//------------------------------// // Rejected // Story: The Reject Club // by Eggtaro //------------------------------// "No." The voice was strong, firm, and final. Celery Stork stared at the girl in front of him with his jaw dropped and his eyes wide with disbelief. He blinked a couple of times, his brain slowly processing the one word. He closed his mouth and slowly re-opened them, ready to protest. "Come on, Rainbow Dash! This is the 5th club you said no to me." Celery whined, placing both his hands on the table. Rainbow Dash let out a heavy sigh and leaned forward, carefully resting her elbows on the table. She stared at the boy in front of her with impatience and annoyance slowly surfacing in her. She wanted to go out into the field. She wanted to kick a ball, to shoot some hoops, to be anywhere but here. As captain and president of every sports club in CHS, she is responsible in meeting and greeting students who are interested in joining the many sports clubs she lead. But she doesn't enjoy it one bit. She always finds an excuse to pass the task to someone else. So that herself can be free to do whatever she wanted. But today wasn't one of those days, unfortunately. So now, here she is, stuck in an empty classroom, with Celery Stork. She rolled her eyes. Celery Stork. She have no clue to what to do with him. She had never seen anyone so desperate in wanting to join a school club. She will welcome anyone that joins the various clubs she managed with opened arms. But Celery Stork just wasn't one of those people. It wasn't like she had a personal grudge with him or something. No, nothing like that. Its just that Celery... didn't seem to be really into sports. His physique wasn't lame, nor was it weak. He wasn't too tall or short, too fat or thin. He's just...average. He doesn't leave any sort of impression on her. Well, perhaps only annoyance. Now, Rainbow Dash always believed that, the best way to have fun and enjoy school life, is to do sports. And boy, does she love sports. She always encourages her friends to join her in some of the sports clubs. But most of them declined, preferring to do what they wanted, in their own clubs. Rainbow Dash is also very serious about sports, and loyal to it. She hated it when people say that they do sports because "I was asked to" or "Had nothing else to do". Sports is her thing. Her life force. Her crème de la crème. And she won't allow anyone to tarnish its good name. However, Celery Stork was exactly the kind of person she despises. She had asked him question after question, as to why Celery wanted to join. His answers was not satisfactory. In fact, it was just down right disappointing and obnoxious. But Celery was stubborn. Even after being rejected 4 times in 4 different sport clubs. His still has the audacity to ask to join another one? The nerve of him! "Let me ask you one more time, Celery." Rainbow Dash asked, forcing herself to stay cool. "Do you like sports?" "Not really." Celery replied, his answer blunt. Rainbow Dash smacked her forehead, shaking her head in disbelief. "Then my answer is still the same. NO!" "But why? Is it cause you think I'm not suited for sports? Is my body not right or something?" "Look, Celery. Anyone can do sports. As long as they have the heart to do it. That's what makes sports so awesome!" Rainbow Dash threw her arms in the air. "But I simply cannot allow a person who has no real interest in sports whatsoever to join! There's more to it than just staying healthy and being fit!" "What else is there to it?" Celery asked, "it's just sports." Rainbow Dash snapped. * * * * * * "AND DON'T COME BACK!" Rainbow Dash yelled, slamming the door loudly. Celery Stork sighed. He shouldn't had said that. There goes another chance of joining a club. He put his hands into his pockets and slowly walked towards a vending machine nearby. Ever since the start of the new semester, Celery had made it his personal goal to finally go and join a school club. But it wasn't as simple and easy as he had hoped. He had been rejected by almost every club he went to apply for: The book club, the cooking club, the role-playing club, and of course who could forget, most of the sport clubs. Why was he being rejected? All he wanted was to join a club, meet new friends and have a great time being in it. And yet, the head of each club he went to have been telling him the same thing over and over again. That there is more to it than what he believed it to be. What does that even mean? Celery scratched his head and fished out a few coins from his left pocket. He browsed patiently, unsure on what he should actually get. After a while, he gave a