The four of them were found sitting in one of the tables of the library. Luckily, Marcus still has the copies of the club's registration form. It means that they can go convince the first year to not change their mind.
"Are you sure you want to join the Theater Club?" Haley asked the brunette.
If Arlo's glare could burn, the blonde girl have turned into ashes seconds ago.
Way to go Haley! Such successful strategy to make them question their decision more.
Haley rolled her eyes at the red headed boy and coughed.
Marcus ignored at the two of them and smiled gently.
"I think what Haley mean is, our club isn't exactly the best out there so new club members isn't really common to go by."
The girl awkwardly smiled and scratched her head.
"Um, well... That doesn't really matter to me. You know, the club's size. I really like acting so I was pretty set on joining the Theater club" she said with an awkward shrug.
She then closed both of her fist and exclaimed
"My passion is to be on stage, showing the audience an awe inspiring story that they will never forget. I promise to give my best to this club, Ate! Kuya!"
(Ate means older sister while
Kuya means older brother.
It can also refer to people who are only slightly older than you)
And just like that, the girl has bullseyed the hearts of her seniors.
"Uwaa!!! So passionate and determined!"
"I can't believe I'm going to mentor this child! I will teach you all I know and help you reach your best!"
"I've only known you for less than a day but if anything happened to this child I will destroy everything in this school then myself"
As expected, Marcus is the one who composed himself the fastest.
"Then you're going to fit right into our club. Welcome to the Theater Club, Ms...?"
"Mary. My name's Mary Fransisco"
She then shooked Marcus stretched hand.
"Hi Mary! My name's Arlo Garcia and it looks like were going to be club mates!"
"The name's Haley. Haley Rodriguez."
"I'm Marcus Mendoza. Ask me anything about the school"
"Nice to meet you all!"
Mary smiled at them brightly.
But then she frowned and asked
"Err, what's wrong with the Theater Club?"
"Hmm..?" Arlo blinked. Marcus only sighed.
"Ah well, if the rumors I heard were true, it's that the club is about to disband..." She said sheepishly.
"Hmp, don't believe those rumors Ferdinand spreads. He just think the Theater Club will die with our batch because of the lack of new members"
Haley explained.
"Ferdinand...?" Mary looks confused.
"Haley, don't slander other people" Marcus scolded.
"It ain't slander if it's the truth!" Arlo rebutted.
"There's no proof that's it him who's saying those things."
"Oh I'm sorry, did you forget his statement about us choosing a new club to transfer to?!" Haley slammed her hand on the table.
"That doesn't him he is the one who's spreading rumors!"
"OH Come on, Marcus! If you have-"
"Ahemm."
Someone coughed.
"Children, I believe there are far better places for your accusations and such. I believe that the library is a place for knowledge and not petty squabbles."
The librarian said to them while smiling but the aura she emits contradicts it.
They didn't notice that Ms. Soriano has approached their table. Apparently she was glaring at them already for the past 5 minutes.
They looked around and saw that the other students in the library were staring at them in unconcealed annoyance.
Uh-oh.
The four of them were promptly kicked out of the library.
"Ah well, that was embarrassing..."
Mary said while fiddling with the hem of her sweater.
Haley is still glaring at Marcus and Arlo is pouting like a child.
The black haired boy only sighed.
"Arlo, Haley. Yes it's frustrating that these type of rumors spread. Yes, obviously it's Ferdinand who's saying this stuff to other students but I don't think we should feed more into his need of being noticed by showing that his words affects us"
"But what if the other students really believe those and no more students join the club?" Mary asked.
"Ah well, the rumors are gonna get debunked anyway. Today's Monday and only the start of the recruitment week. By Friday, every club and organization is required to advertise their club in front of the student body."
Haley just "Hmp"ed and Arlo gave a vague sound of agreement, but the subject was dropped.
Almost on cue, the bell rang signalling the Flag Retreat Ceremony. The students gathered in the covered court and sang the national anthem while the flag was solemnly hoisted down. After that, it was an unspoken rule that no students must remain at school.
Everybody went home, anticipating the Day 2 of the recruitment week.
________________________________
Marcus is still up late at night, maybe 12 midnight. He isn't sure, he doesn't like to look at the clock too much when he's trying to cram work and chase a deadline.
But now he thought about it, he doesn't need what he's doing right now until thursday or friday. And it's only tuesday tomorrow.
But then he remembered they already need it tomorrow so they can polish and enhance said work.
Oh? What's Marcus working on?
It's the Theater Club's presentation on Friday. Yeah.
On a start of a school year, a week is dedicated for Club and Organization recruitments. Students often call it the CNO week. It's always held on the first month, the 3rd and 4th week. Sometimes, the CNO week is moved on the first week of the second month, when emergencies happen (ie. natural disasters, lack fo funds, scandals, lack of preparations, etc.)
But it totally depends on the Department of Education's School Year Schedule.
Anyways, the Supreme Student Government or SSG always supervise and organize the CNO week. It's the only organization that does it's recruitment on the last month of the school year. Via the SSG elections. Sometimes, when the students are really competitive, these last months are legendary. Bribery, backstabbing and broken friendships? Mostly fuels the drama for the next school year.
This year's SSG decided to have a theme on this year's CNO week.
Clubs and Organizations should make their promotion in align to this theme. They aren't allowed to do the typical sales talk. Which honestly is a blessing because those talks are dryer than the Atacama Desert. Might be an exaggeration but they sure are boring.
That's what Marcus is working on.
Their presentation on Friday.
The theme SSG picked is-
*roll the drumroll please*
'FAIRY TALES'
Do you have an inkling on what type of presentation Marcus is working on?
That's right! He's making a script for a play.
His biggest dilemma right now is how to not make the play boring as hell.
It's very hard.
Marcus yawned.
You know, sometimes the saying boring as hell confuses him. How could hell be boring? It's a torture place. But maybe the phrase was pertaining to being 'not boring'? If so, is he using the phrase wrong in his whole life?
But then he thought about it again but it confuses him more, because he's not sure if the phrase 'boring as hell' even exist. Maybe it's one of those words added '-as hell' for emphasis. But it still contradicts itself. How did no one notice that? But it brings him back to question if he's the only who's only the phrase that way. Which is embarrassing and-
Marcus totally went off track.
He sighed and finally took a look at the clock. It says 12:37. It's not noon because the moon's reflection can be seen on the mirror hanged on the wall.
Maybe Marcus should sleep. He should get input from his clubmates.
Why is he the one doing the script anyway? He frowned.
Then he remembered,
"Oh wait. That's right, I'm one of the club officers."