcome to foster care." She unbuckles her seatbelt, and climbs out past KK and Teresa, who are staring blankly.

The little girl runs up when she sees Aria, her hair only half done and her crooked smile showing. "Aria!" She clings to Aria's leg.

"Hey Carly!" Aria smiles at the girl, running a hand over her head. The older girl rolls her eyes, picking up the stool Carly had been sitting on and walking inside. Aria picks up the little blonde boy, placing him on her hip. He whines about being taken from his hole for a moment, but when he looks up at her, he glumly sticks his thumb in his mouth and clings to her.

"Aria." She turns back to the car. Steven has rolled down the window, and is looking as if he has no idea what to say.

She shakes her head, smiling at him. "I'll talk to you later, Steven."

He matches her small smile. "Okay."

"Thanks for the ride, Mrs. Captor!" Steven's mom waves at her, a smile on her face.

Teresa shoves her head up into the open window, practically sitting in Steven's lap. "See you tomorrow, Aria!"

"No she won't!" She can just barely make out KK's yell as Steven rolls up the window.

Aria laughs, waving as the car drives away. Aria looks down when she feels a tug on the bottom of her shirt. "Yeah, Carly?"

The little girl is looking curiously up at her with the big eyes of a child. "Who was that, Aria?"

Aria smiles and glances up at the disappearing car. "Just some friends." She sighs happily.

She's abruptly brought out of the moment when the boy she's holding grabs onto a lock of her hair and pulls. She winces, and then looks at Carly. "Come on. Let's get Trevor here set up with a video, and then I'll finish up your hair for you before dinner. How does that sound?"

Carly grins excitedly, and half skips, half runs inside. Aria sighs as she follows. At least some things in her life were looking up. She pauses at the door, and looks down the street. "Just some friends," she mutters to herself. A little bit of her smile returns, and she shuts the door.