It was a typical day in Mchalmmond High school. Everyone had their own routine when coming to school on time. Some stayed in the library to study, a few were in the canteen to buy some snacks for later, and others were chit-chatting in their classrooms. But they had one thing in common. Everyone was eyeing their phones for the announcement of the final two presidential candidates.
Cade was doodling in his notebook when he got a notification from his phone. He clicked his account and saw the result. Dexter's face was marked red, which meant he got eliminated. It was a relief, but he didn't feel so much joy knowing that Dexter lost not only the election but his fandom. Somehow, he could relate to his situation of losing everything he once had.
Cade went to the other section and looked for Dexter. He found him having some fun with the boys. Dexter caught him peeping at the door and smiled.
"You don't seem affected after losing everything," Cade said as they leaned on the railings.
"Popularity is not my everything, Curt. Those fans are not my everything. Do you know what is my everything?"
Cade looked at him with a puzzled expression. Dexter simpered. He pointed at the field—specifically to a girl sitting on the bench with her friends.
"She's my everything," he said. "And I lost her a long time ago. So I have nothing more to lose."
"Why? What happened?"
"Well, because of my image, girls were always around me. She's possessive and jealous. Entertaining girls while you're in a relationship is considered cheating. It was difficult to maintain my popularity and my relationship at the same time. I had to choose. But then she chose to let me go. It's been a year."
"I'm not invalidating your feelings but... how can someone be your everything? Isn't that an exaggeration? Maybe you've watched and read too much romance. You're too young to feel that way."
"No one is too young or too old for love, Curt. Call me crazy when you feel this way. Because one day, you'll find someone attractive. So attractive that even her soul blinds you and everything about her—every detail drives you insane. Then, everything around you doesn't matter anymore. When you found her, it would be hard to stop."
"You make it sound scary and dangerous."
"It is."
Cade shook his head. What a ridiculous notion.
During the lunch break, Theo was busy playing a video game on his phone while waiting for Stan. They didn't have time to hang out lately because of Stan's campaign and his dedication to his academic responsibilities. He would arrive late at night in the dorm and find Theo already sleeping. Stan would wake up earlier than him. They barely talk in the classroom because Stan was always busy.
"Hey."
Theo lifted his face. He smiled from ear to ear and immediately embraced Stan.
"Hey! I missed you, man."
"Get off me," Stan said as he tried to push him away.
"I already got your order."
"Is that allowed?"
"The server likes me," Theo whispered.
"I'm not tolerating that. They should be fair to the students."
"Come on! You're not the president yet. Don't get overwhelmed."
Stan lent him some alcohol before they began eating.
"Right. I also have an opinion about the question from the ABM students. Ask me."
Stan played along with a bored look on his face. "Is a romantic relationship an asset or a liability?"
"It is an asset because the more assets you have, the more benefit you'll earn. In short, the more girlfriends you have, the more satisfaction you'll gain," Theo said while raising his brows.
"You are full of crap, Burton. What do I expect?"
"But I have a point, right? Admit it, Stan. The more the merrier," Theo said while nudging him.
"Is that what you will tell Zara?"
"Hey. That was only a joke. You're so serious. I regret being your friend sometimes." Theo pouted.
***
The clouds were gloomy one afternoon. A warning of the coming rain. Everyone stood still while looking at Cade and Stan on the stage. The final speech finally arrived. The real deal.
"Good afternoon, everyone. We all know that Mr. Dexter Frost had been eliminated, and we have here two stunning and aspiring campus presidents. Let's give them a round of applause," Alison said.
The crowd clapped and cheered their names.
"This afternoon is their last chance to prove themselves worthy of the position. I will ask them one question. A question that will change their lives. This came from the school director, Mr. Noah Chapman." Alison looked at the candidates. "Are you ready?"
They nodded.
"Your question goes like this... What makes you better than your opponent? Mr. Curtis Fleming will answer first."
