34 Chapter 34 (2/2)

”Yeah, well” Jackson says, ”you could've avoided the entire issue if you didn't try so hard to hide it”.

”And you could avoid feeling awkward around Aeris if you were more up front with her” Emma says.

”I guess that's true...” Jackson says.

There was a short silence before Emma said ”Admit it. After all of that, even you have at least some respect for Wyatt”.

”What, are we competing now?” Jackson asks. ”Or do you just want to rub it in?”.

Emma smiles and sits down on Wyatt's bed again. ”I think I have my answer” she says.

”You are such a pain...” Jackson complains.

When Wyatt finally comes back from work, Emma jumps up and hugs him. ”Did I miss something important?” Wyatt asks with a laugh.

”Yeah” Jackson says unenthusiastically. ”You've missed a super cool party”. Jackson then unenthusiastically swings his hands in the air as he continues to lay and bed, and says in a low monotone voice ”Whooooooo”.

”Right...” Emma says. ”Anyways, I'm trying to get Jackass over here to finally fully clear the air with Aeris”.

”He didn't already do that?” Wyatt asks.

Emma shakes her head and says ”He still feels awkward around her, so I'm trying to get him to be less miserable. He's really bringing down the attitude here when I have to be stuck with him alone”.

Wyatt looks up at Jackson with a confused look. ”You're not exactly a riot to be stuck with either, you know” Jackson says to Emma.

”Did you two get into a fight while I was gone?” Wyatt asks.

”No” Jackson says, ”but she definitely harassed me about clearing the air with Aeris”.

”I'm trying to help” Emma says.

”You're failing” Jackson says.

”You're an asshole...” Emma says.

”You're short” Jackson replies.

”Why you-” Emma yells.

”Whoa!” Wyatt speaks up. ”Calm down, you two! Jackson, can you please be a little nicer to Emma?”.

”Pfft- Whatever” Jackson replies.

Emma sighs and says ”Sorry if it seemed like I was prying-”.

”That's because you were” Jackson interrupts.

Emma clenches her fists as she continues to say ”BUT... I wanted to help at least a little bit, since you seemed so put off for having to share a room with the two of us”.

”Is that what this is about?” Wyatt asks. ”If you need to say something to me, you can, you know? I'm not going to hold it against you, Jackson”.

”What needed to be said” Jackson says, ”has already been said. Don't worry about it”.

”I always worry...” Wyatt says. ”I'm kind of a nervous wreck. I worry about Emma all of the time, but that doesn't mean I don't worry about the rest of you guys as well”.

”Cool...” Jackson says, ”now can we go to sleep? I'd rather not have to have this discussion”.

”Well, you know what to do, Jackson” Emma says. ”Just... try to reach out to the rest of us... even if just a little?”.

”I'll keep that in mind” Jackson says. ”Now, if you don't mind, tomorrow is a Friday. That means we still have classes tomorrow, so... please turn off the light?”.

”Are you sure you're alright?” Wyatt asks.

”TURN OFF THE FREAKING LIGHT!” Jackson yells.

The next day, Friday of January 10th 2020, The Rejects gathered during lunch period. Everyone gathered, including the newest member, Thomas. It was rather quiet, especially since Jackson still has yet to talk with Aeris. Eventually, the door to the roof opened slowly. The Rejects turned their heads towards the door as it slowly creaked open, and through the partially opened door, a female student poked her head out towards the group. ”Uh... hello?” The girl asks in a quiet and shy voice. ”I-is this... the um... w-where we can find... T-The Rejects club?”.

”Oh, aren't you that girl from my class?” Darren asks.

”Oh! Um... sorry” the girl says, ”I'll just... go”.

”This is the right place” Wyatt says. ”This is the club”.

”I'm sorry to bother you...” the girl says as she starts to pull her head back through the door.

”Wait!” Darren says. ”Didn't you come here for a reason? Don't be so nervous, come on!”. The girl looks down at the ground, then opens the door a little more and pulls the rest of her body through the cracked open door. ”Did you come here to ask to join the club?” Darren asks. The girl nods her head, and then Darren asks ”What's your name? You never introduced yourself to me before”.

”T-Tina...” She says in a low voice.

”What?” Darren asks. ”I couldn't quite... hear you”.

Tina's face grows red as she speaks up. ”T-Tina!” She says. ”M-my name is Tina Burgandy and I'm interested in j-joining your club”.

”Is she trying to force herself to be brave?” Jessica whispers to Emily. ”She seems to be really shy, and it's kinda embarrassing”.

Emily just shrugs to Jessica in response, then Tina continues to say ”I-I'm a second year student, my homeroom teacher is Ms. Weber and I'm a laibah!”.

”Wow... talk about the works” Darren says.

”I think you made her nervous” Jackson says.

”Me?” Darren asks.

Jackson looks up at Tina and asks ”You know you weren't required to tell us if you're a laibah, right?”.

”I wasn't?... I-I'll go now” Tina says as she turns around.

”Hold on” Darren says, ”don't get so nervous. I'm a laibah too, so don't worry”.

Tina immediately turns around with a surprised look on her face, and a hint of relief. ”R-really!?” She asks. ”You too?”.

”Oh, I think I see what's going on here...” Jackson says.

”Don't make it more awkward than it needs to be” Aeris says.

Jackson takes a quick glance at Aeris and says ”Yeah... okay” in a disappointed tone.

”You wanna join, right?” Darren asks.

”C-can I?” Tina asks.

”I don't see why not” Wyatt says.

”You mean it?” Tina asks in excitement.

”Uh... yeah” Wyatt says. ”You now there isn't like... a tryout or anything... right?”.

”Pfft- ha ha ha ha ha!” Jackson bursts out. ”Imagine that! A tryout for being a reject! People competing, head to head, on who's more socially inept and awkward! That'd be a riot to watch!”.

”Yeah...” Emily says, turning her head from Jackson to Tina. ”Anyways, I'm Emily. Welcome to the club... this is the club president, Wyatt. This is Emma, that's Jackson, Aeris, Jessica, Darren, and Thomas”.

Emma sighs and says ”Guess I'll have to sew yet another badge”.

”What's that about a badge?” Tina asks.

”We'll explain everything” Wyatt says. ”Why don't you sit with us, we'll tell you all about the club!”.