CHAPTER XI

Aidan looks at the yard from the class window. Soon, the art festival will be held. All clubs in the school have started to prepared. During the festival, they will set up tents along the school yards and do promotions to attract new club members. Most of their target members are new students. In the evening, art performances will be held. Usually, drama clubs coordinate these performances, but all clubs may have a session in the festival's main event. Currently, the school yards have been decorated with banners. The colorful flags of each club are lined up next to the school bordering the road. He himself is not registered as a member of any club. However, every year Aidan comes to the peak night of the festival to see performing bands and food bazaar.

"All right." Mr. Connor stands in front of the class carrying a stack of papers. "This year's social class project is taking part of a different group. On this paper, there is a list of your names and the name of the clubs which you will join."

While talking, Mr. Connor distributes paper to each table. "I want you to join a new group. For the upcoming art festival, I have registered your names in each club as written on this list. I expect you, at the end of the festival, to write a thousand-word report about your experience, about your experience of socializing with your new environment."

Aidan looks at the sheet of paper on the table. Because of the initial letter of his name, he can immediately see his name there. Aidan Reid - Drama Club. Aidan curses softly. He hopes to be put into a math, chess, or similar club, whose members are nerd or geek kids. However, the drama club, he is not sure he could fit in there. Aidan traces the paper again, looking for Joshua Dawson. Being in the middle of the list, that's where he finds the name. Joshua Dawson - Chess Club. Damn it, this is too easy for him. Why not put him on the sports team? It will definitely be more interesting.

Josh sits two chairs across the back from Aidan. He turns towards his friend. Josh waves the paper from the table and grins happily, forcing Aidan to look away, annoyed.

When the lunch bell rings, Aidan immediately packs his backpack and slides out of the classroom. Josh teases him, still waving his club list paper.

"Drama, huh?" says Josh, grinning broadly. "Will you be the main star at an art festival performance?"

"Seriously, Josh?" Aidan replies lazily.

"Hey, maybe you can become popular! Many girls will be lining up for you to date."

Aidan just snorts and continues walking toward the locker, as much as he can, ignoring Josh's rant. Things don't get better when someone calls him.

"Aidan Reid," Amber calls as she approaches Aidan. Amber Edmond has a small body and a sweet face, the type of girl who brings joy in all the places she goes. Apparently, everyone at Mountain Side High knows her. She is an active and typical girl who is liked by teachers. Aidan has several subjects that he takes with her.

Deep inside, Aidan also admits that this girl is very sweet and her cheerfulness could be contagious if he is beside her. Aidan turns to Amber and looks at her in surprise. Although Amber often smiles when passing him, the girl never deliberately approaches him. "Yes?" Aidan answers doubtfully.

The girl stands beside him, her height not exceeding Aidan's shoulder. Her long hair is neatly spun out above her head. She holds up the club list paper. "So you got the drama club, huh?"

"Yup"

Josh, whose position is slightly in the middle of the conversation, retreats and now is behind Amber. His body towering above Amber’s head makes Aidan able to see the silly faces his friend is making. Luckily, when talking to Amber, he looks down more so there is no need for him to look at Josh's silly faces.

"Yes, this year, the drama club wants to stage a story based on a popular movie," Amber continues. "We plan to perform the story of "10 Things I Hate about You". I'm the chairman of the drama club, if you don't know." Amber's laugh is a bit awkward. "When the drama club agrees to choose ten things, I thought you were very suitable to play Patrick. However, because at that time you were not a member of our club, it was rather difficult to make it happen. I am very happy to see this social project will make you become a member of our club."

Amber delivers her words in one breath. She is so enthusiastic because her ideas would definitely come true.

"You want me to play in the drama?" Aidan asks doubtfully. "I think I'll just help, being a stage crew or something."

"Of course not”, Amber replies to him. "You are going to be the main character."

I've never even watched that movie, Aidan thinks to himself.

"It will be great!" says Amber quickly, seeing the reluctance on Aidan's face obviously. "You will definitely have a very interesting report later. You can't refuse it. So? You will accept it, right? "

"Look, I've never even watched the movie. Really, I never wanted to perform on stage."

"However, this is a good opportunity. You will definitely like it. "Amber's sweet face looks at Aidan, begging. "Just like what Mr. Connor said, you must try something new."

"He will definitely accept your offer." Josh's face suddenly appears from behind Amber's head.

Shocked, Amber moves to the side, away from Josh. She glares at Josh because he has surprised her.

"I guarantee that, my beloved friend will accept your offer."

Aidan looks at Josh, angrily. He selfishly makes a decision for him. Josh puts his arm around Aidan's shoulder and pats his chest. "I'll make sure he accepts your offer," he grins.

Amber takes another step back so as not to look up too much when looking at Josh. Her eyes are still rounded in surprise, not like when she was talking to Aidan. At this moment, the girl seems stunned, perhaps still recovering from her shock. The girl digests Josh's words for quite some time. "Ummm, well then, I'll see you later. We will have a meeting later this evening, I hope you can come," she continues, turns, and walks away.

"See you at the chess club, okay!?" Josh shouts at her as he waves his hand towards Amber. Amber turns around, smiles forcedly and immediately rushes.

"Chess club?" Aidan asks.

"Yup," Josh answers, pointing to Amber's name on his club list.” Amber Edmond - Chess Club. Come on, we have to talk about that Aswang problem."