HELLOOOOO GUYSSSS, im sorry i've been inactive/ not uploading the next chapters of LSBBB, but it's all because im working on my another project! my main project!
well, actually, LSBBB is the sequel of this main project im doing! i honestly couldnt wait to post the main project/ main story here, but i fear that i still have so many mistakes and undetailed parts which could lead to me keep editing each post here in tumblr! so i decided to hold it for now.
im also working on editing some parts of LSBBB, and its not final (the posts here isnt edited yet). the next chapter is finished halfway, but i stopped because i feel like the main project holds more urgency or smth SHDHSJDAJJ
THANK YOUU FOR READING!! oh and im sorry i havent replied to your messages!!<33 thank you for all the love!!
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People, at least, Ezra McAllister himself could guess who was to be the next president.
The debate session didn’t end well. Atlas Westwood targeted Ezra McAllister, accusing him of being feminist-baiting just so that girls chase after him. It was never true and it could never be true. And it cost reputation to be speaking like that in front of the whole school, even though a person like Atlas could easily make it all up again like nothing had happened. Whatever was on his mind.
The debate was ended by the moderator, teachers’ orders. And after, the day jumped into the voting session. All students, including the candidates themselves, opened Crawford’s website and logged in by their login info.
Everyone voted by choice out of the six.
Afterwards, there was a small parade replay by the teams as an ice breaker. Everyone had fun and laughed at the performances. At once the students forgot for a moment about the heated arguments in the debate.
The candidates sang along with the audience, even though numerous side-eyes happened between Westwood and McAllister. But the “blondie” could care less.
He chose this to be a jolly good day to remember.
——✩——
“There you are!”
Ezra’s smile lightened up at an instant, seeing Lilian waddling towards him in the hallway.
“I didn’t get to congratulate you yesterday,” she muttered softly. “Congratulations! You’re amazing! Really! You did VERY well! Love the speech!”
Ezra’s eyes crinkled. “Oh, thank you so much, Lilian,” he said, adoring the beautiful. “Terrific. I paid every detail, every second attention to your speech! It was beautiful.” “Thank you, thank you!”
Ezra sighed in content, “Like the last line?”
Lilian blinked. All of a sudden, her memory drifted to his voice delivering it. The softly spoken, yet full of confidence.
“...the sun will always shine on us.”
Lilian gave a big smile. “I do.”
“Quoted it from you. Wasn’t very creative.”
“But it really sounded like Ezra McAllister,” murmured Lilian, green eyes gazing at his. “Suits you well.”
“It’s all thanks to you!”
Ezra bit his inner cheek, thinking Lilian would bring up “Atlas topic” after, perhaps like her apologizing for his stupid, ridiculously flimsy argument the other day. He hated hearing about him from her.
The two walked through the corridors, passing by a lot of students. She didn’t talk about Atlas, thankfully.
“I really like your surname, by the way. The voting screens only showed the candidates’ family names, so I paid a lot of attention to yours,” she said. She had been talking a lot lately.
“Oh yeah?” hummed Ezra, studying how her hair bounced slightly as they strolled, now at the empty hall.
“McAllister. Sounds rich.”
Ezra chuckled, “You can have it.”
Lilian gave a pause. Ezra followed.
She glanced at him. He smiled.
“What’s wrong?” he leaned forward slightly. “You don’t want it?”
And he stopped at Lilian’s reaction.
Green eyes sparkling at him, as if hoping he wasn’t just playing around. Fingers folded.
“I do,” she breathed, with a little tremble. No echoes, for such words in the empty school hall.
The two gazed on one another before Lilian squeezed shut her eyes. Her cheeks went all red. Fists close to her chest.
Then, a hand ruffled, slight enough not to ruin her hair.
Lilian opened her eyes, feeling the warmth of his fingers on her head.
“Oh, that’s a relief hearing that,” Ezra grinned.
Another smile was etched on his face. Then, a small turn away. His brows wrinkled as he pulled his hand.
Soft inhale; he looked back at her.
“I like you, Lilian,” he smiled.
“Can I be your boyfriend?”
A little pause between them.
To give Lilian time to widen her pretty green eyes.
To give time for her lips to part slightly.
To give her mouth time to form a “Yes!”
But she didn’t.
She flung herself to him instead. With him, his arms embracing her lovingly. His smile wide in delight.
Now, against his shoulder, she muffled, “YES!”
——✩——
“Well, well.”
“Look who’s here?”
“The lovebirds.”
The couple smiled. The blonde boy allowed Lilian to walk first into Mrs. Eve’s tiny class first. He followed then.
Again, to their seats.
The six boys shook their heads. Nat kept giggling, thrilled. “Dear me, I shall go to course with Mimi alone, from now on.” Nat slipped her arm to Mimi’s dramatically.
“We lost another girl,” Nat whispered.
Mimi just sat still, smiling faintly at the navy haired girl.
“Another…”
Nat’s word repeated in the back of Mimi’s mind, aside from the aching pain of knowing that her crush and best friend actually started dating. Mimi did know Nat meant Christine for that “another girl”.
But… Christine had proved herself that she didn’t completely forget about Mimi.
Right?
Christine realized that something was off from Mimi, while others don’t, Mimi’s head said.
Well, Nat, even Miles did realize, though.
“Aw, such cute little things,” murmured Mrs. Eve, her eyes crinkled at Lilian and Ezra. The two sat closer than they usually were. Wholesome high school sweethearts.
“Ah, so this is why you were protecting her the other day,” giggled the tutor softly as she wiped the glass board clean. “I know you were ignoring my words on purpose, Ezra. So that I could forget about Lilian. I did, though, and I just realized it now. So, you nailed it!”
Lilian flushed, while Ezra smiled warmly at her. “At first I didn’t know what was he doing, Mrs. Eve,” murmured Lilian, “so I tried to catch his attention. Grabbed him by the arm. But he put my hand back instead. That’s when I realized.”
“Oh,” Ezra crossed his arms, “I thought you just wanted to touch me.”
Lilian gasped, eyes darting him dangerously. “EZRA!”
“So, I was like, ‘Lilian, this isn't quite the right time’.”
Lilian pushed his figure off the creaked chair, yet his body didn’t even move just a bit. She was all tomato red. And she definitely enjoyed it.
“My, my, typical first week of relationships, huh?” said Miles, half-smiling happy for them. Nat chimed in playfully, “Right? Feels like we’re in their way!”
“It’s lovely that you two got closer in a literal Chemistry study group. Really got that chemistry right.”
“You two looked cute together!”
“Lilian, don’t forget about me and Mimi, alright?”
“Hang in there, they’re about to answer like a jinx again!”
The night was a shower of support and happiness. As Ezra and Lilian walked out of the room once the course was done, the two talked lightly. Remembering how funny the keywords of periodic table was, Mrs. Eve’s version. The friends already gave them space and could be seen scattering away in a dash.
Ezra’s hand brushed slightly into hers. Her slim fingers twitched, yet quickly wrapped by his bigger ones. It felt warm.
“Let’s head home,” he smiled, as if they actually shared a house. Lilian nodded, putting on her helmet.
Click!
He didn’t let her lift fingers to hook the straps, though.
“Thanks—”
CLATTER!
A loud metallic stuff clatters startled her. Ezra then made his way through, “Wait, I’ll check.” The sound came from the restroom area. He stood in front of the women’s, just to see Mimi emerging from the door. Her body shook a little, just like a scaredy kitten.
“Mimi?”
She looked up, “O—oh!”
“Hey, are you alright? Did you hurt yourself there?” he bent down slightly, worry etched on his handsome features. Mimi’s pale cheeks blushed. Eyes sparkling at him, “N—no. I’m okay… Ezra,” she mumbled shyly.
Her heart was thumping loudly, until Lilian’s voice came in. “Mimi!” The girl in the helmet approached her, “What was that noise? Are you okay?”
Mimi smiled, nodding. “Yeah… just… I knocked off the soap holder. I startled myself after, hehe.” Both Ezra and Lilian smiled in relief. Little Mimi had always been on the top of their worry if something happened to her. That poor scared-looking girl!
