Ryan and I walked hand in hand out of the classroom.
"What class do you have next?". He asked me.
"For the next forty minutes, I am free".
"How about we hang out?".
"What does he have in mind?" I wondered.
"Hang out?" I asked, aloud.
"Yes hang out".
"I never imagined you to be the type to sneak out of school".
"Oh no, not sneaking out".
"Really?".
"This is why I will always be a nerd". He smiled as he made fun of himself.
"Sorry I misunderstood you, I didn't realize....".
"It's okay. I just want us to find a book in the library and discuss or something".
I laughed really hard. Not that he was being funny but I was laughing at the fact that we misunderstood each other so badly. Who hangs out with her crush in a library?
"Its okay with me if you don't want to do this, I understand it's completely weird".
"It is but it's no problem. I can deal with weird, bad and cool is what I can't take".
We both laughed and walked to the library together.
"What can I get for you two love birds? Jane Harlequin books? Avon romance?" The librarian asked us as we approached the desk.
It was then we realized we were still holding hands. We each withdrew our hands so quickly that it was awkward.
"Uhh.....ah....hmm...". Ryan muttered.
"Actually.....we....we....are....not a couple..." I stammered.
"....yet". Ryan said and I stared daggers at him.
"I know you, you are Ryan. Rhyme's brother and editor of the press club right? I have seen you hold meetings here but this girl, I can't seem to place her face....."
"I am new here". I said.
"Welcome to Duncan high school, am Jessica". She offered her hands for a handshake.
"I am pleased to meet you". I shook her hand.
"Am a student you so you don't have to be too polite. I can't be much older, just graduated from this school a few months ago. Am working here to save for college....". She rattled on and on.
From my own assessment, Jessica is a really nice person and very friendly too but she is such a talkative.
"What books do you have?". I interrupted not because I was being rude but because I was bored by her stories and really wanted to find somewhere secluded that I could read and talk with Ryan.
"We have Shakespeare, any work of Shakespeare just name it. We also have Jane Eyre, Great Gatsby, Eyes of darkness, Native Son...". She rattled on and on again.
"That's a long list to choose from".
"I know, you know can read every single book here". She suggested.
"I do not think that is a good idea". I responded and she handed a catalogue to us.
"We do not need this, thanks anyways". Ryan spoke with sincere gratitude.
"We will have the Eyes of darkness". I said.
"Oh, great book. Let me tell you what happened".
"Hello? We will be reading the book so I do not think we need a summary". I snapped at her and Ryan frowned at me.
I grabbed the book from the desk and walked to the far end of the library. I sat down on one of the chairs and placed my bag on the other.
"Sour attitude you displayed back there". Ryan said and sat down beside me.
"Sorry, I know I really suck right now. Am just stressed from all of the events recently. I can't think straight anymore and I guess I am letting the heat on others".
"Jessica is really nice and doesn't deserve that kind of reaction from you. You should learn to keep the heat inside of you rather than letting it out on others".
"I am sorry, I will apologise to her on my way out". I promised.
I felt bad about having to react like that but I couldn't help it. As Ryan said, Jessica was very nice to me. I can't remember how many people actually "welcomed" me to Duncan Town. Perhaps I can't remember because no one did. Ugh, I should really work on my emotions especially my anger.
We read the book and halfway I remembered an article I read on the internet a few minutes ago when I was checking my phone.
"You know this book was said to have predicted the outbreak of the deadly Corona Virus". I said.
"Oh really?". Ryan seemed interested. I was smiling, it felt really good to be the super-smart one and have Ryan be like "what?"
"Yes, though I do not agree".
"And why is that?".
"Well, the author did not actually predict the virus. I think it is just people trying to link the two things as a basis of finding a cure, vaccine or theories on the Virus".
"You think".
"Maybe, I mean you can't be so sure".
"I have not seen the mention of disease in the book so far".
"Me too but it's all over the internet. Keep looking through, you might find something. Who knows? It might be an idea for a Duncan Chronicles article".
"A girl after her goals, I like that". He commented.
"Many don't". I said sulkily.
"Their loss". He said cheerfully and we both smiled.
We continued to focus on the book.
"The book focuses on a mother who sets out on a quest to find out if her son truly did die one year ago, or if he is still alive. I do not think it has anything to do with the Corona Virus outbreak". Ryan said giving up. "I do not even think it is worth reading, am so sorry to have wasted your time like this. We can do something else if you want rather than read this dumb book". He dropped the book.
"It's okay, I think it's a really good book. Great storyline even, it's not just something I will like to read. It's historical and dated, I like romance and contemporary. If ever I will read historical and dated books, I will read Shakespeare but it is okay. The book ain't that bad and I enjoy spending time with you".
He blushed. "You are just being polite".
"Nope, I am being honest".
"If you want to leave, it's fine by me". He suggested.
"I don't, I love this book, quite captivating. I am not trying to finish the book though, just looking through a few pages to see if I find something interesting".