shrug to no one in particular, and bought himself a can of juice. He opened the can and stood with his back against the vending machine. Isn't there a club he could join? Celery pondered to himself, taking a sip. The liquid was cool and refreshing. But it did little to help answer his question. "Isn't there a club out there for me?" he asked quietly to himself. "Psst..." the sudden sound caught Celery's attention. He faced the source of the sound and saw two boys waving at him. He recognized them instantly, they were both younger than him, probably by a year. The duo were quite well known. Something about being minions to a certain girl named Sunset Shimmer who turned into a she-demon during the last fall formal. Celery hadn't transferred into Canterlot High then, since he was still studying at his old school. "Snips? Snails?" Celery called out, walking towards them. "What're you doing here?" Snips and Snails both waved at him, smiling. As Celery approached them, Snips pulled out a single piece of paper and passed it to Celery. Celery grabbed the paper and carefully studied it. He raised an eyebrow as he continued to read down the paper. "You two want to form a club?" Celery asked, handing the paper back to Snips. "Why?" "Well, my friend." Snips started, folding the paper and returning it to his pocket. "Snails and I couldn't help but notice that you were also having a hard time finding a club to join." he gestured his head in the direction of the room where Celery and Rainbow Dash had been in. Celery grinned sheepishly. "That obvious huh?" Celery asked, leaning against the wall, taking another sip from his juice. Snails nodded. "Anyway," Snips continued, "The both of us are also having a hard time finding a school club to join. When suddenly---" Snips snapped his fingers "---Snails came up with this brilliant idea!" Snails nodded, looking proud of himself for coming up with such a brilliant idea. "And what does this have to do with me?" Celery asked, though feeling as if he know the answer already. "We were wondering if you wanted to join us?" Snips step closer towards Celery, with Snails behind him, they both looked at Celery with puppy eyes. Or, in Celery's case, creepy and uncomfortable. Celery thought about this for a moment. He did not dislike the duo, they could be pretty cool some times. But he still have reservations about this 'club' they were planning to form. But on the other hand, he's finally being given the chance to actually join a school club! Just like what he wanted to do since the start of the new semester. Snips and Snails were still staring at him, their gaze giving Celery the goosebumps. Maybe it wouldn't be all that bad, joining Snips and Snails in their little club. What harm could come from it? What's the worse that could happen? It's definitely much better than getting rejected all the time. Celery gave a sigh, but nodded. Snips and Snails gave a loud cheer, and placed their arms around his shoulders, sandwiching him in the middle. "Great! Now, we head for Miss Cheerilee's office!" The duo lead they way, dragging Celery between them. Celery couldn't help but smile a little. He was feeling a little excited, and nervous. But he was also feeling glad. Glad to find two other people just like him, rejected and unwanted by society. One thing was bugging him though. "What's the name of the club? It wasn't written in the form." Snips gave him a smile. "The name of the club is..." * * * * * * "The Reject Club?" Cheerilee asked, an eyebrow raised. She stared at the 3 students that had appeared before her, who, just minutes ago, came in with the request of forming a new school club. "Why would you name your club that?" Celery smacked his forehead. He was starting to regret in agreeing to join the duo's club. What was he thinking? He wanted to join a club yeah, sure. But a club called the reject club? Seriously? He focused his attention back to Snips, who was busy explaining to Cheerilee. "...We want the students to know that we are a club that accepts students when no other clubs will! We want to let them know that they are wanted, needed, and welcomed in our club!" Snips told Cheerilee, with approving nods from Snails. "What makes you think that the students will actually want to join your club?" Cheerilee asked, tapping her feet impatiently. "Well you see Miss, even with the many school clubs in CHS, there are still a lot of students who have trouble finding the clubs that they want. Either because there is no such club available, or because nobody else has any interest in it. Our club's purpose is to fill that gap. To be the club that is not focused on only one