When you see the asterisk (*) somewhere in this chapter, please play the video above to make it more fun and lively. Haha! :3

CRAZINESS AHEAD. PROCEED WITH CAUTION.

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| KENZIE |

Today was Weyral's Club Day. It's when all of the clubs of the school make their booths at the Main Pegasus Park so that Weyralians who aren't members of a club can choose and join one. However, every student is only limited to sign-up for two groups.

There were also no classes for this day, but attendance was still a must.

Earlier, in homeroom, Mr. Larter had given everyone the list of the official clubs of Weyral. Sadly, after reading it, the Rainbow Club or Superhero Wannabes Club wasn't included.

Suspicious, right?

As I sat in a chair and put my lunch tray on the table, I heard someone call, "Mackenzie!"

Looking up, I saw Krizza Eunice Wilcox coming toward me with a smile while carrying her tray. I smiled back and said, "Eat with me, Eunice, please?"

"Sure. Thanks!" She sat down beside me. Eunice was the first person I'd befriended in Weyral, because we were seatmates in Greek class. But she wasn't a fan of Uncle Rick Riordan's works. (Bummer, I know.)

Students of Weyral High could choose one language that we wanted for our foreign language subject, which was available for our junior and senior year: Spanish, French, Greek, Italian, Brazilian, Tagalog, Japanese, Mandarin, Korean, or German.

When our teacher had asked everyone in the class on the first day of school why we chose Greek, I'd answered that I loved Greek mythology ever since I was a kid. (It was also the reason on how I'd discovered the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series in the first place.) That's why I wanted to learn the language.

Eunice wanted to learn Greek because, when she and the rest of her family had taken a vacation in Athens, Greece two years ago, she'd been fascinated by it, even their foods.

I must admit I was jealous of her. I mean, she'd gotten to visit the Acropolis and the Parthenon! I sighed mentally and wondered when I'd get to take a vacation in Greece, too.

"Where's Rachel?" she asked after a moment while twirling her pasta around her fork, bringing me out of my train of thought. Eunice and Rachel were groupmates in chemistry.

"She went to the Main Pegasus Park to sign-up for Ricochet," I answered. "Said she'd meet me there."

Eunice's hazel eyes beamed. "Really? That's great! So, how about you, Mackenzie, have you already made your decision?"

After we'd become friends and she'd requested for my autograph while fangirling, Eunice had also asked if I wanted to join the Drama Club. I'd promised to give her my answer next week, which was today.

I grinned. "Yes, Eunice, I'll join the Drama Club."

Eunice let out a happy whoop and hugged me. "Thank you so much, Mackenzie! I promise you really won't regret joining our club!"

I giggled as she released me from the hug. "I'm sure of that, Nis. 'Sides, I don't wanna get rusty at acting, and I wanna learn from you guys, too."

I didn't want to always practice with Rachel, whose tactic to make me act was for her to laugh at me like crazy. The last time that happened was two weeks ago...

🎹 🎹 🎹

I was sobbing. "Why would you betray me, Rachel?" I exclaimed while putting a hand over my heart dramatically. "I thought we were best friends! You said you'd help me practice now without laughing!"

Rachel continued howling at me without a care to the world.

"Why're you still laughing? You liar!"

My best friend's eyes were now producing joyful tears.

I threw a pillow at her, but she dodged it easily, now laughing while clutching her stomach.

Then I went to her and furiously shook her by the shoulders. "How could you, Chel? How could you?" I cried. "After all the things that I helped you with, you're just gonna laugh back at me? What did I ever do to you, huh? You really are a liar! I hate you, Rachel! I HATE YOU!"

Rachel totally lost it, and my bedroom wasn't soundproofed, so surely the whole neighborhood was hearing her crazy laughter.

I felt sorry for my neighbors.

🎹 🎹 🎹

I'd been debating to myself that time whether to call the mental hospital or not.

Rachel was such a "helpful" best friend.

"Please, even if you stop acting for twenty years," Eunice said, snapping me back to reality, "you still have perfect acting skills!"

"Meh. How I wish."

Eunice bumped me with her shoulder playfully, and I did the same to her. After a moment she told me, "Excuse me, I just have to call someone." She started tapping on the screen of her Microsoft phone, and then positioned it beside her ear. "You go ahead and eat, Mackenzie."

"You sure?"

"Yep. And besides," she grinned at me, "something's gonna happen later inside The Cafeteria."

"Which is...?"

"Sorry. Can't tell you yet."

And so I started eating my slice of apple pie while Eunice was talking to someone on her phone. Would there be a special musical number by the Weyral Chorus, one of the glee clubs, to advertise their club? Or a special dance number by the Drill Team? That'd be pretty cool if that happened, just like in the High School Musical films.