“Has your father come to fetch you?” Lilian asked. “I thought you were gone along with the others!” Mimi nodded again, eagerly, “Yeah, he’s here already, Lilian.”
“Alright! Let’s head to the parking lot together,” said Ezra. Only a few meters they walked, looking like a family of three, Mimi clutched Lilian’s lower sleeve. Lilian glanced at her, “Huh?”
“Can… can I talk to you?”
Ezra who heard it said to Lilian, “I’ll wait on my bike, okay?” Lilian nodded at both of them, “Sure, what is it, Mimi?” The girl in pigtails guided her slightly back away.
“Lilian…” Mimi began in hesitation, “so… you are dating Ezra?”
Lilian blinked and chuckled a little, “Oh! I thought you wanted to talk about something else!” She gave a nod cheerfully, “Yes, we’re lovers, now. Gosh… I couldn’t believe I just said that word!”
Mimi gazed at her contented eyes. “Since when?” She couldn’t clearly see Lilian’s flushed face in the helmet, but there was. “A day after the election,” she replied.
Mimi nodded slowly. So it happened yesterday. Mimi hadn’t gone to school since that day because one of her pet bunnies fell ill. Mimi hadn’t had the time to check on their group chat with Lilian and Nat either.
She just found out when she arrived at Mrs. Eve’s course, when Nat ran towards her, screaming, “You wouldn’t believe what I heard this morning—LILIAN GOT A BOYFRIEND! And IT’S EZRA! O.M.G a real bound to falling in love! Can you believe it?!”
“Is he going to take you home?”
Lilian beamed again.
“Yes! He was excited to.”
“No longer with Atlas?”
Lilian laughed, “Oh, he’s been busy out there with basketball. Skips Mr. Adam’s course lately.”
Mimi nodded slowly. Lilian arched her brow, “What is it, Mimi?” Mimi blinked, shaking her head immediately, “Nothing.”
She was afraid Lilian could sense her unease, so she took her back to the parking lot. Lilian smiled warmly, thinking Mimi was simply worrying about her. Little did she know her best friend’s secret feelings towards her boyfriend.
“You seemed happier,” muttered Mimi, once they were close to Mimi’s father’s car. “You talked more than you usually do.” Lilian smiled again, “Hahaha, I think so too…”
“I think he changed something in me,” she added, her voice small. But Mimi heard it clear.
Lilian’s hand waved in the air, “See you! How’s your bunny, by the way? Will you come to school tomorrow?” “Yeah, I’ll come tomorrow. He’s okay now,” replied Mimi. She waved back before climbing into the backseat, “See you, Lilian!”
Lilian sighed, sitting behind Ezra, in an upper level.
“She looked sad,” Lilian murmured, “I wonder what’s bothering her mind.” Ezra divided his glances to the road and his shoulder, “Maybe she’s still worried about the rabbit.”
“Bunny.”
“They’re the same.”
“It’s not, genius,” Lilian murmured to herself, slamming her head against the pillows. She wiggled under the covers. Showered, dressed comfy.
She hung her phone in the air, the screen gleamed her freshened face.
Today 11.07 PM
my McAllister ♥︎: [inserted an image]
my McAllister ♥︎: rabbit!
Today 11.27 PM
You: okay you got it right this time
You: heyy dont play with your phone on the traffic light
She grinned at the picture he sent; a rabbit mascot of a hit new cafe, with a wooden board, clearly written “Rabbit’s Haven” waving a paw at Ezra. Lilian tidied her slingback as she waited for the response.
Today 11.07 PM
You: [inserted an image]
You: rabbit!
Today 11.27 PM
lily: okay you got it right this time
lily: heyy dont play with your phone on the traffic light
Today 11.35 PM
You: but he’s waving at me
Today 11.36 PM
You: he told me that i should take you to eat their ice cream waffle next weekend
Today 11.39 PM
lily: why next weekend?
You: he told me that ill be busy this week
You: is that okay?
lily: why not??
lily: [inserted a sticker]
You: [inserted a sticker]
lily: HAAHHSHA that’s mr. john
You: HAHAHHAHAHA
You: [inserted a sticker]
lily: [inserted a sticker]
lily: that was smooth
You: of course
On the other side of the phone, Ezra pumped a fist, “Yes!” He was very proud of himself; talk about how he invited her for a date! But he must went through a whole half and a week for it, still.
The next day came. Mimi went to school in her usual knitted lilac cardigan, pigtails wiggling. “Long time no see, Mimi!” “Morning, Myers!” “Hey, here she is!”
Mimi beamed at the warm welcome kids of Class 5 gave her. However, her eyes were stuck on Christine, sitting alone, busied by her script papers. She wanted badly to talk to her about Lilian and Ezra.
“Let’s check our Math answers,” said Nat, already opening Lilian’s and Mimi’s practice books. Mimi nodded absently.
She wasn’t ready to see a blonde boy casually peeking into their classroom, blocking people wanting to enter.
“Oh my God,” Nat dropped the books at once, grinning, “Lilian! Look who’s that?” The other kids in class began teasing her as well. “Ooh, Lilian…” poked a girl.
Laughter filled the classroom, with the girl smiling with her lower teeth, blushing heavily. She ran up to him, “What are you doing here?” “Visiting Lilian next door,” he grinned, as the two’s classes were adjacent. Class 5 and Class 6.
Ezra held back a chuckle as he pulled Lilian’s sleeve. Slowly, his fingers brushed to her palm before intertwining it. “We still have much time before bell.” Lilian bit her inner lip, “Alright, take me.”
Mimi eyed the scene with an aching heart, seeing how Liliand and Ezra ran out of the classroom’s sight in triumph. Just at the moment, Christine startled her. She was looking directly at Mimi. Mimi swallowed as Christine broke her neck softly, gesturing to meet her outside.
Mimi didn’t catch anything Nat talked to her afterwards. She was too busy watching Christine got up at her seat and left the class. “Wait—Nat. I’ll… I’ll go to the bathroom for a minute,” she said. “Oh, sure!” The girl in pigtails hurried, leaving Nat alone just with the three practice books.
“Huh… when did she stop referring herself as ‘Mimi’?”
“He confessed to her two days ago.”
Christine examined her painted pink nails, leaning against a post near their classroom.
“He confessed to her?” asked Mimi, sorrow etched all over her face. Christine nodded without a word. “Oh… uh…”
“If… if this is the case… I think… I think I should…”
“Get him back,” continued Christine so casually, pressing a finger to Mimi’s parted lips. But she rebelled at once. “What?! No—” she exclaimed, pushing Christine away a little.
“I’m not supposed to do such horrid thing, Chrissy!”
Mimi could read the visible astonishment in Christine’s eyes. “Gee,” she muttered, checking on her from head to toe, “calm down! I tell you, it’s a normal thing in a high school girl's life, you know?”
Mimi swallowed once more, couldn’t really quite catch that “normal thing in a high school girl's life”. “I thought you already understood it when we spoke that time,” said Christian, brows wrinkled. “I… I know… I know…” whined Mimi all jittery.
“But… it’s different now, Chrissy. They’re official now!”
“Officially what?” asked Christine, brow arched.
Playing the fool.
“They’re officially… lovers, now, Chrissy. It’s now a different story. At that time, they were just… friends. Just like me. But now it’s all—” Christine landed another finger, gently yet forcing Mimi to shut her mouth.
“You are too naive.”
For Christine, their friendship break up had nothing to do with her. She had done everything right. All she, an idealist, wanted was their group project to be done flawlessly, perfect, for their own good scores.
Yet people didn’t really seem to have the same view as her. She could vividly remember how Nat refused to redo their paper due to it being mistakenly detected as AI-generated. And how she shrugged off her carelessness; forgetting to paraphrase her part. Consequently, they had to redo the presentation as well. This frustrated Christine to death.
“You know, we’ll just remove and modify those parts that got flagged!” wheedled Nat as Christine paced in circles like a caged animal. “There’s no need to redo them all.”
