Daisy plopped onto Emett’s bed. “Now that I’ve explained the entire saga, what’ve you been doing lately?”

Emett shrugged in their desk chair. “Not a lot. My book club keeps me busy.”

Daisy raised an eyebrow at Emett. “You? In a book club? I never imagined…” Daisy paused, seeing Emett’s discomfort. “Well, I just never thought you’d do something like that. You’re such a private person.”

“I, uh…” Emett rubbed the back of their head. “I made a book club. From scratch.”

“Oh, wow. That’s super impressive!” Daisy smiled. “What books have you covered so far? How long have you been doing this?”

“Oh, all kinds.” Emett turned a bit to look at their cluttered desk. “Some we read in school. A few I picked up at a used bookstore. It’s been about nine months, but I’ve been pretty focused on it. I go through a book every couple weeks. Really depends on the book, you know?”

“Oh, yeah. I wish I had the attention span for something like that.” Daisy smiled ruefully, “Tiktok is just so much easier to enjoy when I’m worn out. Reading feels like so much effort.”

“Reading?” Emett looked at Daisy, confused.

“Yeah. For your book club?” Daisy frowned.

“Oh.” Emett burst out laughing. “That’s not what I meant.” They reached behind their desk, drawing out an oblong object shaped like an oversized baseball bat.

Emett held it out to Daisy. “This is my book club. My club made of books I’ve ripped aparted and glued together. It’s for this LARP I’m doing. I’m going to be a villain called the PUNinsher.”

Daisy looked from the book club to Emett’s gleeful face and burst out laughing. “Don’t forget your catch phrase! ‘Sticks and stones might break your bones, but my puns will hurt forever!’”