Thinking those, I felt giddy all of a sudden.

I was humming the chorus of "Stick to the Status Quo" when I heard Eunice say, "Okay. Lights, camera, and action!"

The double doors of The Cafeteria suddenly opened with a loud bang, and then some of the members of the Rainbow Club or Superhero Wannabes Club marched inside, their colorful capes swooshing behind them. Others were twirling around while holding the hem of their capes up high.

What a dramatic entrance.

I wondered what they were doing here. To perform a rainbow dance? Wait, did that kind of dance even exist?

Then it dawned on me.

Right. This was a cafeteria. Of course they came here to eat. Silly me.

But instead of going to the cafeteria line, the Cape-Wearing Weirdos were surely heading toward our direction, and all of my giddiness suddenly went down to the depths of the earth. I even dropped the fork I'd been holding onto the tiled-floor, clanging loudly in the now-silent cafeteria.

Oh, no.

Had I done something wrong to them? Was it because I kept calling them the Cape-Wearing Weirdos, and the Rainbow Club or Superhero Wannabes Club? But it was just all in my head, so that was impossible, unless Rachel was a traitor and had told them about it. (Heck, she was the one who'd come up with CWW!) Or one of their members could read minds and detect someone who was making fun of their club. If that was the case, then they should be called the Psychic Club!

Psycho Club? Um, maybe...?

But I remembered those clubs weren't included in the list, either.

Suspicious again, right?

A battalion of cape-wearing weirdos are incoming!

I didn't show it, but I was nervous when the CWW stood in front of our table and lined themselves horizontally. I couldn't even face Eunice to ask what she thought of this madness. Then I saw in my peripheral vision that all of the people inside The Cafeteria were now staring at us.

What was happening?

A guy with neatly-gelled brown hair, who was in the middle of the line, took a step forward and bowed before saying, "Merci beaucoup for joining Weyral's Drama Club, princess Mackenzie Adams!"

No doubt he was one of the famous students in this school.

My mouth parted in disbelief. I mean, seriously, princess? He was a senior because he was wearing a blue necktie. I was wondering if he was half-French--with the faint French accent, atmosphere and all.

The rest of the CWW did the same. There were fifteen of them: seven girls and eight boys, including the one in the middle.

I blinked many times, unsure if what I'd heard was correct or not. "Y-you're members of the Drama Club?" I tentatively asked.

The person in the middle, who I was also sure the president of the club, nodded proudly. "Oui, Mackenzie Adams."

That meant "yes." I finally faced Eunice, but with a dumbfounded expression.

She smiled apologetically in return. "Er, too much surprise...?"

I couldn't reply, so I turned again to the president of the Drama Club. "You'renottherainbowcluborsuperherowannabescluborpsychoImeanpsychicclub?" I asked in a rush with eyes as large as plates, if that's even possible.

It was his turn to give a dumbfounded expression. "Pardon?"

"Mackenzie's cute with a flabbergasted look!" someone remarked loudly.

Wha-a-a-a-at?

"She's cute with whatever her expression is, you idiot!" another replied.

Er...

"Even the president of the Drama Club!" a squeaky voice piped in.

"I-I mean, thank you also for the warm welcome," I said with a small smile, my shock faltering as I shyly accepted the red rose from the president that had magically appeared in his hand. What he'd said first was the French for "thank you." (I learned a little French after attending a movie premiere in Paris last year.)

I heard a girl yell in the background, "Give me also a red rose, Xavier, please!"

His name was Xavier? That was definitely from one of his fangirls.

The guy named Xavier winked at her, and another red rose appeared again in his hand. Throwing it to the girl, he cried, "Ce n'est pas grave, princess!"

Okay, I didn't know that one. And did he call all girls "princess"?

She literally fainted right on the spot after she'd caught it. The girl's friends, who were beside her, instantly helped her and carried her away.

At least she got what she wanted.

*

"Oh, right. Where are my manners?" He swooshed his sparkling gold cape to his back, and I had to admit he looked cool when he did that--with his lean body and gentleman looks and style. "I am Xavier Depardieu, the president of Weyral's Drama Club. Glad to have you on stage with us, 'Oscar Winner Mackenzie Adams'!"

Conclusion: Xavier Depardieu was a son of Aphrodite.

I swear I could hear Mozart's "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik" playing in the background the moment he started introducing himself.

"Same here, Xavier Depardieu," I replied, then gulped. "Um, anyway, can I ask you a question?"