“No,” refuted Christine. “If we do that, then the writing style will be different. It would be obvious that we changed it mid progress.”
“But… don’t you think nobody will notice it, Chrissy…?”
Mimi chimed in rather carefully, while exchanging looks with Nat. “Well,” sighed Christine. “You two must be thinking I’m a fool for making a fuss over such unnecessary things.”
“No, Chrissy… that’s not what I—”
“Because I DO notice it.”
Both Mimi and Nat went silent.
“And WHERE is Lilian? Don’t she know this is due in two days?” she shrieked. There was a pause before Nat, eyes darkening, answered for Lilian, “She was away for the Journalism Club.”
“Oh, that nerd. The club, of course!”
“She DID tell you, though,” warned Nat. “That she’ll be busy with it today unplanned. She didn’t mean to leave.” Christine stopped, then her teal eyes darted at Nat. Irritated.
“You really don’t have to sound that way,” she said. “She told ME? As if this is MY project, not ours.”
“It kinda is,” sneered Nat.
“Are you serious?” Christine’s jaw clenched. “You dare to speak that way knowing half of these job-to-dos was due to your laziness?”
“The heck?” Nat’s voice rose. “There’s a major difference between forgetting something and being lazy. If you’re really a genius, then there’s no way you just take them the same!”
“It kinda is seeing you,” sneered back Christine, reusing Nat’s words. “Lazy, careless. So Natalie Seavers.”
Nat felt her heart boil in rage.
“Mimi, help me with the references. We’re starting over,” said Christine, fingers hovering across her pink cased phone.
“We’re not starting over.”
Christine paused at Nat’s response. Mimi pressed flat her lips, eyes squeezing. The tension was too much to bear.
“I’m telling Mimi, not you, fortunately, lazy head.”
“I said we are NOT starting over,” said Nat, voice hardened. “If you’re so fond of your impossible perfectionism then why don’t you redo your dear work all by yourself?”
Christine blinked in disbelief. She gritted her teeth, “You horrible thief.”
“You think I’m an idiot? It means you’ll steal the project which was written by ME after kicking ME out! Which means you’re LAZY! LAZY!”
“You did NOT write it, Christine. It’s US. US! If you really can’t put your ego aside in this then you’re that IDIOT you already are!”
“I DON’T WANT YOU IN MY GROUP, NAT!”
Painful silence pierced the classroom. Mimi shivered in fear. Tears began to stream down her cheeks.
Slow and shaky, Nat pointed at the door. Her yellow irises never left the teal.
“Then you leave,” Nat’s voice was hard and trembling.
Christine stared at her in disdain. She took a breath, shuddered. Her fingers slipped her pink hair clips out from her golden bangs.
PANG!
“I never liked you anyways.”
Ever since that day, Christine, without her hair clip, held her hatred deep down in her. Perfectionist. The word hit like a double-edged sword to her heart. It hurt and lifted her ego at the same time.
So she wanted to prove Nat her worth. She, already chosen to play as the female protagonist in the upcoming play, busied herself at once in her Theatre Club, rehearsing.
But it wasn’t enough.
Her efforts weren’t enough to bury her anger and envy seeing the three together. But fancy her could keep granting anything she wanted by herself. Because she still had Mimi. That day, Mimi, so different than ever, ranted at her best friend after what it felt like years.
Little, scaredy Mimi falling in love with Lilian’s crush was a gate of opportunity for the dear Chrissy’s wicked plan.
Using Mimi to crush the remaining friendship sounded right. It was the punishment for not including Christine in it. For kicking her out. Exiling her. Someone as great as her.
Then Christine would simply just break the girl code; steal a boyfriend.
Lilian’s.
Except Mimi would play the role and Christine gracefully sat behind the script and watch her own play unfold.
“Where are you taking me?”
A laugh came between Lilian’s breaths. She and Ezra ran straight to the canteen, with the two’s hands intertwined. Ezra laughed as well.
Without letting go of her, he bought a less-fancy version of the dessert he had promised her. Lilian gasped in excitement.
“I hope this is okay in the morning,” he said, handing Lilian a honey-glazed waffle in a paper bag. “I thought it would be too long waiting for our waffle date next weekend,” he smiled almost apologetically.
“Oh… Ezra,” she peeped, smiling with her full teeth. “Thank you! Oh, let’s eat this together!”
“I’m full just by looking at you,” he smirked.
Lilian flushed in a second.
“FLIRT!”
Class 6’s first subject was swapped with the fourth, which was Mr. Jones’, History. And again, Ezra got caught slacking, smiling at his own hand. “Louder, McAllister!” He had to read a whole paragraph in the book as a punishment.
McAllister.
Ezra had never seen it as appealing until Lilian said that she liked how it sounded.
“McAllister, I heard your speech the other day.”
Ezra turned to Mr. Jones at the end of the lesson. “You are actually great, champ. Good luck with that election.” Ezra smiled warmly, “Oh, thank you, Mr. Jones!”
“Hopefully once you become the president, you’ll stop grinning all by yourself like a mad man in my class!”
——✩——
“Hey, the result’s out!”
“Have you seen it?” “Oh my God, I couldn’t believe it.” “No, really. I think it’s fair enough.” “Hard to believe.” “Wow!” “Yes, I knew it!” “I can’t see!” “That’s my vote!”
Ezra stared at the bulletin board among the sea of humans. He stared long. Sometimes having people catch a glimpse at him. Exchanging glances from the paper pinned on the bulletin board, probably hung by SRA.
Finally. Two burdens were done, the essays and the interview. Ezra let out a weary, yet relieved sigh. Maddening it all was.
Having the two scheduled on the same day wasn’t at all in his expectations. He had to skip two Maths sessions, lunch break, and English. And yet, now, he just arrived for Mrs. Eve’s course, Thursdays’ special.
Hinge of the dark oak door gritted as he emerged. He came later than usual, yet the tutor wasn’t there yet. He looked drenched in exhaust, the ocean blue eyes struggled to stay wake.
Lilian watched as he made his way among the tables in such narrow room, all the way beside her. A habit now. Lilian and Ezra, just waiting side by side until the time came right.
She was now used to hearing creaks whenever he sat or moved on the plastic chair, which fought against the towering boy. His sunshine-like warmth used to radiate, seeping across the room. But tonight he was too quiet to ignore.
“Hi,” she began. He turned to her in surprise, as he always greeted her first. “How was the interview?”
“Oh, hey. It was… cool.”
Her brow raised, “You have to be honest.”
“I am,” he replied as he took out his binder, “just almost got killed by the study cases, totally not a big thing.”
She giggled, inviting his pleasant smile.
“Oh, you! What about the essays? Anything different from the earlier years?”
“No, thankfully!”
“Positive?”
He chuckled a little, “I’ll just hope for the best.”
She smiled, “You’re very gentle.”
His brow arched, perfect enough.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’re… I don’t know how to say it,” she said, eyes narrowing as she studied his face. He tilted his head a little before leaning in closer.
“Mhm?” He was curious. “What is it?”
Lilian bit her tongue. Suddenly, her ability to speak left her with nothing. And she blamed him for it.
“I was about to say…” she pouted, half nervous. “...that you’re different…” “Oh?”
“I’m different?”
For a moment he was flattered. Being distinguished was something a compliment. But Lilian wasn’t finished yet.
“From Atlas.”
Ezra’s brow furrowed.
Atlas, really?
“He’s… sassy. He kept saying how easy the interview and essays were.”
“Oh.”
Ezra pulled himself back, fidgeting one of his pens. Altering his tone, there was a hint of annoyment, “He’s done all them too?” “Yeah, yesterday,” replied the girl, somehow excited, talking about her long-time friend. “Awfully well too.”
“When I asked him if he’s positive about it, he said yes without a doubt.”
“He sounds confident.”
“He is.”
And that, the conversation ended.
——✮——
I sighed. I set my phone down the moment I was done with those SRA superiors’ messages. This election got my hands full lately.
