"..."

"You can look outside all you want, no one's coming."

"Ye of little faith, Nico. All you need is patience."

As his eyes shifted left and right across the window view, Oliver continued to search for potential clients, hoping that one of them would knock on the clubroom door. Inside the room, the other three students were occupied with their own activities, with Nico scrolling on her phone and the other two playing a tense game of paper basketball. Eddie pumped his fist in the air as the paper ball flew in the bin. "Two points for me!" He exclaimed. Seina shook her head in harsh refusal.

"Nu-uh! It hit the rim. That's one point!" She said, throwing one finger in the air for emphasis. Eddie's face contorted into one of disbelief.

"What?! It was nothing but net. Clean your glasses!"

"I can see just fine, thank you! Also, it's a plastic bag, not a net. So maybe YOU need to clean your brain!"

"Shut up! You know what I meant."

"How about both of you shut up?" Oliver snapped back at the two bickering students, before going back to watching the window. "I'm focusing." Rolling his eyes, Eddie turned his frustration towards the blonde.

"Focusing? You're looking out into nothing."

"No, I'm not. What I'm actually doing is manifesting."

"What?"

Noticing the taller boy's confusion, Seina leaned towards him to whisper. "Oliver's been a bit twitchy about not getting any business lately. I think it's finally starting to get to him..."

"I heard that!" The president remarked, looking away from the window to face them. "And I'm not being 'twitchy!' There's just been nothing else to do BUT to stare out the window."

"That's not true! You could always play wastebasket-ball with us?" The bespectacled girl offered, lifting a crumpled paper ball towards him. Oliver looked at her in despondence. "...Thanks, but that wasn't the point."

"Well, this has officially become boring..." With that, Nico rose up from her seat and started to head to the door.

"Fine! Leave then. But you're gonna miss out!" Oliver waved her off, with Nico paying him no mind.

"I doubt it, but okay." As she was about to turn the doorknob, two figures from outside the window caught her eye. "...Wow. Hey Olive?"

"What do you want now, deserter?"

"Your manifestation worked out."

"Cool whatev- WAIT, REALLY?!"

-OD-

"Welcome to the C.L.U.B! We're so glad that you're here!"

Greeting them with joviality, Oliver guided the two students to his desk, pulling out two chairs for them while he took the seat across from them. In front of him were a serious-looking boy with braces and a brunette with straight hair, bangs nearly covering her eyes. After getting comfortable, the brunette responded in a soft and proper tone. "We saw your ad in the newspaper. Your club helps others, yes?"

"In any way we can! I'm guessing you're the president?"

"Yes, I am." She answered, putting her arm out for a handshake. "Magnolia Darrow. You can call me Maggie."

"Oliver." The C.L.U.B president mirrored her, accepting the handshake. "So, what brings you two in our office today?"

"Well, we have been... suffering trying to get new members as of late. We were wondering if your group could help us."

"Of course, I get it. Wanting to get some more people through the door, right?" Receiving his pen and notebook, Oliver began to take notes. "So, how many people are in your club right now?"

The two visitors glanced at each other before looking back at him, Maggie answering the question with a bit of shame. "Unfortunately, only us."

"That's fine! We all have to start somewhere. You guys are new?"

"We started last year."

"Okay, that's TECHNICALLY new. What is your club about?"

"Board game appreciation! Alfred and I both have a passion for it."

"Oh. How... vintage." Oliver looked up from his notebook, raising a quizzical eyebrow. "You guys do know the library has board games to enjoy too, right?"

This time, the boy beside Maggie spoke out in a more frustrated tone. "Can you help us or not?" Oliver raised his hands in placation. "Of course we will! But first, Seina?" As he called out, his vice-president walked over to hand him a pink-colored piece of paper. After giving a nod of gratitude, he placed the piece of paper in front of the two board game members. Maggie gave a look of confusion. "What is this?"

"This," as the blonde waved his hand over the paper, "is the C.L.U.B application form! Our only request before we assist you on your club dreams. Once you've signed it, we can get this show on the road!"

"Let me see this." The boy with braces took the paper and started to examine it closely.

C.L.U.B ASSISTANCE CONTRACT

I, the president of said club, agree to show my allegiance to the C.L.U.B organization's present and future collaborations by adapting the C.L.U.B name into our own, in exchange for their assistance in our own endeavors. (WITHIN REASON!)

Thank you for your cooperation!

Sign Here: ___________

"Is this some sort of joke?!" The boy exclaimed, slamming the paper back down on the table, surprising everyone in close proximity. "Alfred..." Maggie muttered, trying to soothe him, but he ignored the attempt to quell his fury as he continued his tirade. 

