Mutual

7 - Clubs

"Alright. Any announcements before we get started?" Sheila, the leader of the photography club, asked.

The small group looked around at each other to see if anyone had anything to say. When it seemed like no one was going to speak up, the door to the room they were in opened.

In came a disheveled-looking Dylan. He walked toward the group that formed a circle and sat in an empty chair to the left of Alana.

"Sorry, I'm late," he mumbled. "Hope I didn't interrupt anything."

"Nope," Sheila said with a smile. "We were just about to get started."

Sheila dove into the plans for today's meeting when Alana leaned over and said, "I thought you didn't have time for clubs and stuff."

"You just really sold it to me the other night." Alana let out a breath that seemed suspiciously like a laugh. "Hey, I told your dad I'd think about it, and I did. And here I am."

"I didn't expect you to actually come," she whisper-yelled.

He just shrugged and turned his attention back to Sheila.

Alana continued to look at Dylan for a moment, mentally trying to figure out his angle here. Maybe he just genuinely enjoyed photography and wanted to see what the club was all about.

She focused back on Sheila, trying to listen to what the girl was saying.

The meeting went by quickly, as it usually seemed to. Once it concluded, Alana picked up her bag and thought about where she would go to hang out until her next class started.

"Oh, Lana!" Sheila called out. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Yeah, of course."

Sheila had just wanted to know about any updates or progress regarding an exhibit they were trying to set up for the club members. Alana was working on securing the location. She has been sending lots of emails to various staff at the school in an attempt to book a space. Nothing was set in stone yet, but it seems like they should have a space for the planned exhibit.

The brief discussion ended, and Alana turned around to go toward the exit. When she did so, she saw Dylan waiting by the door.

She walked his way. "Did you...wait for me?"

"Who said I was waiting for you?" He questioned as he walked outside alongside her, proving that he was indeed waiting for her.

"Well, you're the one who followed me out here."

He sighed. "I had a question is all...about the club."

She slowed down and turned to look at him. "Okay."

"Well, during the meeting, you guys kept bringing up some exhibit. I was just wondering what that was all about."

"Oh," she said excitedly. "The club as a whole has been working to set up an exhibition, so we can show other people, who may be interested, our photos. We all have our own tasks to try and make it a reality."

"And what's your job?" He seemed genuinely curious.

"I'm working on securing a location. I feel like I've sent so many emails, and sometimes it feels like it's all falling on deaf ears. But I do have a meeting tomorrow with some of the art staff that might help."

"You're really passionate about this," Dylan observed.

"It's nice to be a part of something." She then tried to cover up the seriousness with humor, "Besides, I've made some nice photos that I believe should be seen by others."

"Oh, so you're a bit of a narcissist," he continued the joke.

"Oh, yeah, I'm definitely known for my huge ego," she said sarcastically.

Dylan let out a small chuckle. "I hope the exhibition works out for you guys."

"Yeah, me too. Some of us are actually photography majors, and they definitely deserve to have their work on display."

"If you love photography so much, why don't you major in it?"

She shrugged. "It's just a hobby."

He frowned a little but didn't say anything.

"But uh, if you think you want to keep going to the meetings, you could totally hand some work in for the exhibit if it ever gets off the ground."

"Oh, cool. I'll think about it. You'll pull it off though. You seem really determined to do this."

"It's a joint effort." At the look he gave her, she added shyly, "But thanks."

"Yeah," he replied awkwardly, feeling like he just hit a limit of seriousness when it comes to the two of them. "Anyway, I gotta go. See you around, Lani."

She rolled her eyes at the nickname and said quietly, "And he's back. Bye, Dylan."