I rummaged through the paper stack just next to my hot cocoa. Where did I put it? Rae said earlier that I had had Nexus Corporation’s sponsorship proposal in last year’s charity concert.
But I didn’t remember having any of it in my room, even in my house. Or perhaps I should ask Atlas? Maybe he had the same copies, since he was in the council's Charity Field.
Today 10.51 PM
You: hey
You: you still up??
I hoped he was. These superiors really asked me to bring this important document just now? Unacceptable.
I sipped my hot cocoa as I nestled beneath the covers.
Just as I reached half of the mug, my phone, which I used to look up cute cut outs for reference, vibrated.
Today 10.51 PM
You: hey
You: you still up??
Today 10.56 PM
totally a loser: what
You: do you have last year’s charity concert sponsorship proposal for Nexus corp.?
totally a loser: shit nvm think i’m sleeping rn
You: [inserted a sticker]
Today 10.58 PM
totally a loser: [inserted a document]
totally a loser: happy now, DORK????
totally a loser: [inserted a sticker]
I scoffed.
I headed upstairs, to the empty room where the printer was. Rae did ask me for the hardcopy. I stood still at the whirring printing noise as if it was music to my ears.
Something bothered my mind.
That boy… Ezra.
He acted off again the moment I mentioned Atlas earlier. I didn’t even realize it was happening at first. He even reacted the same way when I mentioned Atlas in our interview back then.
Was he jealous?
But, why?
Why did he have to feel that way?
If… If that was true, that it was jealousy—then did that mean he thought I liked Atlas?
“What?” I gasped at myself in utter disbelief, unable to reach his way of thinking. How absurd! Did Ezra not get, possibly understand our friendship? Or how it worked?
Oh, Atlas and I were just friends and I thought it was all too obvious!
But, if that was jealousy…
…did that mean Ezra liked me?
A nervous smile tugged on my lips corners involuntarily. I remembered well, all too well how he thanked me for the cookies.
Atlas never did. It didn’t mean I took offense to it, though. Well, if he thanked me once then I should watch out. Probably as I said, “You’re welcome,” he would stick out his tongue and hit the “Sike!”. I couldn’t let him pull a trick on me!
But Ezra—he was a kind, genuine boy for real.
He was soft and gentle to people.
If I were… were to choose between them, I would go for the blonde over the dark haired without any second thoughts, of course!
Which meant… Ezra and I could date… right?
Smack!
“What am I thinking…” I murmured, slapping the print outs against my face. We got business here. The election, both of us got ourselves’ roles there.
I meant… the three of us.
I stapled the file.
Atlas or Ezra, either of them were to be the president.
Another small smile was set on me.
As much as long I had been friends with that loser, there was something I was certain about.
That Ezra would win this.
Over Atlas.
“Sunshine,” a murmur left my beaming lips.
——✮——
Jolly chatters filled the school’s air. For two days, everyone had been busying themself with preparing the parade. Unfinished costumes, flannel fabrics, scissors, liquid glues, all scattered in the hallway, waiting for teachers to discipline them.
Six out of 11 passed the essays and interview. These candidates were to deliver their speeches. And these excited students were rooting for either of:
Tori-Anne Whitlock from Class 10-7
Atlas Westwood from Class 11-1
Itsuki Tanaka from Class 11-2
Moira Plum from Class 11-2
Ezra McAllister from Class 11-6
Finnegan Gray Jenkins from Class 11-7
The Seven Husbands of Natmily—the Chemistry group named by Lilian, a rip-off of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid—was beyond contented preparing to support the McAllister. Except for Lilian, since SRA members weren’t allowed to participate in the parade.
And… Mimi.
Far there from the particular crowded area in the corridor, a girl in silver pigtails sat all by herself on the stairs.
Away from everyone, from the cheers.
She was confused. Confused about all this. Her feelings, Lilian’s, and Ezra’s.
Perplexed by the loud thumps banging her chest.
Feeling her tiny, fragile heart gripping anytime he smiled at her, her own best friend.
So her purple irises wandered at the ceilings.
They were decorated; cut outs of the candidates’ characteristics as icons. She could at once point out which one was Ezra’s. A red electric guitar. He once mentioned in Mrs. Eve’s course that he played one. That specific color, too.
Lilian’s favorite, by coincidence, of course.
But then the little girl began thinking.
Was it more than just by chance?
A destiny,
perhaps?
“Am I interrupting their way…?”
“Why the long face?”
Mimi froze, at once her thought was erased away.
That voice.
She lifted her chin, her eyes met teal.
“...Chrissy?”
The golden haired girl tilted her head. Christine Mauve, the chosen Theatre Club girl to play Christine Daaé from the famous Gaston Leroux’s The Phantom of The Opera for their upcoming adaptation of the novel. Pretty in pink, stunning in everything, actually.
She no longer wore the matching hair clips, yet she still had her usual pink knitted cardigan on, like Mimi’s lilac.
It had been so long since seeing her.
For a second, Mimi smiled. She had missed her Chrissy.
“Why aren’t you helping your friends prepare?” Christine asked, assertively as always. She meant Mimi’s Chemistry group. Mimi shook her head.
“...I will, later.”
Christine’s brow arched. She quietly made her way to sit next to her. How odd, scaredy Mimi decided to be all by herself!
“You’re not like your usual self,” began the teal eyed girl, “and I mean, lately, not only today.”
Mimi blinked at her words.
Christine realized?
When nobody did?
“So… what’s wrong?”
Mimi couldn’t help her eyes from watering, glimmering in unshed tears.
“I…” her voice cracked.
Christine, even when they didn’t talk anymore, still cared about her. Even when Mimi herself doubted Christine just because she didn’t reply to her messages; she thought the theatre kid had completely forgotten about their friendship.
And now, she proved she didn’t.
“Let it all out,” said Christine.
Mimi hesitated for a second before forming a simple question.
“...have you ever… have a crush on a boy?”
Christine, sipping on diet juice she bought earlier, nodded.
“Do you now?”
“Well… sort of…”
“Who’s that guy? You’re crying over him?” asked Christine again, which was quickly debunked by Mimi. “No—I’m not crying over him! I’m just…”
But Christine’s eyes widened. Her hand motioned Mimi’s shoulder to face her right in the eyes. Christine put on a weird expression.
“...When did you stop referring yourself “Mimi”?”
Mimi blinked once more at the question. She remembered how rarely she used the terms “I” and “me”. It had always been “Mimi”.
“Oh, right,” she thought, “when?”
“You’re weird,” muttered Christine, her gaze scanning her from head to toe. “Do I?” replied the girl, heart still heavy from her love problems. “You’re not like the Mimi I found crying on the basketball field.”
The silver haired girl laughed lightly.
“You just find it funny,” remarked Christine once more. “If it were the old you, you would just sit there and stare at me dumb.” “I grew up, I guess,” said Mimi.
“Gosh, you’re so weird!” exclaimed Christine. “Really… you… you’re different. Not like Mimi.”
“I’m Michelle…?” smiled Mimi, trying to play it off. Her gaze lowered to the ground. “I know, I do realize I’m slowly changing.”
Mimi sighed.
“Because someone made me.”
A small smile tugged on her lips. Still, the same one the old Mimi had. Christine scoffed softly.
“I’m guessing it’s your crush?”
Mimi didn’t reply. She nodded, slow. With determined yet helpless eyes, just like a person in love.
“You’ve changed.”
“I know,” replied Mimi, now turning her head to Christine. “But I don’t think it’s bad,” she murmured, “right, Chrissy? I’m less slow now… and I can… just be like the others. No longer the innocent, idiot Mimi.”
“Michelle, perhaps someday,” she added, her purple irises shone.
Yet, her face went all plaintive again. “And… now I don’t know what to do… about my feelings—" "You like him because he changed you?” asked Christine, still trying to catch the conversation.
“No, it’s not that, actually…” muttered Mimi, pulling a loose thread from her knitted lilac cardigan. “He… he’s just… uhm…” she mumbled. “He… he’s like… a—a prince!”
Christine began seeing stars.
