Hi everyone! Thank you following/favoriting/reviewing! I will not respond to reviews on this one as it takes away the point of my Number Challenge by using up all my words on reviews...

But thank you for those of you who did!

Enjoy!

TESSA'S POV

I sat in class, trying desperately to not tap my pencil on my notebook. It was a nervous habit, one I reverted to when my nerves were shot. And in this case, my nerves were definitely shot. I mean, no one generally asked questions about family. And a non-modified should never ask another non-modified why they weren't modified.

It was just considered flat-out rude.

I mean, what the hell? This kid had some nerve. He stood up to Gabriel, he probed me for answers I didn't want to give...

I shook my head. I shouldn't think about him.

But Jem had been so nice to me... You'd think he would be angry. Angry at his parents for the operations, angry at the world for what they had done to him. But he wasn't. And that was... amazing. Admirable.

I sighed and bit my lip. My thoughts were going into dangerous zones. I mean, I really only knew about rumors of these kids, and their names. Nothing more.

"I saw you talking to that non-modified and the outcast, Gray," a nasally voice whispered from behind me.

Great. Jessamine Lovelace. The top-dollar, hottest girl in school, yet no one deemed good enough for her.

I turned my head fractionally, just enough to catch her bulbous blond curls. "What's it to you, Lovelace?"

She tossed her hair. "Oh, nothing. It's just funny you'd be talking to those two. Better not get your hopes up."

I raised my eyebrows. "Why? Scared I'll get a boyfriend before you do?"

She snorted. "Right. Like I'm scared of that. I'm just referring to the rumors that those two are gay."

Trying to hide my disappointment, I said, "I don't want a boyfriend before I'm Turned anyway. And besides, neither one of them are that attractive."

I thought back to the two of them whispering closely in the hallway together. Well, it did seem logical that they could be gay...

Well, there goes any hope I had for those ships to sail.

"May the best woman win," Jessamine said, tipping her head toward me. I rolled my eyes and refocused my attention on class.

It was so on.

After school ended, I strolled toward my locker, keeping my head down like I learned to do. I mean, no one really wanted to stare at this ugly face, as I quickly figured out.

I stopped before I got to my locker. On either side of it were leaning Jem and Will, both of which had their sights set on me. I flushed but ignored them and went to my locker anyway. As I was twisting the lock back and forth, Jem spoke.

"So, Tessa. Will wanted to say something to you," he said in a proud voice.

I cocked an eyebrow and glanced to my right at Will, who was shooting Jem a death glare. "I wanted to apologize for what I said earlier," he grumbled. His eyes flicked to mine and I sucked in a breath. If he ever got the surgery, I hoped he wouldn't change those eyes.

I shrugged. "It's not a big deal. I was just surprised. Most of the Turned are known to ask questions and speak to non-Turned like that, so I was...offended, if you will, but your inconsideration of my feelings."

Will's eyes widened in amusement and he grinned. "I like you. You'll fit in well with us."

I frowned and turned to Jem. "Is he crazy, or does he mean something by that?"

Jem laughing, smile and eyes twinkling. "Both. But he's saying that he wants you a part of your group."

I stilled. Maybe they were gay. Gay people were nice. Gay people were friendly. Gay people were inviting. It all made sense...

But I did need friends. I nodded. "That would be...fun."

Jem grinned. "Perfect. Then what are you waiting for? Come on!"

He tugged at my hand, urging me to follow. I smiled, feeling relief wash over me as I looked back at Will, who was grinning as well, He took my other hand, and despite all the weird looks I got, we walked out of the school happily.

Hello! So... I've had A LOT of trouble uploading this chapter since Wednesday. I've removed it and replaced it, I've tried to update it, etc. It hasn't been working. I've gotten the emails every time I do it, but apparently it hasn't been showing I updated.

Thank you, SilverC, for pointing that out!

So. Please review so I know that it did update! I'll be posting the other 2 chapters that I'm missing later today.

I SWEAR I HAVE NOT FAILED THE CHALLENGE IT'S JUST THAT FANFICTION HAS BEEN HAVING SO MANY PROBLEMS.

Anyway, let me know!

Xoxo!

Caitlyn :)