Call Out

The Night Of The Informal

The grey lamented clouds pittered and pattered in soft raindrops, soaking the roadside in large puddles for any vehicles to zoom past and make an impact.

   At least it was only a drizzle and not a full storm.

   A boy approaches the school grounds, head hunched and hands in his pockets, avoiding the inevitable wet rain, his steps fall victim to splashes and he grunts in annoyance. As he approaches the school gates, he rushes for shelter, perched underneath the porch of the main hall. Fern sighs and ruffles the dew drops from his hair, readjusting his Warhammer badge. The soldier in blue salutes his solidarity to which he covers his palms over. This is exactly why he shouldn't keep letting his mind run loose. He doesn't know the slightest reason behind why he is even here. Fern didn't know why he was attending, he could have stayed home and spent his time seated at a proper dinner table. He could have sorted out his paint from his art drawer and decided which colour was needed for more purchase, he could have-

   "Well aren't you an early bird?" a teacher peers out from the door, the glass panes layered by the black fabric, dimming the interior, she gives an endearing smile, her red hair tied up in a bun, she was one of the student managers Fern could never bring his problems to.

   "Well?" her fingertips rattled against the doorframe in impatience, anticipating for any answer of sorts. Fern doesn't make the effort, struggling to materialise a simple answer of 'yes'.

   She gives up, then, "The hall isn't open for another ten minutes," she swiftly concludes, a voice inside echoes her name and the conversation ends with her gesture of retreat.

   Failure.

   Alright, okay, act casual, act normal, play it cool — he muttered to himself, manifesting his futile confidence as he leaned against the brick wall as other students attending slowly showed up. They greet one another in excitement — this was essentially their first major year-level event, handshakes, fist bumps or even jumpscares, any form of greeting one can imagine of, one of them ought to have happened. Fern pretends he doesn't care, staring down at and only at his phone, inattentively scrolling through utter nothingness.

   Some of the boys even showed up in a suit for the friendly competition of the best dressed, some in white button-ups with black bow ties, others with actual ties,  yet despite the prompt clearly stating how it was an informal and casual Year 10 event. Students were encouraged to wear something 'glow-in-the-dark' but no one seemed to care and regardless of it, the teachers still let them in once their name was ticked off the attendance list without much commotion.

   The assembly had transformed in one short afternoon, Fern had noticed as he grabbed a free glow stick on his way inside, he smiled at the person handing them out but it came out all weird. For starters, there was a giant metallic disco ball installed in the centre of the 'dance floor' and the beam lights attached to the ceiling dynamically sprung around, shooting trails of colours behind. The country flags promoting unity and diversity that were hung up high were simply overshadowed by colourful garlands with empty tables of soon-to-be-served food underneath to accommodate it. Cans of beverages were iced in blue plastic tubs with many small glass bowls serving a variety of different lollies — all circled the cooler similar to a Satanic ritual circle.

   The temporary photo booth was strung up with a blue backdrop containing the school logo, draping over the black carpet with its school-employed cameramen loading up on their equipment for the night. Fern watches him readjust his camera lens and settle it onto a tripod — Maybe I'll have a photo there later, Fern thought to himself, pushing out the rogue thought.

   Then there was a gaming corner with retro box televisions rigged up to illegal and emulated games, this certainly wasn't the last time he would see these retro screens. He touched the controller, held it for a bit and let go. Fern found comfort from the black couch, indefinitely planting himself onto the seat as he watched more and more strangers pour inside from the rain.