thing, but on many. We want the students to know, that we are a club that does not shun what the students enjoy doing. In fact, we welcome it. We encourage it. We support it. That, Miss Cheerilee is the reason why I'm postive students will want to join The Reject Club." Celery, Cheerilee and Snips stared at Snails with their mouths wide opened. Snails has stepped up and answered Cheerilee's question. The 3 of them gawked at Snails, each unable to believe what they each have seen and heard. "Wow, Snails. That was...beautiful." Celery said, giving him a light slap on the back. Celery was unsure at first, and was almost ready to abandon them, but after hearing Snails's reason for wanting to form the Reject Club. He made up his mind and decided to stay and help them out. Snips sniffed, wiping his eyes with his hand. He mumbled something unintelligible but placed a hand on Snails shoulder, nodding his head. Cheerilee still stared at them, mouth still wide open. She quickly came back to her senses, and signed the form. "Well...that was certainly...illuminating." Cheerilee said, and handed the form back to Snips. "After hearing your explanation, I assure you that there will be no disagreements on my end." She smiled at her 3 students. "Instead, I wish you three all the best, and good luck with your er...Reject Club." The trio left Miss Cheerilee's office, smiles on each their faces. Celery couldn't wait to start club activities. But what sort of activities will they do. What does a Reject Club do anyway? Celery turned towards Snips and Snails, who were busy high-fiving each other. "So what's the plan?" he asked them. Snips smiled and pulled out a huge stack of flyers from Snails backpack. He divided the stack among the three of them. "Now, we advertise." Snips said with a grin. * * * * * * Loneliness, that feeling alone made Aria Blaze sick. She hated that feeling. It was like having a mosquito constantly flying in circles around you, refusing to leave your side. She felt lonely in CHS. She always felt alone in this huge school, whenever Adagio and Sonata leaves her. Her so-called 'best friends' had abandoned her again today, leaving her so that they could go to their school clubs to enjoy themselves. What's so fun about clubs anyway? As she made her way towards the exit, Aria Blaze stopped next to the school notice board, trying to read something that had suddenly caught her attention. She plucked the flyer that had been poorly stapled on the notice board, and brought it closer to her face to read. "The Reject Club?" * * * * * * Trixie closed her locker door, slinging her bag over her shoulder as she does so. Another school day has passed for the great and powerful Trixie! Another day where no clubs wanted her...again. She huffed, and held her head high as she walked down the hallway. She was to powerful and great for those clubs anyway. It's not like she wanted to join them. She just pitied the clubs for not having such a magnificent person as herself. It's their loss anyway. Trixie sighed sadly. Was she really obnoxious as they say? Is that the reason why no clubs wanted her? No! Trixie stopped in her tracks and shook her head violently. It is not her fault they can't handle her! It's theirs! She smiled to herself, and proceeded to walk when she felt something scrunch underneath her. She crouched down and looked at the piece of paper that was on the floor. She tilted her head to one side in confusion. "Reject Club?" * * * * * * "I'm sorry Fluttershy, but if you cannot find enough members to be in your club, the school will have no other choice but to disband the Animal Lovers Club." "I...I understand." Fluttershy sighed and left the classroom, her spirits low. The school club that she worked so hard for will be disbanding soon, and there was nothing she could do to prevent it. She sniffed a little, fighting back the tears that threatened to flow out. Her backpack shook a little. Fluttershy made sure nobody else was around, crouched down and opened her backpack. An adorable white bunny poked its head out, sniffing the air. "Oh...Angel, what am I supposed to do?" Fluttershy picked up her pet bunny and gave it a soft hug. "If the club gets disbanded, there will be no place for you and your friends to play. I will have no other choice but to leave you at home." she sniffed again, holding Angel close. Angel the bunny wiggled out of Fluttershy's grasp, and dove back into her backpack, after a brief moment of disappearance, The bunny reappeared, with a piece of paper in its tiny mouth. Angel nudged the paper against Fluttershy's leg. Fluttershy took the piece of paper, staring at it. "A new club?"