39 Chapter 39 (1/2)
The next morning, before classes began, plenty of students were gathered by the front gate. ”What do you think this is all about?” Emma asks.
”You think it's something important?” Jackson asks.
”If it has that many people's attention, then it's gotta be” Wyatt says. The three of them walk from the dorm building, closer to the front gates of the school. When they got close to the crowd of students, Wyatt asks ”What's going on?”.
”Looks like our school must be in a lot of trouble” one of the students say.
As the student points towards the walls on the outside of the gates, the three of them walk around the gate and see posters all over the outer walls of the school. All over, were posters reading things like ”Laibah trash”, ”Get Out”, ”Not in our city!”, and even things like ”Die” were glued to the outer walls of the school. ”Who do you think did something like this?” A female student asks.
”Who would even want to do something like this to a SCHOOL?” Another student asks.
”Who even has the time to do something like this?” Jackson asks. A bunch of students look at Jackson as he continues to says ”They seem deprived. Honestly, it's one thing to hate a specific group of people, but it's another to attack a school like that out of sheer hate for only some of the students”.
”Aren't you one of the laibah they're targeting?” A student asks Jackson.
”Yeah... I guess that's true” Jackson replies.
”Oh, they have that patch!” Another student points out. ”Aren't you guys The Rejects? Don't you guys have a plan to deal with this? I mean, you guys are representing like... the whole community of the school now, aren't you?”.
”I... we... don't have much of a plan yet” Jackson says. ”W-we're working on it, I swear”. Jackson then leans close to Wyatt and whispers ”You have something for this, right?”.
”Wait a minute...” Wyatt asks, ”the community of the whole school?”.
”Well... Yeah” a student says. ”Isn't your club like... everywhere now? We see that club symbol like everywhere in school now. Aren't you guys supposed to do something?”.
”The whole school...” Wyatt says to himself. ”Hang on a minute” Wyatt says as he looks back up at the students.
Wyatt starts walking towards the school, and Jackson and Emma panic as they try to keep up. ”W-where are you going?” Emma asks.
”To the principal's office, where else?” Wyatt says.
”Asking for advice now?” Jackson asks. ”So then you ARE out of ideas?”.
”For the moment...” Wyatt says. ”Give me some time”.
The three of them enter Ryan's office and begin to ask him about the posters. ”I think I can guess why you're here” Ryan says with a sigh. ”The vandalism, right?”.
”Any ideas on what to do?” Wyatt asks.
”Good to see you three have at least thought a little bit about this situation” Ryan says. ”If you're out of ideas, I'm assuming that means you've already known that the obvious solution will not work”.
”The obvious solution?” Jackson asks.
”Simply ripping down each individual poster” Ryan says. ”You know why it won't work, right?”.
”Because” Emma says, ”they may be out of sight, but it won't be out of the minds of the student body until we find a way to take hold of the situation”. Ryan stares at Emma in surprise. ”Yeah, I have thought about it” she says.
”Well, unfortunately, I don't have anything particular in mind that'll solve this case” Ryan says. ”I'm busy trying to handle other matters... I'm sorry. You know I'd like to help whenever I can. However, I do know where you guys can help”.
”You do?” Wyatt asks.
”It's not a solution for your current problem” Ryan says, ”but you may want to look into the matter. One of your club mates ran into me earlier this morning. She was speed walking through the halls, looking rather distraught. Last I saw, she was heading towards your club room. She looks like she could use someone to help comfort her”.
”And the posters?” Jackson asks.
”Give me time to think of something” Ryan says. ”In exchange, if you find a solution, let me know. Oh, and make sure you check in with your homeroom teacher before classes start, if you think you're going to be late. The students aren't the only ones stressed about this matter”.
”R-right” Wyatt says.
The three of them leave the office and Jackson asks ”So... what now?”.
”That was rather counterproductive” Emma says.
”I guess to the club?” Wyatt asks. ”Someone needs help, and maybe they can help us brainstorm?”.
”Your grasping at straws here” Jackson says. ”So who is even up there, so early in the morning?”.
”Dunno” Emma says. ”He never mentioned a name”.
When the three of them make it to the rooftop, they see Tina sitting alone at one of the tables. When they get closer, they could see she was painting something on a small canvas. When Tina finally notices the three of them, she jumps in surprise. ”Oh, it's you guys. You scared me” She says.
”Tina, are you alright?” Emma asks.
”I... will be fine” Tina replies. ”I just like to be alone when I'm worried about something”.
”I didn't know you could paint” Jackson says. ”That's actually kinda impressive. Do you usually paint when you're stressed?”.
”Y-Yeah... it's a weird hobby of mine” Tina says.
”That's not weird!” Emma says. ”That's amazing!”.
”I-is it?” Tina asks. ”Thanks... I don't really paint in front of other people. It always distracts me and makes me feel... nervous”.
”Really?” Jackson asks. ”That sounds weird to me”.
”Jackson, don't be so rude about it” Emma says.
”Speaking of weird” Jackson says, ”Wyatt, you alright? You suddenly went quiet”.
”Tina” Wyatt says, without acknowledging Jackson. ”Are you any good at painting things like graffiti? Maybe just like hands or anything like... anarchic?”.
”I can do stuff like fists” Tina says. ”Why? Do you have a commission?”.
”Better...” Wyatt says. ”I think I have a solution. Can you help us with something important? It's for the school”.
”What do you have in mind?” Tina asks.
”Those posters outside of the school is what's bothering you, right?” Wyatt asks.
”Yeah... it makes me nervous to think that so many people would hate laibah so much” Tina says.
”Do you think you could paint over them?” Wyatt asks.
”Paint over them?” Tina asks. ”Like how?”.
”Well, the messages they send are hateful” Wyatt says, ”but they're also vague. If we can change the appearance of the posters, maybe even paint our club symbol over it, it'd be like changing their message of hate, to a message of our own! A message of courage for the school! Think you could do that?”.
”I-I think I could... try” Tina says.
”Alright, thanks a ton, Tina!” Wyatt says.
”Y-you're welcome, I guess” Tina says, still confused.
The four of them go to tell Ryan about their idea. ”Painting over the vandalism, I like it!” Ryan says. ”Use any of the equipment you may need from the art rooms or storage centers! We can supply however much paint and tools you may need! Oh, also, let me get ahold of a teacher here at this school. He has an artistic talent, and can help you with the painting. You guys go on ahead, and I'll send him your way to help with all of the work. Painting over all of that would take a while, so the more the merrier”.
”Thanks, Principal Schafold!” Tina says. ”My paint set is expensive, so I'd hate to run out in a single day”.
”No, problem” Ryan says. ”Take whatever tools you need and I'll make sure your teachers don't mark you absent in exchange”.
”Wait, we can skip class for this?” Jackson asks.
”You're doing a favor for the school...” Ryan says. ”Why would I hold that against you?”.
”Thanks, Principal Schafold” Wyatt says.
”No, thank you” Ryan says.