CLASS ELECTIONS

You'd think after all that's happened in day one, I'd have had enough of school... And you're right.

I woke up this morning with absolutely no desire to go to school. I don't want to go to school.

You'd think with all that alpha blood, I would have just roared angrily and stayed in my room. Actually, that had never occurred to me to try. So here I was, in school, feeling rather unfortunate for myself.

But since I'm here, I might as well pour tea on the daily school news. We just finished homeroom and there was already news:

ELENA IS STILL HERE

Elena was in class before me. I only remembered when I saw her there that she had meant to transfer to that girls school I can't remember the name of.

She didn't look happy to be here, but hey, it's school. I didn't want to be here either.

"What happened to the school transfer?" I asked against my better judgement.

"My mum couldn't get me a place." She answered.

"Oh well." I say, "Guess you're stuck here with me."

Elena didn't look comforted. In fact, I'm quite sure she despised me. Which yes, was a strong feeling, that's why I noticed.

Was it because I wrote my name in capital letters too?

Even though she didn't transfer school, our friendship didn't last more than a day. Oh well.

LIAM IS OFFICIALLY THE MOST POPULAR BOY IN CLASS

It was now official.

Today at homeroom, after giving us a whole first day to get to know everyone, our form teacher, Mrs Henderson decided that we were ready to choose our own class chairman.

She gave a short speech about how this would be the person to represent and lead our class and how we should choose wisely. We should ask ourselves if he responsible, trustworthy...and a host of other questions a day in a shared classroom together would never had shed light upon.

And then she explained the process of election.

Basically, anyone can nominate someone for the position. And if another person can "second" the nomination, the nominee would be eligible for election, which would be a class wide voting process...

Then everything happened very quickly.

Jasmine raised her hand and recommended "Liam!"

Mrs Henderson got Liam to stand up. She asked for anyone to second Jasmin's recommendation.

And all the boys in the class raised their hands and yelled in triumph.

Apparently, Liam hadn't just posed like a statue all of yesterday. I'm no pageant expert, but this kind of popularity took more than good looks.

Mrs Henderson sensibly decided to skip the voting process for Liam. I think it's obvious that most of the guys in the class thought that this was how the election worked anyway.

Liam stepped up to the front of the class.

"Now we need a vice chair to help Liam." Mrs Henderson continued.

"Samantha." Liam said from in front of the class.

What?

He gave me a lazy smile but I didn't return it.

"Samantha please stand up. Is there anyone who'd like to second Samantha as vice chairman?" Mrs Henderson asks.

I stood up. The class went quiet.

Then Jasmine raised her hand and said softly, "I'll second it."

"No." I protested. I didn't want to do all this homework collection, class management crap, "I nominate Marcus." (Sorry Marcus.)

"The vice has to be a girl" Jasmine informed me.

What?

Mrs Henderson nodded in agreement and I heard Marcus released a relieved sigh.

I wanted to flip the desk behind me onto his lap, but of course I didn't, but only because I had self control.

This was sexist and stupid. But I didn't have time to rant. I needed to think on my feet and get myself out of this predicament pronto.

I considered Maria and imagined her using mind control to get all the homework collected efficiently.

"I nominate Jasmine." Maria's clear glassy voice cut the silence.

Jasmine stood up without being told. Some girls I didn't recognize in the classroom seconded that.

Considering that I haven't spoken to anyone in my class other than four wolves, a vampire, and a human that despised me. I felt sure this would be Jasmine's win.

Jasmine looked at me apologetically.

I felt bad she would have to be stuck with the extra trouble.

And then Elena raised her hand and nominated Arlene.

Arlene stood up and smiled. It was a beautiful smile.

The boys raised their hands and yelled their votes.

Okay. I sat down, I didn't hide my relief.

Marcus was chuckling behind me. But I was too glad to feel like causing him any pain for it.

Jasmine sat down in front of me. I could not help but notice her shoulders dropping as she looked down at her desk.

Liam was still standing there, posed like a magazine advert for jeans, his usual half smile in place. I began to recognize Liam's social mask now.

Arlene walked up to stand next to him. When he winked at her, she smiled and fluttered her lashes before shuffling a little to stand closer.

Mrs Henderson announced our class chair and vice chair. It sounded like she was expecting cheers or more triumphant yelling from the boys at least. But it didn't happen. Some of the students clapped politely.

Most of the boys, now seeing the beautiful human of their dreams leaning next to Liam aka Prince of Popularity, had just realized they had sabotaged their own chances with Arlene. I suppose it was vice versa for the girls, but they hid their emotions better.

I'm just relieved I escaped it. Jasmine was very still and quiet in front of me. I looked away, because I didn't want to intrude.

Mrs Henderson sent Liam and Arlene back to their seats.

Since the election process ended early (I mean, we did skipped the main part of it - thank goddess for the yelling idiots in our class), we got a free study period. Mrs Henderson didn't stick around, tasking Liam and Arlene to keep the class in order, she conveniently left to finish some marking work in the staff room.

I heard Henry mutter his relief, "This will do."

I realized election would have been unsettling for him, since he couldn't control the results. An alpha's need for control was funny like that.

He sounded pleased when he spoke to Liam, "Good work, Liam. I'll leave the class to you."

Liam nodded his understanding and sat down.

It didn't take a genius to get it. Liam's job now was to keep the teachers and students out of Henry's hair. Hahaha. Oh, the price of popularity!

The class got rowdy and the boys were yelling again, "Liam, let's go play some football!"

Naturally, Liam went with them. The class was now emptier but nosier too.

This suited Henry just fine. He left the class with Marcus.

Jasmine went over to talk with the group of girls who seconded her. They were unhappy that Arlene was vice.

Elena was standing next to Arlene's desk. Arlene looked bashful surrounded by a small circle of admirers. Elena was just hovering next to her with an expression I couldn't place.

I felt like Elena wanted something, but what could she possible get from where she stood, I couldn't tell. Perhaps it was a human thing.

Maria left the classroom, pausing to look at me at the door. I ignored her.

I felt her try to mindlink me. I shut her out and took out a book to read. She gave up and left.

I felt her presence from behind the wall moving away from the class. It seems like I'm getting good at tracking vampires. I could even sense them through a brick wall now.

When she was truly gone, I looked back at my book. I brought it for the long train ride, and was in the middle of something exciting when I had to alight at Winderhill.

I was happy because now I got a full half hour of uninterrupted reading. How did Henry put it again? This will do.