Opening

"You've got the job."

That's where it all started.

I had never been so surprised in my life. There was no describing how excited I was; it couldn't be put into words. I resisted the urge to hug the woman who had delivered the news. Instead, I nodded, not even trying to contain the smile that was spreading across my face.

"You're welcome," she said, looking faintly irritated. "Against my better judgment, they requested to meet you as soon as possible. So if you'd come with me." She turned abruptly on her heel and walked away. I followed behind, quickly but quietly.

She led me down hallway after hallway, and soon I had absolutely no idea where I was. But I didn't show any distress. It might have been because I was trying to be calm, but it was probably because I wasn't feeling anything besides overwhelming excitement.

As this thought crossed my mind, the woman came to a complete stop, spinning to face me. I barely managed to avoid bumping into her. She didn't seem to notice, but instead stared me down. I blushed.

"There will be no freaking out, ever, once we go through this door, or you will immediately lose your job. Despite whatever you feel, you must appear cool, calm, and collected at all times. Do you understand?"

I nodded, and she faced the door once more, rapping on it three times. There was a pause, a bit of muffled laughter, and then the sound of someone speaking in a mock falsetto, "Who is it?"

She sighed, placing her hand on the door knob. "Cut it out Jerome. It's Janine. I'm coming in, so you all better be decent." Without a second for them to prepare, she flung the door open. Thankfully, they were all fully dressed, spread across the room and almost all laughing. She glanced to me.

"Kylie, this is 'Three Words.' I'm sure you know of them well enough to match faces to names, but that's Jerome, Arthur, Eryk, and here we have Xander." As she said the last name, she gestured to the boy standing directly in front of us. He had his arms crossed over his chest, and he was frowning. He didn't look a day over seventeen, but I knew enough to know he was around twenty. I also knew he was conceited and self-centered. I simply nodded, biting my lip.

"Guys, this is Kylie. She is experienced in cooking and cleaning, and skilled in subtle make-up and clothing design. So as long as you don't have any problems with her, she will travel with you, and do all of the things that you are too lazy to do."

Xander strode forward, tight lipped as he looked me up and down. It felt like forever that he scrutinized me, but after what could have only been a few seconds, he held out a hand. I paused, and then took it, shaking as firmly as I dared. A smile ghosted across his lips as he released, and a wave of relief washed over me. I felt as if I'd passed a test.

"Alexander Lewis. Kylie…" he trailed off, and I froze, eyes widening. Luckily, Janine was quick to step in and answer for me. "It's Johnson, but she doesn't speak Xander. She's utterly and completely mute. That's exactly what you asked for, right guys?"

Xander looked around to see everyone nodding. After a few seconds, he glanced back to me, his gaze boring into me intently. He exhaled softly.

"Of course."