Quick A/N - Your weekly update, as promised 😁

"Good." Victoria sighed, "Now that that's over what the hell are we going to do about this room?"

It hadn't really dawned on me yet because I was too caught up in my little argument with Joseph, but actually, we had our work cut out for us. The old room was really messed up, the wall were going to need re-painting because we couldn't just leave the watermarks and dampness there. Plus, the floor was covered in filth and still had some chairs that were beyond repair lying about, those would need removing too.

On the plus side, though, the room was pretty much empty so if we just cleaned up the dirt off of the floor and moved some spare table and chairs from our classes into the room, we were pretty much good to go. We could worry about the painting later. Also, once we had gotten that much done we would have the room to ourselves and since it was abandoned and quite far away from the normal classrooms, it wasn't likely someone was going to wander in there anytime soon.

"Well, we need to go into the equipment cupboard and get out over the vacuum for a start," Lola suggested pointing to the floor.

"I'll get it, I'm really doing anything am I?" Daniel said.

"Thanks, Daniel, finally we're getting somewhere!" Victoria exclaimed.

Quickly, Daniel rushed out the door kicking up a bunch of dust in his way in the process. All of us still left in the room started coughing again as we involuntarily inhaled the dust particles.

"I think we should open a window." A voice came from the far corner of the room, I looked over and Lola and Victoria but it was pretty obvious from how deep the voice was that it wasn't one of them. I then realised, Joseph was leaning against one of the walls, his monotone expression still etched on his face.

The rest of them turned to look at him so I was guessing they were like me and had completely forgotten he was even there. It was going to take me a while to get used his sudden disappearances and appearances.

"What?" he said, "Or do you want to end up suffocating yourselves breathing in this pile of dirt. We need fresh air."

"He's right," Victoria started, "Lola, can you help me get this thing open,"

"Sure."

Both of them tugged at the handle of the window for about a few minutes with no luck but then I remembered something.

"What the hell's wrong with this thing, have the windows been sealed shut from never being opened for years or something?" Lola whined.

"Hang on you guys, let me try," carefully I made my way over, grabbed the handle and pulled it towards me before pushing it down.

Almost immediately a large gush of wind forced its way inside. Brushing past my cheek it scattered some of the dust near me across the room and any dirty air left inside was slowly making its way out of the window.

"How did you do that! We couldn't even get it to budge!" Lola exclaimed.

I laughed, "That window's always been tricky, it took me a while to figure it out myself."

"Always been tricky? Anyone would think you've been here before," Lola said.

"Funnily enough, I have."

"What?" Both Victoria and Lola stared at me.

"Why didn't you say anything?" Victoria asked

"You guys never asked."

"Wait, but how did you even know about this place?"

Bringing my hand to fan away any extra dust still near me I continued. "Well, when I first came to this school in year 7 I found this place and use to come here every time I felt down and watch the people play on the fields outside. Also, this is the place I met Daniel for the first time."

"Someone call my name?"

It was at the moment Daniel suddenly emerged from the door, a vacuum cleaner in hand and a huge grin on his face. He looked pretty tired as his face was all red. Hurriedly, he closed the door behind him and dragged the vacuum through the dirt to the centre of the room.

"You took you sweet time." I chuckled.

"Yeah, the caretaker had to help me get in out of that storage space," he replied.

Then without saying anything Joseph picked up the suction end of the vacuum and plugged it into the nearest socket.

"I haven't really been doing anything this whole time. If I'm going to be part of this club I need to at least do my part, right?" He said setting the suction setting to tiled. Though his expression and his voice were still as monotone as ever, that was the first decent thing I had heard him say all day.

Soon the room was filled with the sound of the vacuum. For a vacuum it was surprisingly quiet yet still did its job well, I could even hear myself speak over it and so while Joesph was busy vacuuming away, Lola, Victoria and I continued with our conversation.

"So how did that happen then? I mean, how did you and Daniel even end up meeting here exactly?" Lola asked eagerly.

"Oh, so you told them then?" Daniel asked.

"Yeah, it just sort of came up I guess." I laughed.

"OK, you guys so long story short I happened to stumble across this place by chance, only to see this wimpy looking kid sitting by himself. I, being the good person I am, asked him what was wrong and that lead to so small talk which lead to me finding out just how bad Josh's life was. Then I gave his some of my inspirational advice and that formed the Josh we see today." Daniel concluded.

"Wow, I never knew you guys go that far back," Lola said.

Just then, Victora interrupted, "Well that's all well and good guys but less chit chat more work we have a long lunchtime ahead of us!"

"Geez hold your horses slave driver we were just talking," Daniel laughed but started picking up the old chairs nonetheless.

With that, we all got to work. Joseph continued vacuuming while Lola and Victoria removed the remaining chairs, in the meantime Daniel and I went to around looking for spare tables and chairs no one was using. We managed to get two spares and even a mini sofa like thing that the teachers in the staffroom didn't need any more. By the time we had done most of the work we needed the room was finally starting to look like a proper classroom again.

We were all wiping down any remaining dirt when Victoria suddenly spoke.

"You know Joseph, you've been pretty much silent this whole time so why don't you take this time now were all quiet to explain exactly why you're here. Since Josh over here didn't want to shut up until he got an answer."

"Hey! Victoria!" I said.

At first, he continued cleaning as if he hadn't heard her at all, but soon after his hands stopped scrubbing and lifted his head up not a trace of emotion on his face.