“Prince?”
The gorgeous golden haired girl laughed a little. At least Mimi was still ridiculous. “Don’t tell me it’s McAllister. Prince Charming of the year, huh? Someone like that’s your type?”
Christine was purely joking, at least before she saw Mimi’s pathetic, still meek eyes.
“Him, really?”
Mimi sat there, still.
“Okay, the problem is?” Christine asked again, simply, rosy lips pursing to her juice straw.
Mimi shut her eyes.
She inhaled, hard.
“Lilian… Lilian liked him… too… And… I think he felt the same way… Lilian… Lilian’s already with him. They… they liked each other. I’m… I am third wheeling, Chrissy!”
Christine didn’t respond at once.
But what came after was nothing like what Mimi expected to hear.
“And?”
“So it’s true there will be debates?!”
On the other corner of the school, The Seven Husbands of Natmily, minus Ezra, Lilian, and Mimi, were preparing goofily striking head masks out of cardboards and metal wires.
Lando nodded. “Heard from the big fours at the canteen.” He was referring to the student council superiors. Squeaking duck tape noises nearly deafened Nat’s remark, “Gosh.”
“Shit’s going to get really sweet,” muttered Xavier. Miles scoffed. “But Ezra’s too good for all that.”
“He might just pull his good old sunshine smile when somebody actually roasted him, God.”
“He’d survive it,” murmured Colton as he bent metal wires. “Do I do this right? These look like they’re about to break in a second. Well, yeah. Our boy would just—stand there, like a stupid good dog, when the shit’s lit. Who knows—probably there will be a fight or something that the other candidates would get expelled, then… it’s a win! For us!”
“Hell, yeah.”
Nat chuckled, “That’s the good ending.” In secrecy, she stole glances at the hallway behind her. All she could see was other girls that joined them to support their dreamy Prince Charming.
But Mimi wasn’t among them.
“Where in the world is Mimi…?” she murmured to herself, heard by Miles beside her.
“She’s been quiet lately,” he muttered, eyes studying Nat’s. Nat turned to him at once. “You realize it too?”
“Are you guys alright?”
“Supposed to be.”
Nat paused mid folding bird origamis.
“Supposed to be,” she repeated, lower voice this time.
Still heard by Miles.
At once, Mimi turned to Christine, eyes wide. Her naturally pale lips parted, but no voice made it through.
That “And?” repeated in her mind like it was the greatest advice she had ever received.
“You’re just… going to give him up now?” Christine asked. “For Lilian?”
Mimi lowered her gaze to the dark parquets.
Christine’s teal eyes were relaxed in an unreadable way. She didn’t stop with her words. Unreadable intention.
“Gosh. So this is what you call a problem? Just because your best friend likes your crush too?”
The words stung Mimi’s tiny heart like a sharp needle.
“If I were you, I wouldn’t even mind that, really. Never, God! Lilian likes him, okay, and? Does it change anything, say, Mimi?”
Right.
Christine was right.
Lilian liked him, probably even before Mimi did.
So what?
Right?
Christine leaned in closer, her hand brushing Mimi’s back.
“You should never let anybody stop you from getting what you want.”
The silver haired girl nodded, slow.
Dumbly.
“You want him, then come and get that boy.”
“He isn’t Lilian’s, Mimi.”
“You’re not third wheeling.”
“You’re just in love.”
And Mimi fell for her dear Chrissy’s spell.
The first best friend she trusted with all her heart.
Yet she failed to point out the faint smile on Christine’s breathtaking features.
More of a smirk.
“Still an idiot, my little Mimi.”
——✩——
It had been a while since Ezra talked to Lilian. He had been very busy practicing his speech at the library, even on his motorbike, like talking to nobody.
Last time encounter was that late evening’s awkward chat in Mrs. Eve’s course. Sure, there were still courses after, yet somehow, they didn’t talk. Just exchanged “Hi”s and done.
“I shouldn’t have taken it that deep,” he thought between paragraphs of his speech text.
He glanced up to his dewy petite windows. Drizzling outside. “Is she home already?”
Lilian…
His brows furrowed as he frowned.
Probably out there going home with Atlas, huh?
Atlas, Atlas, Atlas.
That girl seemed to enjoy talking about him that much.
“What’s so cool about him?”
Ezra didn’t even realize he was distracted, leaving his fourth and fifth paragraph unrepeated.
“Are you even okay being this late?”
“Late?”
Both of the girl and boy in question were stuck in a mini market near their neighborhood. They were just stopping by for him to get something to drink.
“Eight PM, late?” asked the black haired boy, chugging the canned coke he just bought. “You’re such a dork, dork.”
A pinch landed on his bicep, causing him to wince pretentiously.
“You have to practice, at least,” muttered Lilian, half advising. “The election’s in two days.”
“I already did,” replied Atlas, shrugging his broad shoulders.
“Then do it more.” She was serious in this. “You’re too relaxed.”
He threw his hand. A small smile landed on his lips. “Why? You’re afraid I’m losing?”
Just as Lilian’s lips parted, Atlas continued his sentences.
“Because I already lost a vote from the beginning?”
Lilian paused. She was taken aback slightly. A vote, he said.
Atlas scoffed, soft, “You’re voting for Ezra, right?”
She hesitated to respond for a moment. At that very moment she felt bad for not planning on voting Atlas, but she couldn’t just change her mind out of an older friendship. At the same time, his relaxed voice eased her, as if he was a mastermind reading her expression.
“Oh—hey, I mean—I’m totally okay with it! Don’t—don’t look at me like that, alright?” he clarified, setting down his coke.
“Sorry,” he grinned, “didn’t mean it to sound that way.”
Lilian gave a small smile.
“So… you’re going to throw that can to the trash and we head home so you can practice or not?”
“Definitely not.”
——✩——
Everybody in the crowd clapped. Tenth graders, 11th, 12th, even teachers. All marched to give in standing ovations. Cheers and whoops filled the admiring air.
Lilian just stood there.
Her hands clapping weren’t that loud compared to others.
Rosy lips didn’t even form any cheering noise nor his name.
But her heart beat for his speech the most. With her whole feelings she felt every word he delivered. Nodding to each work plan as if they actually shared the same ideas.
And at last, his final sentence.
“…with me, the sun will always shine on us.”
He quoted her.
And that ten minutes had to be the most beautiful thing she ever heard.
How promising and convincing it was. How perfectly spoken. Just perfect, like he already was.
“Straight ten out of ten, Ezra McAllister!” came the lively voice of the moderator. “Save the best for the last—Oh, that famous saying was real, I guess.”
A risky, provoking line.
Ezra, in his black coat of student council, with Crawford’s logo on his upper arm sleeve, sat back in his chair in front of everyone. Next to him was Finnegan, then Moira, Atlas, Itsuki, and lastly Tori-Anne. The turns were randomized by a raffle picked by the moderator. Ezra was the last.
He beamed at the sight of his supporters, wearing silly well-made masks, board signs on their hand, each had the word “McAllister”. Even not only his Chemistry group circle, there were also girls and underclassmen boys who had been admiring him and wanted to do something for it. How nice.
“You all know what time it is,” added the moderator as Ezra’s claps subsided. “Let’s do get the real fun, I suppose? Drumrolls, please! Drum-dum-drum-dum…”
It was time.
The debate everyone kept talking about. A session that suddenly made its comeback after years banned by teachers. But whatever it was, Ezra had decided not to take part in any of it. He was just going to sit there, unbothered in the most polite way.
“Objection, candidates?”
None of them moved a single muscle.
Tori-Anne, the only tenth grader, sat with hands stacked on her laps. Eyes anxious, yet determined. On her desk were neatly written notes, full of all candidates’ work plans she wrote down as they delivered, in case she needed them to be asked as defense.
Itsuki sat upright normally, his pale skin painted with bright morning sunlight. Atlas, hand withstanding his face on the desk. There was his chilled smile that hadn’t left his complexion. His relaxed, dark, navy eyes half side-eyeing his lefts and rights, waiting for any of them to voice their objection.
