Chapter 1: The Club Nobody Wanted
The final bell echoed through Crestwood Academy, signaling the end of another school day. Around him, students rushed into the hallways, eager to escape classes and start their afternoons. Damien Cross had the same idea.
He stuffed his notebook into his backpack and stood from his desk, already planning the rest of his day. Go home, play a few games, avoid unnecessary human interaction. A perfect schedule.
Unfortunately, life rarely cared about his plans.
“Damien!”
The familiar voice made him close his eyes in annoyance.
“No.”
A hand landed on his shoulder before he could escape. Damien turned to find Mason Reed grinning at him like he’d just won the lottery.
“You don’t even know what I’m about to ask,” Mason said.
“I don’t need to.”
“Come on. It’ll only take a few minutes.”
“No.”
“There’s free food.”
Damien paused.
Mason pointed accusingly. “See? I knew that would get your attention.”
“I was considering how desperate I am.”
“And?”
“More desperate than I’d like to admit.”
With a victorious grin, Mason grabbed Damien’s sleeve and began pulling him through the hallway.
“This feels illegal.”
“It’s called friendship.”
“I’m pretty sure kidnapping is still kidnapping.”
Mason ignored him.
Several minutes later, they arrived at one of the older buildings on campus. The place looked forgotten compared to the rest of the academy. Paint peeled from the walls, and the windows looked like they hadn’t been cleaned in years.
“This better be worth it,” Damien muttered.
“It’ll be hilarious.”
“That doesn’t inspire confidence.”
Mason pushed open a classroom door.
The moment Damien stepped inside, he knew something was wrong.
Three people were already waiting.
The first was Haruka Shimizu, a young teacher with a reputation for causing more trouble than most students. She looked far too excited to see him.
The second was Isabella Hart.
Damien recognized her instantly.
Everyone did.
As vice president of the student council, Isabella was one of the most respected students in the school. She consistently ranked near the top of every exam, participated in countless events, and somehow managed to maintain an image of complete perfection.
At least, that was how everyone else saw her.
She sat quietly near the window, reviewing a folder filled with papers. Her long dark hair rested neatly over her shoulders, and her posture was so straight it looked rehearsed.
The third person in the room couldn’t have been more different.
Scarlett Hayes sat with her feet stretched out beneath her desk, looking thoroughly unimpressed by everything around her.
As captain of the girls’ volleyball team, Scarlett was famous for her competitive attitude and endless energy. Unlike Isabella’s calm and elegant presence, Scarlett looked like she was seconds away from starting an argument with someone.
Damien glanced around the room.
Then he looked at Mason.
Then back at the room.
“No.”
Ms. Shimizu smiled brightly.
“Wonderful! Now that everyone’s here, we can begin.”
“I wasn’t agreeing to anything.”
“Of course you were.”
“No, I wasn’t.”
“Let’s not focus on technicalities.”
Damien immediately considered leaving.
Unfortunately, Ms. Shimizu moved in front of the door before he could.
That couldn’t be a good sign.
“Alright,” she announced, clapping her hands together. “As you all know, Crestwood Academy has been cutting underperforming clubs this semester.”
Everyone nodded.
“To address that issue, I’ve decided to establish a brand-new club.”
Scarlett raised an eyebrow.
“What kind of club?”
Ms. Shimizu turned toward the whiteboard and wrote several words in large letters.
DATING PRACTICE CLUB
Silence filled the room.
Damien stared at the board.
Then he stared at Ms. Shimizu.
Then back at the board.
“This is a joke, right?”
“It is not.”
“That’s unfortunate.”
Ms. Shimizu ignored him.
“The purpose of this club is to help students improve their social confidence, communication skills, and understanding of relationships.”
Scarlett frowned.
“That sounds like regular socializing with extra steps.”
“Exactly.”
“Then why call it a Dating Practice Club?”
“Because it sounds more exciting.”
“It sounds embarrassing.”
“You’re being negative.”
“I think I’m being realistic.”
Damien couldn’t believe this conversation was happening.
He looked toward Isabella, expecting her to say something.
Instead, she was staring very intently at the desk in front of her.
Interesting.
For someone who always appeared confident in public, she suddenly looked uncomfortable.
The moment the conversation shifted toward dating, she’d practically disappeared into herself.
Damien filed the observation away.
Not because he cared.
He was simply bored.
At least that was what he told himself.
Ms. Shimizu continued her explanation.
“The club will focus on practical exercises.”
Damien didn’t like the sound of that.
“Practical exercises?”
“Practice conversations.”
Scarlett groaned.
“Practice dates.”
Isabella nearly dropped her pen.
“Relationship scenarios.”
Damien rubbed his forehead.
“This might be the worst idea you’ve ever had.”
“Thank you.”
“That wasn’t praise.”
“I know.”
The teacher’s smile somehow grew wider.
Damien was beginning to suspect she enjoyed watching people suffer.
“What does any of this have to do with me?” he asked.
Ms. Shimizu pointed directly at him.
“We need a male member.”
“No.”
“Perfect.”
“I said no.”
“Wonderful enthusiasm.”
Scarlett laughed.
Actually laughed.
Damien shot her a look.
“Glad you’re enjoying this.”
“Oh, this is amazing.”
“You’re trapped here too.”
Her smile faded slightly.
“Fair point.”
A few minutes later, the paperwork was completed despite Damien’s repeated objections. Apparently, everyone had decided he was joining.
His opinion had never entered the discussion.
As the meeting wrapped up, students began collecting their belongings.
Damien was already halfway to the door when Ms. Shimizu spoke again.
“Oh, one more thing.”
He stopped.
Slowly.
Suspiciously.
“What now?”
The teacher smiled.
It was the smile of someone about to create problems.
“Next week’s meeting will feature our first official exercise.”
Damien had a terrible feeling about this.
“What exercise?”
Ms. Shimizu clasped her hands together.
“A mock date.”
The room froze.
Scarlett blinked.
Isabella immediately turned bright red.
And Damien wondered if transferring schools was still an option.
