Chapter 56: Some wounds can't heal
Last period of class a meeting is being held at the Student Council office.
Zackary: "So we agreed then. The New Year's Festival will be held on January the 29th. That should give you all plenty of time to prepare and to spread the news to everyone."
Leo: "Oh boy." He says nervously.
Zackary: "What's wrong?"
Leo: "Nothing it's just, we don't know what we should do for the Festival."
Todd: "Try not to break any windows."
Leo: "Piss off your highn-ass!"
Todd: "Nice word play." He says sarcastically.
Leo: "Tsk!"
Zackary: "Well you have plenty of time to think about it. All of you do, so go on ahead and hold a meeting with your respective clubs. I look forward to seeing what you all come up with." He smiles to everyone as they all leave.
Monika: (The Festival will be held on the 29th. What should the club do?) She remembers back to the conversation Michael and Yuri had yesterday. (Maybe we shouldn't participate this year. She's been through enough as is. Besides I'm sure the others would feel the same way, but as President of the Literature Club. I have to give them the announcement only then will I hear their opinions whether to participate or not.) She rubs her head. (What a pain this is.)
Todd: "Are you alright?"
Monika: "Hm?" She turns behind herself to see her Ex. "Oh Todd, no I'm alright."
Todd: "Do you know what you and The Literature Club are doing?"
Monika: "No not yet. We're most likely going to come up with some ideas, not everything is set in stone yet."
Todd: "I see, well I hope things go better for you than last year. See you next meeting." He takes the stairs down.
Monika: "Right?" (Of course, he would know about it. Word gets out so quickly in this school.) She looks to where Todd went. (It's been a long time since we first met. Ever since the first year till now, boys would always try to woo me or ask me out. Confessing their love to me, giving me gifts, making me swoon, and so on. In the end they would just get into a fight with one another and I would just lose interest. The only boy I ever dated was Todd.)
She cracks a smile. (That takes me back. It was only our first year of school and we were already dating. I don't know how it happened, but he had my heart. Whenever we walked the halls, the boys and girls would get jealous. Boys would cry while the girls got upset.
I still remember our first date. We would go to the theater to watch whatever was popular at the time and after that go for a walk around the town. When it was time to end our date, he would take me home. That was when he met my parents. The three of them would talk while I just stood there happy to be with my boyfriend.
It was then my mother finally praised me. The look on her face after everything I went through to finally see her happy. She praised me and told me that I made the right choice. The both of us worked well as a team. Both of us hand in hand in the Debate Club. We were the definition of a power couple. When our previous President graduated our club held a poll on who should be the next President of the Debate Club.
When it came to it, it was me and Todd that came out on top. People wondering who to pick, knowing that we were lovers. It didn't really matter to us because Todd told me that us against each other would be the perfect chance to see what we can do. To improve ourselves, to make the club better. In the end I won by one vote and became the new President while Todd became the Vice President.
No matter who won we had each other's support. Together we made the Debate Club the best there is, but that all changed when I saw who Todd really was. Always looking down on others, always being so demanding, always so mean. It was then it finally hit me. He wasn't the man I fell in love with. That was when we broke up and now here I am. Seeing my Ex as the new Debate Club President while I have become the Literature Club President.
I be lying if I said it was easy when we broke up, but it was difficult to get over him. My heart flutters when I see him. My body aches for him, but now I have no feelings for him anymore. I've moved on and now I'm in love with someone else. Someone who went through hardships, who faced the thorny path set before him, the one who sees me as a normal girl. The one who I can't stop thinking about.
What do I do now? I love him, but so does a close friend of mine. What do I do? Who should I pick? My friend's happiness or my own? I can't decide.)
Later during free time. Thinking about what to say to her club members. Monika spent her free time working on her assignments while everyone did their own thing. When it was time to share poems, she finally spoke up.
