Chapter 18- Mark
NOTE: PLEASE DO THE INTERACTIVE PARTS AT THE END OF THE CHAPTER! I REALLY WANT YOUR FEEDBACK ON THIS! EVEN IF YOU DON'T, PLEASE READ THE MESSAGE AT THE BOTTOM.
After the major success of the tour, the following day paled in comparison. Clarissa waved at Kennedy when she passed her in the halls, but other than that, none of the students from the tour came up to the group.
The group had pushed two tables together so they could all sit together at lunch.
Camryn walked over with her tray, before stopping in her tracks and scanning the table.
"Where's Leonie and Stanley?", she asked.
"They went to that signing thing, remember?", reminded Darius.
Camryn's look of confusion intensified, and she shook her head.
"Huh?"
"Every year, the older students who are leaving sign their names on the wall in the basement of the school.
They sign it in ink made from Mukford berries.
It's a tradition", explained Kennedy.
"Oh!
Right, sorry.
I remember that from the group chat", said Camryn.
"It's not hard to forget.
Especially with all the memes posted in the chat", said Isaac.
Eli grinned.
"Most of which come from you, Isaac."
Camryn felt bad for lying.
Of course she remembered where Leonie and Stanley were.
Leonie had been excited for today for so long, and Camryn even told her she'd go with her.
But she couldn't.
She didn't like how fast everything was moving.
She didn't want to think about Leonie leaving for another town.
But she couldn't tell her.
How could she stamp all over Leonie's dreams?
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Weronika was sitting with some of her other friends, and Zak.
She spoke to them all the time, but Theatre took up most of her time, so she never got to hang out with them much.
"She did a tracheostomy on them!", exclaimed Weronika's friend Emelie.
"With no medical training", added Merle, another one of her friends.
Weronika's eyes darted between her friends as she tried to keep up with their conversation.
They all bonded because of their love for a population medical drama, and because they all wanted to have jobs in the medical field one day.
But with everything that had gone on with the Theatre Club, Weronika had been very preoccupied, to say the least.
"What did you think, Ronnie?", asked Emelie.
"Um, I haven't actually seen the episode", she replied.
"I've been really busy."
"With the Theatre Club?", questioned Merle, with a distinct tone of disgust.
Emelie shrugged.
"It's fine.
We'll talk about something else."
"Actually, do you guys want to come to one of our tours?
I'm working on getting Principal Reeves to let us do more fun activities so we can drum up more interest for the club", explained Weronika.
"The first tour was a right laugh", added Zak.
Merle and Emelie exchanged a subtle look of amusement.
Weronika furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, unable to understand what was so funny.
"Yeah, uh... no thanks.
You know that's not really our thing", said Merle.
"I didn't do much acting or anything like that before either", said Zak.
"I mean, just showing up to support Ronnie might help."
"Ronnie understands why we don't really do stuff like that", said Merle.
"Yeah.
It's cool that she's into acting and stuff, but we're happy to stick to what we like", said Emelie.
"But you don't even need to–"
"– It's fine.
Don't worry, I get it", said Weronika, gently shaking her head at Zak.
Zak frowned, but didn't push the matter further.
He noticed that Weronika's usually confident demeanour was replaced by slouching.
She stabbed at her pasta.
Zak put his hand under the table and reached for hers.
She tensed up a little, but relaxed as soon Zak rubbed his thumb against hers.
He grinned when he saw Weronika smiling.
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The school's basement was bustling with activity.
Excited students gathered around to sign the walls.
Leonie stood in the corner, waiting for there to be more room.
She noticed a girl in a black hijab.
She recognised her from the AI Club, and had spoken to the girl a handful of times.
"Hey!", said Stanley.
"Sorry, catching up with the boys took longer than I thought."
The pair studied the inscriptions dotted on the wall. Stanley pointed to one on his right side.
"That one's so neat.
I feel sorry for the people that read mine.
My handwriting's so messy."
Leonie chuckled.
"I'm sure it'll be fine.
So, are you going down the funny route or the sentimental route?"
"I haven't decided yet.
You?"
"Sentimental, I think.
I'm just really excited to leave my mark on the school", said Leonie.
"I can't believe we'll be gone in a few months", said Stanley.
"It feels like my life here's only just started."