"No, Mags! They're trying to get one over on us! 'Adapting the C.L.U.B name into our own,' what does that even mean?"

"We only want you to replace the 'club' part with our name." Seina disclosed. "So it would read 'Board Game C.L.U.B!' That's all."

"You're saying that as if it's normal! Can you not see the absurdity of this?!"

Oliver took his chance to chime in. "Look, we're not asking for a kidney here. Just sign the paper, and we'll help you."

"If we do sign it," Maggie began to ask. "How long would it take for us to get more members?" The C.L.U.B president scratched his chin in contemplation.

"Well... in your case, maybe two weeks at best?" The two guests widened their eyes in worry and shock. "TWO WEEKS?!!"

"I did say maybe!"

"Y-You do not understand! The Student Council demanded us to have more members by Friday or we will have to disband!"

"Friday? There's no way we can guarantee that! No offense, but board games aren't exactly 'in-season' anymore." Oliver attempted to explain.

"Shut your mouth!" Alfred interrupted harshly. "Board games are exquisite! The pinnacle of entertainment! It's not our fault you people can't appreciate it!" With a huff, the incensed teen stood up from his seat and turned to walk out. Letting out a saddened sigh, Magnolia got up to follow.

"Hey, hold on a sec'! Maybe we could find a quicker way?" Oliver called out to them in slight desperation, but Magnolia simply turned around with a smile that had no hope within it. "Thank you, but we have no choice but to pass. Sorry for the intrusion." As the two left, the room fell silent, with the president's head in his hands as he lamented their lost opportunity.

"Swing and a miss, huh?" Nico commented from the side.

"Shut up, Nico." Oliver curtly replied. While he was stewing in his thoughts, Seina picked up the piece of paper that was left.

"Absurd? I thought I did a good job keeping the contract short and sweet..." She thought out loud.

"Who cares? We probably dodged a bullet anyways." Eddie proposed. "It would've been a pain trying to find ways to make them popular." Slowly getting up from his own chair, Oliver milled around the room.

"True, but it doesn't matter. We need all the clubs we can get right now." He stated, going through possible scenarios in his head. After a couple of seconds, the blonde stopped in his tracks.

Taking notice of this change, Nico slightly leaned forward with intrigue. "You got something?" With a mischievous smirk, Oliver took out his own phone and began tapping away.

"Yeah... I got something."

-OD-

The Next Day, After-School...

"Impossible..."

That was the only word that left out of Alfred Bradley's mouth as he and Maggie stared into their used-to-be ghost town of a clubroom, which was now filled with students. At each table, people played various types of board games from every generation, from Monopoly to Sorry. The two students could only stare in awe as their long-sought dream was happening in front of their eyes. At that moment, Oliver comes in between the two with his arm wrapping over them in friendly glee.

"So~, what do you guys think?" He inquired, enjoying the look on their faces.

"How?" he asked, still awestruck. "I thought this was impossible in our case!"

"I did too, but I guess I was wrong. I guess people DO enjoy the art of board games."

Maggie fully turned to Oliver with a face full of gratitude. "T-Thank you! Just thank you!" Oliver simply waved it off as he began to dig into his pockets. "No need to thank me, really. Now then, if you don't mind?" Pulling out a pen and the declaration form, Oliver handed it to the two, sporting a winning smile. The brunette looked at her partner, who nodded in acceptance. With that, Maggie signed the form and gave it back to the president.

"Thank you kindly. Now, don't mind me! Go and enjoy your new membership!" Oliver made his exit, leaving the board game leaders with their new popularity. Looking around, Alfred pondered in optimism.

"I have to admit, I didn't think our gambit would work."

"I know right? At least we have what we need, though." Maggie agreed. All of a sudden, a voice erupted from the middle of the classroom.

"HECK YEAH! I WON!! I ACTUALLY WON!!"

Heading towards the table, the Board Game President addressed the victor happily. "Congratulations!"

"Thanks! So, what do I win?"

"Win? What do you mean?" Maggie tilted her head in confusion. In response, the student brought out his phone with discontent. "You guys were doing prizes, right? Don't leave me hanging!"

Being shown the message on his phone, Maggie's face morphed into one of realization and horror.

COME ONE, COME ALL!

BOARD GAME SWEEPSTAKES AT CLASSROOM 124!!!

TRY YOUR LUCK AND WIN REWARDS!

"...Oh, dear."

TO BE CONTINUED!!!