30 Chapter 30 (2/2)
”It seems like it'll be a lot of work” Jessica says.
”It is what it is” Rose says as she finally arrives on the rooftop. ”Now, as for the state of your club spot, what are we going to need to make this a club?”.
”What do you mean?” Darren asks. ”Isn't it all basically already here?”.
”Chairs, tables, anything of that sort” Rose says. ”Seriously, have you not planned any of this?”.
”Chairs and tables would definitely be a start” Wyatt says, ”but we'll also need Emma to bring her sewing kit. That way, we can have her design a badge sewn into our uniforms as our mark as a club. Each member can wear this badge as a sign of being a member. If we can actually get enough influence, we can even start making buttons for other students to wear as a show of support for the group without being a member. This way, it's shows the school that we're here to stay, and refuse to leave”.
Rose snaps her fingers and says ”Actually, I like that idea. That's not too bad”.
”What should the badge look like?” Emma asks.
”We'll have to leave that up to you, Emma” Wyatt says. ”Whatever you come up with is fine”.
”Well, you guys start planning that much” Rose says, ”and Refus and I will take care of the club furniture”.
”Mr. Maloney too?” Emily asks.
”I'm the sponsor of this club” Rose says, ”but Refus will be assisting”.
Throughout the day, Rose, Refus and The Rejects carried chairs and tables up to the roof. The next day, Emma brought her sewing supplies to start working on a badge for their club. The Rejects gathered at their club spot, the rooftop which they usually eat lunch at, and watched Emma as she worked on a badge design. Working on her old uniform first, she eventually came up with a simple design. ”How's this?”
Emma asks as she holds up her old tattered uniform with the badge on the left shoulder. The badge was a red circle with a black outline and a black, backwards letter R.
”Why is it just a backwards letter R?” Jackson asks.
”I-I'm not so good with complex designs...” Emma says.
”I think it's good” Wyatt says.
”Yeah, it doesn't need to be complex” Emily says, ”it just needs to be able to show what we support”.
”Good enough for me” Darren says. ”Now we just have to get that on everybody's uniform”.
”I'll need to borrow everybody's spare uniform” Emma says, ”because it'll take a long time to finish putting it on everyone's uniform. Just leave one of your spare uniforms with me, and I'll work on it at home”.
”What about you, Emma?” Wyatt asks. ”Other than your old uniform, you only have one uniform. Do you want me to help you buy a new uniform?”.
”I guess I'll just work on mine first after changing clothes at home” Emma says.
”We also still have to continue looking for more members” Jackson says. ”If we are supposed to be representing a group of people, that's easier if we have more... diversity, I guess. It might just be me, but when I look around at the group we have now, all I see are misfits and weirdos”.
”Jackson...” Aeris says in an annoyed tone.
”Don't get me wrong” Jackson says. ”I wouldn't trade this group of friends out for anybody, but at the same time, we still have the responsibility of making an impression on people. To do that, we'll need an angle... a point of which we appeal to other people. That angle just might be having more people like us. Sure, our group may seem even weirder, but we'll have numbers... that was the plan, wasn't it?”.
”Yeah, and it's still the plan now” Wyatt says.
”Good” Jackson says, ”then... how are we going to do that?”.
”I don't know quite yet” Wyatt says. ”We'll likely need many different approaches to accomplish that”.
Emma worked late into the night on everyone's uniforms. Eventually, she had finished making a badge on each uniform, and they passed out the finished uniforms the next morning before classes. That morning, when The Rejects return to their homeroom class, they stop to talk to Refus before taking their seats. ”We need to ask about some help for the club” Wyatt asks.
”What do you need?” Refus asks.
”We're hoping to recruit more members in order to help with influence” Emma says, ”but we need to find ways in order to do that. Would you be able to help us advertise the club?”.
”Posters, announcements, whatever works” Jackson adds. ”Anything around the school that lets the other students here know about our club, in case we can spark any interest”.
”Y-Yeah, I can do that” Refus says. ”Did you guys already talk to Ms. Weber about this?”.
”Darren is doing that now” Emily says. ”Since she's his homeroom teacher”.
”I see...” Refus says. ”Well, I'll get in touch with Ms. Weber after class and we'll discuss it”.
”Thanks, Mr. Maloney” Wyatt says.
”No problem” Refus says.
As they all went to take their seats, most of the students in their class had their eyes fixed on them, including Marcus. Some of the class started mumbling about the badges on their uniforms and then about The Rejects' newly formed club. However, as much as people talked, Marcus was silent this time. When Jackson looked up at Marcus, Marcus squinted and slowly turned his head away from the group. ”Looks like, so far, this badge is working like a charm” Jackson says with a laugh.
”Just make sure you don't start trouble again” Aeris says.
”Don't worry about that” Jackson says. ”I don't think they'll be willing to try anything anymore. Our club is recognized by the school staff. They know they'll find trouble if they keep digging their nose where it doesn't belong”.
”That was the plan” Wyatt says.
”Can't believe it worked out so well” Jessica says.
”Yeah, but for how long?” Emily asks. ”It won't take long until they try challenging us again, just to see our reaction. And you remember what Principal Schafold said. We can't respond to whatever they do, otherwise... well, I don't know what'll happen. He didn't mention that part. We'll probably get expelled”.
”Fair assessment” Aeris says. ”They'll likely not take very long to realize that we have a weak point like that. So once that time comes, Jackson, don't pull anything”.
”Alright, alright” Jackson says. ”I promise I won't do anything stupid”.
”Good” Aeris says.
”Now for the next part of the club” Wyatt says. ”Recruiting more people. Hopefully we can pull this off well enough to get a strong numbers game. If we can do that, then they'll likely refuse to keep interfering with us after that. If we have enough people in the club, we'll no longer be the minority. That alone can intimidate those people like Marcus”.
”We can do this!” Emma cheers.