I Choose All of You

Chapter Three

"Yo, new girl, sit with us," a girl about my age with curly dark hair motioned at me. I weaved my way through the hustle and bustle of the crowded mess hall, seemed there was a lot more people here today than last night. I eventually made it to the table the girl sat at, but there were no empty chairs.

"Uhmm," I nervously laughed and glanced around at the strangers that now stared back at me.

"Oh my god," the girl exclaimed and punched the guy's shoulder next to her, "Dude. Get up and get a chair for her would'ya?"

The guy next to her looked about two years older than us but he just rolled his eyes, half a slice of bacon hanging from his mouth, and lazily grabbed an empty chair from the table behind him.

"Ugh! Do I have to do everything myself," the girl wined, and took the chair and placed it firmly between herself and the boy. "Sit by me!"

I smiled meekly at her and awkwardly squeezed between the two.

"So what's your name? I'm Mariah. This is Jack, who so graciously got you your chair, and that's Liz, Dip, and Skylar across from us! I saw you sneak into our room last night. Well me, Liz, and Skylar's room. But it looks like you joined us, huh? Appointed that room by Atlas? Wait. Unless you're a stowaway! In that case-."

"-Mariah would you shut up already! You're going to scare the poor girl," looks like the girl named Liz chimed in. Thank god. Mariah was talking so fast I was starting to spin.

 Liz leaned over the table and pointed her fork at myself and the other girls, "Mariah is basically saying welcome to the family. Looks like we are roommates."

I waved my hands up, "no worries! And yeah, it seems so. It's nice to meet you all. My name is Sarah. I got here late last night and-."

"-oh my god! That's a sick wound! You must be a badass, huh," Mariah exclaimed at me and smiled wide-eyed.

I laughed at this, "oh right, I forgot about this.. Yeah uhm got in a sort of a fight I guess."

I suppose that impressed the small group because they all glanced up from their breakfast and gave an impressed smile at me, at least I think they were impressed.

"That's pretty dope, Sarah," I looked across from me and the guy named Dip flashed me a dimpled smile.

"Thanks," I smiled back. After some more chatting, eventually getting some breakfast from the food table, and Mariah letting me borrow some of her clothes, the kids of age all left for school. I hadn't ever noticed before, probably because I've never heard of the Resistance until yesterday, but several of them went to Cedar's High. They dressed differently here than back at the warehouse. It made sense though, Cedars High dress code is polished and perfect.

***

The morning drew on, but I wasn't paying attention much in my classes. I know it's only been a day, but I found myself thinking about the Resistance. The energy that flowed through that place and the people there... Plus their drive and family love was apparent. I pulled at my sweater sleeve to ensure my bandages were covered.

Deep down I knew I have always wanted a family. Like the ones in movies but my home life was never such. That's probably why I stayed as long as I did, mostly for my mom though, my dad, well...

The Resistance was different. Was I making friends? It's been so long since I have. It's always just been me and Leo. Leo. I could not wait to see him today.

I wonder how long they will let me stay there. I didn't really see myself coming home anytime soon, but I should head home eventually, to get my clothes. The green varsity sweater Mariah gave me was cute, but I can't keep borrowing her stuff.