3 EINS

"Mei? Where are you going?" our Student Body President, Silver Ramirez, asked as he called my attention. "Oh, President?" I replied, "I'm going to the Disciplinary Office."

"Let me accompany you, after all, you're just the representative of your class, so why bother working hard?" he asked. "Well, it's bad to do things half-heartedly, isn't it?" I replied with a smile as he came to a halt. I dashed to the Discipline Office, noticing that President Silver was no longer following me. I knocked three times on the front door of the office before entering.

"Mei Chen from the Law & Politics Department," I said, looking up to see Mister Gutierrez, the Head of the Discipline Committee and our Student Body adviser, sitting in his swivel chair. "I called you today about the development plan, so what's your strategy?"

"I still need a partner; it's difficult dealing with the papers, especially since I don't come from a wealthy family." Suddenly, the door swung open. "Great timing, Mister Huber, Miss Chen here needs a partner for the development plan, and you also need one, don't you?" the man said as he sat on the couch beside me.

"I appreciate the offer, Mister, but I already have a project partner," he said, looking at me. Theodore is on the move. He appears to be a character plucked from a comic book. It is no surprise that he is every girl's, first love. The same is true for me, and I am experiencing the same problem. "Oh, I see," he says.

I have had an unrequited crush on him for at least seven years. I have known him since then, but he never bothers to look or even notice me. Who am I, after all? In his eyes, I am just a pebble stone. According to rumour, Theodore comes from a wealthy family, so why bother looking at me?

Mister Gutierrez looked perplexed. Is he inquiring about his partner? "Leila Fuentes, Mister. The Student Body's Secretary," he said, his brow furrowed. "Oh, I see; lady luck appears to be on your side today, Miss Chen."

"It's okay, Mister. May I ask if there is still someone available in the Student Body? I was working on our thesis because graduation is right around the corner, so I haven't made any progress on this one, Mister." He pulled something from the drawer, revealing it to be a folder. He flicked the paper until he came to a halt. "According to the list, only President Ramirez is available; the others have partners, so I guess I'll pair you with him."

"Oh, thank you, Mister! Also, on the subject–" My sentence was cut short as the door opened again, this time to reveal President Ramirez and Secretary Leila. "You're here?" he asked, looking at the personas. "By the way, Mister Ramirez, Miss Chen here will be your partner for the development plan."

"I expected it, Mister, because Miss Chen here is as busy as a bee." President Silver smiled as he looked at me. "Hello, Mister, I came here to update our partnership status between me and Theo," Leila slyly stated as she sat next to Theodore.

"Miss Chen, sit down; you have been here for a while, and you are still standing," Mister Gutierrez suggested. President Silver led me to the couch, where we sat next. We are facing each other, Theodore and I, and Leila and President Silver. Mister Gutierrez's desk is at the front of the room. "Thank you very much,"

"The partners have been updated; all you need to do is sign here at the paper, and I'll give you your topic." We signed the forms, so I suppose this is a requirement for verification. "Considering the development theme, the topic would be relating your courses and putting them to work. Your courses have a big influence on this situation."

"In Miss Chen and Mister Ramirez here, the former is from the Law & Politics Department and the latter is from the Engineering Department." He continued, "I suggest you build a building or a facility and then assign workers to it who can govern the facility. It's related especially to us, we have a monarchy type of government."

"In Mister Huber and Miss Fuentes–" Mister Gutierrez came to a halt as Theodore rose to his feet. "There's no need for it; if that's all, I'll go ahead," he said as he walked away.

"Hey, Theo, wait for me!" exclaimed Leila. She said goodbye to Mister Gutierrez. Perhaps this is why I am drawn to Theodore; he exudes a manly, dominant aura that screams royal. He acts as if he is the most critical person on the planet. "That was unexpected; please excuse him, Mister Gutierrez," President Silver said, breaking the silence. They locked their gazes on each other for a few moments as if they had telepathic abilities. Mister nodded.

"Well, the faculty has a meeting scheduled for later, so I'll leave you to it; good luck!" Mister Gutierrez walked away, and we followed. "It's tough, isn't it?" President Silver inquired. "Being an officer?" I asked, my face puzzled.

"Yep, you go around doing things instead of enjoying your college life," he said with a smile. "Hmm, not quite, I enjoy this moment, you know President, when you're given a task and you finish it; I get a fulfilling feeling from it, and that's why I enjoy my officership, even if I'm just the representative of our department."

"Great speech, but don't overexert yourself; it's bad for your health," I chuckled. "President Silver?" I came to a halt.

"Hhm?" He returned his gaze, a smile on his face. "Well, since this is the last time I'll be with you after our project, I'd like to thank you," he said, his face puzzled.

"Why are you being sentimental right now? And what is your thank you for?" he inquired. "You know, in front of you elites, I'm nothing more than a pebble, but you accepted and treated me the same as the others, and that's why you have the greatest respect I can give to a person."

"Geez, well, I guess I do not have any excuses not to accept your thank you; you are welcome," he said as he leaned in close and pinched my cheeks. He then took off running. On the other hand, I was left stunned, rubbing my palms against my cheeks. He was almost out of sight when he came to a halt, not facing me, and yelled. "I will pick you up at 2 p.m. this afternoon after your class, and we'll head to our company. Meet me in the lounge," He raised before running off somewhere. I guess I will be on my way then. I cannot afford to miss my class.