𝓡𝓸𝔂𝓪𝓵𝓵𝔂 𝓤𝓷𝓬𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓻𝓮𝓭 (𝓡𝓸𝔂𝓪𝓵𝓵𝔂 𝓢𝓮𝓻𝓲𝓮𝓼 𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓣𝔀𝓸)

𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓢𝓲𝔁𝓽𝔂-𝓣𝔀𝓸

I'm surprised that everyone actually showed up for this group meeting. 

After what happened last week, I was expecting no one besides maybe Arty, Ninny, Charlotte, Caroline, and I to show up. However, for better or for worse, everyone's here in their usual attire looking less relaxed than before.

I understand why we're all on edge, but we really need to put all of this aside to get this done. I'm sure other world leaders have disagreed with each other before, but they had to compromise and deal with them anyway. 

We need to write these two documents today, and we need to try and set a date when this protest will actually be happening. Just because we've had issues, that doesn't mean we have to let all of those issues overtake the main objective here.

Which is what I have to tell them.

And I need to somehow find a way to build some sort of bridge between not only Fanny and the rest of the group, but also Fanny with me. Clearly she has some issues with me that we need to resolve as well as with the rest of the group. 

But I can't have her thinking that now the entire group is against her. I need to somehow make her feel like we still appreciate her contributions and perspective even if she's derailed onto pure craziness.

I sigh and look around the tense group, "I understand that everyone is a little.... tense from last time."

Charlotte giggles and looks at Annalise, "Tense would be one way to put it."

Annalise matches her giggle and ties her hair up, "Just please no one throw anything today."

Arty's hand squeezes mine as he looks between everyone, "I agree. There is no reason why any of us at our age should be throwing things like we are children. If you cannot handle your emotions elegantly, please leave the room now."

Ninny looks at him and his forehead furrows, "This is coming from the dude who stabs people because of his emotions?"

Really.

Arty gives him a dirty glare.

Walt snickers and pushes his lips together, "In pretty boy's defense, you kind of walked yourself into that."

"Okay, let's not start the arguing this early on," I take a deep breath, "As I was saying before, I understand that we're all tense from last time, but that doesn't mean we're gonna let that take over the point of this protest. We can't let our emotions get ahead of us. We need to suck it up for the meeting and compromise to get these things done. Today we have to write the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution."

They look between themselves but Caroline nods, "I agree, but what are we supposed to even write for them? I've never heard of those things in my life."

That's where Fanny comes in. She told me before that she would read these documents, and make sure we understood what they were about. 

This is how I can build the bridge between Fanny and all of us.

I smile and nod, "You're right Caroline. That's why I think one of us here has those answers," I look at Fanny who's eyebrows knit together, "I believe you're the one who read both of them."

She opens and closes her mouth before nodding, "I did."

Great.

Jessie looks at me with glossy eyes, "Oh yeah, I forgot about that."

My eyes soften on hers as she looks away and angles her hair around her face to block out Fanny.

Poor Jessie.