THREE weeks before the official end of classes for this school year, and two weeks for the student council election day. Our schedule became a hectic one, and only now that I realized the real meaning behind of the word “busy.”
Campaigning for the election and putting up the needed requirements for our finals wasn’t as easy as I thought before. I should have known better. I mean, if only I knew that our teachers are going to give us tons of homeworks and projects at the end of this quarter, then I shouldn’t have signed up for being a candidate in this coming election.
But even so, I’m not regretting this decision. Scott, Nathan, and I are having a blast together, and I could say that we are enjoying the stress and pressure that this activity is causing into us. We never been so busy before, and testing ourselves to the limits is a good thing, I guess. It will help us to become a better version of ourselves.
Another thing was the campaigning method. The three of us couldn’t think of a new way or a unique strategy to put on to the students so that they will help us win in this election. But thankfully, Scott and Nathan got some bright brains so I don’t have to sweat that much about this activity.
“After printing some flyers and posters, we are going to put in on all over the walls of this school... And then, how about we wear our own party list T-shirts?” Nathan suggested.
“That was pretty good! In that way, students, specially the freshmen could recognize us from the other team,” Scott stated.
“Brilliant. I’ll help you up in printing some flyers later on.”
“Nathan and you will do it later, Nat. I’m just gonna go and find a shop with a lowest cost for printing our shirts.”
That’s when I remember that I don’t have an extra penny for the printing of our party list’s shirts. I looked down, thinking of some other way where I could get the money that we needed.
“Hey...” Nathan poked me in the cheeks. “I got you, don’t worry about spending anything...” He smiled at me and I did the same.
“Thanks, Nathan. I know I can count on you. I promised I’ll pay you later on...”
“You don’t have to,” he refused.
“Hey you two! You’re so bad! I’m being left out in here!” Scott complained.
“Sorry,” I apologized.
“Don’t worry about the shirts. I got this... I’ll pay for everything.”
“Really? Thanks a lot, Scott.”
“You’re welcome!” He winked at me.
“Hey! I was the one who offered you a free shirt first!” Nathan complained.
“Yeah, I know. But Scott wanted to pay for all of us. Including yours.”
I tapped Nathan’s shoulder and he rolled his eyes towards Scott, making me laugh. After planning out what to do after our classes, we started roaming around the school for our first day of campaign.
We got nothing much to do. We just have to put on a sweet smile on our faces while handling the students some flyers that we printed earlier. It’s going really nice, I guess. But not until Freeda and her members came into the view.
Freeda is running for the position of president, Lia for vice, and Elyzz for the secretary. I’m pretty much nervous about it, thinking how can I supposed to win over that “like girl” Elyzz. But I guess I just need to face my fears. There is no turning back right now.
We didn’t know that we could add another member to our party list... The treasurer. That’s why we haven’t got much time to find somebody who would like to join us. Because of that, Nathan just decided that we will not include a treasure anymore.
On the other hand, Freeda got Becca for that position, and I was bothered by the fact that she would win because of default. And if ever that our team succeeded, we would be working along side with her in the student council office. Maybe she haven’t thought about that yet for they are confident that they are going to win in this election. So I guess I just need to be as calm as them as possible.
“Well, well... Look who’s here. The social climber girl and her weird nerdy bestfriend,” Freeda mockingly stated.
“Why did you even like this guy, Becca? Like, duh. Like he wasn’t even that, like cute...” Elyzz asked to Becca, pertaining to my bestfriend.
Becca bit her lower lip, ignoring Elyzz statement. Lia and Freeda just look at us. When they finally realized that we aren’t interested in having a fight with them, they flipped their hair all at the same time before walking away from our direction.
“Looks like our competitors wouldn’t let us win over them, Nat.” It was Nathan.
“What do you mean? Maybe they’ve got what it takes to win... But popularity never win over a good heart. And I believe that we’ve got that one thing... One thing that could lead us to victory. And we have nothing to lose, Nathan. If we lose, then it’s just fine. And if ever that we won, then we should be thankful and promise that we are going to serve every student here in Jackson High fair and square.” I winked at him, and he blushed.
“You are really good in motivating other people, Natalia Carter. That’s what I like about you...”
He put his arms around my shoulder before chuckling. We continued doing our campaign until the bell rings, indicating that classes are about to start. We went to our respective classrooms, before we gone through the long discussions of lessons in different subjects again.
After our classes, Nathan and I decided to go to the office to print more flyers for tomorrow and for the upcoming days of the election. Scott texted us that he already arrived at the shirt printing shop nearby. He said that it was the shop with the lowest possible price for printing out on our shirts. So we doesn’t have a problem anymore. Not until Nathan and I finally realized that we don’t have enough papers to print out the target number of flyers that we needed.
