The bell rings, relieving me from a long lecture on Oliver Twist. As the class begins packing up, Mr. Bingsley, our English teacher, says something that makes my body jolt.
“… and remember, if you haven’t already—make sure you hand in your papers to me before you leave.”
I remember the comparative assignment between Hamlet and Gatsby that I haven’t thought about these days. As everybody files out, I don't know if I have something to pass since I'm not sure if I brought the exact papers. This was due last Wednesday but Mr. Bingsley moved it on a Friday, a week after, which is today.
I feel relieved when I see the right papers on my hand. I immediately clean my table and walk towards the front desk. Mr. Bingsley looks up and greets me. "You came in last. I thought you would not hand me your work. I was anticipating for yours."
I didn't told him that I nearly forgot about it. He gives me his comments about my grades this semesterㅡ he says that I'm really doing great. After a little talk about my performances in English Class, I went out the classroom for break time.
I find Rei waiting for me when I get out of third period. She’s wearing a dark green shirt, casually dressed, with high-waisted pants. She styled her hair differently today, letting her short hair more natural. She made her hair black again last Saturday. I went with her, of course, I knew. It’s almost criminal how this school doesn’t appreciate her style.
When I compliment her on it, she smiles, bringing out her cheekbones.
“Are we going to have a club meeting, or what?” I ask.
Rei angles his face toward the ceiling light, looking bored, ”I don't want to encounter the American's Best Club. That blonde looking pigeon is annoying."
"You're annoying, too. So what gives? Also, Reiㅡcould you lower your voice?" Rei stomps away first, blowing away hair strands on her face. I shake my head before catching up to her.
The American's Best Club is hosted by Victoria Jennings. Tori. Out of all the people here at school, she's the one hosting a similar club to ours. I don't know if she did it on purpose but I just wished she didn't. I don't want to encounter her at this moment. Everybody knows how unique her clubs are from the past few years. How could she do something similar to another. It doesn't matter if who registered their club first. If she sees someone having the same club as hers, she'd confront them.
We planned to meet Shai outside for lunch today. Rei told me they’re having a tough time getting people to join. But that was just yesterday, we are aiming to be lucky today. There’s a table set up at the end of the hallway. Kael is sitting with Shanaia, talking with a few seniors who have crowded around them. When I notice Tori and Paul are there, my skin prickles. What are they doing here? I start to think that maybe they're confronting them for having the same club as theirs? I hope not. This is Kael's first hosting. If there's someone who needs to change their club, it's them. I'm sure Kael registered first.
Paul picks up one of the flyers. “So none of us can sign up? Says here Asian students only.”
“It doesn’t say that,” Shanaia says.
Tori tilts her head a little, pretending to look interested. “So what are the requirements?”
“We don’t have requirements,” Kael answers. "Anyone can join.”
“Then why call it the Asian Student Club?” Tori says, pointing at the table sign. “That doesn’t sound very inclusive. What do you guys even do?”
“Probably wasting school money to watch anime.” Paul laughs.
My cheeks burn. As I stand there, wondering what to do, Leo from the hallways walks right up to the table. “What’s the problem?”
Paul shoots him a look. “Who said we had a problem?”
“If you’re not interested in the club, you don’t have to join,” Leo says, fixing his glasses. “No need to make fun of it.”
Tori folds her arms. “Ever heard of a joke?”
“No one was even talking to you,” Paul says. He straightens himself, as if to intimidate Leo into backing up. But Leo just stands there, keeping his cool. Before this can escalate further, I finally appear between them, hoping to defuse this.
“You know, your jokes aren’t that funny,” I say to Paul. “Why don’t you guys leave them alone? Stop wasting everyone’s time.”
Tori exchanges a look with Paul before she turns back to me. “Are we bothering your friends? The only ones at school who talk to you? Or maybe you're allowed to talk to?" she pauses. "You do know somebody's gonna hate you after all of this, right?"
“You’re an asshole,” I nearly shout. She's bringing it up again. It's nearly the same thing and it's annoying of her to keep reminding me something that I shouldn't be thinking.
Her eyes narrow at me, acting shocked. “You already got influenced? Look at you.."
I only say that word to those who deserve it. If she only knew how much of an annoying rat she is. I'm not influenced to anything or to anyone. The nerve to bring in the others to her issue with me.
"Stop right there. We don't need to make this longerㅡ"
"Shut up." Paul cuts Kael's words and I can see him nearly talking back with his face all red.
"At least I have something to prove to my parents. Try to atleast keep your spot. Try to make it challenging for me to remove you from it." She's saying too much yet I couldn't say the words back.
"Ohㅡ And one more thing," she says before walking out. "Don't try too hard. And even if you do.. they will never appreciate you."
A chill goes through me. I don’t even know what to say back. I just stand there, trying not to let the shock show on my face. Tori shakes her head before turning away. Before they walk off, Paul grabs a handful of candy from a bowl on the table and stuffs it in his pocket. “Later.”
Once they’re down the hall I let out a heavy breath and turn to the table.
“I'm sorry.. You alright, guys?” I ask.
“No worries.” Shanaia smiles as if nothing’s really wrong. The other answers as well, as if what they said didn’t bother them. It’s a problem they'll never be able to understand. I noticed Rei didn't interfere a while ago. She can't fight in school.
“What about you?” Shanaia asks me back. “Are you alright?”
I don’t have an answer for her. I take the signing sheet and wait for people to line-up our table.