The theater group had taken over a dock, turning it into a makeshift stage with rows of chairs in front of it. We sat in the back row (again, tails suck to try to sit on if you’re o having one) and watched the theater group’s py exhibition. The teacher in charge of the py club, Reit Kihe artsy Kinder, stood oage with a pque. He looked like a taller, nkier, more cultured Peam.

  “A brief annou, a break iiivities in this present exhibition, as it were,” Reit said with a delicate cp. “As I’m sure you’re well aware, the Jonithy Dolsinokit Award is a prestigious part of Rising Shards’ history. inally bestowed i on a Fang Moon Web long ago, the student Jonithy Dolsinokt was named Worst i for his poor ag performan Whatever Shall We Do About Perribottom?, the cssic story about everyone’s favorite Retribution Era butt powderer and his misadventures.”

  “Butt powderer?” Kalei whispered.

  “Is this a py?” I whispered. “What is this?”

  "Guys, shhhh," Oka whispered. I didn't like Oka being disapopinted in me, especially post crush realization, so eveing shushed by her hurt. I tried to be more attentive as I listened. Maybe this could be my club too. Then I could be with Oka in club time, solving one of my dilemmas about clubs.

  “Sihen, the cssic award has morphed into a sought after and respected trophy for aspiring i actors iheater produ group at Rising Shards. Perhaps it will be you to win this award , if you join our fine group. Now, a few ses from the scripts I’m debatiween for this season…”

  After some actually pretty engaging ses performed by Reit, the py presentation ended and a line formed at the signup area.

  “You’re not iheater club,” Lillia said, sneaking up on us like she just teleported behind us Aira style. “And your whispering is quite distrag.”

  “Sorry,” Oka said. “I’m joining the py, aa and Kalei were here so…”

  Lillia’s eyes lit up.

  "Oh, you're the one joining?" Lillia asked. “You’ll be an excellent addition."

  “You know, my sister does pys,” I said. “Maybe it runs in the family?”

  “Zeta, what did I say I was ed about like five minutes ago?” Kalei asked.

  “Oh whatever, I could be an excellent addition to the group too.” I said. "Right, Lillia?"

  Lillia didn't look as excited about the idea of me iheater club.

  “Not to push you away, but I don’t think you have stage temperament.” Lillia said.

  “And what makes you say that?” I asked.

  “Are you fetting the Tables for My Dear Love passage reading i?” Oka asked.

  “It was really embarrassing to watch,” Lillia said.

  "I thought it was hirious," Kalei said.

  "Shut up," I said. "I just had eye strain that day, it was just a mistake that I read that bit about the pen collector's pen colle as...er, the way I did. And I only got mad because Kalei was ughing so hard! And I thought I said we wouldn’t speak of that again anyways!"

  "There would be potential for more Tables for My Dear Love passage reading is is all we're saying." Lillia said.

  I couldn't deny that Lillia was right. I didn't particurly want to a pys either, or be iage crew or anything like that. It didn't feel like it was the right club for me.

  “Fine, I won’t join.” I said.

  “Then Oka and I really must get in line,” Lillia said.

  Oka waved bye as Lillia dragged her to the line. After pouting for a minute or so, I joined Kalei to head to the other booths and club dispys on the beach.

  “This should be called a torme.”

  “Zeta, calm down.” Kalei said.

  “No.”

  I somehow mao pout even harder. I was hardcore pouting at this point.

  “Are you that upset to be away from Oka for like whatever the amount of time her clubs will take?”

  “I’m not jealous.” I said.

  “I uh…did not say anything about jealousy.” Kalei said.

  “I mean like,” I sputtered. “Not jealous of her having her clubs picked out already.”

  Kalei looked me up and down. While she didn't have a Lillia tier gre power, she could still stare me into admitting things I didn't want to say out loud. I didn't wao figure out my Oka crush, I didn't want to talk to anyone about it. Luckily, she broke her stare.

  “Well, I’m gonna go check the beam chasers stand to make sure it ts and look at the sandwich robot. You go make a friend.”

  “This should be called a torme.”

  “You said that one already,” Kalei said. “You like just said that one.”

  “Doesn’t mean I’m wrong.” I said.

  “Listen,” Kalei said, bag away from me in a weirdly dramatic way with her arms a bit out. Maybe the py practice rubbed off on her.

  “Why are you holding your arms like that?” I asked. “Are…do you want a hug?”

  “Zeta, listen,” Kalei said. “Make at least one new friend or I won’t let you ba our room tonight.”

  “Would you really do that?”

  Kalei dropped the pose. “I dunno. I’d do something, I guess. Later.”