Chapter 20

With Lucas's blessing, Mat took Thomas without asking to the Planetary research club and smiled at Ember.

"No work!" and offered her his hand. She happily took the hand and quickly showed the WW with a registration form. Thomas looked at it after Mat signed it and hesitated.

"You really joined?"

"Yeah,"

"But If I don't join the club will be disbanded, right?" he looked at Ember who smiled awkwardly.

"Only If I don't manage to find somebody else,"

"Well then..." he raised his hand.

"Then what?" Mat stopped him.

"Then I also want to join?" Thomas looked confused.

"Why?"

"Why...I want to be in a club with a friend?"

"I wonder, you looked like you like 3D modeling and not this..." Mat vaguely gestures at Ember's table.

"I was hesitant and..."

"I just want to make it clear but don't think just because we talk and do school together that you get some bonus from my planet,"

"What? You think I am following you because of your shitty planet?" Thomas raised his voice and for the first time, Mat could see him show negative emotion.

"Who the fuck you think you are? Not to mention why should I even listen to you when I pick my club?" Thomas said angrily pulled Ember by her hand closer to him so he could sign the WW more easily.

"Now, done!" he only said and then left Ember and Mat alone together.

"Wow, that was pretty harsh," Ember said after a few seconds of silence.

"Was it? Well, better sooner than later," Mat only said and was about to leave.

"Wait! Before you go, please watch your notifications and connect to my WW,"

"Of course," he said and waited for her reaction at the warning his WW was being watched.

"Oh, you are also being watched? Cool!" she said happily,"

"He?" he growled surprised.

"Why so surprised? Didn't you know that about 30% of WW are being watched? It is no big deal, well not that I know much about the privacy laws..."

"I never hear that...Why are you being watched?"

"Let's say the government does not like a kid that sneaks from a guiding tour in their offices..." she said innocently.

"Why would you? Is that the only reason?"

"I was curious! The guide was very boring and talking about basic shit...don't get me started," she said.

"Ok, see you at the club, I guess," Mat nodded and left her alone.

"Wait! Would you help me with the tables? I don't have to waste time asking new people now!"

"Right..."

"It is not that far and they are very light..." she kneeled and opened the table safely so she could fold it.

"Let me take it then, at least I find the clubroom and meet the other guy,"

"They are sick right now, so sorry to disappoint, but you can use the clubroom whenever you want!" she said and after a few minutes of cleaning her spot, they went inside the school. Since Mat was still pretty new he did not even know about a small elevator next to a storage room on the ground floor. She then pressed the button for the fifth floor.

"Is this it?" Mat said disappointed before the small clubroom with only four chairs and one big window opposite to the door.

"Well yeah, it is mostly research after all. We have access to the roof though if you want to find a place to be alone,"

"Cool!" he said and put the table in the corner of the room.

"Here is the lock, I will send you the pin later. You can come anytime you want, but only use your station!" she pointed at one of the computers inside the table. "I hope you will come tomorrow so we can discuss what will you do in the club. Just to be sure to have our stories straight,"

"I will come, should I bring something?"

"Hmmm, I am not going to lie, I am curious about the information about your planet. Most exploration information is not public, so it would be really nice to see real reports,"

"I will think about it..."

"Thanks! See you soon!"