Moira sat upright, much alike to Tori-Anne, eyes scanning her notes full of each’s pros and cons she quickly analyzed just the moment they brought in their speeches. It was just a matter of time before she voiced her murderous arguments.
Finnegan, he was just like Moira. Ready to argue.
And Ezra? He was just playing safe, as he wasn’t into debates. Even though he was in the Language Field of student council, he had never been to any English debate competitions.
The moderator continued, a mischievous glint in his eyes darted to the crowd. “Help me with your claps, audience! Lit the fire! Blaze, blaze, blaze!”
Hands clapping, cheers, whoops marched in the air.
The screen from Nexus Corp. flashed each candidate dramatically.
Inviting the first argument from Finnegan Gray Jenkins.
“I do have a question for Itsuki.”
The crowd went boisterous. “Get him, Finn!” shouted Finnegan’s minions. Itsuki turned his head towards him, arms crossed. Defensiveness.
“You did have a mention about improving students' honesty in exams,” came Finn’s deepened voice. His lips mere inches to his microphone. “But what are you implying here actually? When, I ask, the last time cheating is an issue here? Do you find this relevant to our school’s issues? You could’ve just said lack of students’ literacy regarding exams’ rules, such as no pencils for essays, if you really wanted an academic related work plan, don’t you think?”
“In other words, is the cheating even in the room with us now? Or are you just seeking vengeance just because you can’t cover your exam answer?”
Loud boos and gasps pierced the air. Everyone whispered one another. The teachers got their ears clear upon the word “cheating” being brought up.
Itsuki clenched his jaw. The pallor in his face began to red.
“Thank you for your ideas for no pencils in essays,” Itsuki spoke to the mic. “If you’re thinking I might come with a terrific comeback, I do not, my apologies,” he said towards his people. “Because I just think there’s no fault in emphasizing honesty. It doesn’t have to be an actual issue for it to be taken attention to.”
So far, his response sounded good. For someone who was actually seeking revenge in getting his answers stolen without consent. That was why his heart thumped at the mention of his deep, unspoken intentions.
But he couldn’t take chances.
Itsuki Tanaka was more of a playing-safe guy like McAllister.
Yet, his next words that slipped out went wrong.
“Maybe if you are searching for up-to-date issues, you might just listen more to Whitlock’s. Hers were alike to your no pencil in essays. That students still bought water bottles on green days. Needed fixes.”
He didn’t at all mean bad by that, but Moira Plum took offense. She, having a pretty close senior-junior friendship with Tori-Anne, was aware if Finnegan might target her dear friend after, that having Itsuki didn’t seem come to a win.
And she targeted Itsuki first for bringing her up.
“But, Tanaka,” began Moira at her microphone, quick enough before Finnegan opened his mouth.
Her girls cheered at once, most of them were Crawford's research geeks.
“Right now, you’re a little bit coming with a terrific comeback, don’t you think? Jolly good. Liked how it sounded. Just did a terrific contraindication to yourself, too.”
Itsuki was taken aback slightly. He swallowed hard. He was contrasting his own previous words and Moira pointed it out. Minor, yet still embarrassing.
“And Jenkins,” she added. “I really thought you accentuated sensibility in your speech, then why would you be against cheating discouragement? Why is that, may I know?”
“Is it possible that you were the one that peeked Tanaka’s paper?”
It wasn’t true, of course.
Not Itsuki’s, at least.
But Moira really risked herself here. Stating flimsy statements was no more than a no no, just like contraindicating themselves.
This was the teachers’ reason for banning debates in elections years ago. It often led to personal matters. But, mind you, with the suppress of being watched by nearly a thousand school population, everyone might either fumble in defending themselves or risking it all by keep going against others to gain positive remarks on how sharp and slick they were.
Or simply stay out of the line, like Ezra did.
Austin, in the crowd, clenched his fists. “Ezra, what the hell?!” he gritted his teeth. He turned to Lando, eyes wide, “He saw. He SAW. He saw Finn glancing at one of Class 7’s kids paper! Remember? He told us that time. He was walking to the bathroom mid exam then he frickin’ SAW it. Then why in the world he just sit there closed eyes?! Say it!”
“Could’ve gained a big, fat win right now! He could’ve just—” he turned to Nat and Mimi that were already staring at him. “He could’ve just… ATE this up, you know?”
But Ezra stayed still.
And he definitely knew what he was doing.
“What evidence do you even have, Plum?”
Finnegan gave a smirk, seeing the realization upon her face. How she had let out a risky statement. But Tori-Anne got her back.
“I fear that,” the youngest began, “she… was just… stating—an—irony, Jenkins. It wasn’t like she—actually said that you peeked Tanaka’s paper. More… like sarcasm.”
She stuttered.
Also minus points, yet she still got a point in this.
“Do you possibly have any idea what an irony is?”
“The use of words that are opposing what we mean,” answered Tori-Anne mechanically, as if she had eaten a whole dictionary for breakfast.
“And it was meant to be funny,” wheedled Finnegan.
“I laughed.”
Moira.
The girls, even from other candidates’ team, screamed her name at once.
She added, with a little smirk on her face, “And I do laugh at my own ironies.”
And Finnegan chuckled lightly.
Itsuki and Tori-Anne exchanged glances as their smiles rose.
This was supposed to be just a game.
They mustn’t mean real harm after those heats, of course.
Because they knew they must keep everything no beyond that line, under their control. They, too, wanted to prove the teachers that they were unlike their predecessors who truly became hostile in this. Bring back debates for the upcoming year's elections, their unspoken aspire said.
Unfortunately, Finnegan’s surrender remark, “It is funny, Plum,” was preceded by Atlas‘s words.
“Alright, enough, pals.”
Finnegan, Moira, and Itsuki turned to him in sync. Atlas sounded serious, but they were certain that he was just playing around and pretending to “stop” the argument, remembering his playful traits.
“It was funny, Moira,” Atlas smiled.
Moira nodded. “And, respectfully, Itsuki, if you have personal matters regarding cheating, I encourage you to implement it as your work plan. I understand the weight you’re carrying. Having those answers stolen after your hard work studying… unbearable! And I’m beyond sure that nobody would want such a thing to recur in them. We must prevent it from happening again.”
“Finnegan, Tori-Anne,” he continued, now already standing. “Don’t take the irony far, will you? You did nothing. You’re innocent. That’s what you wanted to hear. And, Tori-Anne, once more, you nailed that no water bottles on green days. Simple, yet these wastes have great impacts to our environment. We can’t take chances and risk our earth.”
The candidates nodded.
In silence, the argument ended.
Because it already had even before Atlas opened his mouth.
That the moment Finnegan surrendered and laughed.
But right now, they all were still thinking Atlas was pretending to end the fight, being so-wise in a funny way.
Until he wasn’t.
And onto something else he was with his long lines.
“See, people?” he announced, talking to the crowd.
“That’s how you stop arguments. Understand each involved. They just wanted… to be understood! They just wanted to be heard! That’s all.”
“And a good leader must be able to do it. Arbitrate. Compose.”
Small claps began to fill the air. Lilian clapped, too, from the SRA seats.
But Atlas wasn’t done yet.
“Oh… look!”
His fingers pointed to the one sitting farthest of the candidates’ line. Everybody’s eyes followed.
“Look at our apathetic buddy over there! I thought a real leader must be able to solve problems around, but I guess silence’s better, huh?”
Ezra.
The ocean blue fully had his eyes on him, the black haired boy standing.
Gasps and whispers marched in the crowd.
“He. He didn’t even let out a single word but his own speech, everyone! As if he’s programmed to mind his own business.”
“I do admit he has an impressingly fascinating paragraphs, perfect. But does he even have the spirit of a leader? He’s just sitting there nice and well, ignoring all these heated arguments. How does he even have the audacity to do so?”
The crowd went loud, muttering whether Atlas was right or wrong.
Atlas.
He had always been vocal as a student council member of Charity Field, despite the sense of humor he brought off. And today, he was willing to pour this voice all out.
