“Wh-What the hell is this?” Vincent sputtered to himself, only being able to stare in awe at the situation that surrounds him. Recomposing himself, Vincent walked inside the classroom. Traveling through the fancy DIY tables and chattering people, his eyes finally caught the person behind this crazy event.

“I am so glad you all are enjoying this as much as I am.” 

A couple of tables over from Vincent, Oliver could be seen chatting with two other students, teacups in hand. The blondie lets out a soft laugh before continuing. “You know when I was preparing all of this, I really had to tap into my French roots. Luckily, my aunt showed me the way.”

The student across from him leaned in with interest. “Oh? Is she from France?”

“Well, uh… no. She’s from Quebec, but it’s practically the same thing.”

"Oliver!" Marching up to the table where he sat, Vincent called out his name, slightly incensed. Oliver quickly whipped his head in surprise to look at Vincent, but recovered by putting a smile on his face. “Oh, Vince! Nice to see you! Take a seat and have some lemon tea. Or, as the French call it, thé au citron!”

Vincent simply stands tall with his arms crossed, resolute in his indignance. “No thanks. Can we talk?”

Oliver stayed in his chair, waving his hand towards the two students in front of him. “Sure, but could it wait? These people and I were having such a… riveting conversation about…”

“The different cheeses from the lovely country.” The student on the left of Oliver interjected. She then turned to Vincent with curiosity. “Have you ever had Brie de Meaux?” Vincent couldn’t help but look a little dumbfounded while answering. “No? I… don’t think I have.”

“See? Riveting.” Oliver remarked, using a subtle tone of sarcasm. Getting steadily frustrated at the conversation, Vincent leaned towards Oliver, adding a little extra force in his voice. “Oliver, it’s important.” 

After a brief staring match between the two, Oliver ultimately decided to relent, standing up from the table. The center student looks on in slight concern. “Is everything alright?”

Oliver was quick to soothe. “No, no. Everything’s fine. My friend here just cannot wait!” Turning to Vincent as he finished the last part. “I’ll be right back.”

Right as they exited the classroom, Oliver’s face immediately changed from soft politeness to slight annoyance, like he was taking off a mask. He crossed his arms, speaking in a bored tone. “Okay, I’m here. What?”

Vincent’s eyes widen in shock, completely gobsmacked by the blonde’s blatant nonchalance. To avoid drawing too much attention, he spat out in hushed fury. “‘What?!’ What do you mean ‘what?!” What did you do to my classroom?!”

“Oh, that?” Oliver points behind him. “The Culture Club is doing their weekly celebration. This time, they’re celebrating France. It would be kinda fun, if they weren’t so pretentious about it.” Oliver then turned around to go back inside. “Speaking of, as much as I don’t want to, I gotta go back in. See ya.”

“What? No!” Vincent put his hand on Oliver’s shoulder to stop him. “You guys need to go somewhere else or call it a day!”

It was then Oliver’s turn to look shocked. “Why?! You said we could use your room when you’re not here!”

“Yeah, for one day!” Vincent then points to himself. “And I’m here now! How am I supposed to rehearse in there?”

Oliver dug his hands into his pockets and looked to the roof in exasperation. Vincent continued to glare at him, silently hoping he would just take the hint and leave. It just wasn’t fair that he had to give up his room, no matter if these people needed it or not. After a moment of cooling down, Oliver gave a lengthy exhale and looked back at Vincent, now showing a face of understanding. “...Look, Vince, I’ll be honest with you. The only reason why our club is still running is because of you and your room, and we’re grateful for that.” He then put his hand on Vincent’s left shoulder. “Really.”

“But-” Vincent tried to interrupt, only to be stopped by Oliver’s other hand, raised in front of him in placation.

“I know, you need to rehearse. So give us a couple of minutes and we’ll get out of your way. Like I said, our club room is under renovation. We just need your help for a couple more days.” Oliver then gave Vincent a warm smile. “BUT we won’t get in the way of your rehearsals. If you want the room, just say so. Deal?”

Vincent stared back in wariness. He didn't appreciate that he has to continue sharing his room with them… but they did say they’ll give it back when asked. Besides, just kicking them out with nowhere else to go would feel a bit too cruel as well, especially with them just trying to help others and all. Maybe this compromise was the best option here. At least everyone would be somewhat happy.

“Deal,” he replied. 

It couldn’t possibly get worse, right?

—OD!!!—

The Next Day.

As Vincent opened the doors to the classroom this time, another ridiculous sight awaited him.