"Alright everyone, listen up." Natsuki about ready to say something but didn't. "Today we won't be sharing our poems today, but I do have an announcement to make. Earlier today we had a meeting at the Council office."
Natsuki: "About what?"
Monika: "In two weeks on the 29th of January. The Council Members have decided to host another School Festival."
Sayori: "Really?"
Natsuki: "For real?"
Monika: "Yes, it will be known as the New Year's Festival an idea my cousin and Student Council President Zackary made."
Michael: "Your cousin?"
Monika: "That's right. Zackary my cousin is the President of the Council."
Natsuki: "I didn't know you had a cousin."
Monika: "I thought I told you already?"
Natsuki: "No, you didn't until now!"
Monika: "Really?"
Natsuki: "Yeah! Way to tell us now when we're this far into the story. That's just as bad as a new character showing up late in your favorite show. Damn last plot convenience." She folds her arms.
Monika: "Right, well?" She clears her throat.
Sayori: "So what are we going to do this time?"
Monika: "That's what I want to talk about. I'm giving you all a choice on whether we should participate or not."
Sayori: "Huh why wouldn't we participate?"
Natsuki: "Idiot, remember last time?"
Sayori: "Oh right." Yuri stares at the floor disappointingly, not saying a word.
Monika: "It's no one's fault. It's mine, as President I should have been more considerate with how you all felt. Instead, I focused on what I wanted. I was so desperate to get new members that I didn't think about how it would affect you all, but this time is different. If you all want to skip this Festival then so be it, but if you all want to participate then I am open to any ideas you have to offer. That is your assignment tonight."
Everyone Else: "Yes mam!"
Monika: (Whatever they choose, I'll support their decision. I won't let them embarrass themselves again. I promise.)
With that said and done.
Sayori: "Are you feeling ok MC?" She says as they walk home together.
Michael: "Yeah, it's just …"
Sayori: "Are you feeling sorry about last time?"
Michael: "Yeah, mostly Yuri. She made herself look like a fool and made our club a joke."
Sayori: "I'm sure we can do better this time." He looked at her surprised. "We may have done bad last time, but that was our first time. This time I'm sure things will go better. We've matured since then." She looks to him determined.
Michael: "Matured?"
Sayori: (Hopefully that cheered him up.)
As they walk home together, on the other side of the neighborhood. Unlocking the door to her house.
Monika's Father: "Welcome home."
Monika: "Huh? You're home today?"
Monika's Father: "We finished work early today, so we immediately came home to relax.
Monika: "Where's mother?"
Monika's Mother: "Here" Both her daughter and husband turn to her as she walks downstairs with an annoyed look on her face. "So, you came home after playing with that club of yours?"
Monika: "…"
Monika's Mother: "Worthless, you'll never beat Zackary if you spend all day playing games."
Monika's Father: "Enrica, calm down and …"
Monika's Mother: "Don't tell me to calm down! How can I calm down when I have a worthless daughter who can't do anything right." The two stare down into each other's eyes. A pair of black eyes from Monika's father, and pair of emerald green eyes from her mother.
Monika's Father: "Honestly, what did your sister do to you to make you this way?"
Monika's Mother: "Hmph, why don't you go and see then?"
Monika's Father: "Don't turn this on me." The two stands in front of each other and argue as Monika goes to her room.
Leaving the two of them alone, closing her door, and laying on her bed.
Monika: (I hate being here. I hate it. Why can't they ever be happy with what I did accomplish? Instead, they just ask for more. No matter how hard I work it's never enough. The only time they praised me was when I was with Todd, but now they just see me as a stupid girl who doesn't know any better. I just want today to end. Best to turn for the night.)
The next day during the final period.
"Does my pen only write bitter words for those who are dear to me?" Playing the piano alone in her secret room.
"Is it Love if I take you, or is it love if I set you free?
The ink flows down into a dark puddle
How can I write love into reality?" The song echoing through the room as she sings gently.
"If I can't hear the sound of your heart beat
What do you call love in your reality?
