I laid in bed, my laptop in front of me. I was scrolling through old articles about the things the Social Action Club had done.

                It had been formed by Tyson, the club members being limited to only the planning committee so it didn't get too big or overwhelming. The school approved the decision only because any student was welcome to volunteer for any of their projects.

                They'd done a lot since they were formed. They did things around the town, around the country, and around the world. The school had awarded the club during an end of the year ceremony just last year. They'd been in the local newspaper plenty of times for their work.

                I could see how they'd get overwhelmed as I read about some of the bigger projects they tackled. A bake sale was nothing compared to some of the other things they'd organized.

                Maybe I was just overthinking it. They'd been a five member club since they had formed, so having a new kid tossed in their final year at the school was probably just surprising to them. They'd adjust with time if I did my part and tried to get along with everyone.

                I shut my laptop and set it on the floor next to my bed. I folded my hands behind my head, staring up at the ceiling.

                I'd just have to show them how helpful I could be.

                                                                                                ***

                At the end of the school day, I made my way down to the classroom and inside. Talon, Nyssa, and Farren were already in the room, arguing over something.

                "-need to get addressed sooner rather than later. Unless you want to lose credibility," Farren was saying.

                "We can't be too risky, Farren," Nyssa said.

                "Come on, we always deliver. We won't lose credibility if we slow down just a bit," Talon said dismissively.

                "Earning credibility when operating on secrecy is a very difficult thing," Farren said. "Maybe you two are too laid back to see reason, but I doubt Tyson will be."

                "Enough," Nyssa said. "Our new member is here. No need to argue in front of him."

                "Uh...sorry. Just keep arguing like I'm not even here," I said, taking a seat.

                Connor entered the room, his gaze fixed on his phone as he typed on it. Talon grinned and slipped closer to Connor, striking at his bag.

                Connor sprang away, glaring at Talon. "Don't do that, asshole!"

                "Why? Hiding something in your bag?" Talon asked innocently.

                "I'll dig up every picture from your emo phase and send it to every person in this damn town and the president himself," Connor said, taking a seat and setting his bag protectively at his feet.

                "I didn't have an emo phase," Talon said.

                "Yes you did," Nyssa said. "You listened to all those awful bands and wore black all the time."

                "Black is a very slimming color," Talon said defensively. "I may have listened to a lot of awful bands, but at least I was never a fan of Attila."

                "Thank god for small favors," Nyssa said. "Now shut up and sit down."

                Tyson entered the room and gestured at everyone to sit. Everyone pushed the desks into a circle and took a seat, Tyson sitting up on top of his desk as he faced us.

                "Bishopp is running a little late," he said. "We have a lot of business to take care of. Farren, you have some things for Connor to look into. We're not getting too derailed by unexpected events."

                "Next you're going to subtweet me," I said moodily.

                "Probably," Tyson agreed. "At least you're taking it in good stride. Anyways, everyone give me the lists of your confirmed donators for the bake sale."

                They passed him several lists. Tyson scanned over them quickly before setting them into a folder.

                "Twins, you're on decorating duty. I'm not risking my neck to put cheerful decorations on the ceiling," Tyson said.

                "On it, boss," Talon said, saluting him.

                "If we're lucky, this will be the time Talon actually snaps his neck," Nyssa said.

                "You would miss me, sis! Who else would make you listen to awful bands?" Talon said.

                Tyson ignored them and turned to Connor. "You, print out signs to label everything there. And for the love of my fucking sanity, do not bring Jonesy."

                "The bake sale is open to the community. Jonesy is part of the community," Connor said.

                "No one wants to see rats running around when they're buying food," Talon said.

                "Emo phase," Connor reminded.

                "Jonesy is a very valid, beloved member of this fine community," Talon said.

                "But he's not invited to the bake sale. Farren, do you have the raffle tickets?" Tyson asked.

                "Secured. And they were nice enough to give them to me free of charge!" Farren said.

                "You little shit," Tyson said fondly. "Alright, new guy, should I give you your task out loud or subtweet it?"

                "Out loud would be preferable," I said.