“Shocks... We should’ve check our materials first before we went here...” Nathan looked devastated.
“Hey, don’t worry. I got this. I’ll get from our stationary.”
“You sure? You want me to come with you?”
I can’t blame him for being worried about me walking down the school corridors at this time. It was nearly evening, and the sun is starting to set. Only a few busy students like us are left in this place catching up their needed requirements before this quarter ends and the terrifying guards of our school. Though I’m pretty sure that I can handle myself.
“Yes, and no. You don’t need to come with me. Just continue printing on those remaining papers so we can head home as early as possible.”
“Sure then. Careful.”
I chuckled, shaking my head at his last word. I opened the door of the office before I walked down the school corridors. As I continue to make my way towards the stationary of our school, I heard some angry voices coming from someone. I tried not to get curious, but I can’t help it. I sighed, breaking the rule number seventeen on my manual. Now I’m pretty much starting to meddle in anyone’s life, I guess. So I walk towards where the noises are coming from, and there, I saw a glimpse of Freeda... Mad Freeda, to be specific.
“I told you a hundred times already! Just accept this fucking money and vote all the members of our party list!” she shouted.
She is screaming out of her lungs as she clenched her fist, looking mad at one nerdy student. I think that student is just a freshman. She look like she’s new here. When I realized what Freeda was telling about her earlier, I instantly got mad... I mean, she’s literally bribing with money and threatening this student just to vote them in the upcoming election. Therefore, I can safely conclude that she’s a cheater... And that’s a fact.
“I won’t! You can’t buy my freedom to vote! I mean, I wouldn’t vote you anymore now that I already knew what you’re doing,” the student bravely answered.
“And who would you vote in the upcoming election, huh? Those geeks and nerdy students? For Pete’s sake, they are just a normies! Are you loosing your mind?”
“Well at least they’ve got what it takes to be a good leader... Not like you.”
“Don’t you even know me? I’m Freeda, the most popular student here in Jackson High! They aren’t calling me queen for nothing!”
“And so? Do I have to care?”
Freeda’s face became red out of anger and embarrassment. She then raised her hand, about to slap the poor kid so I decided to step out and stop her before she could even do anything bad to this student.
“Freeda, stop!”
She averted her gaze towards me, and her eyes instantly widen. She put her hand down, looking at me unbelievably.
“Y-you’re h-here...”
“Yeah. I am, for about five minutes ago.”
“What?!” she cried. “So you heard everything?”
I nodded, before walking towards their direction. I got in between of her and the freshman student. I felt surprise when that student gripped into my sleeves tightly, looking scared at Freeda’s recent actions.
“What do you think you’re doing, Freeda?” I asked, raising one of my brows.
She put her arms in front of her chest, glaring at me before saying anything.
“Why do you even care? So what now, Natalia without H? You are going to be a hero, huh? I mean, after seeking for Tyler’s attention, now you suddenly wanting the whole school’s? By being what? A leader? A hero? It’s pathetic... You are pathetic.”
“No, Freeda. If there is someone who’s pathetic in here, it’s you, and not me. I mean, bribing the students using your money? For what? To win the election? You really stoop that low for the president’s position? Why are you even doing this? Aren’t your popularity enough? Actually, what you just did to this student can be the cause of your disqualification.”
She blinked several times, trying to process why I just said. Then she suddenly clenched her fist tightly, before sighing as harsh as possible. She then walked away, unable to say anything to me. Well I guess she’s been affected by my words.
“Are you alright?” I asked to the student.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Sorry about that.”
“It’s fine, really.” I smiled at her.
“Thanks for helping me out. You’re Natalia Carter, right? Running for the position of secretary?”
“Uhm... Yeah.” I scratched my nape, unbelievable to the fact that she knew me.
“I’m definitely gonna vote you this upcoming student council election...”
“Really? Well thanks a lot. But you don’t have to do that just because I helped you earlier... It’s still your choice, you know.”
“Yeah, I know. And I’m choosing you.”
I smiled at her, before I finally waved my goodbyes. I told her that I still need to get some papers at our school’s stationary for our flyers. She thanked me, before letting me go. As I was already a few meters away from her, she called my name again, making me stop for a moment.
“Natalia!” she shouted.
“Yes?” I asked, turning my gaze back to her.
“I promise you’re whole party list will win.”
She winked at me, before walking away. It felt weird, like she’s up to something big. But I guess I don’t have to think about that the whole time. It’s because of the rule number twenty-five written on my manual... Do not over think about some stuffs.