"Firstly, I just wanted to say that I'm a fan of you." Xavier grinned, showing his perfect white teeth. Thus, most of the girls in The Cafeteria swooned. "Secondly, of course you can ask me anything, Mackenzie. Wait, let me guess..." He did a dramatic pose while pointing to me. "Do you want to ask me if I'm single and available? If so, then, yes, I am indeed single and available. Are you interested in applying for the position of my paramour? The line is long! But I guess you can be a V.I.P."

"Um..." Why were conceited guys not rare in Weyral?

"I'm interested, Xavier!" someone shouted to our far right, then we heard a commotion of girls having a cat fight.

"I'm such a man of sin," said Xavier dramatically, then composed himself. "Anyway, don't be shy, Mackenzie. We're now a team here."

Never mind his preposterous questions. Backing out wasn't an option now, and no one could stop me, even if an alien passed by and said hello to me. It'd been bugging my mind for a week, and I was finally about to ask the most controversial topic ever in the history of Weyral!

Or was it just for me?

I exhaled audibly, and then asked the million-dollar question. "Why do you guys wear capes?"

Xavier instantly laughed with bravado while swooshing his cape with both of his hands, like a bird flying, and he still looked cool and not stupid. "The cape symbolizes creativity and intelligence. That's why it's the symbol of Weyral's Drama Club!" He said it so proudly like he was giving an important speech to the president of the United States of America or to the King and Queen of England. Xavier looked at me with expectantly raised eyebrows, as though waiting for an exclamation of spontaneous acclaim.

That was all? "Um, not strength and bravery?" I asked to get past the awkward dramatic pause that ensued.

He frowned. "Of course not! How come you concluded those?"

"Because some superheroes wear capes," I told him. "Er, you know, like Superman, Batman...should I also include Zorro and Marvel's Thor?"

"Just because some superheroes wear capes doesn't mean it's just for them to do that." Xavier was thoughtful. "Though 'bravery' can be included, 'cause we're not afraid to face our audience."

Some of his fangirls squealed with delight in the background. "Kyaaaaa! Xavier's so cool when he's thinking!"

Lolwut?

Xavier snapped his fingers in the air. "Princess Katrina!" he called.

A petite black-haired girl wearing a maroon cape came toward him. "Yes, Xavier?"

The girl named Katrina had a fair skin tone and faint accent (she was a Filipina, I think). She was a sophomore.

"Please add 'bravery' to the club's information, pronto."

"Roger!" Katrina sat down in front of us while setting her MacBook Air on the table, then she started typing with vigor. Xavier thanked her, and I noticed her cheeks blush.

"Xavier, you should also tell Mackenzie the history of why the members of the Drama Club wear capes in the first place," Eunice said, and I gave her a thankful look. I was finally going to know the most-awaited answer to the most mysterious question in my entire life!

The seven girls and boys agreed immediately with what Eunice had told him.

Xavier stroked a non-existent beard. "Ah, yes. Of course. Jonathan Mendez was the one who started it three years ago, right?"

"Yep," a dark-skinned guy wearing a blue-green cape confirmed.

"Merci, Cole. Jonathan was the president of the Drama Club three years ago," started Xavier. "He loves to watch Japanese drama shows. Then after he watched..." His brows furrowed, trying to remember something, but failed. "What show was it again, Nis?"

Eunice thought for a moment. "Hanazakari no Kimitachi e, or Hana-Kimi for short. In English: For You in Full Blossom."

"Ah, yes. Merci, princess Eunice," Xavier said.

She rolled her eyes. "For the umpteenth time, Xavier, don't call me 'princess,' please."

Xavier ignored her, because he was busy magically producing many red roses in full bloom in his hands, and then threw them in the air to the surrounding crowd. "For you in full blossom!" he shouted with pride.

His fangirls immediately grabbed his roses, almost causing a stampede, and they squealed with delight loud enough for the whole world to hear. "We love you, Xavier Depardieu!"

"Je t'aime!" cried Xavier while winking.

Okay, that was already too much for the ladies to handle, so everyone already got the idea on how they reacted to that. I wondered why someone didn't call for the security guards yet.

This school was weird. Um, not that I was complaining.

Eunice had mentioned to me before that the current president of the Drama Club's family owned a famous flower shop all over America. Maybe that's why Xavier had unlimited supplies of red roses on his sleeves.

"After Jonathan watched all of the episodes of Hana-Kimi," he continued after a moment, "he was inspired by one of the characters named Oscar Himejima. His real first name is Masao. Don't know why, but he hates it, so he uses Oscar instead. Anyway, Oscar is the head of Dorm Three or the Performing Arts Dorm of Osaka High, which consists of artistic and intelligent people." The Drama Club members who were present--excluding Eunice--stood straighter after Xavier had said that. "And almost all of the students from that dorm wear capes in different colors.