And in your reality, if I don't know how to love you
I'll leave you be." She takes a breather.
Zackary: "That was a nice performance you had there." Leaning on the door frame.
Monika: "How long were you there?"
Zackary: "For a while, but not long enough to hear the full song."
Monika: "I didn't notice you coming in."
Zackary: "Well you were in the middle of a song, so …" Her cousin doesn't finish. "Wonder when you'll play for an audience?"
Monika: "I don't think I'll ever play it for an audience. I keep making too many mistakes. I'm always off key. If I were to play, then they're going to have to wait for a long time."
Zackary: "Shame, I'll be gone by then, but at least I got to hear you practice."
Monika: "True?"
Zackary: "Is your mom forcing you to learn?"
Monika: "No, I'm playing by my own choice. You know how much my mom loves the violin and how much I hate it."
Zackary: "Fair enough."
Monika: "What are you really here for?"
Zackary: "Nothing much, just wanted to see how you're doing and to see what you and your club are going to do this Festival."
Monika: "I don't think we're going to participate this time."
Zackary: "That so? Well, you can tell me that and the others next week during our meeting."
Monika: "Right"
Zackary: "See ya."
Monika: "Yeah, later." (Saturday after the Festival is when he'll leave. After that a poll will be held and if I don't win …)
"If you don't win, I'll disown you."
She clenches her hands. Later at the club.
Natsuki: "You doing, ok?"
Monika: "Yeah, I'm fine."
Natsuki: "You sure? You look like shit."
Monika: "Well I guess I am a bit tired."
Natsuki: "How many?"
Monika: "Huh?"
Natsuki: "How many hit on you?"
Monika: "None this time."
Natsuki: "None?" Monika nods. "Wow that's a surprise? Wonder if they got cold feet today?" Monika looks at the clock.
Monika: "Well guess it's time to make an announcement." She gets off her seat and stands in the middle of the room. "Everyone I have an announcement, so please stop doing whatever you're doing and come here." She puts her finger onto Natsuki's lips knowing what she was about to say. While that happens, everyone set aside their belongings and waited for her announcement.
"Yesterday I gave you all the choice on whether we should participate in the New Year's Festival or not. Today I would like to hear what all of you think. If you want to participate then let's decide what we should do for it, if not then no hard feelings. I just want to do whatever makes you all happy, so anything you decide to do, I will respect your wishes." Her club members talk amongst themselves.
Natsuki: "What do you think Sayori?"
Sayori: "Me?"
Natsuki: "Well duh! You are the Vice President."
Sayori: "Well personally I would like to participate, but I'm not sure anymore."
Natsuki: "…"
Yuri: "…" Holding her arm.
Monika: "I see."
Michael: (What should we do? Last Festival was a disaster and for us to do it again?) He looks at all the girls. (Yuri, Natsuki, the three of us were against it. I doubt they would want to do it again even if we decide to do something else. Monika, Sayori, the two of you wanted it, even if we decide to do something else … The both of you, so open, so determined, you both wanted to do it. To get us out of our shells.) He clenches his crutches.
"This time I'm sure things will go better. We've matured since then."
(Matured since then.)
Natsuki: "What about you Monika?"
Monika: "Hm?"
Natsuki: "Don't do that. What does the President want to do?"
Monika: "Well … I would like to participate, but I don't want to make you all go through that torment again." (Especially Yuri.)
Natsuki: "Mmm"
Sayori: "Same here. I would like to do it too, but only if it's ok with the rest of you."
Natsuki: "You too huh? This is going to be a long day." She looks over to Yuri. "Come on Yuri, speak up already."
Yuri: "I …"
Natsuki: "Just tell us what you want already. Should we join or not. Whatever you decide we will follow. Now choose!"
Yuri: "… I … I don't know?"
Natsuki: "You don't know?"
Yuri: "No … I can't decide if we should or should not. I just … I just want what's best for everyone."
