Chapter Text
“Theatre?” Kaz laughed. “That’s odd, even for you.”
Jesper rolled his eyes. “You didn't say that when Matthias decided to choose theology. Also, you know damn well I didn’t really have a choice,” he said. Kaz smirked for a second.
“Maybe if you weren’t late as always.”
Jesper sighed. He was very well aware of the fact that if he didn’t forget about picking a mandatory extra activity, he wouldn’t be stuck with having to attend theatre club. For some reason, it wasn’t as popular in Ketterdam High as other extra classes. If you were to ask Jesper, he would probably pick shooting or jewelry-making classes, but both courses were filled by the time he remembered about signing up for one.
“I’m just going to attend often enough so they don’t kick me out, but not often enough for them to cast me in anything. Then I’ll leave as soon as I can,” he shrugged.
“Or maybe you’ll kick-start your career,” Kaz joked, although his face didn't flinch. Jesper laughed, probably too loud for the fact they still were in the school corridor, because he caught a few disapproving glances.
“Anything but that,” he said, pausing near the staircase. He was going downstairs, to the auditorium on the first floor, while Kaz was going up for his criminology club. Jesper wasn’t surprised by his choice at all. “See you later,” he waved at Kaz and ran downstairs. He was almost late.
When Jesper reached the first floor, he realized he had no idea where the auditorium was. And the idea of running around and checking every door in hopes of finding the right room wasn’t too thrilling. Luckily, he was spared from doing it, probably as soon as he thought about it; someone was running down the stairs.
Jesper turned around to face a person he didn't know. It was a remarkably short Shu boy, probably younger than Jesper. His wild black hair was sticking out in every possible direction, golden eyes were sparkling (Jesper could have sworn that stranger had eyeliner smudged under his eyes), and he was wearing a stretched-out My Chemical Romance t-shirt. Once he spotted Jesper, he stopped in his tracks, then took his headphones off and quickly paused the music.
“Hi,” he said, eyeing the Zemeni boy with curiosity. “May I help you?”
“Hello, actually, yes. I'm trying to find the auditorium,” Jesper wasn't even hiding the relief in his voice. He was so glad to spot someone who might know where to go. The stranger laughed.
“You must be Jesper, then? I'm Kuwei,” he introduced himself, offering Jesper a hand with nails painted black. Jesper blinked twice before dragging himself back to reality and shook his hand.
“Should I be worried you know who I am?” he joked, and Kuwei flashed him a smile.
“Not really. This way,” he motioned at Jesper to follow him. “As you probably noticed, the theatre club isn't the most popular here. You were the only new person who signed up this semester, so many of us already know who you are,” he explained. Jesper chuckled nervously, but before he was able to say anything, Kuwei glanced at him, the smile not leaving his face. “Most of the people here are either the school outcasts like me, or people who didn’t make it in time for other extra classes they like. You don’t look like an outcast, so I assume it’s the latter for you,” he shrugged and Jesper just opened his eyes wide and nodded slowly. He definitely didn’t expect to be read so quickly by a person he just met. “Anyway, don’t worry, maybe you’ll end up loving it. There’s always room for one more troubled soul.”
Jesper furrowed his eyebrows. “That sounds like Fall Out Boy lyrics or something.”
“A point for getting the reference,” Kuwei laughed. He opened a huge door at the end of the corridor and held it for Jesper. “Welcome.”
Jesper didn’t know what he expected to see in the auditorium – probably a group of people sitting quietly and reading their scripts. He didn’t expect what he actually saw. The room was full of people, laughing, talking over each other, throwing paper planes across the room. Simply, having fun. Kuwei waved in the general direction of the room and gestured towards Jesper, encouraging him to come inside.
And Jesper truly didn’t know why he suddenly got so nervous. He didn’t really have any issues meeting new people, but somehow, the perspective of trying to fit in amongst people who already knew each other and were comfortable around themselves, filled him with dread. True, he wasn’t planning to stay long, but didn’t want to end up as an outsider here, either. He hesitantly stepped inside and joined Kuwei, who gave him a big smile.
“Hello,” suddenly someone spoke from behind his back and Jesper’s heart leaped in his chest. He abruptly turned around to face a smiling Suli girl and Kuwei, who was holding back laughter after seeing Jesper’s reaction. “Sorry,” she said, softly elbowing Kuwei in the ribs. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“It’s– it’s fine,” Jesper chuckled nervously. Now he recognized the girl. Her name was Inej Ghafa and frankly, the only reason why Jesper knew her name was Kaz Brekker. However, if you were to ask Kaz himself, he would immediately deny anything. But it was fine, Jesper understood his best friend just had a crush. After all, not so long ago he was wearing the same shoes while looking at Kaz.
“Inej, this is Jesper. Jesper, this is Inej,” Kuwei finally managed to stop laughing and gestured, introducing them to each other.
“Nice to see someone new here,” Inej laughed, shaking Jesper’s hand. Then her attention went back to Kuwei. “Wei, you talked with Wy today?” she asked.
“Yeah, he and Nina have to retake a test today, so they won’t make it. Too bad,” he sighed dramatically. “I’m sure he would make an amazing impression on our new friend.”
Jesper couldn’t help his smile when Kuwei called him a friend. Maybe he was doing it to everyone, but somehow, he immediately made Jesper feel accepted. It gave him hope that maybe the theatre club wouldn’t be a dreaded necessity, but a fun episode of his high school life. Kuwei smiled back at him. “We’re talking about our pianist who also happens to be our best friend,” he explained, then pointed to a swear jar placed near the piano, “and also the reason we set up this. I’m sure you’ll like him and his exquisite vocabulary,” he shrugged, an innocent smile still playing on his lips.