He wanted to win. And his job was to get that blonde boy out of the way; not because he couldn’t beat him. But that as much as people adore Atlas’ funny traits, they all would always love Ezra more.
And Atlas must change it, change their view by this debate session; his golden chance.
Ezra’s people could only watch that dark, navy irised boy talking in utter disbelief. How could they expect the safest way to get out of this, silence, went wrong?
“Oh, I’m sorry,” huffed Atlas, still smiling, “who am I kidding? Of course, yes! Just look at that face! The handsomeness, that’s his audacity. He was feeling confident with that dashing gift! He knew he could bag anything, even just by showing off his jawline. Even the student council president seat, easy peasy!”
The crowd’s mutters went louder.
Atlas had his jaw clenched, still in that smile.
“Is this it, everybody? This is who you are voting for? Who you are cheering for?” he shook his head, “Just because of the looks?”
There was an unspoken rule in this session to stay out of physical remarks.
And Atlas just crossed the line.
“Atlas, what in the world?” shrieked Lilian far there, hands cupping her mouth.
Christine, among Tori-Anne’s people, murmured, “I thought physical comment’s not allowed.” The black haired girl beside her chimed in, “Yeah. Even though it’s fact about…. something good.”
But there were more that began to be influenced by Atlas’s words than realizing the rule violation. The girls among Ezra’s team began realizing that the reason for them supporting Ezra was all based on his mesmerizing appearance. The moderator, he looked all frantic and didn’t stop even once seeking help from the student council superiors seat.
Atlas smiled in satisfaction. He turned to Ezra, who was already looking at him. Hands on his lap, arms not crossed. No defensiveness, yet Atlas was too spunky to notice it.
Ezra stood up, matching Atlas’ dominance asserting. Composed, he took his own microphone.
“I would like to express my apologies for my silence,” he began, half nodding to the crowd, then to Atlas. “But please do let me explain the reasons behind my action.”
The candidates swallowed tightly, the big screen gleamed behind them. They began realizing that Atlas was simply picking faults at Ezra. They themselves, of course, had no problems with Ezra not joining in their arguments, even if to mediate them. Because it was his choice whether to take part in this or not. And to be honest, for a boy like Itsuki, he would prefer less participants, because it meant a save for him.
“I lacked in joining the session because I didn’t want to interfere in the middle of the candidates’ debate.”
“Interference was the whole point of this session, actually,” corrected Atlas haughtily.
Ezra still smiled. Not a friendly one, but firm.
“My apologies, but what you were remarking on me was because I didn’t break the argument, not because I didn’t join in their argument, in other words, your interpretation of interference. So, that was my response. I didn’t wish to disturb their debate, but if you do then go ahead. My thought’s just that everything in this is meant to be debated, and there was no need of breaking it up,” Ezra shut his eyes, half mimicking Atlas’ way of speaking just before, “unless you want to play hero, actually.”
Basically saying that Atlas was being ridiculous to “stop” the “fight”. For Ezra, there was nothing to be broken up about. Even just by the name, it was clear that this was a debate session after all.
“Do you have forgotten what was the reason of this session never be allowed for the past years?” Atlas insisted.
“You do ask them, Jenkins, Plum, and Tanaka, if they were really thinking about that? Were they thinking of crossing the line?” replied Ezra smoothly. “I understand what you mean. You think that they’re getting hostile in this debate, just like the past years and you demand me to stop in the name of a good leader. But for me, there’s no harm in their arguments. Nothing to be worried about, alright? Really.”
The candidates exchanged glances.
Tori-Anne, it was clear that she just wanted to cover Moira.
Moira herself was bloodthirsty of having arguments in this golden opportunity for her to show off her slickness. But she never meant to murder any of them for real. She didn’t wish to really finish the two boys, Itsuki and Finnegan, even for bringing up her dear Tori-Anne.
Itsuki; it was true that he avenged his defeat of getting cheated on during exam by one of his president work plans, but it didn’t mean he wanted to end Finnegan even if he was the one that took his answers.
Finnegan was the one that started it all, it was true. But he kept everything professional. He admitted that he lost from Moira with that “irony” controversy. He respected her as well, even though his words got cut by Atlas.
None of them meant actual harm, so this contraindicated Atlas’ words. He kept making a fuss while they were all chill about everything!
Atlas pressed flat his lips.
He knew, of course, that he messed up.
But he refused to give in just now.
Not to McAllister.
“Fancy dodging,” he said.
“Just having my points,” replied Ezra.
There was a slight pause before Atlas scoffed, then laughed to the mic.
“You must be having fun all this time showering girls all your attention with your so-called gentleman traits.”
There wasn’t even a room for yells and shouts as Atlas poured all his spiteful lines without a break, directly to the blonde boy.
“What are you going to do once you’ve become president? Make all boys paint "I HATE PERIODS” on the back of their uniforms? Huh? Is that it?”
“Then you’re going to hang up flyers about WOMEN whatever AWARENESS on the bulletin board? Like the feminist you are?”
“You sounded sexist,” muttered Finnegan.
“No, HE is sexist. Baiting all girls with that cheap “man” behavior, opening the doors, speaking in a softened voice, liking girlfriends' appreciation posts on social media with your main account just so that everyone could see how honorable you are.”
“They’re just an object for you to show off your kindness, your loyalty, your whatever it’s called, all goodness came along with your face, just so that they all sided with you, handsome prince? Look at those poor girls! Used. They all fell for your sick propaganda of you being their dreamy student council president, knowing that your sick idea never really CARED, just like how you stayed mute before.”
The weeks passed by, growing closer each day to the student council president election. Students of all grades, mostly from tenth grade to eleventh, began acknowledging the gossiped candidates; there were eleven. Ordered from the alphabets and classes, those were:
Alessandro Penchant from Class 10-3
Ali Malik from Class 10-3
Tori-Anne Whitlock from Class 10-7
Atlas Westwood from Class 11-1
Darren Robin Flitz from Class 11-2
Itsuki Tanaka from Class 11-2
Moira Plum from Class 11-2
Jayden Hart from Class 11-3
Xander Cameron from Class 11-4
Ezra McAllister from Class 11-6
Finnegan Gray Jenkins from Class 11-7
The election itself had steps that must be faced by the soon-to-be candidates. First, essays. The candidates that had registered themself would be ordered to attend the scheduled essay writing. They would be provided with topics to write about. Sneak peeks said that it was related to current global events.
There were two kinds of people handling these, though. The organized, prepared ones and the carefree let-it-flow people, relying on pure on-spot opinions. All three ten graders were on the first side. Sure thing, as juniors they realized their place and it would be seen as arrogance if they didn’t put much effort into this, especially with upperclassmen rivals.
For eleventh graders, Itsuki, Moira, Xander, Ezra, and Finnegan were the ones who were actually fully educated on what to write. They practiced and researched on possible topics from last year.
And the effortless ones were only Atlas and Darren. But lazy geniuses do exist. It was unknown, what were their secrets to be this relaxed yet achieved everything anyways.
But essays weren’t totally it. The same day would be the sacred interview session, too, by the student council’s superiors, who were the current prez themself, vice, secretaries, and treasurers. This was often viewed as the nightmare of all Crawford’s event’s interview histories. It wasn’t the current prez that acted beastly during it, it was usually the treasurers and secretaries. Moreover, the SRA (student representative assembly) often stands in a typical high school’s bully stance against the wall, arms folded, silently burning the candidate’s back with their made-up meanie stares.
The student council superiors, sometimes with the counselor’s approval, would pick the best ones from the essays and interviews. There were many aspects in which they valued the people from that were poured into their writings; for the interview it was the confidence, spoken answers, and attitudes.
The “second” step was basically getting your gang to support you. The selected candidates had time to gather and seek support from anyone in school, students, obviously. Exchange students were also allowed to participate.
However, exclusively for the current student council superiors and SRA, they weren’t allowed to take part. They were allowed to vote, though. These supporters would be on their champ’s back, voting for them, obviously. These supporters would prepare fun decorations, costumes, and jargons for the parade.
