"Your claimed," John pointed out matter-of-factly. "You are untouchable. It's the Rule." A look of puzzlement came over me. How was I claimed. 'claimed' was never a word anyone considered me to be. Sam just looked over at John and me. You could see it in his light blue eyes that he was in full agreement with John.
The look I shot them both must of been a dirty one because they both looked away from me. "How the hell do you figure?" I snapped in both directions curious to see who would be the one to explain what exactly I had missed. John's pale blue green eyes met mine through his shagged blond hair. He started to pick at the picnic table nervously. The more he picked the more annoyed I became.
Sam continued to look around the commons to see if there was someone he could run off to.
John had seemed to have found the annoyance in this conversation for his anger had started to show through the muscle tension in his semi-defined arms.
"You don't get it. There are rules. Rules that have to be followed. If they're not followed chaos breaks loose. And I'm not really in the mood to deal with chaos right now."
My confusion must've shown in my face because I could feel John's anger and annoyance build up even further. I didn't say anything incase I pissed him off enough to where I wouldn't get anything useful out of him. By not saying anything, gave him the clue that I wanted him to continue.
"Nate claimed you. When you guys got together, he claimed you away from the group." Sam started to squirm from the uncomfortable environment he was somewhat forced to be in.
John turned away from me. I could sense his anger building.
"Claiming. What does it mean? And what do you mean, away from the group?" I asked. My annoyance subsiding and curiosity coming into play.
Sam decided to answer this one. "It means that you can't do anything with the guys in this group. If you do and Nate finds out, then there's a problem. A big problem." I looked over at John who was looking down at his hands. He couldn't look at me.
My curiousity kept growing, "How many?" John and Sam both looked at me puzzled. I elaborated, "Claimed. How many others are claimed?"
John looked back down at his hands. Sam took a deep breath and glanced over at John.
"There isn't anybody else." Said John clearly but quieter then usual. "Your the only one."
I was stunded. Was I hearing them right? "Why was I the only one claimed? There had to be at least one other girl. With all the other guys. There has to be." I said disbelieving John's last statement.
"You were the only one that didn't sleep with the guy you were with. That gives him rights to claim you." In a weird way it was flattering and disgusting to hear that I was the only girl not to sleep with Nate or anybody else. Think of how many other girls.
"Okay so how do I get unclaimed then?" I asked.
"You have to sleep with the one who claimed you," said a voice from behind me that wasn't John's or Sam's. A different voice. I voice that brought terror to some but at one point in my life brought me piece.
Nate.