Chapter Two

Initiation

Pulling the piece of paper from the drawer in my nightstand I unfolded it and laid it down. I didn’t need to read the words that had been typed on the paper, hadn’t even really needed to see them at all. I had them memorized, emblazed on my brain, etched into my memory. But having it out made it real, made me feel the urgency that I HAD to feel so that I would get up and do what had to be done. I ran my fingers over the side of it and squeezed my eyes shut. “Lex, you don’t have a choice, this is something you HAVE to do.”

I put the letter that held so much weight back into the drawer and walked out of my room, ready to make my first move.

When I reached the bottom of the stairs there was so much movement in the house that I almost wanted to go back upstairs and just stay in my room, go and try to think of another way. But I already knew there wasn’t anything else, all other options had been exhausted.

So I paced back and forth in the hall. I had been standing there for six minutes pretending I was waiting . . . for something.

If anyone had paid attention they would have seen my obvious glances in her direction, the glances that lingered longer than those hastily given to the drive outside the house. But, luckily, no one gave me a second thought.

“You can do this Alexis,” I told myself. “She is JUST a person.” I brushed my fingers back over my hair and felt my fingers tremble slightly.

There she was, talking to her friend, and it was now or never. I took in my breath and entered the room. They didn’t stop talking, but nodded a hello. I bit down and walked up to her.

“Hi,” I said almost too cheerily. It was a little too fake, too transparent, but the words had already slipped from my mouth.

“Hey Alexis,” Sicily greeted with a smile. She had always seemed so pleasant, so welcoming, even at the informational I had attended to get more information on how to become a member.

“Hi,” Bree added to her friends greeting, “What’s up, you need help with something?”

I shook my head, “Not really, I was waiting for a friend but,” I paused, “She called and cancelled.” I was lying, but it would be worth it in the end. “Um, do you guys got anything that needs to be done for Fresh Fest? I’m kinda free tonight and if you need me to I can . . .”

Bree sighed, “No, not really. I’m going to a meeting to discuss the final plans and to setup, but other than that everything else is pretty much done.”

I took noticed that Sicily shifted uncomfortably at the mention of the meeting.

“Bree, do you think I could come with? It would be good experience for me and I would really be bored tonight if I stayed here.”

I waited for her to answer. If she rejected me now, I don’t know how I would work up the nerve to come to her again. My first step of action rested in whether or not she would let me accompany her tonight.

She looked down as if she were thinking, then let her eyes meet mine again. I braced myself, as she opened her mouth to speak.