12. The New Girl

Katie’s big silver eyes sparkled as she peered around our table with anticipation. “Elijah says one of you is new here as well?”

I offered her a small wave. “That would be me.”

She stuck out her hand to me. “Hi, I’m so glad I’m not the only one.”

I awkwardly shook it, noticing Nate hiding a smirk behind his palm. “Honestly, I’m glad too. But unfortunately, because of my mark, I stick out like a sore thumb.”

“Worse than a sore thumb,” Nate supplied.

I sputtered a laugh. “Yeah, thanks.”

“Are you born into the club or specially hand-picked from the planet of norm?” Celeste asked.

Katie smiled. “Born and bred.”

“Born and bred?” Nate wiggled his brows. “No offense to you, but why do they always say born and bred? Isn’t it supposed to be the other way around?”

Celeste choked on her milkshake. “Nate, bred, as in raised, not the other bred you're thinking of.”

“You mean produced? Made? Formed—”

“Good gracious, Nate, you need to get laid. Your mind is in the gutter,” Ariah snorted.