30 Chapter 30 (1/2)

After a few days, Wyatt began working at Savvy Threads with Matilda. By the time Christmas came around, Wyatt had finally managed to get that picture frame for Emma, to store that picture that picture that he gave her. ”Sorry I couldn't afford much, Emma” Wyatt tells her.

Emma shakes her head and says ”You've given enough. I'm sorry I can't really do anything for you”.

Wyatt laughs and says ”It's YOUR birthday, so don't worry about it!”.

”Thanks, Wyatt” Emma says.

”Happy birthday, Emma” Wyatt says.

The next day, Thursday of December 26th, The Rejects gathered once again in the school's courtyard. ”Less than two weeks now” Aeris says, ”until the next semester begins”.

”Yeah” Wyatt says, ”a lot has been happening, but I feel like a lot of good things could happen”.

”Like what?” Jackson asks, skeptically.

”Well, good things don't just come to you if you wait around for it” Wyatt says, ”but at the same time, isn't that also why we decided to make the club? To turn things around for us?”.

”You've got a point, at least” Aeris says, ”but it also seems like you're taking the situation too lightly”.

”Don't get me wrong” Wyatt says, ”I'm worried too... but that doesn't mean we can't do something about it”.

”Yeah” Emily says, ”I think we're all worried. However, we also all know that's not gonna stop us”.

”That's the spirit” Darren says.

”There's a lot to look forward to” Jessica says, ”but there's also a lot that needs to be done, right? Isn't that what you're trying to say?”.

”Yeah” Wyatt says.

”There's more to look forward to” Emma says, ”but that's just all the more reason for us to not give up”.

”Can we stop with the motivational quotes” Jackson says. ”You're making me... feel things”.

Finally, the day arrived. Monday of January 6th 2020, the first day of the second semester. ”Welcome back to class” Refus says as he enters the classroom, ”and good morning! During homeroom period today, we'll be having the students who are forming their clubs get started on their clubs. So when your sponsoring teacher calls for you, please follow them for further instruction on what to do. Most of this class signed up to make a club, so I guess this homeroom period will be... kind of quiet today”.

Eventually, Rose walks into the class and calls for The Rejects. ”Wyatt Bogan” Rose says, ”you and the rest of your group, please follow me”.

”The rest of us?” Jackson asks. ”Why does she need all of us? Don't they only need just one representative role for this?”.

”Are you actually arguing about having an excuse to get out of class?” Jessica asks.

The Rejects follow Rose out of the classroom and eventually make their way to the second year section of the building. There, they pick up Darren from his class. ”Ms. Weber!” Darren says as he leaves the classroom, ”What's up?”.

”That club, you idiot” Rose says, ”remember?”.

”Oh yeah...” Darren says. ”I forgot about making the club. The seconds years already have all of their clubs formed but the first years can't make theirs until this semester”.

”And the reason I needed all of you is because the principal also wanted to speak with you” Rose says. ”Normally, I'd only need Wyatt to be here”.

”Why does the principal need to speak with us?” Emily asks.

”He needs to speak with all of us?” Jessica asks.

”Yes, all of you” Rose says, ”and I don't know why he needs to speak with you. Come on, let's go”.

”I'm glad you're all here” Ryan says when they all enter the office. ”I need to speak with all of you about this club. I've heard about your club and everything, but with current events, your club may play a more important role. I don't want you guys thinking of this club as merely a club, but rather an extracurricular activity of vital importance”.

”Vital importance?” Emma asks. ”Why's that?”.

”Your group, with your goals” Ryan says, ”can represent the student body who support the laibah community here at this school. With that in mind, I want you guys to be aware of what that means. If you guys do anything too... thoughtless, then the people around you will believe that is how the rest of the students like you would act. In a short summarization, I want you guys to realize that you're now representing a group of people that is larger than yourselves, understand? I don't want this to intimidate you, so make sure you're still accomplishing the goals you had set up before. Just... make sure you don't do anything too bold”.

Rose seems to grow irritated as she asks Ryan ”Is that everything?”.

”That'll be all for now, at least” Ryan says.

”Alright, you kids go to your club... roof and I'll meet you there to talk about setting up your club” Rose says. After all of The Rejects leave the office, Rose looks back at Ryan and asks ”What the hell are you planning?”.

”There's a chance people from outside the school will look at us with a sense of distaste, Rose” Ryan says. ”With this bill proposition, a lot of people from the inner city have been taking... offense to the idea. There's not a very big chance, but if there's any chance at all that anyone would look to those students for an excuse to incriminate laibah, then I want those students to be prepared to handle such a situation”.

”What makes you think people would use students like that?” Rose asks.

”Some people tend to do crazy things when they feel their way of life is threatened” Ryan says.

”I don't like this...” Rose says.

”None of us do” Ryan says. ”But it's better to be prepared than to sit and wait for trouble. I can't bring myself to tell those students that they might be in danger, but I also won't allow them to give those people an excuse to challenge this bill”. As Rose begins to leave, Ryan says ”Don't take this personally. I don't want to put all the weight on your shoulders, Rose”.

Rose looks over her shoulder at Ryan and says ”It's been personal. Whether or not I wanted to be a part of this, you ended up getting involved. Of course I'll be taking this personally, but not in the manner you're likely thinking, gramps. Leave those students to me... I'll take care of this from here”.

After Rose leaves, Ryan pulls out more notes sent to him from people around the city and puts them in the paper shredder. This time, death threats from people who take up arms against his proposed bill. ”I'm depending on you, Rose” Ryan says to himself. ”Unfortunately, I also have to put some of the weight of this task on our students this time too. Please don't put yourself in danger for me...”.

”What was all of that about?” Emily asks.

”I believe he wants us to be responsible” Jackson says.

”Representing a group larger than ourselves, huh?” Wyatt asks. ”Maybe he's depending on us to help the rest of the school accept laibah”.

”And here I thought I was getting out of responsibility” Darren says. ”Looks like it was a trap...”.

”Still” Emma says, ”Principal Schafold recognized what we're trying to do. Isn't that... a good thing?”.

”Depends on how you look at it” Aeris says.