Ten: Independent Study

"Yo, 'Layna, wake up! Classes for next semester are about to open, and I think you need to check your email." Nemona stepped into Elaina's room to find Elaina and Penny curled up in Elaina's bed, as usual. "Wake up, ladies. Registration is in like two hours, and you need to see if you've got independent study invites!"

Penny stirred then her eyes widened as she realized Nemona was standing over the bed. "I'm not wearing pants, Nemona. Please leave." Penny said as she roused Elaina. "Penny, baby, I'm sleepy." Penny tapped her again. "Your suitemate is staring down the bed regardless of the fact I am afraid to sit up because my bra is on your chair." Elaina rose at Penny's statement. Nemona blushed as she turned around.

"Please put some clothes on." She muttered as Elaina hopped out of bed and tossed Penny her bra. The two quickly got dressed and Elaina clapped Nemona on the shoulder. "You remember that talk we had about boundaries?" Nemona's face fell as she muttered a quick "Yeah." Elaina pulled her into a side hug. "Then learn to fucking knock." Nemona slumped to the floor in her usual studying spot. Allie came to the bathroom door a moment later, then delivered three sharp knocks followed by a "Is anyone in here naked?". Elaina chuckled "Nah, Allie, you're good." Then the door opened, and Allie entered with her laptop in one hand and a pillow in the other. "I heard from Trish, she's in the shower and will be down in like 20. Arven's on his way too, and the rest of the Goon Squad should be here around the same time as Trish." She sat next to Nemona "Oh, hey, Penny."

"Hi, Allie." Penny said timidly, taking her place in the circle next to Elaina. She grabbed her bag from the floor and tugged her laptop out of it.

"I hope I get an Independent Study invite this semester; I've been dying on this campus." Allie said, then gasped. "Shit, Penny I'm so sorry."

Elaina wrapped an arm around Penny, who shuddered. "You're safe. You're here in my room in Dragontongue Hall. No one will bring harm to you here. You are safe, you are loved, and you are not alone." Penny let out a few long breaths and turned back to Allie.

"I'm good, just maybe we don't say die." She pulled away from Elaina and smiled sadly. "You are the Goon Squad after all." Then Nemona got a text and announced she was off to receive Arven and bring him to the circle. Trish arrived shortly after, leading in the remaining six members of the Goon Squad.

"Alright, my dorm is now full of like eleven people." Elaina announced as everyone got their laptops. "First thing's first, who has independent study invites?" Seven of the girls raised their hands, including Trish, Nemona, Penny, Elaina, and Allie. Arven raised his hand as well. The two girls who didn't get invites got hugs and told that they were on the waiting list for the next independent study term. "Who do you think you're going to pick as your faculty sponsor?" Nemona asked the group as they all read over the independent study requirements.

Arven spoke first. "Mr. Saguaro, obvious pick." Penny announced she'd pick Mr. Hassel, while the other girls made their picks, Elaina piped up. "I think I'm going to ask Mr. Vaughn." Nemona cursed quietly. "I guess I'll ask Ms. Dendra, since faculty members don't like to have more than one student at once." The crew gathered their things and went to go their separate ways. "Reconvene in the student lounge in like an hour?" Nemona asked.

"You know it." Elaina said as she shouldered her bag and passed Penny her hoodie. "Now, everyone, get out of my room." Penny gave a playful huff. "Except Penny, who can stay as long as she likes." The girls filed out of the room, leaving Elaina, Penny, Nemona and Arven. "Hey, Arven. I've been meaning to ask why you always hang out with girls." Penny inquired as the four of them made their way to the staff office building. Arven thought for a while before responding.

"I like women and don't want to deal with misogynistic frat bros." Penny nodded at his answer and the four went their separate ways. Elaina made her way to the fourth floor and delivered three sharp knocks to Mr. Vaughn's office door.

"Come in." came the response from the other side of the door. Elaina let herself in and found Mr. Vaughn sipping a fizzy drink. He turned to greet her. "Good morning, Ms. Plowman. What can I do for you this morning?" He sat the drink down on his desk and sat up in his chair. "Please excuse the mess; I am really hung over." Elaina looked around the office to find a single Snickers wrapper on the floor.

"This is nothing, Mr. Vaughn. The last time my brother was hung over there was so much trash on the floor that he couldn't find his feet." She took a seat in the chair next to his desk. "I got an independent study invite and I need a faculty sponsor." She said flatly. "And given that I placed into your class and hopefully have high marks," Mr. Vaughn stopped her.

"You have an A- in my class right now, Ms. Plowman. That's probably a good chunk of why you got the invite." After a brief pause, he pulled a pen from his desk. "Do you have your sponsorship form, or do you need to use the printer?" he asked, and after printing the form in question and signing it, he handed it to Elaina. "I'll see you next Thursday for your breakout meeting. I'll be honest I've never really done this before."

Elaina was studying his signature as he spoke. "Wait, your first name is Markus? You're the Pokémon World Champion, Markus Vaughn?" She looked up to find him shuffling sheepishly. "I'll keep it to myself, don't worry." Elaina murmured as she stepped out of his office. She passed nurse Miriam in the hallway as she made her way to the student lounge. "Good morning, nurse Miriam." She said cheerfully. Nurse Miriam sighed and dropped a tablet into her drink. It began to fizz. "Well, I think a couple of staff had a good time last night." She said, under her breath so nurse Miriam couldn't hear.