"It's like I said before, the reason I wanted to join this club was so that Micheal and Josh could get to know each other and hopefully understand each other." He began.

***

"Look, I know Micheal can be a little insensitive sometimes and do some things that aren't necessarily appropriate-"

"You're telling me they aren't appropriate!" Daniel spoke up suddenly.

All of us turned to him and the girls gave his a glared that pretty much signalled "Shut up" plus I think all of us wanted to here this. "...Anyway," Joseph continued, "as I was saying, but he's been through a lot OK. All I'm going to tell you is private stuff that Micheal didn't really want anyone to know about, he trusted me with this so I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't go spreading this around, even though I don't really have a right to tell you what to do."

"Of course, we won't tell, we're not that kind of people you know," Victoria said.

Reluctantly Joseph continued, it was weird hearing him talk so much when he was usually so quiet."Ever since he was little Micheal's been looked on as a failure. You see, Michael has an older brother, Henry Weathers."

"Henry Weathers? Isn't he that big shot CEO who run that business?" Lola said.

"Not business, bank, he's in charge of Weathers i.nc bank, right?" I asked.

Joseph slowly nodded his head, "Mmm hmm, Henry has always been the star of the Weathers family, he achieved top grades in all subject, came first in all the competitions he entered, he went to study at Cambridge university and earned himself a PhD. Also, he's so handsome it's unreal and he has all the women at his company at his beck and call, he's the perfect child, in every sense of the word."

All took a minute to take in what he said. It never even crossed my mind that Micheal could have any siblings.

"To think there was someone out there that big related to Micheal and we never even noticed," Victoria said.

"But how's that got to do with Micheal being an asshole?" Daniel said.

"Well, since Micheal's brother did so well and was basically a child prodigy, when Micheal was born that put a huge amount of pressure on him to achieve the same if not better. He was homeschool because he father thought all the school's out there, even the top ones wouldn't be able to provide him with the attention he needed. Violin practise on a Monday afternoon then Maths with his specialised tutor. On Tuesday's army and physical training, Wednesday's table manners and how to be humble, Thursdays sewing and crafts, Fridays how to be a gentleman. He barely had any time to himself or for his friends."

"Wow..." Daniel said, "I had no idea the guy had so much pressure on him."

"It get's better, though. After much pleading, his father finally let him join a high school but he didn't want to go to one of these posh one's he wanted to go to some place normal where he could just be an average kid. That's when he met us, David and I. We liked Micheal, not for his fame and family name but because he was fun to be around and he appreciated that. But as soon as everyone here found out about it, they suddenly started following him everywhere and being so nice to him, even the teachers. Soon, since we were always with him, people somehow got the idea David and I were all like princes and Micheal was the king or something and Micheal hated that. He cures his family name and decided to act like a complete an utter arrogant bastard in hopes that then maybe people would hate him and back off but that didn't stop them."

"Wait... so you're telling me Micheal does what he does because he wants to be hated?" I asked bewildered.

"Yes, he's actually pretty sweet and nice outside of school. But I haven't finished yet..."

"There's more!" we all shouted in unison.

"Unfortunately. Soon enough even though his grades remained at the top of the school, it wasn't at the standard his family wanted it, so, they began to punish him with the leather belt every time he wouldn't reach their standards. Then soon I guess the stress got to him and attacking people was his way of coping with it all. There was a reason you know, to why Micheal targeted you the most."

"What?" I frowned.

Joseph turned to face me and looked me dead in the eyes, his electric blue one staring at me made me slightly uncomfortable, but, I just couldn't bring myself to look away. "He envied you." Joseph then smiled at me, and I'm pretty sure everyone was speechless after that since he never showed any emotion at all.

"But, that doesn't make any sense, not to be rude Josh, but your life is shit. It's like ten times worse than his is." Daniel said.

"It wasn't about that, though. Micheal envied Josh because although your life was worse than his and he knew it, you still managed to live nicely. You didn't take your anger out on the people around you and even managed to make friends and lead a normal life, Micheal was jealous, though he'd never admit it, even to us. In reality, I'm sure he just wants to be friends but his huge pride keeps getting in the way. Which is why I when I found out about the club you guys were making I thought maybe..."

"Maybe... we'd be able to help him?" I concluded.

"Exactly."

Just then, the bell signalling the end of lunch sounded.

"Right on time, OK you guys, come back here tomorrow same time same place. Oh, and Joseph if you can try and bring Michael with you tomorrow, even though it may turn out awkward at first I'm sure we can help." Victoria smiled.

"Yeah, after hearing that touching story I feel a little bit sympathetic for the guy. Daniel?" Lola looked over at the two of us.

"... As long as he isn't too much of an asshole,I'm willing to give him a chance." He admitted.

Then everyone finally turned to face me.

"Josh?" Victoria said.

I took a moment to think about it. Me and Micheal becoming friends? If I was told that before hearing his story I would've probably burst into tears from laughing so hard. But now... I didn't like what he did to Victoria, and no matter what happened I didn't think I'd be forgetting it any time soon. Victoria, unlike me, had moved on from that and was willing to give the guy a second chance. Would I be able to do the same?

I stood for a moment proccessing the thought and, after some time, I finally came to a conclusion in my head,

"If guys are willing, then I am too," I smiled.

Keep reading for the next chapter...

Chapter 24 - An unexpected twist.