Chapter Text
The 25th of September
The cackling sound of the intercom sounded throughout the school, and was almost immediately followed by the monotone voice of the school secretary:
“Daniel James Howell. Please report to the school counsellor immediately.”
I sighed. This had been the third time this week!
The bell had just rung, announcing the end of another school week. I had been in the process of packing my back, so I could go home, and play some piano… and maybe some WOW. Who knows? But that plan was shattered, as I, once again was called to talk to Miss Mari – the counsellor of the school. I finished packing my things, and went out of the classroom, and into the school hall.
Around me are students walking with their friends towards the exit and into the summer sun. They probably want to spend the (maybe) last warm and sunny weekend on the beach or something, before autumn hits us.
I can understand and respect that. After all, this is one of the few weekends, we don’t have a fuck ton of homework to do.
And then there is the people, rushing to their clubs, to make sure they make it before the club activity starts.
I don’t get that. Why would anyone want to spend precious time after school, IN SCHOOL? I guess it makes sense for the swimming club, or the track team, since they probably don’t have the equipment needed at home… but the debate club, and the sewing club?
And don’t give me the “Oh, they do it on school grounds, so it is easier to get into the right mindset” bullshit. Most of the club rooms are garbage anyway. They would probably be better off, if the club members took turns to have it at their house.
I begin to take the route I have taken so many times before this month. The route to the counsellor’s office.
On my way there, I walk past several clubs where the members just sit and talk, and shakes my head at how they choose to spend their weekends.
The counsellor’s office is at end of one of the many corridors in this school. The door is made of a kind of dark-brown wood. Which wood, I have no idea.
I knock on the door, and waits for Miss Mari to grant me permission to enter.
Miss Mari is rather young and a very new counsellor and substitute teacher but she already has the respect of almost every student at the school. She is extremely nice, and really understanding – which really makes me question, what makes her call me in so late – and a very new and modern way of teaching, compared to the rest of the teachers. She has short, blond hair and deep blue eyes, and – to be honest – looks more like a model, than a counsellor.
“Come in.” Miss Mari’s voice finally sounds, and I open the door to the office. Inside I find Miss Mari, sitting in her chair, talking to a stood up third year, that has a jet-black fringe and shining blue eyes – Phil Lester.
I know Phil since we live on the same street, and has therefor been to a few neighbourhood parties together, but I didn’t know he attended this school.
“Dan. Thanks for coming on such short notice. Take a seat” I nodded and sat down on the chair that was pulled out for me. “So, Dan. I am sorry that I had to call you in after the bell had rung, but as you know, it is of upmost importance…”
“…that I join a club and attend the first meeting, before the 30th of September. Yes, I know Miss Mari. You have told me this every single time I have come here.”
Yep, the reason for me being called to the counsellor’s office so often, is not because of me having bad grades – I actually have some of the best grades in my year, or because I misbehave all the time – my teachers actually like me a lot, since I am not one of the more talkative students, and since I actually turns my work in.
Nope, the reason for me being called here so often, is because I won’t join a club. Yep, that is right a club!
The reason for this, is that to get into my dream university, you must have been in a school club for at least two years, and unless you attend the first meeting before the 30th of September, it doesn’t count as a year, and since first and second year have a smaller mountain than third and fourth year, me and Miss Mari have agreed upon, that that should be the two years I am member of a club. The only problem is, that no club on school ground interest me. Sure, if the school had a music club, my problem would be solved, but it doesn’t, and I don’t care for much else.
So, since I couldn’t find a club I wanted to join myself, Miss Mari offered to find a club for me, on the premise, that I had to at least try the club for a year, since I didn’t have any other choice. If I didn’t like the club after a year, I was allowed to switch.
I wonder if Phil is a representative for the club Miss Mari have chosen.
“So, Dan. I heard that you and Phil know each other, is this true” both me and Phil nodded “Perfect! Dan I have found a club for you. The Drama Club! Phil, is the leader of the drama club, and he says you can play the music for the shows, if you don’t want to act! It is perfect! So, what do you say Dan?”
Oh, crap!
I don’t have a problem with acting, or being on a stage in general, but there is a reason why I avoided the drama club. Everybody in that club is either loud or extremely loud students, that really want all the attention that they can get.
“S-s-sounds gr-gr-great, Miss Mari” I begin to stutter a little bit “So, um, Phil. When is the next meeting?”
“Right now” Phil said laughingly, and begins to drag me out of Miss Mari’s office, and towards the drama club room “We are going to have so much fun this year, Dan!”
Sure, we are…