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Sarad's classes went better in the afternoon. they actually started their coursework in one, which was a welcome break. he'd returned to the empty room mid afternoon and got to work on his assignment, wanting to finish it as soon as possible since it would nag at him if he waited. it wasn't due for a week, but he got it done and set it into the 'finished' folder for that class. he put the folders away in his drawer and pulled out his book. since he didn't have anything else to do, he curled up at the head of his bed and started to read.

his reading was interrupted by Dale coming in, announcing that they were joining clubs. "what-?" he asked, suddenly afraid the school had changed policy and that everyone had to be a part of a club like they'd been toying with the year before. his book was taken out of limp fingers and the club papers replaced it. "i-i don't," what kind of club could someone like him join? where would he even be welcome? he'd just be in the way, he knew it. there was no way he could join a sports club, but a cultural club would be even worse. besides, his family had all but forbidden him from extra curricular activities unless it effected his resume directly. "i'm not sure i'm the club type."

Sarad looked down at the list, amazed by how many clubs there were. "um-" what did he like? he liked to read, but that was more to pass the time. he liked anime, but there was no way he could join a club like that. a club caught his eye and a longing unlike any he'd felt before filled him. did he dare say it? but-but Dale was his friend, right? he wanted them to be friends and didn't people tell their friends their secrets? that's what they did in books, so-so should he tell him? were they really friends? "i-i like to cook" he finally whispered, keeping his eyes down as he confessed his secret passion, half waiting for Dale to mock him. men did not cook. their place was making money while the women took care of the family and home. that is what his aunts and uncles had taught him. it was shameful for a man to want to learn how to cook. worse, Sarad wanted to learn how to bake. to make those beautiful desserts like he saw at the bakery. he was so pathetic, he was ashamed of himself. he suddenly wished he'd kept his mouth shut, "nevermind, forget what i said. my family doesn't approve of clubs."

Sarad stared at the list, a little surprised by Dale's vulgar statement, but it got him to thinking. how would they know? if he joined the club-it's not like they ever contacted him when he was at school. and if he just didn't say anything- Sarad swallowed hard. if he agreed to go it would mean blatantly disobeying his family, something he'd never done before in his life. but he would be allowed to cook. he could learn to make anything he wanted and that made it worth it. "i-" the words on the page jumped around, but it was from the hand holding the paper shaking, "i'll try it." he finally said softly, looking at Dale with huge eyes. "but-i don't know. i'm a boy. i-it's not my place." he looked at the clock and saw it was 4:49, he'd have to hurry to make their first meeting. it was ok if he waited a week, though, right? did he have to choose now. "i'll be the only boy there."

Sarad nodded, "yes, i know. my mother was a highly respected scientist as well, and technically my father's superior, but-" he glanced at Dale, "my uncles and aunts, who raised me, said that she still cooked and cared for the family as a mother and wife should. i-i know it's old fashioned, but so long as i rely upon them for support i cannot defy their beliefs. that said-" he looked at the clock, 4:52, "if, if i simply do not tell them, then maybe-maybe i wll be forgiven for this small disobedence. i might be able to claim it was an experiment, or maybe to help myself become independant for when i have left their homes and must live on my own." he was just trying to convince himself now, trying to justify his actions, "they may never know. i just-i'm scared," he whispered, "i''m scared to defy them. they are all i have..."

"What?" Sarad asked when Dale said it was claustrophobic in the room. his wrist was grabbed and he was drug from his bed and to the hall. "Wait-" he was confused by how quickly Dale was going and just trying to get his feet under him. Dale said his family would take him in if Sarad's own disowned him. "but we-" he caught his feet under him, "you don't even know me. why would you take in a stranger?" he shook his head, amazed by this strange and kind roommate. "where are we going?"

Sarad shook his head, "I would never," he said in reply to Dale's telling him to not hit on his sister. When they stopped, he actually stood there for a few seconds, his mind catching up. "i-" he looked inside and saw there was a couple guys inside. maybe he wouldn't be the only one there. he took a small step forward, looked at Dale and almost asked him if he'd stay, but finally he nodded a little and walked inside, feeling small. he tried to draw as little attention as possible, but the club president spotted him and he was instantly pulled into the thick of things. it took a little bit, but he slowly came out of his shell as soon as they started to make a simple cookies. by the end of the meeting, he'd managed to talk to most of the people in the group and had filled out the club application. he returned to their rooms with a little bag of cookies and slipped in, a smile across his face. "Dale?" he bit his bottom lip, "um, i wanted to say thank you. i really-i really had fun, so, thank you." he held out the cookies, blushing and hopping that they were ok....and that Dale liked sweet things.

Sarad flushed dark red, "th-thank you." it made him happy that Dale liked his cookies. the others in the club had said they were good, but he halfway didn't believe it. not until he saw the real pleasure in Dale's eyes when he ate the cookie Sarad had made. he pulled out his own books, forgetting he'd already finished his homework, and was left with books on his desk and nothing to do with them. he opened up one and started to read, just to have something to do. "um, they said next week we'll be making a cake, so-so, if i brought you some would you eat it?" he asked after a moment, not looking at Dale so as to not pressure him into accepting