                "Fair enough. We've been passing out flyers, posting reminders online and physically, and spreading the information by word of mouth. But the more the merrier, so invite your friends, your family, your neighbors, anyone you meet at the grocery store, and your mailman. We need people at this thing. I emailed you the information and a copy of the flyer if you want to print it out and pass it around a little more," Tyson said.

                "I've only been here for two weeks. I don't have a lot of friends or family. I've only been to the grocery store once, and I've never met my mailman," I said, frowning.

                "Put the social in Social Action and get out there, kid," Tyson said. "I'm looking into causes for our next project. We get right back to work after the bake sale. Everyone do some research, find a cause that makes your little heart cry out, and give me details."

                "I know a cause that makes my little heart cry out," Talon said.

                "Back work, Talon. Be patient. I'm handling it," Tyson said. "Bishopp is trying to convince every teacher here to go to the bake sale right now. We need a big turnout. Focus on that right now."

                "Where are we getting the decorations from, Chief?" Talon asked.

                "Farren talked some groups into lending us supplies for the day. It'll be on site when you get there," Tyson said.

                "Be careful with the stuff. We have to give it back. That means no fucking around with it, Talon," Farren said.

                "I'll treat it like fragile glass," Talon said.

                "You break it, you buy it," Tyson said. "Remember, I need all the baked goods by Friday. Make sure you all dress appropriately for Saturday. You don't have to look like you're going to strut down the red carpet, but don't look like you're going to buy meth in a back alley, either. This is our last meeting between the bake sale, so any questions, ask them now."

                "Just make sure there's a safe place for my equipment," Connor said.

                "Taken care of. Any questions that don't waste my time?" Tyson said.

                "Do you guys wear anything specific that lets people know you're in charge?" I asked.

                "Nametags. We have custom sticker ones we'll give you when you get there," Tyson said. "See, Con, that's a legit question."

                "Go fuck yourself with a telescope," Connor said.

                "Only if it's properly lubricated. Any final questions?" Tyson said.

                "Yea, I have a few questions about your kinks," Talon said, raising his hand.

                "Denied. We're done here. Get out of my sight. Except you, Nolan," Tyson said.

                "Oh, alone time. Going to tell him more about that lubricated telescope kink of yours?" Talon said, waggling his eyebrows.

                Nyssa grabbed the back of Talon's shirt and yanked him to his feet, dragging towards the door. "Time to leave, bro."

                "Connor, come to my car. I have stuff for you," Farren said, getting up and leaving the room with Connor.

                Once they were all out of the room, Tyson shifted into a chair, leaning back in it. He kicked his feet up onto the desk.

                "Bishopp said Mrs. Parisio got you in here," he said.

                "I didn't want to join the other available clubs. Will me being here be a problem?" I asked.

                Tyson shrugged. "We'll find that out later, I guess. Did she say anything else about the club?"

                "Not really. She just told me what it was and that you guys had a small membership. She said you struggled with some projects and thought you could use another person," I said.

                Tyson looked thoughtful now. "Struggle? We're pretty capable."

                "What is everyone's function in the club? You know, if you're the president, what are the others?" I said.

                His thoughtful expression changed to an amused one. "I'm the founder and president. I approve our projects, get approval from the school, and work with Bishopp to make sure we have the resources we need. Farren handles a lot of the social aspect. Advertising, connecting to the people we need, securing donations, resources, and venues. Connor handles the funds and logs our information. He runs the numbers so we know what we need and if we can get it. He also takes pictures and videos for our promotional purposes. Nyssa does research into different organizations to make sure our donations aren't wasted. Talon likes to think he's the creative part of the club, but really, him and Nyssa just make sure all the money is secure and sent to the right location at the right time."

                "You said Connor handles the funds," I said in confusion.

                "I misspoke a bit. Connor counts the money and keeps the records of it, but Nyssa and Talon physically handle it. Their dad owns a popular business, so he knows how to keep money safe and move it around without any going missing," Tyson explained.

                "What will I do?" It sounded like they had most things covered.

                "Throw us off for a while," he said.

