Girl Meets Closet

Chapter 24: Jason Meets Goodbye

-----Jason's POV------

"Belgium, 1831," Mr. Matthews wrote on the board, for what must be the hundred and first time.

To be honest, I wasn't really paying attention at this point. I knew that he was just going to be interrupted, and then we'd be back to our regularly scheduled drama. It had been a few weeks since Lucas and I had publicly come out of the closet, and things had been quiet. Almost too quiet.

I doubt I would ever learn what really happened in Belgium, 1831.

I'd just sat down and pulled out my stuff when, from the hallway, a loud scream caught my attention. A few seconds later, Maya and Riley walked in, matching expressions of concern on their faces. Maya sat down, but Riley stood just inside the door and said, "Wow, so much emotion. Why is everyone so emotional when nothing's happening?"

I looked at the rest of the class, who were staring at Riley blankly. It was like a bunch of statues. She sat down when no one answered.

I opened my mouth to ask why they screamed, but then Farkle said, "Because it is happening, Riley."

"Why are you so sure?" She asked.

Farkle gestured to the board. "Look at the board."

"Belgium, 1831." Mr. Matthews began.

"Hold on, are we just ignoring the scream from the hallway?" I asked.

Everyone shushed me, before whipping around and facing forward with a sober expression. "Alright then," I said, shrugging.

"The Netherlands was a group of friendly states who thought they'd stay together forever..." Mr. Matthews began to say.

"Uh-oh," Riley interrupted.

"Seriously, am I missing something?" I asked.

Once again, everyone turned to shush me. I ducked my head under my desk to avoid a pencil Yogi threw at me.

"Belgium 1831 is us," Farkle said, turning to face Riley.

"...until Belgium made the decision it was time to go."

"Uh-oh! Smackle, do something!" Maya yelled.

Smackle shrugged helplessly. "What do I do?"

"You-" Maya started.

"Ask important questions. He erases it if you ask important questions!"

"Gotcha," Smackle said, standing up. She struck some poses while asking, "Why are we here? What is the meaning of love? Is there a destiny that shapes our ends? What's the deal... with artificial intelligence?"

Mr. Matthews chuckled a little.

"If it's artificial, can it be intelligent?" She paused, everyone waiting on the edge of their seats, though some looked just as confused as me. "Yes," she answered sitting down.

"Ok, there was a scream out in the hallway, and I don't know about you guys, but I am very concerned," I said, standing up.

"Jason, I get it, you're still new to this-" Riley started.

"I've been in your class for three years," I deadpanned.

"But you're going to have to get used to it," Riley continued.

"Now shush," Maya said.

I leaned back in my chair and pouted. Lucas patted my shoulder comfortingly.

"It was decided," Mr. Matthews said, "that Belgium would no longer be part of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands, but its own independent country. Belgium was free."