Leonie sighed wistfully.
"Yeah... I'm really going to miss it here."
"I bet you never thought you'd be here. You joined the club and watched everyone leave.
Now it's your turn."
Leonie frowned.
"Yeah..."
She saw an opening, and moved forward.
She looked back to see that Stanley hadn't moved.
"Stanley, there's room here."
"I'm going to wait until the end."
Leonie cocked her head to one side, a look of curiosity on her face.
"Ok.
I'll wait with you then."
Stanley smiled as Leonie stood beside him.
_________________________________
Maxon fiddled with his camera.
He was in the Photography classroom, with some of his friends.
"Max, you were sick in the show", said Micah.
"I'm glad I got a ticket."
"Me and Paige had tickets to see that movie she's been banging on about, so we couldn't go.
But I knew it would be a good show. Maxon Martin doesn't just put his all into any old project", said Royce.
"My niece is a little too obessed with Kennedy after seeing her in the show", said Mary-Anne.
"She keeps calling her a Princess, it's so cute."
Maxon smiled at all of the compliments. "Thanks, guys.
And Kenny will be chuffed with that!"
Royce put a hand on Maxon's shoulder. "It's good to have you back with us though."
"Yeah.
We've missed you", said Micah.
Maxon frowned, an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach.
"What's wrong?", asked Mary-Anne.
Maxon sighed.
"I got some news a couple days ago. And I'm dreadin' telling Kennedy and the others."
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After what seemed like forever, Stanley and Leonie were the only students there.
One teacher stayed behind to supervise, but they waited outside.
Leonie stared at the red Mukford Berry ink.
The same berries that her Dad taught her to distinguish were also the same berries that almost kílled Amethyst.
Yet the Mukford Berry held so much significance in terms of the history of Moorside.
Leonie couldn't help but reflect on how much this town has taught her.
Leonie took a deep breath, and began writing her message.
"Aww, that's well sweet", smiled Stanley. "I can definitely say that the last part is true."
Leonie smiled.
"Thank you, Stanley.
Now, come on, let's see yours!
Oh, and it's running out of ink so the colour might be a bit different."
Stanley stared at the wall.
He joked about using a quote from The Office, and even though Darius laughed, he still suggested that Stanley do something big and bold to leave his mark on the school.
Stanley felt a pair of hands wrap themselves around him, and he smiled, knowing it was Leonie.
He hugged her back, resting his head against hers.
"Just imagine all the future students who need to hear that.
Gay or not, so many people will be able to relate to it", said Leonie.
Stanley nodded.
"I guess that's one way to leave my mark."
The pair looked at the wall, covered in messages and signatures.
They turned around and left together.
Stanley hurried back, after telling Leonie he forgot something.
He didn't want to hide anymore.
Yes, people at school knew he was gay. But not everyone.
Not the parents that would come down here with their kids as part of school tours.
"School just feels like forever, you know?"
"You're leaving soon. And the people out there? They don't know you. You can be whoever you want to be."
And Stanley finally knew who he wanted to be.
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Hi.
This chapter was an emotional one for me to write, because it's very real. Transitioning from one level of school to another is one that so many people find hard. You leave your friends, and it's generally a period of uncertainty for so many people.
It's important for me that I don't just gloss over Stanley and Leonie leaving school, but that I cover their feelings in regards to it, and their plans for the future. If you're ever worried about the next stage of school, make sure you tell someone! Talking about your worries can really help.
I never wanted Stanley's whole character to be about his sexuality. He is so much more than that, and I really hope that has come through. But his actions in this chapter show that whilst he doesn't want to be judged or hated, he also feels like he can be himself, because he now has the support of the people that matter most to him.
In terms of Leonie, her message epitomises the kind of person she wants to be. I relate to that, because I want to be a friend to others, and I want people to know that even if I can't fix their struggles, I'm here to listen to them. I hope, from Leonie's message, that you treat yourself with more kindness. It's ok to not have your life sorted and 100% perfect. Growth is a process. So please, be kind to yourself, just as you would be to others.
We'll see how Stanley and Leonie's departure will impact the group, but we'll also see how other secrets and storylines will test the group's dynamic.
Any theories?
What do you think of Weronika's scene?
What could Maxon's secret be?
What are your thoughts on this chapter?
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