Chapter 2 – "Club" Director

I walked into homeroom two or three minutes late and found a seat at the back of the class as the teacher was making her way down the roster, taking attendance.

"You must be Brenna Carver," the teacher said smiling. "I have a copy of your schedule here for you and the headmistress wanted to see you once homeroom is over."

"It's the first day! What could I have even done?" I half-shouted throwing my hands up in frustration. Realizing the entire class was staring at me, I mumbled an apology just as the bell for first period rang. Grabbing my backpack, I ran off to the headmistress's office to see what egregiousness I had committed this time. Since Dad died, I was a familiar presence in the headmistress's office. Acting out in class, though, was the least of my concerns.

"Hi, Ms. Gregorian," I said as I made my way to the seat in front of her desk. "Ms. Wilkins said you wanted to see me about something?"

Ms. Gregorian let out a small sigh, lips pressed into a thin straight line with an expression on her face that looked something like sympathy. "Your mom called in this morning a little after you had left your house."

"Okay…" I said, fearing the worst.

I should probably get better at hiding my emotions because Ms. Gregorian broke my train of thoughts: "She told me about your sister being sick. That must be hard for you."

"Oh…yeah. It's been a few months now," I offered. "But…I'm confused, though. Why exactly am I here?"

"I know you successfully completed summer school these past few months but it seems like you're a few credits short."

"Wait, what?! How do you expect me to make up the credits? I am not giving up another summer just for schoolwork," I said.

"Well, I think maybe there's another option. I talked to the Director of the Community Outreach Club and it seems like they could use a lot of help with some upcoming projects. You could help them out once per week over the next 3 months and I'll consider your credits made-up. How does that sound?"

"Yeah, fine. Whatever," I said rolling my eyes because this was just another thing on my plate. Just another obligation. At least it's just once per week, though. I can only hope this goes faster than I'm expecting it to.

"Okay…I'm gonna take that as sort of…an…agreement," Ms. Gregorian started. "After school today, you're going to meet with the Director and she'll tell you more about what you're doing for the club."

"Great…" I said as I grabbed my things and headed toward the door – assuming we were finished. I adjusted my bag on my shoulder, and reached for the doorknob, when the headmistress started to speak again:

"And Brenna…"

"…Do me a favor and try to enjoy this year, okay?" she asked with a tone that resembled pleading. Or maybe it was that sympathy thing again. I couldn't really tell…but she sounded somewhat genuine.

"Sure thing, Ms. Gregorian," I said as I headed out of her office, closing the door behind me.

I sat fidgeting in my seat – checking the clock impatiently every two minutes. 2:28PM. Almost time to go home. Wait…no. Crap! I forgot I have to go meet with someone for that stupid Community Outreach thing. Lost in my own thoughts, I completely missed the last bell of the day and the mad rush of students to the door who obviously cannot wait to get home. I would have to wait, though.

Probably audibly sighing, I left the classroom – stopping at my locker to put some stuff away and making my way to the courtyard.

I got there around 2:40PM and looked around for any signs of this supposed club but saw no one. Tired of standing after fifteen minutes or so, I sat down at a bench.

I think I'll give this person another ten minutes and if they don't show…I'm leaving.

Five minutes pass. Getting antsy, I take out Pride & Prejudice. We have to read it for English anyway – so might as well make use of this colossal waste of time so it's not…such a colossal waste of time…

Finally, a tap on the shoulder breaks me from my reading. Yeah, imagine that. I'm actually kind of into this book. Then again, I've only made it to page 8…

I look up to see a blonde standing before me. She looks oddly familiar. I mean, I'm sure I've seen her around school. That must be it.

"Greer," she says extending a hand out in front of her to shake my own, smiling a noticeably dimpled smile.

Oh. She's one of the Populars. That's how I know her. The Populars are a pretty big group of spoiled rich kids that go to Charton Academy. Granted, anyone who goes to Charton is probably pretty well-off but these are the most spoiled of them all. Their parents usually vacation in the Hamptons on a regular basis and hopping on a plane for a weekend in Venice is no big deal for most of them. I'm sure Greer was the same. I mean, she had the whole look. Blonde hair perfectly curled at the ends. Chanel bag on her right arm. Movado watch on the left. Gucci sunglasses resting atop her head.

I must have been lost in thought again because I was snapped back to reality when Greer very loudly cleared her throat.

Looking in front of me, her hand was still extended in front of her…waiting for that handshake I meant to give her like five minutes ago.

"Oh, sorry," I said as I shook her hand. "Brenna."

"I know who you are. Ms. Gregorian let me know you'd be helping out with the club for the next few months. Exciting!" she said cheerily.

This girl seems like she's way too bubbly for her own good. Ford would so be making fun of her right now.

"Uh, yeahh…" I said, trying my best to sound excited but I'm sure my face said otherwise. "Speaking of club…where is everyone else?"

"Oh…uh, funny story," she started to say. "I've been trying to drum up interest for it, but the club hasn't really been as successful as we hoped. And by that I mean…there are two people in the club. One of which is myself. And the other…is now you…"

"Don't I feel special?" I said rolling my eyes. "What am I gonna be doing anyway?"

"Well…nothing for today. I have tennis practice tonight so that won't work. But tomorrow night we can go to the soup kitchen on Boylston Street. There's a small space there the soup kitchen owners rent out every Tuesday night to serve the homeless hot meals. It's great since it's getting a little bit cooler now."

"Uh…okay. What time, though?" I asked.

"We start serving around 6PM so I think after school we should just head over there so we can set up and stuff."

"So…basically…I'm committing my whole night to this?"

"What…you got better things to do?"

Ordinarily I would've said yes but when I think about it – maybe I could stand to spend a little less time at home. It's been a little depressing as of late so maybe spending some time away from all that could be good for me. "I guess not," I replied.

"Great! Then after school tomorrow. It's a date!" she said. "Well, you know…not a date-date. But like...in an appointment…sense of the word."

"Uh…that hadn't really crossed my mind…"

"Well…awkward." she stammered. "I'm just gonna go then."

"See you tomorrow!" she yelled behind her as she hastily walked to the parking lot.

Well…that was interesting. I grabbed my coat and started to head home when I saw a car curving around the driveway. As it passed by, I noticed it was Greer's as she frantically waved from the driver's seat with a smile that was probably two miles too wide. I gave her a small wave back and looked after her car as she sped off.

A BMW. Figures.