The time for the next class, which was dedicated to providing feedback on club activities, arrived after lunch.
Jackson accompanied Devon to register her entry into this somewhat popular club within the school, either because it was an excuse to be able to do other things or because you really loved debating and crushing your opponents.
The most exciting part, according to Devon's words, was humiliating her opponents when they ran out of arguments. This was exactly the kind of person she was, something Jackson liked.
Both he and she liked to crush their opponents, something that in the end didn't work out very well for Jackson.
This classroom was huge, nothing compared to the kind of classroom Jackson was familiar with in New York, where he had only studied for one year after returning from Japan, where his uncle Terry had some business.
"I've never been in extracurricular activities, it looks incredible." Jackson murmured this comment, which made him seem even stranger. "There, even though classes were long, there was no homework."
"Do you also want to know something interesting?"
"Yes, of course?"
But Devon only frowned and said: "Can you imagine how China got rid of 99% of the drugs in its country? Death penalty for everyone who uses them. I'm not against or in favor of it, but I'm just dropping that fact you should know if you're thinking about debating."
Jackson looked at her and wanted to tell her he didn't even know where he was sitting, but obviously that would make him seem like a very uninterested and therefore very boring guy.
That's why he began telling Devon about the way he was treated in other countries where he studied.
"Where is Devon? Can you raise your hand?" The teacher stood up, looking at his students with a smile.
"Here, professor!" Devon raised her hand, paying attention, her expression unnatural because she was annoyed by what she had heard from Jackson.
"Since you have now formed your own group, another student will be assigned to you randomly, keeping the boy you've decided to work with." The teacher was mildly hoping that this simple task could be handled by Alicia, who was an intelligent girl.
The entire classroom turned toward Jackson, who had a truly intimidating appearance, and due to his sharp gaze, everyone quickly looked away.
"Devon's boyfriend seems like a dangerous guy…"
"I'm thinking of quitting debate."
Numerous comments like these were heard throughout the classroom, and Jackson, who heard one of them, asked: "Doesn't that bother you?"
"Most of them are socialists and they don't even know what that means, I don't want to talk about it."
Jackson was speechless at these facts and decided to stop asking questions. In some ways, he realized that the friends he tends to have aren't entirely normal.
"Good, it seems the groups are forming." Devon had told Jackson she wanted to participate in a national-level debate, interested in winning every single debate.
But Jackson wasn't enthusiastic at all. He would wish his friend luck—who of course was excited—but he would be part of the audience supporting her.
If he was now here exploring new things, it was because of his interest in finding some other desire for his future life.
"Hello, my name is Bert, nice to meet you." Bert, who was a member of the debate club, nervously greeted Jackson, who indeed didn't look very friendly.
But this wasn't Bert's fault for judging him, nor Jackson's fault for his expression—the appearance of Jackson was serious because of his personality, making him look tougher than other boys his age.
Also, his sharp gaze was uncomfortable for people around him.
He could count on one hand the number of people who had spoken to him naturally.
"Nice to meet you, Bert, I hope we get along." Jackson greeted Bert, who was his partner for the debate.
Devon nodded slightly and began reviewing the topics each group would use, hoping to choose the one she liked best.
Since it was the first day of classes after vacation, there obviously wouldn't be any activity, so after taking the topics they would work on, everyone returned to their respective classrooms.