Chapter 1: The Literature Club?

Disclaimer: No, I don't own ddlc or aph... I don't even get allowance...

•~•~•~•~•

"Heeeeeeeyyy!"

I see an annoying girl running towards me from the distance, waving her arms in the air like she's totally oblivious to any attention she might draw to herself. That girl is Emily, my neighbor and good friend since we were children.

You know, the type of friend you'd never see yourself making today, but it just kind of works out because you've known them for so long?

We used to walk to school on days like this, but starting high school she would sleep more and more frequently, and I would get tired of waiting up. But if she's going to chase after me like this, I almost feel better off running away. However, I just sigh and idle in front of the crosswalk and let Emily catch up to me.

"Haaahhh...haaahhh..." Emily gasped, face red from running. "I overslept again! But I caught you this time!"

I internally snorted. "Maybe, but only because I decided to stop and wait for you."

"Eeehhh, you say that like you were thinking about ignoring me." Emily pouted. "That's mean, Mattie!"

"Well, if people stare at you for acting weird then I don't want them to think we're a couple or something." I muttered in reply.

"Fine, fine...but you did wait for me, after all." Emily grinned. "I guess you don't have it in you to be mean even if you want to~"

I sighed. "Whatever you say, Emily..."

"Ehehe~" Emily giggled.

•~•~•~•~•

We cross the street together and make our way to school. As we draw near, the streets become increasingly speckled with other students making their daily commute.

"By the way, Mattie...have you decided on a club to join yet?" Emily asked.

"A club?" I frowned. "I told you already, I'm not really interested in joining any clubs. I haven't been looking, either..."

"Eh? That's not true!" Emily exclaimed. "You told me you would join a club this year!"

"Did I...?" I paused for a moment, thinking. I'm sure it's possible I did, in one of our many conversations where I dismissively go along with whatever she's going on about. Emily likes to worry a little too much about me, which is surprising considering how boisterous she is usually. Even when I'm perfectly content just getting by on the average while spending my free time on games and anime. Then again, she does like to call herself the heroine at times.

"Uh-huh!" Emily's loud voice snaps me out of my inner monologue. "I was talking about how I'm worried that you won't learn how to socialize or have any skills before college! Your happiness is really important to me, you know. And I know you're happy now, but I'd die at the thought of you becoming a NEET in a few years because you're not used to the real world!" She frowns. "You trust me, right? Don't make me keep worrying about you!"

"Alright, alright..." I sighed. "I'll look at a few clubs if it makes you happy. No promises, though."

"Will you at least promise me that you'll try a little?" Emily looks at me hopefully.

"Yeah, I guess I'll promise you that."

"Yaay~!"

Why do I let myself get lectured by such a carefree girl? More than that, I'm surprised I let myself relent to her. I guess seeing her worry so much about me makes me want to ease her mind at least a little bit—even if she DOES exaggerate everything inside of her head.

•~•~•~•~•

The school day is as ordinary as ever, and it's over before I know it. After I pack up my things, I stare blankly at the wall, looking for an ounce of motivation.

"Clubs..." I groaned at the thought. Emily wants me to check out some clubs, eh? I guess I have no choice but to start with the anime club...

Suddenly, I hear Emily's voice. "Hellooo?"

"Emily?" I responded. She must have come into the classroom while I was spacing out. I look around and realize that I'm the only one left in the classroom.

"I thought I'd catch you coming out of the classroom, but I saw you just sitting here and spacing out, so I came in!" Emily tells me in her usual loud tone. "Honestly, you're even worse than me sometimes...I'm impressed!"

"You don't need to wait up for me if it's going to make you late to your own club." I replied, exasperated.

Emily blushes at this. "Well, I thought you might need some encouragement, so I thought, you know..."

"Know what?" I asked, now curious.

"Well, that you could come to my club!" She grins again.

"Emily?"

"Yeah?"

I sighed. "...There is no way I'm going to your club."

"Eeeehhhhh? Meanie!" Emily complains.

Emily is vice president of the Literature Club. Not that I was aware she had any interest in literature. In fact, I'm 99% sure she only did it because she thought it would be fun to help start a new club. Since she was the first one to show interest after the one who proposed the club, she inherited the title 'Vice President'.

That said, my interest in literature is guaranteed to be even less.

"Yeah, I'm going to the anime club." I proclaimed.

"C'mon, please?"

"Why do you care so much, anyway?"

"Well..." Emily began nervously, "I kind of told the club yesterday I would bring in a new member...and Alice made scones and everything...ehehe..."

I mentally facepalm. "Don't make promises you can't keep!" I can't tell if Emily is really that much of an airhead, or if she's so cunning as to have planned this all out.

I let out a long sigh. "Fine...I'll stop by for the food, okay?"

"Yes! Let's go~!" Emily squeals excitedly.

•~•~•~•~•

And thus, today marks the day I sold my soul for tea and scones...