This Girl and Life

Chapter 3: Wednesday

Tomorrow's class did come. It was a foggy morning, and Rory was exhausted from crying most of the night. Tyler was there, and again he didn't turn when Rory sat behind him. "Good morning," he said flatly.

"Good morning." Rory was secretly happy no real reply was followed. She wasn't sure if she had it in her to make conversation.

Class started and while the lesson was intriguing, she kept finding herself looking at Tyler. Was he not going to mention yesterday at all? She leaned to the side and could see his pencil moving in the same way he did when he doodled. Rory wondered what he could be drawing?

"Don't forget," Mr. Roberts voice boomed over the quiet class. "In the cafeteria there will be club sign ups today. See about joining one and doing something with your time after school."

The bell rang ahead and much of the class got up as if the older man hadn't spoken. Mr. Roberts raised his hands to the sky defeated, and he turned around to erase the board. Rory knew about the club sign ups... Her brother had signed up for one last year. Every Sophomore was given the opportunity to do a club since they knew the school well enough now. Problem was, Rory wasn't exactly in the best of moods to find an interesting club. Last year, she had been super interested in the History club, but it wasn't as appealing this year...

"Miss Mason," Mr. Roberts cleared his throat as the next class began filling the room. "O-oh," Rory quickly gathered her things.

"Miss Mason, you should consider the History club this year," Mr. Roberts advised while scratching his chin, a habit she had noticed the older teacher doing often. "I am pretty positive you told me yourself you enjoy the subject, and you are decently involved during class. You should consider it."

Rory felt her cheeks grow warm, and all she could do was nod. She rushed to the door and saw Tyler waiting outside. He leaned coolly against the wall. His lean build looked nice in the dark green shirt, and brown jacket; Rory was secretly getting used to him waiting on her. He didn't press for any conversation, and again he walked away at a certain point without so much as a single word.

Lunch came quicker than she thought it would. As she stood awkwardly in the cafeteria, she couldn't help but glance at all the tables used for club sign ups. It was organized chaos, for sure! She spotted the History club, and some people handing out pamphlets to join. Instead of walking towards the club, she found her table in the back. She plopped down... disappointed in herself. Or, perhaps she knew someone would have been disappointed in her for not going over there.

"I can't wait to join!" Bryan looked over thrilled that he spewed food across at the jock, Freddy Young.

"Dude!"

"Sorry Fred," Bryan laughed loudly, "I'm just so pumped! Can't you see me there? Oh, yeah, I'm going to be awesome!"

"It's just the Foreign language club," Clair, a cheerleader, had giggled.

Bryan turned to Rory who had been eating quietly beside them all. "Rory, next year you will get to be in clubs. Make sure you do! They are a great way to be involved in school, and you can make friends!"

"Why do I need any friends when I have you," Rory laughed. "And all of you, of course," she held her hands up to Clair and Freddy. The smile told them she was joking.

"You always need to keep making more and more friends, Rory," Bryan smiled. "That's what makes being a human so great! Spreading joy like that, why, it's just... fulfilling!"