Cade looked at Stan for a few seconds and switched his attention to the audience. He slowly stepped forward.
"Good afternoon, Mchalmmond High School. I am better than my opponent because my life here wasn't easy. My experience was more challenging than his. Amidst those difficulties, I was able to stand up on my own and fight for what was right. I have the courage to face my fear and conquer evil. I was beaten up for being a nerd, manipulated for being intelligent, and betrayed for being selective with my friends. It was all in the past. And all of it strengthened me. That's all. Thank you," Cade said.
"Thank you for that heartfelt answer, Mr. Fleming. Now, let's hear Mr. Stan Carline."
"Good day, everyone. Honesty makes me better than my opponent. I am transparent and my intentions are as pure as diamonds. My background is clean and I have never bullied nor hurt anyone with my own hands. I am a role model. I am the standard. That would be all," Stan said.
"Wow. Thank you for that brief and confident answer, Mr. Carline. This time, I will give you the chance to talk back and defend yourself. One of you may speak," Alison said.
Cade and Stan made eye contact. There was a spark of lightning between their gazes.
"Stan, you emphasized honesty as your edge. Do you mean I am a liar?" Cade asked.
"Yes."
"What made you think of that as if you know me well? First impressions don't count on this argument, Stan. We need facts."
Stan smirked. "Well then. Let me ask you this. Haven't you bullied anyone in the past? Haven't you done cruel things that made some people depressed and even committed... suicide?" Stan spoke those words slowly while staring right into his eyes, criticizing his entire existence. A look that made his hand quiver.
"I... I have done none of that."
Stan narrowed his eyes. "So, you can proudly say that you have hurt no one?"
"Of course." Cade didn't flinch from Stan's striking eyes.
Stan placed the microphone away from his mouth for a moment and uttered in a soft voice, "What a terrible liar you've turned into, Cade."
From a distance, Theo was covering his face with his palm.
Stan snapped out of it and cleared his throat. "Anyway, you said your edge is your experiences that made you stronger. How can you say that I didn't have unpleasant experiences in school? You don't know me well, do you?"
"Everybody had been treating you right since day one, Stan. You were never bullied."
"That is because I am respectable. My presence itself is honorable. I have a dignified personality. I take my job as a class representative seriously and I do great in class. They don't have a reason to disrespect me. Do you see it now, Curt? Our tremendous difference."
"You take this chance to brag about how mighty you are?" Cade asked in a sarcastic tone.
"I'm not bragging about anything, Curt. Those are simply facts."
"Alright! I think that is enough. Candidates, please go back to your position," Alison said. She turned to the audience. "Isn't it an intense argument? I hope their speeches helped you in finalizing your decision. Tomorrow is election day. Do not be late and vote wisely!" Alison looked at the candidates. "To our candidates, good luck! And I wish this program will not ruin the connection you've built before this. As early as now, I would like to congratulate you."
Cade forced a smile.
"Before we end this program, let us be entertained by our Dance Troupe with the special participation of everyone's favorite, Dexter Frost!"
Dexter was in the middle of the dance formation. His hair was brushed up, and he was wearing white long sleeves with three buttons unbuttoned, revealing his well-defined collar bone. He also colored his hair blue temporarily for the dance number. All the girls screamed when the performance began. It seemed like they had forgotten why they hated him.
Cade clapped his hands and cheered for him. Dexter was in a good mood as he danced elegantly to a pop song. He looked happy when he was performing. Cade wasn't worried anymore.
Cade excused himself to go to the restroom. He was taken aback when he saw Theo washing his hands. Theo looked at him through the mirror with a stern look.
"Do not provoke him. You're just pushing yourself into a fire pit. He was holding back all this time," Theo said. He took a step closer to him and whispered, "Consider it his last act of kindness. At least, Stan has left a paltry amount of respect for our friendship. If I were on the same stage with you, blabbering those lies, I could've left a mark on your face."