Contingent

Chapter 10.

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Ren and I started around City Hall, waving posters, starting off with little to no people supporting us. Some threw water balloons. Some called us freaks.

Although, a few people stood up for their rights. Two guys and a girl.

The girl was probably around our age and was very into waving the posters.

"What's your name?" Ren asked her.

"Oh, my name is Scarlet, but my friends call me Carlie."

"Would you die for change?" Ren asked Scarlet.

"Of course. One life for the many." She paused, then went back to waving and rallying.

I really wished I could think positive things such as that. She also seemed so much prettier than me. She had shorter hair with tight curls that only she could've pulled off.

She wore eyeliner and a dressy pink shirt with blue jeans. I felt pretty stupid in comparison because I wasn't wearing any makeup and I was dressed very casual.

The way Ren looked at her drove me nuts. She would smile and giggle. She was a sweetheart that you couldn't help but love.

The other protester was the oldest, and his name was Eros. He helped encouraged many passer-by to join in.

Akros, another protester, was only fifteen, a year younger than me and Ren. He didn't really contribute much but he at least held a sign.

All nine of us stood out there for hours, until our arms couldn't hold a poster anymore.

A large crowd formed overtime, and we ran out of signs, so most of us just chanted stuff.

"It's getting dark, should we go home?" Ren asked. He looked exhausted.

"Yeah. Maybe we should." I was looking pretty tired myself and I was ready to sleep.

Scarlet looked pretty tired too. She overheard me and Ren talking.

"May I stay with you guys tonight? I don't exactly have a place to stay, but I'm sorry...you don't have to do it if it's too much trouble."

"No problem Carlie, you can stay with me and Claire." Ren said.

I about slapped him! He's already calling her by her nickname now?!

Ren walked with me and Scarlet to his house. I wanted to see how his room looked.

"Is your mom home?" I asked and smiled, but a beat of silence fell over him so I regretted asking.

"My mom died." He said and sadness was in his eyes.

"I'm really sorry that happened." I held him and he put his head on my shoulder.

'Carlie' ruined the moment by group hugging us both.

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I did my nightly routine, but at Ren's house instead. I was glad to finally be out of my terrible life.

I heard Ren and Carlie murmuring in his bedroom and they went on for a few hours while I got ready and took a shower.

"There you are." He smirked. He was already on the bottom bunk in his pajamas.

"Aw, you saved top for me?"

"All for you." He pulled the covers up and turned over.

Carlie got out of his video game chair and grabbed a pillow and blanket.

"Do you mind if I sleep in your bed, Claire?" She gave me puppy dog eyes.

"Whatever..." I sighed and slid over to make room.

"You've been acting different all night Claire. What's going on?" Ren asked from bottom bunk.

"I don't know Ren, maybe I've lost my parents, friends, my eyes are now alien blue, my boyfriend is drifting away from me, and I'm tired of all of it!" I screamed, tears falling down my face.

I jumped off the top bunk and Ren grabbed me.

"Don't leave Blue." 

"Am I even important to you?" I couldn't help but ask. He pulled me closer and leaned over to whisper in my ear.

"You are so much more than important." His warm breath sent shocks down my spine. I was being taken over, rendered helpless by an incredible feeling I could not explain. I could only feel.

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