"A mother sends her son on a camping trip with a leader who has led this trip into the mountains 16 times before without mishap; that is until this time. Every single camper and leader and driver die with no explanation. As the grieving mother who is the protagonist begins to accept the fact that her son, Danny, is dead she starts getting vicious bully-like attacks from nowhere saying he is not dead, such as writing on chalkboards, words from printers and other various signs. Along with her new friend, Elliot Stryker, Christina Evans sets out to find out what could have possibly happened on the day that her son apparently died". I said to him.
"Yeah but I don't seem to get the prediction part".
"Well it says here on page 312....blah blah blah.. described...worth mentioning..in around 2020, severe pneumonia-like illness will spread throughout the globe attacking the lungs and bronchial tubes and resisting all known treatments. Almost more baffling than the illness itself will be the fact that it will suddenly vanish as quickly as it arrived, attack again ten years later and then completely vanish". I read aloud to him.
He dragged his chair closer and looked over at my book.
"This is interesting".
"So now you agree that this is good Duncan Chronicles material?". I asked hoping he would agree with me.
"Of course I do agree. This is fantastic he said.
"You think the prediction will come true?".
"We can only wait".
"It will probably never happen". I shrugged.
We left the library and walked to our various classes.
The bell soon rang for the clubs and societies period. I walked out of the class smiling at the prospect of getting into the press club. I couldn't stop smiling as I walked, if any good thing ever came out of this, it was getting into the club.
"Don't be too overconfident Babe". I said to myself. It was surprising that I was starting to relate myself with the name Babe. It is probably because everyone calls me Babe. By everyone, I meant Ryan specifically. I stopped in front of the class.
"PRESS CLUB MEETING HOLDS HERE," The sign said.
"This is it". I said to myself and walked in.
"Look who is here, the latest writer for Duncan Chronicles". Angie announced as I walked in.
*Clap,clap,clap*
Everyone applauded and I smiled.
"Thank you so much".
"Sit here". Angie pointed to a chair in the front and I sat down.
"The article was superb". A girl beside me commented.
"Thanks".
"Superb?". Another girl said. "It was fantastic".
"I will say one of a kind". Reggie said.
"Thanks". I said and turned to face him.
"Babe". Karenina called.
"Yes". I turned to her side.
"The article, it was really nice. Keep this up and you are on your way to the top". She whispered.
"Thanks". I whispered back.
"Don't tell Angie I said that though". She said and smiled, trying to make it look like a joke. I remembered what Ryan had told me about Angie being a control freak so I knew it wasn't a joke.
"Settle down everyone". Angie shouted.
"Is somebody jealous?". A guy from the back said.
"Babe please introduce yourself as regards the due process". She ignored the boy's comment.
I stood up at an angle that I could see everyone from.
"Hi, my name is Barbara Marvel Jesus. I am in my final year and I am privileged to be here".
"All protocol duly observed, We shall now begin today's meeting".
The meeting began and minutes were read by Karenina who was the permanent secretary.
"Today's meeting is mainly about elections. I have invited the teacher-coach for all press clubs in Duncan Town to conduct today's meeting. He should join us shortly". She went out to make a phone call.
In Duncan high school, there are about four press clubs. The widely known being the Duncan Chronicles as it not only functions in the school but also outside. Other press clubs are individual press clubs founded by students or adults outside the school and also press clubs in private schools nearby. The press club coach also coordinates book clubs.
The man arrived after a few minutes.
"Good afternoon students, pardon me for being late. I had to attend to other businesses". He apologized as he walked in. "I am Mr Steele". He introduced.
Mr Steele had an average height and build. He was wearing khaki pants and a white shirt with a black striped tie and black shoes to match.
"Not to further waste time, I want you all to have this cards". He handed a card to each of us. "You are to write the name of the person you nominate and the post you are nominating them for except for the permanent secretary, that's a fixed post. When you are done, I will have these cards and collate them with the help of the permanent secretary. The top two nominations for each post will be announced and elections will be conducted on the next meeting day. If you are nominated and do not want the post, you can step down but that makes the post unopposed".
"Like I always am". Angie cut in smiling proudly.
"Told you so". Ryan said to me. I smiled.
The nominations were written and I nominated Ryan for the editor in chief.
Mr Steele collected the cards and collated the results with Karenina. A few minutes later, he stood up and announced the results.
"Desmond and Aaliyah for club welfare. Acacia and Eamonn for club spokesperson
Roxanne and Andrew for club assistant secretary
Melody and Ayesha for Public relations
Reginald Baxter for the post of club manager unopposed".
Angie squealed. Everyone clapped and Reggie stood up and bowed.
"Congrats man". Ryan said and slapped him playfully on the back.
"Thanks, bro".
".... and for the post of assistant editor in chief, we have Ryan and Christan".
Another round of applause rang through the room.
"Finally, for the first time, we have opposition for the post of editor in cheif".
"What?". Angie exclaimed.
Everyone looked around and murmured. I could not help but wonder who Angie's competition was too.
"The nominations go to Angela and Barbara".
*Clink*
My jaw dropped.