Emmitt

They get to the meeting, Renee suspecting nothing as far as they could tell. The club is held in a science classroom, and when they walk in, Emmitt is standing behind the teacher's desk at the front.

"Welcome to the Acceptance Society!" He says cheerfully, arms spread out and gesturing vaguely to the room. When they walk into the room,, he drops the flamboyant act and tells them, "It's 4 now, but I think we'll wait till some more people arrive." There was absolutely no one else in the room. "I really appreciate you guys coming. Who's this you've brought with you?"

"I'm Remy. I'm in your history class. And you're 'Energetic Emmitt!'" Remy playfully mocked in the same tone Emmitt had used earlier.

He jokingly eyed him up and down, dark brown, almost black eyes dancing as he pretended to judge him. "Hmm. 'Relaxed Remy.' It's nice to meet you."

"How'd you remember my name? I only remembered yours because of how sassy you were when you said it."

He stopped using his fake serious tone and took on a lighter one. "I'm just really good with names. Or maybe that stupid name game actually worked."

They waited a few more minutes, but no one else turned up. Emmitt sighed, "Hmm. That's a bummer. Do you think it was my speech? Did it turn people off?"

"It got me." Remy said.

"Maybe it's the pretentious name," Landon suggested. "'Acceptance Society' just screams 'We think we're better than you!'"

Emmitt nodded thoughtfully, taking it as advice rather than harsh criticism. "Then maybe we can use today to brainstorm how to get more people to attend."

Landon grabbed Emmitt by the shoulders. "Yeah, maybe by changing the fucking name."

Completely ignoring him, Emmitt said, "Ooo, I thought of an idea! Now hear me out on this one." He put his chin in his hand and said, "We can use a scare tactic. Tell them that whoever doesn't show up is racist."

Landon, Renee, and Remy simultaneously rolled their eyes, realizing this wasn't a real suggestion.

"No, come on! This is a real suggestion. We just say that people didn't come because they're afraid to have a black person at the head of a club. Then, everyone'll be like, 'Oh, shit! I can't have people thinking I'm racist! I'd better go to that club.'" They just stared at him blankly, Renee shaking her head. But Emmitt continued with his plan as if they would jump on board. "See? It's a scare tactic. White people are scared to be called racist (no offense)," he adds to Remy and Landon. "So that will lure them in. Then, they'll see, 'Hey, this club is actually pretty cool. I'm glad that guy used our fears against us to make us join!' See? Seeeeee??? It's foolproof!"

No one said anything for a while. They were just staring at him trying to form sentences. Landon broke the spell by saying, "Emmitt. Dear, sweet Emmitt. I've known you for a moderately long time. And during that time, I've heard you say some stupid shit. But this is the stupidest shit ever! Please tell me you are not serious."

Emmitt just stared deeply into his eyes, not blinking, no facial expression. He grabbed Landon's face, touching their noses together. "Landon. I have never been more serious about something in my entire life."

They stared at each other for a little while longer, trying to keep absolutely all emotion from showing on their faces, until they cracked and both broke out laughing. Remy wasn't sure who broke first, too confused by their weird staring contest.

"Um, what?" Remy wondered aloud.

"Yeah, that's just their relationship. It's weird," Renee provided, shrugging it off as though she'd seen it many times before.

As soon as they gained their composure, Emmitt looked to the other two. "Okay, so I know how Landon feels, but what did you guys think about my idea?"

Renee said sarcastically, "It was great. Just a really amazing plan."

Remy played along, "Oh, I totally agree. You should tell all our classmates that tomorrow. Just stand in front of the room, and let 'em have it."

Emmitt grinned, "Well, it's good to know that somebody has my back, Landon." He peered over at him accusingly.

Once they were finally done joking around and everyone just kind of mellowed down, Remy asked, "So, what was your original plan for today's meeting?"

"We were all gonna play Kahoot together," he sighed.

"Oh, that's lame. No one wants to play that anymore," Remy said, then added, "No offense."

"We could all play, just the four of us," Renee offered.

"Hmm. That's... true."

They spent the rest of the afternoon having a surprisingly good time playing quizzes on Kahoot. They also thought up new names for the club, landing on the Hang Out Club. It wasn't anything special, but it was better than the old name.

Though he only met them mere hours ago, Remy felt that they had already accrued the same level of friendship he used to have with his friends back home. He felt so comfortable with them. They had great personalities, ones that paired well with Remy's more introverted and shy one.

After the last week of feeling insecure and lonely, he needed this kind of day. Already feeling a close bond with these people, Remy was able to forget who Landon was, or more specifically, what he had seen him do and why he was here. But that bliss of temporary ignorance only lasted until he and Landon were alone. They said goodbye to Renee as she went to her dorm, Emmitt heading in the opposite direction toward his own.

Landon took on a serious nature, even though Remy could tell that he hadn't feigned his joviality that afternoon. He sensed that Landon regretted having to put a damper on the night. But Remy understood. They needed to talk.