31 Chapter 31 (2/2)
”But that doesn't make sense though” Refus says. ”If Ryan is taking into account of the board's decision, then he's either thinking about the school itself shutting down, or he believes the school will remain and he would still be the principal”.
”Ryan is a clever man” Rose says. ”I thought the same thing at first, but then I figured something... disheartening”.
”Like what?” Refus asks.
”He likely doesn't believe that he'll keep the seat of principal” Rose says. ”Whether it be that he steps down to save the school, or whatever else is a question that's been burning in my mind for the past few days. He asked me to take his position when he leaves the school not long into the last winter break... so it's likely something that has happened recently that made him come up with this idea”.
”Yeah, Ryan is smart like that” Refus says. ”He tries to cover all bases at the same time...”.
”And your other questions?” Rose asks.
”Ah, right...” Refus says. ”When would be the right time to tell those students about the issue with the board, and the support they're giving us?”.
”The Rejects?” Rose asks. ”Hopefully never. If they never have to learn about the issue at hand, then it means everything is going smoothly”.
”And if everything isn't going smoothly?” Refus asks.
”Then we'll resort to asking those kids to help us directly with the bill” Rose says. ”Give us support for Ryan's bill, and gain members that will give us support”.
”And the reason we can't tell them now?” Refus asks.
”They don't need to worry about that for now” Rose says. ”For now, they need to worry about their school life, and not ours. This is an issue for us to handle, not them. The more we involve them, the worse the situation could become”.
”Not sure if I quite understand” Refus says, ”but I'll go with it”.
”Good” Rose says, ”because you may have been given a pass to ignore Ryan's orders, but you're not ignoring mine”.
”Because of your position?” Refus asks.
”No, because of Ryan's position” Rose says calmly. ”He's the one in the most danger. This is to help him”.
”Excuse me” an unfamiliar voice calls out from ahead of Refus and Rose, ”but I think you look familiar”.
”Sarah!?” Rose asks.
”Heya, big sis” Sarah says.
”Sis?” Refus asks. ”This is your sister?”.
”Yes, this is my little sister” Rose says as she approaches Sarah. ”What the unholy hell are you doing at my place of work?”.
”I-I was talking to gramps!” Sarah says. ”C-can I not talk to Ryan?”.
”Wait, Ryan is your grandpa!?” Refus asks.
”Ugh- no” Rose says. ”He's been close to our family for a while now. We just call him gramps. It's called formality, Refus”.
”So you're the Refus fellow that gramps was talking about?” Sarah asks as she goes to shake Refus's hand.
”S-sure, I guess” Refus says. ”I don't really know any other Refus's around here. It's not exactly a common name...”.
”What were you here to talk to Ryan about?” Rose asks.
”Look, Rose” Sarah says, ”I know about the school's... situation. I was the first to put my name on that bill, and I'm trying to help out where I can. I'm on your side”.
”That's funny...” Rose says. ”I don't remember you talking to me for a very long time... but now you're here to help?”.
”I'm sorry!” Sarah says. ”Things happen... bad things. People have to make tough decisions in life... which was all the more reason I had to talk to gramps. I needed to... thank him for helping me through a dark time”.
”And you couldn't talk to me or mom about any of this?” Rose asks.
”No!” Sarah says. ”I absolutely could not! You guys would murder me if you knew-”.
”Knew what!?” Rose demands.
”Wow... some family” Refus says.
”Not right now, Refus” Rose says.
”Like I said” Sarah says, ”if you or mom knew, it'd likely spell the end of me. I'm not refusing to tell you out of spite, I'm doing this because I just... don't know what else to do. You can understand that, can't you?”.
Rose sighs and says ”If you're done going behind the family's back, then I'll overlook this”.
”Thanks big sis-” Sarah says.
”For mom's sake” Rose interrupts. ”Not for you. You really need to get in touch with her sometime”.
”Don't worry” Sarah says. ”I'm already on that. Anyways, I'll catch you later”.
”Hopefully much later, rather than soon” Rose says.
”So cold...” Sarah says as she walks away.
”What was that all about?” Refus asks.
”My sister?” Rose asks. ”I dunno what she wanted with Ryan”.
”No, I mean... what's with you and your sister?” Refus asks.
”Oh...” Rose replies. ”She kinda disappeared for a while. When she was graduating high school, she left town with her boyfriend and didn't really show up for a couple years. When she came back, she spent over a decade refusing to talk with the rest of the family. I have no idea what was going through her mind, but suddenly she wants to come out and make everything okay again? I just don't buy it...”.
”Is she really that untrustworthy though?” Refus asks.
”That all depends on what answers I can get from Ryan” Rose says. The two of them approach Ryan's office, and enter.
Meanwhile, the next class was drawing to a close. Emma checks her bag, then says ”I think I left my beanie that Aeris gave me on the roof this morning. I had it on my head, but took it off and set it down. I can't find it in my bag, so I'm going to go look for it real quick, before the next class starts”.
”I'll go with” Emily says, ”sitting here in this desk for so long is making my legs hurt. I need something to do”.
”Want me to come along?” Wyatt asks.
”No” Emily says.
”Sure” Emma says.
”Crap” Emily replies. ”Well, at least I still get to move around, rather than be trapped in my desk all day”.
After the bell rings, the three of them walk out of the classroom. They grab the beanie hat that Emma had left on the roof, sitting on top of one of the tables under the canopy. When they came back down the stairs, they saw a woman with long bright red hair and glasses. Sarah Weber, who was just on her way of leaving the school. Sarah stopped in the hallway when she saw the three of them and stared at Emily. Sarah then shook her head, mumbled something under her breath, and walked away. ”What was that all about?” Emily asks.
”She seemed... fixated on you, Emily” Emma says. ”Do you know her?”.
”No idea who she is” Emily says.
”Maybe she just thought you looked familiar” Wyatt says. ”I mean, she looked kinda like Ms. Weber, and you two do look similar”.
”Well, I've never met her in my life” Emily says. ”She's definitely got the wrong person”.