Confession Club

Chapter One

I place the lone paper before Ms. Ivy. She looks up at me with surprise at my lack of work. However, there is a reason I chose her as the CC's teacher.
"Of all people to show lack of effort, you are not the one I would ever expect. Do you think you can convince me with this?" She holds up the paper, reading the small paragraph about the Cooking Club.
I take a breath, fighting back any doubts I have. If I don't, my cheeks will burn red. It used to be worse, and I don't want to backtrack on my progress. Felicity would have laughed at my effort, if she were still here.  
"I know it isn't much, Ms., but there is a reason.  See, this Cooking Club is more of a...cover-up. If the true intentions of this club were openly revealed, it wouldn't serve its purpose correctly." I can see she is interested now, watching me with keen eyes. I take another breath, before spilling the beans.
"This is the Confession Club. It's designed as a place for girls to go to talk about the feelings they have for anyone, without worry of their story being told outside the club. In fact, the listeners would all be blindfolded, so the girl confessing can ensure maximum security." I pause, knowing that I have swung Ms. Ivy to my side. She makes it clear that she pairs students together, and is ecstatic if the two get together in the end. It's a funny thought, but it works perfectly for my purpose.
It's a selfish reason, I'm aware. However, I've always been good at tricking those into doing what I want. I might as well use those traits to help with my goal. After all, courage cannot be formed from deception alone.
"Well, Miss Sailers, I think you have yourself a club. Why not the boys, though?" She asks.
"I can't help boys, because I don't understand how they think. Maybe later on." She nods at my reply, before stamping the paper with approval.
"Areya, I hope you win his heart." She smiles, before slipping on her purse and leaving. The clock ticks four, and I sigh. She doesn't know him, of course, but Ms. Ivy is no idiot with love.
I pick the paper off of the desk, glancing at the bright green stamp on it. I hug the paper close, hoping that it can accomplish its goal.

~~

I quietly wait in the Home Ec classroom. It's one of the largest rooms in the school, and has quite an interesting design. An odd setup, I suppose, but I can make do. When someone comes of course.
It is the second gathering of the CC, and so far I am the only one to join. I mostly spend the time idly working on school work, or doodling. I'm no good, but the blocky stick figures make me laugh.
I wonder if Ms. Ivy tries to recruit anyone, or if  I am simply to wait for someone to come. Who knows?
"Is this the Cooking Club?" A voice calls, and I turn to see a girl with long brown hair and matching eyes. She looks downcast, but still keeps a slight smile on her face.
"Yes." I say. From the way she asked, I can't tell if she knows that this is also the Confession Club. I decide to ask her discreetly, so she won't figure out what I'm doing.
"So," I ask, "what's your name?"
"Oh, me? I'm Danelle. I was just stopping by for a little, because I have a fond passion of cooking. It's just so hard to find time to cook now that school takes up so much of my life." She sighs, as if remembering better times.  "I don't think I can be a permanent member, but could I stop by every once in a while?"
"Of course! It's just that, well, this club isn't just for cooking." I say. She raises an eyebrow, confused. It makes me wonder if she has a romantic problem. After all, it'd be nice to have someone come by every once in a while.
I invite her to a table, where we sit across from each other. She looks slightly impatient, as if she has somewhere to go.
"See, Miss Danelle, that isn't the actual reason this club is here. This is more of a... secret organization. It's for girls only, but let's just say it has to do with romance troubles. If you have any friends who are in a love bind, send them with the code DC. Okay?" Danelle seems surprised, which makes sense. The club's concept is quite outrageous. It really exists for a more personal reason.
"Even if people came, I don't think anyone would really feel safe enough to flat out tell their feelings for someone. I mean, confessing your feelings to anything can be hard."
"I'm aware. However, if they don't wish to confess, they don't need to. This club is always supporting them, and is here if and when they find the confidence to come." She stays silent after my answer. She looks at me, and I can tell that she wants to say something. However, she looks down at the table. After a minute, she stands, heading towards the door. Before she goes, she speaks.
"Areya Sailers, you are the strangest person I have ever met. Regardless, your offer is tempting. You can expect me again, for sure." She turns her head back to give me a smile, before she lets the door close behind her.
It makes me wonder if and who she is in love with. She also makes me ponder the idea of actually cooking while I am here. It might be fun to try.

