fandomhigh | Living on the Outskirts, Friday, Period 2

"I realize," Jono said as he stepped into the classroom, "that last week's lesson was a touch... heavy, for at least a few of you."

He wasn't going to name names, or even single anybody in the room out by looking at them. They knew who they were, and that was enough.

"This week, we're going to lighten things up a little bit. I know I'm not the party person here on the island, but I did my best. For the rest of the class, it's music, refreshments, dancing, and, you know, being social. If you aren't up dancing, I want to at least see you making small talk with somebody else in the room. There is a shadowy corner right over there," he pointed at a corner of the room behind his speaker equipment, where light was somewhat scarce, "and if I see you in there for anything besides re-grouping and taking a breather if you're feeling overwhelmed, you'll have marks docked."

... He wasn't really marking you on partying during class hours, but there was nothing stopping Jono from making that threat all the same.

"Random social situation? Go."

[Open!]

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"Punch," she said, wandering over that way. "At least we know there is nothing untoward in it."

Rapunzel nodded, lips pursed slightly in a frown. "I don't understand why people do that." She was not a fan.

"Perhaps they like the taste?" Yeul shrugged, getting a glass for herself and then another for Rapunzel, who she offered it to. "I don't care for it myself."

Chewing on her lip, Rapunzel nodded. "Me neither," she said as she took the glass. She sipped at it. "This is better."

"It is." Yeul smiled at Rapunzel after taking a sip. "Other than the dancing, how have you been doing?"

"Oh..." Rapunzel's smile faltered a bit. "I... don't really like the weekends when people aren't themselves?"

She was trying to be better about it, but Rapunzel still found herself hiding in her room a lot of the time.

"I did not leave my room either," she shared. "It did not seem particularly like anything I wanted to have anything to do with."

"I felt kind of guilty," Rapunzel admitted quietly. "I mean, maybe I could have done something to help people..." But she'd hidden instead.

"And maybe you could not have," Yeul pointed out. "There is no shame in not doing anything."

Yeul had an... interesting perspective on that though.

"But not trying?"

Rapunzel took a deep breath and let it out with a little shake of her head. Done was done, it was better not to dwell on it.

"It does not appear any harm occurred," Yeul pointed out gently, setting her punch down. "Everyone is fine now, so it was not that bad."

Rapunzel forced a smile, and after a moment it became less forced. "You're right," she agreed. "Thanks for reminding me."

It really did help. So did another sip of punch.

Punch always helped!

"You are welcome," she said, "though I did very little."

"Sometimes being there is enough," Rapunzel pointed out, her usual wide grin reappearing.

"You think so?" Yeul asked lightly.

Rapunzel nodded with absolute conviction. "Definitely."

Yeul considered it. "In some cases," she allowed, "I can agree you have a point."

"You think there are times when it doesn't help?" Rapunzel wasn't sure that sounded right to her, but maybe Yeul knew something that she didn't.

"I think so," Yeul said quietly. "But they're not fun times to talk about."

Rapunzel nodded slowly. "Then not good party topic," she declared.

She finished her punch looking a bit thoughtful.

Living on the Outskirts, Friday, Period 2

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