Instead of the street bistro look-alike, the room now looked like a second-bit model runway. All of the desks were set aside, leaving the middle of the room clear, except for the long, blood-red carpet that laid on the floor. The lights in the room were turned off, with the only sources of light being the cell-phone flashlights that were held by the students. The students were on both sides of the carpet, cell-phones aiming towards the end. There, at the end of the carpet, people came on and strutted down the line. The strangest thing, Vincent observed, were the complicated, colorful outfits the people on the carpet had on. Some of them almost seem familiar…

Are they… cosplaying? Vincent thought to himself. Despite the absurdness of the situation, Vincent had to admit: the outfits looked pretty good.

Although everyone was watching the runway, one person noticed Vincent at the doorway. A dark-skinned girl with an afro-puff made her way towards him. Instead of cosplay, she wore the standard school vest and white long-sleeves. What was unusual about it, however, was that she was wearing blue cargo shorts; something that usually the boys alone were allowed to wear. “Vince, right?” The girl coolly asked. Vincent only nodded. “Just give us a couple of minutes, we’re basically done.”

“Thanks…” he replied, unsure what to say next.

The Day after Next.

THWACK!

“WHAT’S WRONG?! GETTING TIRED?!!”

“HELL NO! COME GET SOME!”

THWACK!

The two students continued to insult each other as plastic swords clashed in every attack. Vincent only stood there to observe the intense sword battle, with spectators all around, cheering and jeering at both combatants. A student in an unzipped track jacket, who nearly stood a head taller than him, watched alongside. The towering student leaned on his side a bit to whisper to him.

“We’ll get out after this match, ‘kay?” He spoke in a rough tone.

“S-Sure.” Vincent replied. He’s glad he didn’t have to ask. The guy looked a bit intimidating.

The Day Overmorrow?

“UHMMMMM”

In a dark classroom, the coven of purple cloaks chanted around, sitting in a huge circle. At the center of the circle seems to be a peculiar picture of a bird. Lit candles are all around the picture and the desks on the side. Vincent wasn’t religious by any means, but he couldn’t help but feel really unsettled by… whatever this is. One of the coven members lifted her head to greet him.

“Oh, Hey Vince!” Seina exclaimed happily, as if she was doing a completely ordinary activity. The other members turn their attention towards him as well.

“Uh, hi?” he answered nervously. “What are you doing?”

“Nothing much. We’re just helping Nancy’s cockatiel pass on. We’ll be done in a couple of minutes! Wanna join?”

“Oh- no, no I’m fine. In fact, just take your time. I don’t feel like rehearsing today. Bye!”

With that, Vincent left, forever hoping that he forgets what he saw that day.

—OD!!!—

In the middle of the school’s library, long and sturdy tables fill the area, with wooden chairs filled in between them. There is enough space between the chairs for students desiring plenty of elbow room, some of them already using the opportunity to study for future tests and lessons. While each student had their fair share of books and study materials, none of them had as many as the red-headed girl at the far end of the table.

With sleeves rolled up to her elbows and her scraggly hair tucked behind the ears, the girl had her complete focus on the words in her science book, her left hand taking detailed notes. As she concentrated on her studies, she failed to notice the curly-haired student walking up towards her.

“Hey” Vincent whispered, trying to catch her attention. The girl flicked her eyes to the side to take a glance. After recognizing him, her eyes went back to reading the book as she replied. “Hey yourself. What are you doing back? Don’t you have lines to rehearse?”

“I was…” As Vincent continued to talk, he takes a seat right next to her. “But I thought I should try and study more for the exam coming up, ya know?”

“Really?” The redhead turned her head to Vincent, fully showing her half-freckled face. “That’s a surprise. Is your mom breathing down on your neck again?”

Vincent squinted his eyes in slight offense. “No Veronica, I came here on my own volition. Is that really so hard to believe?” While he wasn’t telling the whole truth, he couldn't help but feel a bit piqued. Even though he’s not always in the library, he still tries to study every once in a while. However, it was clear that his friend did not have the same opinion of him. Veronica, who was now looking at Vincent with severe skepticism, took a moment of silence before answering him sarcastically. “Sorry. Did I miss the part where I was supposed to believe you?”

“Very funny.” Vincent said, voice filled with displeasure. He held his head in his palm as he posted his elbow on the table.

“Now,” she carried on. “Do you want to tell me the real reason why you’re here? If not, I got a couple more pages to go through.” Vincent turns away a little bit.

“It’s a long story.”

“Then just give me the short version.”

“If you say so…” 

As he says this, Vincent puts his full attention towards Veronica, completely stone-faced as he utters his next statement.

“I think I’m in danger of a hostile takeover.”

Veronica could only stare back in slight confusion, tilting her head slightly while trying to process the vague information she was given. Vincent simply gave her a face that said I told you so… Veronica rolled her eyes in response.

“Alright smartass. Give me the long version, then.” 

TO BE CONTINUED…