"When Jonathan suggested it to us, believing all of the Drama Club members are artistic and intelligent, we happily agreed. It's true, anyway. So, even now, we still do it. Our capes have become a part of us, so to speak." He gave his cape another swoosh. The fourteen other members did the same to their capes.

A guy wearing a yellow cape snickered. "The Dorm Three's plans fail most of the time, though. Remember that episode when Oscar fell into his own trap--"

"Be quiet, James!" Xavier snapped, then faced me. "You should watch Hana-Kimi when you have time, Mackenzie. It's funny and sweet! The 2007 Japanese version, mind you. The remake was a total failure. Dunno why they even made a remake when the first one was a total success. Anyway, now you know the reason why we wear gorgeous capes." Xavier grinned, and I swear his teeth were sparkling. Mine weren't doing that whenever I grinned. What was his secret? Was he an endorser for Colgate or Sensodyne?

After a moment of silence, understanding what he'd said, I nodded. "Y-yeah. Thanks for answering my question." I'd really thought it was because they wanted to pretend to be superheroes, so I felt at ease now.

Then I suddenly froze. On second thought, no, I shouldn't be feeling at ease right now, because I remembered something terrifying, even though I already knew the reason behind the capes, not finding it that ridiculous anymore.

"Okay, back to business. Cole!" he called, opening his palm. "My iPad, please."

The guy named Cole put Xavier's tablet onto his waiting palm, and Xavier thanked him. He then started tapping on the screen. "Your cape, Mackenzie. What kind of fabric do you want? Silk? And most importantly, what color? Please take note that the colors gold, silver, maroon, black and orange are only for the president, vice president, secretary, treasurer and auditor respectively," he informed me.

My terrifying thought had been confirmed! They'd give me a freaking cape, and I'd have to wear it inside the school premises!

"S-seriously?" I cried, alarmed. It was a miracle I didn't faint.

Xavier and the rest--excluding Eunice--looked at me like I'd asked something out-of-this-world.

"I'm serious," he replied, his eyes locked on mine, and I just noticed they were gray. I couldn't help remembering that person, but quickly shook my head mentally. "Princess Mackenzie, please make up your mind now, because I'm going to order it online at Golden Tailoring, pronto. The store's located in France. But don't worry. You won't pay for anything. All free."

"France?" I exclaimed incredulously.

"Why, yes. All of the Drama Club's capes are made from Golden Tailoring," Xavier told me, lifting his chin up. "It has the best tailors and fabrics. That's why it's the number one tailoring shop in the world! La France est un pays merveilleux! Aha-ha-ha!"

"Why're you still here in America, then?" the guy named James asked. Was he also half-French, or just taking French class, since he understood what Xavier had said?

"Be quiet, James!" Xavier snapped once again.

"Are all of the members obliged to wear their capes inside the school premises?" I asked calmly, but deep inside I was having a mental breakdown. My heart was beating so fast, I hoped they couldn't hear the loud thumpthumpthump. To be honest, if I had to wear a cape, it'd be extremely embarrassing for me.

How ironic was this? I kept calling them "Cape-Wearing Weirdos" in my mind, but I was going to become one of them in the end. Karma was a bitch. But they wouldn't be "weirdos" anymore now that I knew the history of their legendary capes, would they?

Then, I noticed something as fast as a blinding light. I added my trump card quickly, proud of myself that I'd gotten hold of it. "I mean, I haven't seen Eunice wearing her cape." With that said, I did a victory dance in my mind.

"Oh, that's because I'm allergic to capes," stated Eunice, shrugging.

My jaw dropped to the floor, halting my mental victory dance. Had I heard her right? She was allergic to capes?

Allergic to capes?

Was there really a person who was allergic to capes? Shouldn't it be "allergic to fabrics"? But there were different kinds of fabrics, right? So was Eunice allergic to all kinds of fabrics? But I was sure a genius somewhere in the world had made a non-allergic fabric.

Then I had a vision of myself wearing a blue cape while running around the Main Pegasus Park with my right hand outstretched like Superman does when he flies, my cape swooshing behind me gracefully while I was grinning like a maniac.

I involuntarily shuddered. Should I also say that I was allergic to capes so that I wouldn't have to wear one?

After a full minute of awkward silence (or maybe it's just for me), Eunice suddenly chortled, which made me snap from my crazy thoughts. "Gotcha! Of course I was just kidding, Mackenzie. Sorry. No, it's not obliged to wear your cape inside the school premises."

