37

It seems like a hard thing to forget, but it had nearly slipped your mind just how soon the vote was. It doesn't seem as though Rana has forgotten, though. And it doesn't seem as if she's forgotten how you helped her out before, like when you cleaned up after the fair and set things up before the protest. It may not be much, but you think it must have meant something to her.

It's strange; no matter how quietly your mornings start off, they seem to start feeling busy before you've finished your breakfast.

But if you really are going to keep busy, you're going to have to decide what you want to do.

You head out quickly, hoping to get to the Town Hall in time to hand the petition over. You barely get more than a few steps past your mailbox, however, when you hear Tobias calling your name.

Turning, you spot him crossing the street towards you, giving you a wave. After confirming that you're both headed to the Town Hall, you set off together at a brisk pace.

"I don't usually do this kind of thing," Tobias says, "but Rana asked, and I just felt bad about what happened the other day. Plus, you know, I haven't really seen anybody in a while. I should probably get out of the house at least sometimes."

He smiles, and you think it seems as if his mood has stayed about the same since you last saw him. You think he must be really trying to make an effort to spend time with other people. Given what he told you the other night in the park, you know it can't have been easy.

It doesn't take long to reach the Town Hall, and right away, you spot Rana standing just in front of the main doors, a few sheets of paper in her hands.

She smiles when she sees the two of you, but from the hard set of her jaw, she seems too apprehensive to really show much enthusiasm. Around her, a small group of others—far fewer than there were at the protest—murmur quietly, sticking close to one another out of some unspoken fear.

"Hey. Thanks for coming. It's cool you're here, Tobias," Rana adds, seeming genuinely pleased in spite of her anxiety. "How've you been?"

"Yeah, uh…I'm okay," Tobias says, hands fidgeting slightly. He doesn't seem to know how to act around all these people. "I know you needed some help, and…I thought I might be able to be useful."

"Oh, definitely," Rana tells him, nodding quickly. Looking from you to Tobias, she actually manages a smile. "Just being here helps. Don't worry; all you have to do is stand there and look like you mean business."

For a few minutes you watch as Rana waits for new arrivals, counting and recounting everybody with determined precision. You get the feeling she doesn't want to risk making any mistakes.

"Okay. Well. We should probably get this over with soon," Rana says once it seems as if no one else is coming. Compared to how you've heard her speak before, you're surprised at just how grim her tone is. "I know this only really takes one person, but I'm glad to have you guys here. As long as we can show that we're all still dedicated, I think we should give a good impression. And…I'm not gonna lie, the thought of doing this on my own is kind of terrifying."

A few people laugh, but it's obvious that most people share Rana's nerves. Glancing at Tobias, you notice him avoiding anybody else's eye.

"But it's going to be fine. It'll probably only take five minutes anyway," she says with a shrug. "So—let's just do it, I guess. And let's hope it helps."

She waves a hand, and you all follow her into the Town Hall. Looking around at the foyer and the new glass in the windows, you wouldn't have known anything had happened here at all.

As you follow Rana through a doorway and along a simply decorated corridor, you end up falling into step with her. Tobias, sticking close by your side, does as well—and soon Rana catches his eye.

"How was your college trip?" she asks, seeming to want a more normal conversation to help keep down her nerves.

Tobias, however, stiffens immediately at the question.

"Um…it was…"

He struggles for the right words, and you get the feeling he's just as reluctant to lie as he is to tell Rana the truth.