                "You should be a motivational speaker," I said.

                "I'm an honest man." He seemed highly amused by his own words, a smile stretching on his lips. "I don't have a position for you. For now, you do what I tell you to. If you're not contributing, you're out. Do what we say, make yourself useful, and we'll figure something out eventually."

                "I'll help however I can," I promised. "I mean, I'm not going to join Talon's stripping team. But as long as my clothes stay on, I'll help."

                "I'm not going to sugarcoat it, Nolan. You're unexpected, unwanted, and utterly out of place here. Tough it out, we'll see where it leads," he said.

                "I can do." I straightened up a little, determined. I wasn't an easily put-off person.

                Tyson laughed a little. "You've got some spunk in you. You're throwing everything off with a smile. It's a little bizarre."

                He got up and gathered his stuff, texting on his phone for a moment. He gestured at me to grab my bag.

                "I'll head down to the parking lot with you. I told Bishopp he missed the meeting," he said.

                "The meetings have been pretty short," I said, slinging my bag over my shoulder.

                Tyson started putting the desks back and I hurried to help him. "They'll get longer. This was an easy event. Some of our tasks need a bit more...focus."

                Once the desks were back in place, Tyson led me out of the room. We turned the lights off and shut the door, heading towards the side exit together.

                "So did you just move to the area?" Tyson asked as we started along the path to the student parking lot.

                "I moved in with my Uncle so I could go to this school. It's a little expensive, but I researched it and it produces good results," I said.

                "It's a shithole." Tyson looked over at the school. "Rampant bullying problem. Stressed out kids competing for the top spot go at each other's throats. You're too good, you're a target because of the threat. You're not good enough, you're a target for stress relief."

                "I've been pushed into a few lockers." I sighed and fidgeted with the strap of my bag. "I think it'll stop once they see I'm not a threat, but it was a little surprising. I didn't realize the bullying problem was so bad."

                "Of course it is. Stressed out, hormone-enraged teenagers in a highly competitive environment? That's just asking for trouble. So long as the grades stay up and the trouble doesn't get in the way, the school will turn a blind eye to it," Tyson said.

                "I'll find a way to survive," I said. So far, I'd mostly been managing to stay invisible around the school when I needed to.

                "You're a positive guy, huh? Good for you. Hope it doesn't fuck you over in the end." He pulled out car keys and swung them around his finger. "There's my ride. No more meetings this week. I'll email you times and instructions, so make sure you keep an eye out for that. Catch you Saturday, Nolan."

                He got in his car before I had a chance to say goodbye. I waved instead and hurried away to my car.

                I drove myself back home, trying to assure myself that everything with the Social Action Club would be fine. Tyson seemed like he could be a little...harsh. But the others hadn't been mean or anything.

                I parked my car in the driveway and got out, heading into the house. Brian was eating dinner at the kitchen counter, too distracted to notice me as I came in.

                "Hi Brian," I greeted.

                He jumped a little. "Didn't hear you come in, Nolan."

                "There's a bake sale fundraiser this Saturday. You should come to it," I said.

                He shook his head. "I doubt I can. A woman I work with, her kids are in that club. Twins, I think."

                "Talon and Nyssa," I said.

                "I don't know their names. Zigor is the mother's last name. Anyways, she was going on and on about the bake sale, trying to get people to volunteer to bake for it and go to it. Her mom makes great baked goods. Pick me up something from her," Brian said. He set his dishes in the sink. "Speaking of work, I'm heading back there."

                "Bye!" I called as he hurried out of the house.

                Brian spent a lot of his time at work. He lived alone before I came here, so he was probably used to working a lot to keep himself busy. I didn't expect him to change his lifestyle just because I lived here now.

                I took up the seat Brian had abandoned, pulling up my email on my phone as if Tyson would've sent me the email already. I was anxious and excited for this bake sale on Saturday. It'd give me a chance to prove myself to the Social Action Club, and to get closer to them.

                Tyson could say whatever he wanted; I wasn't going to be intimidated. I liked volunteering and helping people. I'd show them that I could be valuable to the club.