The Society

The Society Chapter 5

Chapter 5

        When I finally got out of the tower I started walking fast towards the way that I thought was home. I could hear Harlen struggling to keep up with me.
       "You okay?" He asked.
        "No," I snapped.
        "Do you want to talk about it?" He asked.
        "What's there to talk about? The fact that my life is a lie? The fact that my sister is working for the people who killed my mother? The fact that my mom was doing this secret work and it killed her? The fact that my mom is dead? The fact that I need my mom? I need my mom so bad!" I yelled into the darkness and started crying. I fell to my knees. Harlen was on the ground next to me in an instant. He wrapped his arms around me and held me as I cried into his shoulder. He didn't say anything. He didn't need to. For the first time in a long time, I felt at home in someone's arms.
         I cried for a good 20 minutes. Harlen held me the whole time. I got up and started walking again.
       "Sorry about that. It's late. Go home, Harlen," I said.
        "I'll walk you home," he said.
       "You're not my boyfriend," I snapped. His face fell. I didn't mean for it to be so mean.
        "Believe me, I know. I just thought I would walk you home since you clearly have no idea where you're going," he mumbled.
         "Why do you say that?"
         "Because you're going the wrong way." We were both quiet most of the way home. It wasn't like when I was with Daniel. I didn't constantly have to talk. I could just walk with Harlen and know I wasn't alone. When we stopped at my house Harlen turned me to face him. He grabbed a white robe identical to the ones the Elite were wearing.
        "Here," he said, handing it to me. "You should hide this in your room. On Monday keep it in your school bag. Only put it on when you get in the tower. I have one too. Just think about joining. Okay?" I nodded.
       "I guess this is goodnight?" I said. It was a question.
       "Ya, I guess so. Oh, and be careful. Do not publicly talk to me about this anymore. There's been talk that the Society is getting suspicious. They're putting up more cameras. Don't use your cell phone to text me about it. The Elite will give you a phone next week if you decide to stay. The Society can access your phone. If you need to talk about the Elite to me just tuck your hair behind your ear. Make sure I see it. I'll text you where we can meet.: Harlen said overwhelming me.
         "This is crazy, Harlen," I whispered.
        "Maybe," he answered. "But we're legacies. This is our destiny."
       "Goodnight, Harlen," I said.
      "Goodnight," he responded. I began walking up the steps to my house.
       "Oh, and Chantelle?"
       "Ya?"
        "Be safe."
                      *                        *                    *
         The next morning I woke up I was expecting it to all be a dream. It wasn't. I went downstairs to see my dad getting ready to head off to work.
         "Hey CC," my dad said using my old nickname. "Why were you out so late last night?"
         "Oh my classes got out late. I got lost trying to find my way home," I said. It wasn't a lie. It just wasn't the full truth.
      "Good morning guys," Shay said coming down the stairs. I tried to avoid eye contact.
       "Shay how long are you staying here?" I asked.
        "Oh, they moved my training here. The Society thinks that something is going to happen in Chartom and they need me here. Plus, who else would keep an eye on you?" Shay answered. She winked at me. Harlen was right. They were on to us. I looked at the clock and ran out the door. Daniel was waiting.
          "Hey," I said. Daniel said nothing. I frowned. I studied him. He looked straight forward and said nothing. He started walking. He wouldn't even look at me.
        "Hey," I tried again. Nothing. "What's wrong with you?"
         "What's wrong with you? I tell you I need to talk to you about something important over dinner and you blow me off? What has been up with you lately?" He stressed.
        "Oh my gosh. Daniel I'm so sorry. My classes went really late last night. I got lost and I totally forgot. I'm so sorry," I gasped.
        "You forgot? Did you also forget to answer my calls and texts?" He asked. I looked down at my phone. 15 texts and 10 missed calls.
         "I didn't even see them," I said. I put my hand to my forehead.
         "Ya okay," he said. I could hear the frustration.
        "I'm serious. Please just come get me after school. Walk home with me. I'll make it up to you," I begged. I watched him ponder it.
       "Okay," he finally said. We continued walking. I liked Daniel, I really did. I just didn't love him. I couldn't.
              *                            *                    *
         At school that day they took us to the big hospital. I got a tour. They even showed me where the pills to make you feel love were.
        "Ever think about stealing one?" A girl asked me. She had curly blonde hair pulled into a high pony. Her blue eyes shimmered mischievously.
        "What?" I asked.
       "The pill. Ever thought about stealing one?" She asked again.
      "Oh, I've never been here before. This is only my second day at school," I answered.
        "I know that," she said. "It's just, I see you eying them. You look deep in thought. I thought maybe you wanted to take one."
        "No, I don't, that's against the rules," I replied.
       "Oh please, rules were made to be broken," she said and smiled. I smiled too.
      "If I took the pill without someone else then the chance that I would experience heartbreak is crazy high," I countered.
       "Oh of course and having people experience a normal human emotion is terrible," she laughed a mocking laugh. "The Society would just lose their heads over that." I smiled. I liked her. If I would say I hadn't had the exact same thoughts I'd be lying.          "What's your name anyways," I asked. She looked up and grinned.
      "Cassie. Cassie Degus." She extended her hand.
       "Chantelle. Chantelle Markel," I mimicked. I took her hand. She smiled. I smiled. That day I made my first real friend at Healer school. Her name was Cassie Degus. Cassie had a fire about her. I knew that fire could start a revolution.
                *                        *                        *

        When school was finally over I met Daniel outside. He had his hands shoved into his pockets. He looked upset.
        "Hi," I finally said.
        "Hey," he replied. I frowned. I looked at him. He looked straight at the ground. He finally looked up and gave me his grin. I smiled.
        "I made a friend today. Her name is Cassie. She's so smart. She's just got this fire about her. She just hates the Society," I began.
        "The Society? Why would anyone hate the Society?" Daniel asked, interrupting me. I stopped in my tracks. I looked around. I saw tiny blinking lights in numerous places. Cameras. Harlen was right.
    "What was it you wanted to talk about?" I asked, changing the subject.
    "Oh um, well what if we aren't happy together? I know we've been talking about taking the pill together for a while now. It's just, what if it's not what we want?" He asked. I looked up at him.
    "You're saying in a world that got rid of heartbreak... if we stayed together..." I trailed off. Why was he thinking about this? More importantly, how long had I been thinking about it.
        "I like you, Chan. I do. There's just," he paused, picking his words. "There's just no way to know." Cassie's words rang in my head. 'Ever think about stealing one?'
        "Maybe there is," I whispered. Daniel looked skeptical.
        "What do you mean?" he wondered aloud. I pulled him into the alley I had been just days before. The alley I received my slip to be an Elite. I shook my head. This wasn't me.
          "Nothing. Never mind. You're right, so I guess what? We break up?" I asked. I was surprised how little I cared.
     "What? Chantelle that is not what I was saying. Why do you sound like you want to?" he asked. Crap. I totally misread things.
        "I'm sorry. That's what I thought you were getting at. I don't want to, I just- I don't want to think," I replied. He grabbed me by the waist and turned me to him.
       "Maybe I can help with that," he whispered. Then, he pulled me into him. He kissed me. It was my first kiss. I didn't feel anything. Not like I expected to anyways.