~~

As the fifth meeting of the CC begins, I place my backpack down and head to the kitchen. My homework is done, and I'm still the only one here.
The club serves its purpose, of course. Three girls have come, and I even helped them out a little. However, none of them have reason to come back, so it gets lonely sometimes.
Today felt special, so I thought it would be fun to try cooking. I've only tried it once or twice before, and the meals didn't turn out that bad. I just pray that it is as simple as it seems.
The pantry is a little empty, so I decide on a simple cookie recipe. Grabbing the ingredients, I head back to see Ms. Ivy waiting at one of the tables. I place the ingredients down by the stove closest to her, waiting for her to speak.
"Areya, are you still the only member of this club?"
"Officially, yes. Hence the reason I am actually cooking." She grumbles at my reply, her mouth tightening.
"Well, to keep this club going, the school wants someone other than you to join, because it's pointless otherwise. So, do you know of a girl who's madly in love? Someone who needs this club because they can't stand not being with whomever they love? Do you? Because we need them just as bad."
"Girls don't show it like movies. I have no idea." My reply makes me think. Other than me, whose feelings are too confusing to not call love, I've never met anyone who seemed to be in love. Being popular means you know things, so I find it surprising that I can't think of anyone.
Ms. Ivy is completely oblivious of my surprise, simply sighing in response.
"Areya! You're supposed to know everything. Isn't that what being popular is like?" I can't reply with an honest answer, so I just stay quiet. Still empty-handed, Ms. Ivy stands with disappointment and leaves.
I pull up a recipe, and start making the dough. I suppose having someone else around would be nice, but who would truly join this club to not only tell all their darkest secrets to strangers, but also have to hear about said strangers' own problems?
As I mix the ingredients together, I realize that maybe this club will just have to be about cooking. Would he join? Of course he wouldn't. He isn't the type to cook. Is he?
The thought frustrates me. I started this club to get to know him better, but I still can't answer the easiest of questions about him.
Ask him then. I push the idea away. It seems stupid to avoid him, but I can't talk to him. It terrifies me beyond words, for reasons I can't explain. Everything about this romance is strange and lonely, but I can't get rid of it.
My lip starts to hurt, and I realize I'm biting it so hard it's starting to bleed.
I turn my focus to the cookies again, molding  clumps of the overmixed dough into thick circles. Once I molded all the dough, I slide the tray into the oven.
I stare at the door, and like magic, it opens.
I  can only blink, unable to comprehend the coincidence that just occurs. The person who had opened the door stood there waiting, confused by my reaction.
"Are you okay?" She asked with concern. I nodded, shaking myself out of it.
"Yeah. You just startled me. Are you seeking the CC?" I grab a timer from the cupboard, set it, and lead the girl to a table.
"Yes. You see, my friend sent me. She said to tell you I'm with DC, or something like that."
I smile. If I ever see her again, I really do need to thank Danelle.
"Well, I just need to cover some things really quickly. I already saw you, so I know who you are. Do you still feel comfortable talking about your, well, feelings?"
"I don't care who knows me. I just need serious help with my feelings, and none of my friends can help. Besides, you're somewhat familiar."
"Alrighty then. Begin when you're ready."
She took a breath, clasping her hands together. I made no move to seem impatient, as I understand that it is hard to confess.
"I have a friend, my best friend, who is one of the best people I've ever met. He's charming, kind, welcoming, loyal, generous, and handsome. I met him so long ago, when I was six, at elementary school. He helped me out, and we bonded instantly. Now hormones want to ruin the beautiful friendship I have, and I don't know if I want us to stay friends or become more. Could you help me?"
I stay silent. I've heard of childhood friend romances in TV shows, but I'd never encountered anyone with that predicament before. It makes me think, but as I look at her, I see that she looks quite anxious.
"Don't worry. I've just never met anyone in your situation. I suppose that means I need to help you for a longer amount of time to give the best advice." I pause. "Can you cook?" She raised an eyebrow in confusion, but nodded.
"Well then..."
"Evalyne."
"Well then, Evalyne, welcome to the Cooking/Confession Club! As a member, you receive advice and help in your dreams of confessing to your love! We'll be here no matter what, and you get to cook, too!"
The timer went off then, making me jump. I stood and pulled the cookies out of the oven. They smell delicious. I carefully peel one off the tray, taking a bite.
"And you get to eat, too!" I smile at Evalyne, who laughs in response. She moves to grab a cookie, but I keep it out of reach.
"You'll join? It's a commitment." Evalyne sighed, then nodded.
"I'm never busy anyway. I'll join. Now give me that cookie. I need comfort food." I grinned, lowering the tray.
"Welcome to the CC, Evalyne. I wish you the best of luck."