TBBM V. Class President, No More

Came afternoon, we finally met our class adviser, Maria Fe. She was proudly dark skinned. There were talks about how she was a beauty-queen before and due to that, Cliffy immediately loved her.

I and James were not blockmates---obviously since he majored in Psychology. But since he said he felt lonely being an irregular, he often came for me.

#IGiggledEveryTime

If I were being honest, many in my college were actually sensible. In fact, survey said that this was the most people-friendly of all the colleges in the university. Many here worked very hard for their grades. True that there were a select few brats who were kicked out of other colleges who enrolled here, but generally, the college had a good reputation.

#TheFewRottenApplesInTheBasket

Other than class introductions, one of the undead during the first week of class was the election of officers. Since all I did was to study, I often got voted to represent the class as their president; well, more like a president with only the representative power. There were really only very few who listened to me.

But more importantly, I knew the PAC girls campaigned for the voting of me because they wanted somebody who would take on all the tasks, alone. I literally spent restless nights when we had group assignments---all while they busied dating and pampering themselves. This led to the word "beautiful" leaving my dictionary. I literally went looking for it, but it vanished for good.

"So, Hickey," Cecie started before the adviser arrived. "You know we appreciate your leadership, don't you?"

"No," Phao fake laughed. "What are you saying? We actually appreciate Hick-Jopet as a whole."

"We're voting you in," Angie declared, sinisterly. "Prepare for trouble, this year. Good trouble."

"Nope," with heart racing in fear, I objected. "I ain't gonna be your victim this year."

"You think you can try, but nobody crosses with the PAC girls."

Angie could turn really ugly when threatened. Moreso, I knew I'd face allot of trouble if I disagreed with her. But I had been rehearsing this disobedience for the entirety of last year.

I told Mr. Vizca that this year, I'll be more resilient. I'd be Jopet version 2-point-0.

#NoLongerTheVictim

<bow>

Angie sported her most frantic smile as the class adviser arrived. She pioneered most of bullying that I experienced inside the class I couldn't really follow her rationale for choosing to hurt me. I meant, she was rich and pretty. I was nothing like that. She always made me trip.

Miss Fe drew out a fish bowl and asked us to write the name of the student whom we wanted to be this year's president.

And the votes were counted.

1..2...3....4.....5...6....7....89375035705749392178.

Landslide victory. The PAC girls proved powerful among the group.

"Who is Jopet?" Miss Fe inquired.

"Here Ma'am," I raised my hand. She didn't quite notice me.

"Where are you?"

"Right at the back, Miss."

"Oh, there you are," her face brightened. "Child, please keep away from the curtain. You blend. No offense."

Just like that, the entire class thundered to a laughter. The PAC girls buzzed like crazy bees. I should not let this be the end of me today. I must do something to overturn my fate.

Afraid as I was, I took a stand.

"Veto."

"Yes, Dear?" Miss Fe looked back at me.

Angie hissed.

"I respectfully veto the nomination, Professor," I beamed back at the PAC girls. "I'd been the class representative in the last two years. Shouldn't we give the opportunity now to others? Such a great experience must not be confined to one person, I think."

The class was enveloped in surreal silence. I felt like I was Hermione Granger-brave that moment. I hoped nobody paid attention to my knees as they were trembling but, I had been rehearsing this for months.

#IWon

I was no longer the class president.

"Boom!" Cliffy and Mar rejoiced.

Noriella, Betty, Hugo, Cy even cheered for me. It was a sight to see people support someone against the PAC girls.

I wished James was here. He'd be really proud of me.

The door swung open that moment. I wondered if my wish was unprecedentedly granted. I brought my chin up to glance at the late comer.

RED. It was him.

"I must agree with Jopet, though," Miss Fe echoed my sentiments. "Such an opportunity must be shared to as many as possible. I remembered when I was your age, I habitually got appointed as the Muse. But deep inside me, I wanted to try and be the President."

The whole class was quiet.

"But who could it be? Most of you wrote Jopet."

Roma. It was probably going to be her. Roma Gonzales and I had been good friends since the last few months of the last semester. She always helped me on a great deal of things. She liked to invite me to places, too. It was like as if we were sisters. She was brainy, too. She grew up to a rich family in the States, but she poised herself to be low profiled and even applied for the Academic Sponsorship.

She called it "self-fulfillment."

"Should we run another vote?" Roma suggested.

"If no one wants to volunteer," Red declared as he browsed something on his phone. He sat at the back, opposite me. "I'll do it."

He said it without hesitations. He said it without even blinking or permitting second thoughts. I couldn't believe him. I'd been trying my best to reach this day without quitting.

"Red is so cool," Cliffy and the other girls shrieked.

I thought I saw Angie's eyes glittered, too.

"But that is," he looked up from his phone. "If no one disagrees."

"Oh, well handsome man," Miss Fe acknowledged. "I don't suppose anyone is against the idea. Anyone?"

She seemed taken by his cool, too. But I couldn't blame them. He really did shine. Somehow, he was amazing.

The class applauded for him.

"Thanks, guys," Red smiled, then pointed at me. "But she should be the Vice. I'd need someone to support me."

"M-me?" I gaped.

The whole class clamored.

Support him? Like I was going to work with him? Noooooo...

"Agreed," Miss Fe concluded before I could even grasp strength enough to raise another veto.

James finally arrived, smiling at me from the looking glass. Time seemed to have stopped. My heart... my heart was racing. I couldn't tell between excitement or hate. James patiently waited for me outside as the bell rang. While a meter from me to my left sat Red, devilishly smiling.

"You want me to be your Vice?" I complained to him.

"Don't be too impressed," he flashed a passing smile. "Hicks."

Hicks? He called me Hicks?

I sighed.

Dear Saint,

What have you planned for me this term?

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