Jesper laughed. Maybe he would really end up liking it here.
drama(tic ass bitches) club
Kuwei, Inej, Wylan, Nina
Kuwei: new person alert! we have a new friend!
Kuwei: well me and inej does
Kuwei: you weren’t there
Nina: oh?
Wylan: FUCK OFF
Kuwei: wylan i am counting
Wylan: we’re not attending ONE TIME and there is a new person?
Inej: maybe you shouldn’t have listened to Nina when it comes to your school habits
Nina: LOW BLOW NEJ
Kuwei: but a true one at that
Wylan: fuck off kuwei
Kuwei: i am still counting
Kuwei: anyway! his name is jesper, i think you’ll like him:)
***
Next Friday, although Jesper knew where to go this time, Kuwei was waiting for him near the staircase on the first floor. The second he noticed Jesper, he flashed him a big smile. “I see you decided to continue your theatre journey,” he joked, accepting a fist bump from Jesper.
“I need to have a certain percentage of attendance, so you’ll see me for a while,” Jesper answered with a shrug as they headed towards the auditorium. And while this was partially true, he was also somehow curious about people he didn’t get a chance to meet last week. Also – although he won’t say it out loud – he enjoyed the fact that people here seemed to like him. Kuwei was waving at him every time they saw each other in the corridors, and Inej stopped to have a quick chat with him a few times throughout the week. It was really nice, even if it ended up with Kaz and Matthias side-eyeing him for the rest of the day. Mostly Kaz, though.
“I am hoping to see you even longer than that,” Kuwei grinned. “By the way. Since last week was your first time, you were just observing, but this week we would like to see what you’re capable of,” he explained as he opened the door. Jesper noticed his gaze immediately going up to the piano in the corner. “There he is!” he exclaimed loudly, causing the man at the piano to look in his direction. Kuwei waved at him with both hands and turned his attention back to Jesper. “This is our pianist, and one of my best friends, Wylan Van Eck.”
“Van Eck, as in…” Jesper’s brows furrowed and Kuwei quickly nodded.
“Yes. But don’t mention this man in Wylan’s presence, ever. Trust me.”
Jesper nodded and finally looked in Wylan’s direction – and he felt like his heart did a backflip. Wylan Van Eck was, without a doubt, one of the prettiest people he had ever seen. Ruddy gold curls framed his freckled face so perfectly, and his blue eyes were sparkling. And the soft smile he gave Jesper as he walked up to him and Kuwei nearly caused Jesper’s heart to stop. He was thanking all Saints listening that the blush hardly ever showed on his dark skin because if it wasn’t the case, he would definitely be cherry red at that moment. Wylan stopped right next to them and accepted a hug from Kuwei.
“Hi,” he said with a smile, looking at Jesper. “You must be Jesper? It’s nice to finally meet you. I’m Wylan,” he introduced himself, extending his hand. Jesper, still stunned a little, mustered up a smile back at him and shook his hand. He was wondering for a while what Wylan meant by finally, but Kuwei’s smile told him that it was probably his doing.
“Don’t let him fool you, Jesper,” Kuwei said dramatically. “This sweet face is nothing but a mask, this swear jar you saw is for him.” Jesper laughed at that, and Wylan sent Kuwei a death glare, mouthing something wordlessly. The Shu boy chuckled and snapped his fingers. “That’s a kruge into a jar.”
“Excuse me?” Wylan gasped audibly. “I didn’t say anything.”
“Yeah, it doesn’t take a genius to know what you didn’t say,” Kuwei shrugged. “Right, Jesper?”
Jesper purposefully didn’t look at him. Wylan grimaced.
“Fuck you, Kuwei,” he said out loud, accenting every word. Kuwei’s smile was contagious.
“That will be two.”
Wylan rolled his eyes and went back to his piano, probably to place money into the jar. Before Jesper could blink, Inej appeared by his side, her arm looped with a tall girl with green eyes and long, brown wavy hair. Jesper saw her with Inej a few times during the week. He thought she was gorgeous.
“Hello, good to see you again,” she greeted Jesper and the girl next to her waved at him, introducing herself as Nina. “Where’s Wylan?”
“Paying for his crimes,” Kuwei nodded in his direction. “We thought we could change him…”
“I wonder what will happen first. Will he stop swearing or will he go broke?” Nina’s voice was obnoxiously loud, like she wanted Wylan to hear her. Jesper laughed. Somehow, he was already feeling really comfortable around them. Usually, it took people some time to warm up to Jesper but here? He was accepted into the group almost immediately. Like he was meant to be here.
I need to make sure I won’t get too attached, he thought. He still wanted to switch to shooting as soon as he would be able to. He could make new friends here, sure, but he needed to stop himself from liking it too much. Maybe he’d skip next week's classes. To keep himself grounded enough.
But now, as the teacher entered the auditorium and sent everyone to their places, Kuwei was dragging Jesper by his wrist to a bookshelf nearby and picked up a book, which turned out to be a script for Heathers. He handed it to Jesper with a huge smile.
“Let’s see what you got in you,” he said. “Personally, I think you’ll nail it.”
And if people’s reactions were any indicator, Jesper did. And he wasn’t feeling too bad about it.