Chapter 8 - Welcome to the Club

"What best describes today", Simon wondered as the classes finish. "Normal?" he muttered. Well there are, of course, the gazes of other students. Can't really blame them as Simons' face is covered in bruises.

"Hey Simon!" Peter shouted just a few feet behind him. Simon slowly turned around to see the cheerful face of Peter. "Ah shit, I almost forgot about this." He thought. Peter casually walked up to him and greeted him. "Follow me, I'll lead you to our club room" he said with a smile. "Sure." Simon responded with a forced smile. "Ugh, just get it over with." Simon thought.

He then followed Peter out of the east building. They went past the track and field circle which is just south of the building they were just in. It is a sizable oval as Simon took note of. It was about 85 meters in length which is, for a non active person like Simon, quite the distance.

They reached a guard house that is stationed south of the Campus. It was a shaby shelter meant for a single person. An elderly guard sits inside that seems to be drowsy and almost half asleep . "Good afternoon Mr. Rey!" Peter said. The guard was startled and almost jumped off his chair. "My, my! If it isn't Peter! Having another meeting eh?" the guard said as he noticed Peter and regain his composure. "Hm? A friend of yours, Peter?" the guard added as he noticed Simon. "Yes, a new member actually" Peter replied. The guard had a long look at Simon, almost judging him. Simon glared back. "How rare" the old man muttered. "Well, carry on!" the old man said and the two continued their journey to the club room.

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"What the fuck? Are you gonna rob me?" Simon asked impatiently. "why are you taking me to the least visited part of the campus?" he added. At this point, the two are walking on a path that not much students go to. It's much quieter and peaceful in this parts. "Apologies. We weren't that fortunate to get a better club room." Peter said. After a few more seconds, tgey entered building E, the south most building of the campus. "And here we are!" Peter said cheerfully while standing in front of a shabby class room. "Alright. I'm going home." Simon said even before getting inside the classroom. "Oh come on, don't be shy." Peter said as he placed his grip on Simon's shoulder firmly, preventing him from running away. "Shit. I knew I shouldn't have followed this guy." Simon complained internally. "Let go." Simon said menacingly as he clasp his hand on Peter's wrist. "No can do. Were already here." Peter said with a cold tone, his smile nowhere to be seen. Simon, irritated, tightened his grip on Peter's wrist. As a response, Peter tightened his grip on Simon's shoulders making him flinch. The two glared daggers at each other with Simon ready to throw hands.

"Oh! Thats president! Are you succesful in blackmailing another student?" A voice said from inside the classroom. The two broke off of each others grasps. The door slowly opened and a student with brown hair came out. "Oh! A new member!" he exclaimed as he quickly covered the distance between him and Simon who winced at the new character. "Hi! Name's Jazz! Editorial and sports writer. Nice to meet you!" he said cheerfully as he stood extremely close to Simon. "S-sure."Simon replied awkwardly." So?! A new member?! Welcome welcome! " Jazz added." Calm down, Jazz. "Peter said with a smile did nothing to quell the excitement of Jazz." Ugh. So noisy. "Simon thought as he became even more eager to leave. Jazz took Simon's hand and pulled him into the classroom. "Come! You'll love it here. I'll give you a tour in our club room!" Jazz said as they enter the room. The classroom was rather small compared to other classrooms. Its walls are covered with bulletin boards filled with files and stories yet to be published as well as photographs and inspiring quotes. On the corner, another student was seated and is totally absorbed in drawing. "Hey Tricia! We have a new member!" Jazz exclaimed with no reply from Tricia who is totally fixated on her drawing. Jazz pouted and let go of Simon's hand to tap at Tricia's shoulder. "Hey come on! It's been ages since we got a new member!" Jazz exclaimed as he tried to catch the attention of the artist. "Gyah!" exclaimed Tricia when Jazz tapped her on the shoulder. The artist jolted which resulted in a single yet clear stroke of pencil that ran through the entire drawing. "Oops." Jazz whispered. "Why you little...!" Tricia exclaimed as she stood up and grabbed Jazz by his head, easily lifting him. "Ahhhh! I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorryyyy!" Jazz blurted out as he tried his best to escape the enraged Tricia.

"Oh? A new member?" Tricia said as she saw Simon.

"Yes! Yes! Why don't you introduce yourself Tricia?!" Jazz exclaimed, hoping that Tricia would let him go. The artist cleared her throat as she let go of Jazz and made her way to Simon. "Nice to meet you! I'm Patricia Paige but you can call me Tricia, the editorial cartoonist of the club! And you are?" she said cheerfully. "Oh yeah. You haven't introduced yourself." Jazz said as he compose himself. Simon took a second to respond, still thinking whether or not he should just leave.

"Everyone, this is Simon." Peter said. "And he will be joining us." He added. Both Jazz and Tricia were visibly ecstatic to hear that there will be a new member. However, Simon glared at Peter as he remembered what happened just before entering the classroom. "No. I don't think I will." he responded as he headed for the exit, much to the dismay of both the new characters. "W-wait! Please reconsider!" Jazz said as he tried to catch up to Simon in the hallway. "Oh well." Tricia sighed as she grabbed another clean sheet of paper and sat back at her seat. "Oh come on!" Jazz exclaimed. "Just when I thought that you guys would not order me around anymore because theres a newer member, dammit I'm still the errand boy!" he added.

Peter stared at Simon as he exited the building. He then looked at his wrist which was swollen with a handprint clearly visible. "Don't worry. I have a plan. " He said with a smile. "When will the parents conference be held?" Peter asked. Jazz composed himself and scratched his head. "Hmm. I heard that it will be two weeks from now. Confirmation will be announced tomorrow." Jazz replied. Peter smiled "I see. Now go back to work. I feel like there will be a lot of events that will be worthy for a story in the future."