I couldn't help sighing in relief, my heart now slowly beating at a normal rate. "You had me for a moment there, Nis!" I swatted her on the arm.

"I really know how you feel, Mackenzie," she whispered to me, making me chuckle lightly. "That was also my reaction after I found out about the capes two years ago."

Xavier frowned deeply. "Unfortunately, Eunice is right. Jonathan made it clear that if a member doesn't want to wear their cape, it's fine." He sighed theatrically while putting a hand on his forehead. "Seriously, you members not wanting to wear your capes is beyond me. You don't look stupid if you wear one, honestly. You'll get used to it!"

Maybe I should go see this Jonathan Mendez guy and thank him whole-heartedly for his understanding personality. Xavier didn't have an understanding personality.

Sort of.

"But," he continued, "whenever we have our meetings, the cape must be strictly worn."

Well, I could live with that.

I then told Xavier what kind of fabric that I wanted, and chose blue for the color, which was my favorite.

"Done!" he announced as he gave his tablet back to Cole for safekeeping. "All of the newly-ordered capes will be delivered within twenty days."

"Even outside of the school, some of the members still wear their capes," Eunice conspiratorially whispered, "especially Xavier."

"Really?" I whispered back, aghast. "I can't even imagine it."

She giggled. "Dunno what hit their heads, but I guess they do it just for fun and to annoy the other schools, especially Eldreez Point."

"Say, is the vice president absent?" I asked, not whispering anymore. I didn't see someone wearing a silver cape with them. "Or just left behind at the club's booth?"

"Oh, the vice president is sitting to your left, Mackenzie," the president flatly answered.

Wha-a-a-a-a-a-at?

"E-E-Eunice!" I exclaimed while standing up from my seat, gazing at her, surprise clearly shown on my face. "Why didn't you tell me you were the vice president of the Drama Club all this time?" So that's why she was one of the popular students in Weyral. Thankfully, Rachel and I hadn't shared with her our "Cape-Wearing Weirdos/Rainbow/Superhero Wannabes" views!

"It's not important, Mackenzie," she said with a shrug.

"Not important? Letting the other students know you're the vice president of the Drama Club is not important?" Xavier exclaimed, horrified. "How can you think like that, Krizza Eunice Wilcox?"

Eunice gave him an annoyed look. "Hey, what's with you saying my full name?"

Xavier ignored her and continued, "And the cape is everything! That's one of the negative points when you don't wear your cape: you don't shine that much in the spotlight!"

"But, Xavier, many Weyralians already know what her position is in the Drama Club, right?" I said, trying to ease the tension.

He gave a frown again. "Yes, but that's still not enough."

"I don't care about the spotlight, Xavier," replied Eunice, waving it off. "'Sides, I don't even want this position."

Xavier was near to fainting, and some of the members quickly helped to steady him. Others were looking at him with amused faces, like they knew a secret.

Then it hit me. Oh, my gods! Did Xavier have a crush on Eunice?

"Don't worry," she continued. "My cape's always inside my bag. And my former cape's proudly displayed in my bedroom."

"In her bedroom." Xavier was hyperventilating. "Not in her living room!"

"Eunice was chosen to be the next vice president of the Drama Club for this school year with unanimous votes, even though she said she didn't want to become the v.p.," Katrina shared with me. "She won the position 'cause she's so great at acting!"

Eunice looked embarrassed. "Well, it's all thanks to Mackenzie, Katrina. I mean, she fascinates me every time I watch her films, and also because she's a Denverite! So it's like she encouraged me to go for acting."

I hugged Eunice, feeling flattered by what she'd said. It was still unbelievable for me I was such an inspiration to some of the Adamsters. "Thank you, too, Eunice! I can't wait to watch you act!"

"Oh, gosh! It'd be an honor, Mackenzie!" Eunice squealed with absolute delight. "Just don't tease me, okay?"

"That'll never happen, I promise." I looked at the rest of the members, smiling widely. "And to all of you, too!"

They beamed at me, which I found to be unnecessary. "Thank you, Mackenzie Adams!"

Xavier sniffed while wiping a tear from his right eye, now recovered from his importance-of-the-position-and-capes moment. "Everyone, let's make 'Oscar Winner Mackenzie Adams' proud of the Drama Club!"

"Yeah!" the members cheered, raising their fists in the air.

I smiled again. I'd do all of my best to help my new family in any way I could.

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Translations

Merci (beaucoup) - Thank you (very much)

Ce n'est pas grave - No problem

Je t'aime - I love you

La France est un pays merveilleux - France is a wonderful country