the last members of the class have left for the day, the highest attendance of rust's training so far, which jerri can't help but credit to herself in part, based on how many of her classmates had joined by her recommendation. she's hesitant to say they're... friends, but it's the closest she's ever felt to feeling like she has real friends, anyway.
it's sandra's attendance that jerri really wants to talk about, but she's hesitant to bring her up first, even if rust's aware of jerri's feelings for the older girl. it's rust's boyfriend who seems to be more apt to tease her about it, and maybe some part of her does want to be teased this time, just for an excuse to talk about her, but she tries to focus on how successful the class was otherwise.
the age rage was impressive, really β teenagers, her classmates, some of rust's classmates, and even a few adults. she's proud of @baypen, and she only hopes he feels that pride, too.
"everyone seemed really excited to be here," she says, staying back to help rust clean up now, like she does every session, a responsibility not given by rust but one she'd taken on herself. rust is family to her, so this feels like it should be her responsibility too, anyway. "i didn't think the people i told to come would actually be here," she admits, wincing a little at how pathetic it sounds, really, but she doesn't expect ruston to judge her. "but it looks like we've got a full class now. even mayor maybrook promised me he'd come sometime this week."
