The Unwanted Society

Chapter V: Welcome

About halfway through that conversation, Barcelona realized that Christopher was most likely C.L. That, to be completely honest, was the longest conversation Barcelona has ever had. She barely uttered seven words, and Christopher had been so patient with her.

Thoughts raced through her head. What did she just join?

Christopher held out his hand again. She took it. His hand was warm in comparison to the cold weather outside. He smiled and led her on a stroll down to the parking lot.

"Is there anything you'd like to bring along?"

Barcelona thought long and hard. There wasn't anything she would miss. Her parents never gave her anything. She shook her head.

Christopher brought her to a black BMW waiting just outside the gates of Ridgemoor Hill. She got in the passenger side and Christopher started the engine.

After a while of silence, Christopher began to speak. "I do not wish to be rude. Stop me whenever you'd like, but Miss Wagner, I am intrigued by your lack of speech."

Barcelona continued to stare out the window. She didn't turn to acknowledge him.

"Ah," Christopher said, "So it is a touchy subject. I am sorry I asked."

Now she turned. They stopped at a red light. Barcelona placed a hand on Christopher's arm and smiled. It was small, but it was the first time she genuinely smiled. No one's ever cared enough to think about her opinion.

"I've always been quiet," she whispered. "I just thought that...if I didn't speak...nothing bad would happen."

Barcelona considered her response. "That probably sounds childish," she added.

Christopher looked at her with those dangerously beautiful, blue eyes. "It's not."

Her tiny smile never faltered as she turned her head to face the window once again. She could still feel Christopher's gaze until the light turned green.

They drove in silence the rest of the way.

Ten minutes later, the two arrived at a plain looking house. Barcelona stared at it. 2775 Panther Lane. Christopher led her inside. She was immediately greeted by five other people. They sat on two couches, watching a loud television show. Christopher put his arm around her.

"Welcome to the Unwanted Society."

Barcelona didn't know what she expected, but she knew it wasn't this. This was just like any other ordinary house. No big, special compound, no weird locks and secret codes. Just a normal house. She blinked twice to make sure she wasn't dreaming.

A tall boy stood up and shut the TV. He turned to her and smiled. "You must be the new recruit."

A girl with brown hair stood up. She was shorter than Barcelona. "I'm Alie."

There were only three girls in the room, including Barcelona. The other girl, with short blonde hair and glasses, stood up. "I'm Kristi."

The tall boy that stood up walked forward. "Jason."

One by one, they introduced themselves. It was quite overwhelming.

A boy with long, black hair and dark eyes called himself Blake. Tanner was the one with the hazel hair and green eyes. She stored all this information in her mind. They stared at her expectantly.

Barcelona blushed. She wasn't ready to talk. Not yet. Luckily, Christopher understood. He pushed his glasses up once. "This is Barcelona."

Jason tilted his head to the side. "That's a weird name."