19 Brianna

Ashley hesitated for a second before she decided to be obedient. The minute she moved off, Summer followed, her eyes stating she was keeping a close watch on me. 

Typical Summer. 

"As it turns out everyone thinks Ashley is a traitor," Brian stated, strolling up to me. 

My eyes widened. A jab of pain sliced through my forehead. "Traitor?" 

They had gone too far. 

"Yeah, the wolves are pissed, and the vampires are scared." 

"Oh, my gosh. I can't believe this. Why are they even reacting this way?" My index finger massaged my temples. 

"I know. Everyone knows who they are and that's why this is such a big deal. Ashley's family pled—"

"Yes, her family. What about what she wants?" I gritted out. "All this darn chaos is about what everyone else wants except her." 

Brian rested his palm on my shoulder; our feet came to a halt. "I know, I know." 

Did he, though? He never understood what it was like to have one's life dictated. Sure, he had been through the rough, but he would never truly understand us. 

He used my shoulder to swivel me around so we could face each other. The space between us disappeared as our forehead kissed. 

"I know this is a sore subject for you. Right now we have to play our cards right. We'll have a grand meeting where we can hear them out. It's up to us, the young council to make the final decision. We have to show them Ashley is not a threat, and Summer can be molded into something great." He wiggled his nose at the last sentence, brushing it against mine. "I'm with you every step of the way. So, can you please be patient? You'll get what you want in due time." 

He was right. I had to stay calm. I had to be strong for them. 

My eyes drifted shut. His words cooled the burning flames coursing through my veins. Several breaths inhaled; several exhaled. 

A sweet forest scent smacked my eyes open. I pushed away from Brian. 

Oh, God, no. Not now. I had not built my shield as yet. I almost forgot how much he affected me. 

"Are you okay?" A puzzled expression on Brian's face. 

No. "Yeah, I'm fine," I managed. 

"Okay." 

We continued the journey until we met up with Brian's Advisors and my forbidden ones. Brian took the lead as we trailed behind him to the side of the building. There an opened red door nestled, taking us into the building. 

Chattering bombarded us as soon as we entered. The inside of the building resembled a freaking courtroom. The entrance we used led to a raised platform. Instead of the bench which a judge used there was a long table. Several cushioned chairs were nestled behind it. Behind the chairs, in the middle of the wall was another red door. 

Adjacent to the raised platform were two desks on each side of the room. Seated behind the left desk was a pink-haired girl with a tape recorder and a laptop before her. While to the right, a small group of three people occupied the other table. One of those students had a camera, it flickered as pictures were taken. Another had a notebook with a pen in hand as she jotted down something. The last student organized the table with what seemed like tape recorders, pen, paper, and another tool I was not sure about. 

Further down, another row of railing separated the other end of the room. The gallery was inhabited by vampires, werewolves, and a handful of humans and witches. An isle parted the two columns of seated species. 

Back up front, each Young Council took a seat around the long table. The Elites sat between their Advisors, all facing the other students. 

A lean fellow strode to the podium in front of the two smaller tables. At his presence, the room grew quiet. A palm was raised, and everyone stood to recite the school's motto. 

'Out of many, we rise.'

In the end, we resumed our seating before he introduced the Young Council to the students. After which a few rules were uttered. 

"He's Jake Wellingburn, the school's president," Summer whispered, pointing her lips at the fellow on the podium. 

"He's also a part of the vam-wolf family," Ashley added. 

It all made sense. Though a genuine smile brightened his green-yellow eyes, he was assertive. Everyone hung onto each word that was spat. Not because what he said was important, but it was how he said it. He made us feel like he was talking to each individual separately. Like he was our close friend. Not to mention, the guy was pleasant to the eyes. He was the type I could stare at all day without regretting it afterward. 

"He's hot," slipped out a little louder than intended. 

Chuckling floated with the air conditioning. It was followed by a growl. I swallowed the groan which threatened to burst out next. 

A soft, "Sorry," was thrown to the other Young Council members as I sank in my seat. A death glare was 'his' response. 

I rolled my eyes in an attempt to suppress the middle finger I wanted to dash in his face.

My outburst was an accident. 

Ugh. 

My eyes returned to the President. He whipped out rule after rule. Heads nodded, eyes were glued to his every movement. 

"Didn't you say he was a vam-wolf? How come he gets to be a part of the Elite, but you don't?" I enquired, much more cautious of the pitch of my voice. 

"Yes, he is, but being a President is different. When you're the President you don't subject yourself under one umbrella. You represent everyone including humans. All species which attend Redwood University," Ashley explained. 

"Yeah, he and the Vice President are the only ones who have the privilege to advise both vampires and werewolves. And, are welcomed by humans, witches, and warlocks. The fact he is a vam-wolf is a bonus," Summer praised. Her voice was thick with admiration. 

"Hmmm." A feeling of uneasiness crept up my chest. "Why aren't you the President or Vice President? It seems like a cool gig." My eyes met Ashley's. 

A curtain of sadness fell over Ashley's face. "I had applied for the Vice President position because I knew I couldn't win against Jake. However, my application was sent in too late. Courtney was already selected." 

"I love that girl. She's amazing," Summer gleamed. 

Well, I did not. 

"Me too. Still, I couldn't help feeling sad. By then Amy had chosen her Advisors and I was left in the background." The edges of Ashley's lips tilted. "I did try to join the media club, but I was no good at it. Sabrina, the President," my eyes followed hers to the girl at the media table who was jotting down notes earlier. The pen was still in her hand with her head down. Black curves tumbled over and hid her face. The lighting in the room reflected off her caramel skin. It appeared as if she glowed, "help me even though I did a terrible job and often made a mess of everything. She's awesome. Then you came along and here I am. Now, I'm wondering —"