22 Chapter 22 (2/2)

”W-What? Why do-” Wyatt begins to ask.

”Look” Amelia says, interrupting Wyatt, ”I don't judge here. Personally, I'm not sure if I could stick next to a laibah. But if you want to help a friend, you've gotta have friends to back them up. Seeing as how you're at a loss of a means of nonviolent protection, I'd say it's obvious you lack in your ability to socialize and make friends... to be honest, that's probably how you got stuck with a laibah in the first place”.

”Y-Yeah, but...” Wyatt says.

”You now know your weaknesses” Amelia says. ”If you really want to help, strengthening your weaknesses is a good place to start. Find more friends, maybe more laibah or other weirdos like you, gain your support through numbers. Your classmates that I guess you could count as your enemies in this scenario have probably already figured out that you and your friends have a lack of friendly support, or a lack of friends in general, and are probably going to use that against you. You need to find a way to prove them wrong”.

”I get all of that, but how?” Wyatt asks.

”I'm not a therapist...” Amelia says. ”I don't know how to help you with that, but at least you know wherein your focal point lies... you've got to figure out the rest”.

”Yeah...” Wyatt says. ”Thanks”.

”No problem” Amelia says. ”You're a weirdo, but at least you're a... a nice weirdo”.

”I'll take that as a compliment, I guess” Wyatt says.

The next morning, Wyatt talks to the rest of The Rejects before class begins. ”I have a plan, but it's not exactly what you're hoping for” Wyatt says.

”Well, I guess anything is fine for now” Aeris says.

”If strength in numbers will be the name of our game” Wyatt says, ”then we'll have to lay low until we can get that sorted out”.

”You're right” Jackson says. ”This isn't what I was hoping for. I was actually hoping for something more... productive”.

”Now hold one just a minute” Wyatt says. ”There's steps to this process”.

”Oh, so there's a method to your madness?” Jackson asks.

”Yes” Wyatt says. ”Wait, no- I mean... shut up! Look... lay low until we can get our numbers. However, we can't make a sudden move when we do have our numbers”.

”You mean 'if' we can gain numbers” Jackson says.

”Well... yes” Wyatt says. ”If and when we can gain numbers, we'll need some subtle way to show support for our cause. Something nonaggressive, so we don't send out the wrong message. We'll likely have to start reaching out towards other classes, and maybe even more than that”.

”So how do you plan on doing that?” Emily asks.

”Easy” Wyatt says. ”The club”.

”Oh right” Jackson says. ”I totally forgot! Everyone would listen to the cool kids club, even though we're all seen as freaks and weirdos! That makes total sense!”.

”Now hold on” Aeris says. ”I'm interested...”.

”So, we can easily reach out to more people when we can make the club” Wyatt says. ”After that, we can design our own club symbol and everything! The symbol we use can be a badge that shows our support. The more people willing to wear this badge, the less likely the others will be to break out in violent protest against your presence. I mean- you know how most clubs can wear a badge on their uniform in accordance to their club, right? Well, we have someone right here who can do that part for us!”. Wyatt then turns to look at Emma.

”M-me?” Emma asks.

”Yeah” Wyatt says. ”You can design our mark! We can use that mark to show how many of us there are, in this class and in others! Once people come to realization that we no longer have a weakness in numbers, they'll be less likely to start issues with you in fear that it'll cause them to suffer as well! If we have power in numbers, it brings that idea that we'll easily have people to support each other through these kinds of issues!”.

”So instead of physical war...” Jackson says, ”you're aiming for more of a psychological war?”.

”I... wouldn't use the word war” Wyatt says, ”but yeah”.

”That way” Emily says, ”we could settle the conflict before it even starts in the distant future. As long as we can all make it to the next semester without getting expelled for fighting, then the rest should be pretty smooth sailing... I like it!”.

”Precisely!” Wyatt says.

”So then...” Emma says, ”next semester, we're really doing this club then?”.

”Seems like it” Aeris says.

”I thought we were gonna form the club anyways” Jessica says. ”I am, however, a lot more pumped though!”.

”Yeah” Jackson says, ”but that's only IF we make it to the next semester. What are you going to do until then?”.

”Like I said before” Wyatt says. ”Lay low, avoid the issue, ignore the bastards”.

”So we're going from cold war to psychological war, huh?” Jackson asks. ”Fine, I'll try doing my part. No promises though”.

”That's the spirit!” Jessica says.

”Erm- no” Emily says, ”that's not the spirit at all... that's like... exactly how you get yourself in trouble”.

After the homeroom class ended, and Refus left, Rose entered the classroom. Surprised by the change of teachers, students immediately began muttering to each other. ”Calm down” Rose says to the class, ”Mr. Hendricks is sick today, so I'll be taking over for his class. I'm Ms. Weber, and one of the other teachers at this school. Some of you may recognize me”.

”Whoa” one of the students says, ”hey! Doesn't Ms. Weber look a lot like Emily?”. As the rest of the class looked back and forth between Rose and Emily, everyone noticed they both had bright red hair and similar looking facial structure. ”Ms. Weber!” The student speaks up, ”Are you Emily's mom?”.

”Umm... no” Rose says with a confused expression. ”I've never had kids”.

”Are you sure?” Another student asks.

”Am I sure if I've never had kids?” Rose asks sarcastically. ”Hm... yeah, I'm pretty sure I've never given birth”.

”Do you guys know each other?” Another student asks.

”No, we do not” Rose says. ”Look, this is an economics class... try and stay focused”.

”Yes ma'am” the student replies.

At the end of the class, before the bell rang, Rose spoke to the class. ”Now, before I go, I've heard a lot about this classroom and the troubles with laibah. How many people here are nervous about laibah?”. Most of the class raises their hands. ”How many people are used to having a laibah as a teacher?” Rose asks. More than half of the class raises their hands. ”Good, now keep that mindset, because Mr. Maloney isn't going anywhere”.

Most of the class groans, and a student says ”but why can't we at least change home rooms?”.

”Why can't you stop coming to school?” Rose asks with a stern look. The students immediately fell silent. ”The correct answer is everyone has a job in life. Refus chose his position of being a teacher, and you guys chose to come here to find what you need to do in life. I don't want to hear any 'ifs', 'ands', or 'buts', got it? Just because it makes you a little uncomfortable for someone to follow what path they were lead to, doesn't mean it's in the way of you fulfilling your role in life. A wise man once said the universe works in mysterious ways. That wise man is your principal, and he's aware of your current situation. We're trying to help you move on in life, not cradle you like we're your parents! Be a little more mindful of the things you say and do, unless of course you want to be removed from the school roster. I'm telling you now, so consider this your final warning, I will have you expelled for starting fights in school. I will also have you expelled for getting in the way of someone else's work, including that if your teacher's. Have we all come to an understanding?”.

”Yeah” most of the class says in unison.

”Excuse me?” Rose asks.

”Y-Yes ma'am!” The whole class says in unison.

The bell rings, and Rose grabs her books and begins to leave. ”Good” Rose says to the class, ”remember that, because I'm not known for being much of a liar”.

After Rose leaves the class, some of the students say ”Geez, Ms. Weber sure is scary...”.