16. THEME

The afternoon sun was beginning to dip, casting a warm, golden glow over the college campus. Inside the old library, the literacy club had gathered, their faces illuminated by the soft light streaming through the tall windows. The room was filled with a quiet hum of activity—papers rustling, pens scratching against notebooks, and the occasional murmur of conversation.

Alina Martin, the club's vice-head, stood at the front of the room, her mismatched blue and green eyes scanning the group. She felt a mixture of excitement and nerves—this meeting was crucial. After weeks of planning, they were finally ready to solidify the details of their upcoming event.

"Thank you all for coming," Alina began, her voice steady but carrying a hint of anticipation. "We’ve put a lot of thought into this event, and after considering several themes, I think we’ve found one that truly stands out."

The members leaned in, their attention focused on her. Emma, a petite girl with a passion for history, looked especially eager, her eyes bright with curiosity.

"We’re going with an ancient Chinese theme," Alina announced, her words met with a wave of nods and murmurs of approval. "It’s rich in history, culture, and tradition—exactly the kind of depth we want to bring to the event. We’ll explore everything from philosophy and poetry to traditional customs. And to make it even more immersive, I suggest that we all dress accordingly."

A ripple of excitement spread through the group. Jason, who was known for his meticulous nature, immediately perked up. "That’s a fantastic idea. It will really set the tone for the event and make it feel authentic."

Alina smiled, feeling a sense of satisfaction. "Exactly. The visuals will play a big part in creating the right atmosphere. We want the attendees to feel like they’ve stepped into a different time and place."

The group dove into a lively discussion, each member contributing ideas on how to bring the theme to life. Emma suggested incorporating traditional Chinese lanterns and calligraphy into the decor, while Jason proposed a series of workshops on ancient Chinese arts, such as tea ceremonies and brush painting. Every detail was carefully considered, from the music to the food.

As the conversation continued, Alina couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride. The club had come together with a shared vision, and the event was shaping up to be something truly special. But as the excitement grew, so did a sense of responsibility. She knew how important it was to get everything right.

After nearly an hour of brainstorming, the group began to wind down, satisfied with the progress they’d made. Alina took a deep breath, preparing to address the last item on their agenda.

"We’ve covered almost everything," she said, her tone becoming more serious. "But there’s one crucial element we still need to figure out—our guest speaker."

The room grew quiet as the members exchanged glances. The excitement from earlier was now tinged with a hint of concern.

"We need a local author who can speak knowledgeably about ancient Chinese culture," Alina continued. "Someone who can bring the theme to life with their words. But so far, we haven’t been able to find anyone who fits the bill."

Emma sighed, her enthusiasm dimming slightly. "I’ve looked into it, but most of the local authors focus on contemporary or Western literature. I couldn’t find anyone who specializes in ancient Chinese history or culture."

Jason nodded in agreement. "Same here. I even reached out to a few people, but no luck. It’s like there’s a gap in our local literary scene."

A heavy silence fell over the group as the reality of the situation set in. Despite all their efforts, they were still missing a key piece of the puzzle. Without the right speaker, the event wouldn’t have the impact they wanted.

Alina felt the weight of their expectations pressing down on her. As the vice-head, it was her responsibility to find a solution, but the options were running out. She racked her brain, trying to think of anyone who might have the connections they needed.

It was then that Evelyn, a quiet member who often preferred to listen rather than speak, suddenly broke the silence. "What about Caelan?"

All eyes turned to her, and Alina’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of his name. Caelan—the enigmatic figure who had become something of a mentor to her, though she still didn’t fully understand him. He had helped her with book recommendations before, guiding her towards resources she hadn’t known existed. But their interactions had been brief, and she still felt an underlying tension whenever he was around.

Jason frowned, clearly puzzled. "Caelan? You mean Caelan, the head of the publishing department? What does he have to do with this?"

Evelyn shrugged, but her voice was firm. "He’s been in the publishing world for a long time. If anyone knows local authors who specialize in something as specific as ancient Chinese culture, it’s him."

Alina’s mind whirred with possibilities. Caelan’s knowledge of books and authors was unparalleled—he had access to resources and networks that most people didn’t even know existed. But asking for his help again felt daunting. She still remembered the morning he had ridden the bus with her, the quiet intensity in his gaze as they spoke about her writing. He was a mystery, someone who seemed to see right through her, and the thought of approaching him with another request made her stomach twist.

But as she looked around the room, seeing the uncertainty on her friends’ faces, Alina knew she didn’t have a choice. They needed his help, and she was the one who had to ask for it.

Taking a deep breath, she nodded. "Evelyn’s right. Caelan might be our best chance. I’ll talk to him and see if he can recommend someone."

The group seemed to relax slightly, though the tension still lingered. They trusted Alina to handle this, but she could feel the weight of their hopes resting on her shoulders.

"Thank you, Alina," Emma said softly. "We know you’ll figure it out."

As the meeting came to an end, the members began to gather their things, the earlier excitement now tempered by the challenge ahead. Alina stayed behind, her mind already racing with thoughts of how to approach Caelan. She wasn’t sure how he would react—whether he would see her request as another intrusion or if he would be willing to help once again.

But one thing was certain: she couldn’t let her own fears get in the way. The event was too important, not just for the club, but for herself as well. It was a chance to prove that she could lead, that she could make something meaningful out of all the ideas they had worked so hard to develop.

As she finally left the library, the sun casting long shadows on the stone floor, Alina felt a strange mix of determination and dread. She knew where she needed to go, but the path ahead felt uncertain, like stepping into a room filled with shadows, not knowing what might be waiting on the other side.

And as she made her way towards Caelan’s office, the echoes of her footsteps seemed to whisper the same words over and over: You can do this. You have to do this.