Natsuki: "Idiot, you want to embarrass yourself again, do you?"
Yuri: "I'm sorry." The rest of the girls keep silent.
Monika: "So we agreed then, right?"
Natsuki: "Yeah I guess so."
Monika: "Alright, I'll let the Council know that we're not going to participate this time."
Natsuki: "You do that."
Sayori: "I'm sad now."
Yuri: "…"
Monika: "I'll let the Council and Zackary know what's going on. We can do something else like go out or enjoy the Festival as normal students."
Michael: "We don't have to do that." The girls turned to him surprised.
Monika: "What was that?" Taking deep breaths before speaking again.
Michael: "I said, we don't have to do that. We should participate."
All Four Girls: "What!?"
Monika: "A-are you sure?"
Sayori: "Yeah, MC. We don't have to do it if you don't want to."
Michael: "I know, but this is what I want."
Natsuki: "You say that, but what should we do then?"
Michael: "We try it again. I say we try the Poetry Performance one more time."
Yuri: "Th-the performance?"
Michael: "I know we made ourselves look like fools last time, but times changed. Sayori, you told me yesterday that things will go well, that we matured. Well, I say we can do it. We can redeem ourselves." The girls didn't say a word. "I know it sounds hard, but we were nervous last time, but I believe we can do it. We're not the same club as before, we've changed and I want to show the school how much we've changed."
Natsuki: "... Fine" The other girls looked to her. "If that's what you want then why not."
Yuri: "N-Natsuki?"
Natsuki: "If this idiot wants to do it then I guess I'm in."
Monika: "Are you sure?"
Natsuki: "I am. I was against it last time, but it's just like what he said. Times changed, so let's give them hell."
Sayori: "Yeah! Let's get em!"
Monika: "Sayori"
Yuri: "…"
Monika: "Yuri?"
Yuri: "… I-if they want to try it again, th-then I'll join as well."
Monika: "You too?"
Yuri: "I-I still have doubts about myself, b-but I'll try my best not to e-embarrass the Literature Club again."
Monika: "You guys." She looks to them all. The members that were willing to join her. "If that's what you want then I'll let the Council know about our plans."
Everyone Else: "Ya!"
Sayori: (That's the spirit MC.)
Natsuki: (I'm not the same girl I was before.)
Yuri: (I won't mess up again. I'll give it my all.)
Michael: (I'm a little bit nervous about all this, but I got to do it. Not just for them, but for myself as well.)
While the club continues on, in the outskirts of town.
Johnny: "Tsk! You bitch!"
Ronald: "Johnny calm down!"
Johnny: "Don't tell me to calm down. How is this a fair trade?"
Ronald: "It's the lowest she can go."
Johnny: "Grr!"
?: "Tell you what? How about I offer a better deal?"
Johnny: "Depends on what you want?"
?: "You know who Michael Connor is right?"
Johnny: "Of course I do, so what?" Revealing herself, long blond hair and brown eyes.
Sara: "Tell me where he often goes to and any info you got and I'll give you the goods for free."
Johnny: "What do want with him? Did he mess with your family?"
Sara: "I'm aware of what his dad did, but no. I just want to see him."
Johnny: (This woman? What history does she have with him and why do I feel unsure about all this? My gut is telling not to trust her, but …) He clenches his hands. (I will do whatever it takes to get pay back on him and his Literature Club.)
Ronald: (She has the stuff we need for our plan, but … is it really ok to get those girls involve? Not only that, but this girl. I don't trust her.)
Johnny: "… Deal, we're get more info about him and give them to you along with whatever we do know."
Sara: "Then I look forward to working with you." They both shake hands.
Johnny: (Why am I having doubts about this now? This is Connor we're talking about. I could care less what happens to him so long as I make him pay for it.)
Sara: (Just you wait. We're be together again soon my love. After all you said you had enough of my love, but I know your body says otherwise.)
End of Chapter 56