The Geek Revolution ✓

53 | study

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?" Drew asks, coming out of the auditorium.

It's been half an hour since school ended. On my way out, I saw Riley, Book Club President, lugging a big box of books down the hall. I caught up with her, wanting to help. To my utter joy, the Book Club has been assigned a new room for their meetings. They were moving this afternoon, so I helped carry some boxes over.

When I saw it, I was so excited to see that it was bigger, better-lit and cleaner than their last room. Their last room with all its mould and flickery lights barely passed the school health and safety standards, I'm sure. "I was helping the book club guys move into a new room. You?"

"Helping the Drama kids," Drew supplies.

With an arched brow, remembering that whole tantrum he threw after the recruits, I ask him mirthfully, "Don't you hate the Drama kids? After making you clean up their practise room in exchange for joining us?"

"I have since gotten over that. I've been keeping in touch with some of them."

"That's nice of you," I remark. "Any news?"

"They've really changed the program around. Apparently, the board was allocating more funding for the Arts department next year, but still not enough to cover everything they wanted to do. Meanwhile, the sports teams are getting heaps of cash."

"That sucks."

"Yeah, it did. The visual arts clubs and Drama Club wanted to do an exhibition and a musical, but that money wasn't enough. So, they made a deal. The Drama Club does their musical first with the funding money, and the arts club can help with the set to cut back on costs. The profit goes to them for the exhibition, later in the year."'

"All turns out well, then."

"It's just a shame we won't be here to see it." Drew looks at me, suddenly concerned, "I know Delaney gave you a half-assed apology at lunch yesterday, but have the others apologised for last week?"

"None of them have." Yesterday was a reprieve from the iciness between my friends and me, on account of it being my birthday. But even though we all care about each other, neither of us have changed what we believe in. I recall the tension between Leah and me in Music, Benjamin and me in Calculus. "I don't think they should, though."

"They practically called you a traitor."

I've kind of been acting like one, recently. Keeping secrets, prioritising the feelings of some Monarchs over the Revolution. I tell myself it's to keep Reece and Derek unsuspecting until it's too late. But Delaney's accusation, on top of Ashley thinking I'm being corrupted, is making me second-guess myself. The guilt is eating away at me, amplified by the doubt. "I get where they're coming from."

"They shouldn't doubt you like that."

"I don't think they're doubting me. They're doubting whether I can help the Monarchy this way. Ben doesn't think Reece and Derek can ever be forgiven."

"Benny's a sceptic," Drew supplies.

"I'm still not sure whether they can be forgiven or not," I admit, feeling Drew look at me with surprise.

"They've made some really bad choices, but that was only because Brittany—"

"I know you want to think that." I lower my voice, with Drew's intense stare prickling my skin. "Yeah, they were blackmailed into staying, but they chose to get into the Monarchy. I get that you want your friends back, but I think they've changed too much for you guys to go back to how things were."

Drew doesn't speak for a long while. For the entire silent period, a lump sits in my throat. If Delaney's the incurable pessimist, then Drew has to be the hopeless optimist. I can't let him be that naive, and get his hopes up. I look at the tips of my grubby sneakers, pacing forward, forward as we walk towards the bus station.