And pray tell, what parade?
The last step was the oration day, yet often referred as the election day itself. There, the candidates would give their speech; a chance to prove and ensure all the three graders their worth. The supporters took great part in cheering the atmosphere here. They would form a parade-like to be enjoyed for the ones who didn’t join the supporting teams, smoothly coaxing them to vote their man, too.
This annual event was everyone’s favorite, even for twelfth graders; they would close their dusty books for a day and hop into the parade, though usually not participating in the supporting teams. The jolly atmosphere made the stern-toned election more laid back and enjoyable.
In fact, years ago Crawford used to have a debate session among the candidates right when the speeches were delivered. It was close enough to be called opportunities for them to critique one another. It was not uncommon to question one’s work plans in a covered unpleasant tone, as long as they didn’t cut the other mid speech.
It used to be the spiciest part of the event that everyone would get their popcorn right away. However, the teachers had decided to remove this since it always ended up in personal matters and nearly caused fights for the ones provoked, which could lead them into detention instead.
Ezra had prepared himself as it was now about time for the essays. He had registered by filling up a form. “We got your back, buddy,” said Austin supportively, “don’t even think about the team. We’ve got everything handy!”
Ezra smiled, his folded arms stayed in place, “Thanks, gang. You’re all just the best.” The plastic chair creaked as he leaned his back more. He was just over the moon, seeing how excited his boys were. For them, they would absolutely love to participate in such a maddening parade. Besides, they actually felt thankful for having an Ezra among them, the earliest to be successful in the future, they would say. An honor.
“Good luck, Ezra,” Mrs. Eve smiled, her fingers busy peeling an orange. “The essay's topic never leaked, no?” Ezra shook his head, “Yes, Mrs. It’s still like a surprise.”
Knock, knock, knock!
Exact three knocks hastily interrupted the conversation. As the door opened, three girls emerged at once. “Mrs. Eve, we’re sorry we’re late!” squealed Mimi.
“It’s alright, my dears,” the middle-aged woman replied. She munched on the peeled orange and stood up. The girls were still collecting their breaths. Probably running all the way from Crawford to the studying space wasn’t a good idea, though it was close.
The boys took the chance. It was unknown who’s idea at first, but they, except Ezra, began to laugh ferociously and commanded Austin, who sat right next to Ezra, to leave the seat immediately. There were three empty adjacent seats, meant for the girls. Austin grinned as he hurried to exchange seats to one of the empties, leaving beside Ezra nonoccupied.
Ezra’s brow raised. The girls froze for a moment. One must be exiled. But they absolutely knew what all this meant.
Nat grinned. Mimi forced a small smile. One particular girl.
“Now,” announced Colt. “Why don’t you sit next to Ezra, Lilian?” At once, other boys clapped their hands as they yelled, “Yoo!”
Ezra’s eyes widened, still folding his arms while leaning to the plastic chair. He saw Lilian’s face turn red. Nat nudged on her violently multiple times. The navy haired girl gasped, “Oh, my…! Lilian, come there!”
“Oh, hahaha,” came a light chuckle from Ezra. He managed to be chill about this. So that she didn’t feel ashamed.
But instead Lilian stepped in, making her way next to him without Ezra seeing it coming. She sat perfectly. The blonde boy quickly tidied his area on the long table.
He was nervous and so was her. The boys, Nat, even Mrs. Eve hyped them up. “My, my… so this is it, you two?” said the woman. Ezra chuckled, hiding the loud thumping inside his chest.
He then turned to her, “Lucky me.”
Others stopped their teasing to give the two some space. Nat and Mimi then sat on the two remaining chairs, beside Austin. The navy haired girl was still giggling.
Nobody had noticed Mimi’s lack of involvement in supporting the two, since everyone addressed it to her slowness. As the praying before the lesson finished, Mimi took her cutesy notes and Chemistry book. She was rather quiet, but nobody noticed it since she had always been so. Not even Nat next to her; she was busy taking pictures secretly of the soon-to-be lovebirds.
The lesson began. Everyone paid attention to Mrs. Eve’s explanation about addition, elimination, and substitution reactions. Her voice accompanied by squeaks of markers against the glass board and students that took turns to read the book.
Lilian scented a fragrance she had never found before. It smelt masculine and a bit of tempting. Sure thing it was Ezra’s next to her. “Why didn’t I notice this before when I interviewed him?”
“Lilian?”
The girl jumped as Mrs. Eve called out her name. “Yes, Mrs.?” “It’s now your turn to read.”
The girl went frantic. “Damn it,” she cursed herself. Despite Mrs. Eve’s kindness, she could at once snap her attitude. She didn’t mind pupils who came in late, yet she resented them who didn’t pay attention. She took it as a disrespect.
Ezra’s hand motioned quietly on the opened page, swiftly moving the book towards her. She caught the hint. However, she stuttered still from her panic, “One of… the examples of addition reaction was… oh, could happen on alkene… was… 1-propene plus hydrochloric acid.”
She batted her breath as the sentence finished. Mrs. Eve stood still, her face still studying on the same book she held to her chest. “OK,” she responded. There was a hint of indifference in her tone, meaning Lilian’s lack of attention had annoyed her.
Lilian’s heart was about to burst. She lowered her head, afraid that Mrs. Eve would be mad at her. But she didn’t—hadn’t, actually.
“Ezra, continue.”
But a painful silence pierced the room. Lilian slowly turned to Ezra, her eyes wide. She found him checking on his nails, not paying attention to the tutor’s stern order. “What are you doing?” she thought to herself, as if he could hear it. Ezra getting into trouble as well was the least she wanted.
“Ezra.”
Still no response, only Mrs. Eve’s marker squeaking. Quickly, Lilian grasped his bicep in urgency. Her heart skipped a beat as she felt his calloused palm instead on her slim fingers. Gently, he removed them from his upper arm before Mrs. Eve’s voice rose at once.
“EZRA MCALLISTER!”
She snapped. Her voice echoing, even could be heard from outside the room. He had gotten on her nerves completely. Lifting his head, Ezra pretended to just snap out of his daydream. “Oh?” he mumbled, “pardon me, Mrs.?”
The middle-aged woman’s eyes widened dangerously. Other boys and girls didn’t dare to move their sight away from their books. Mrs. Eve still shut her mouth, glaring angrily at the boy, with him returning a respectful eye contact.
“Bold of you dreaming of becoming a leader when you behave this way,” came a hard, stern voice of the woman. “Somebody was talking. She was talking to you and you dared to have the guts not to listen, not to pay attention, leaving her ignored. Is that respectful, McAllister?”
Before Ezra opened his mouth, Mrs. Eve added, “Answer.” Ezra nodded, responding, “No. It’s not respectful, Mrs. Eve.” “Then why in the world did you do it anyways?”
“You shall never be a good student council president, McAllister,” threatened the tutor, “not even one.”
Lilian held her breath, feeling her heart racing for the seconds. The atmosphere got very intense as the tutor hit the nail on the head, regarding Ezra’s dreams. Lilian bit her rosy lip, feeling an innumerable amount of guilt as she realized Ezra was protecting her.
He showed her the page that must be read. Since she still messed things up, he pretended not to pay attention until Mrs. Eve got terribly upset, so that his faults would cover hers.
And it worked. The woman’s rage was all centered around him. She had completely forgotten Lilian’s mistakes, which started this all.
“I apologize, Mrs. Eve,” Ezra said respectfully. “I made a mistake and I regretted not paying attention to your lesson.” He continued, “I understand what I’ve done wrong. I will never repeat such manners ever again, Mrs. Eve. And I apologize, too, to my friends, your lesson got stuck in my recklessness.”
There was a silence before Mrs. Eve let out an acceptance sigh. “I chose to believe your words, Ezra,” she said sternly, but somehow a little softer than before. The lesson continued normally. The rest of the boys and girls exhaled in silence, feeling relieved.
Lilian didn’t dare to miss any single word of Mrs. Eve for the second time. However, she couldn’t shake the urge to apologize to Ezra. With extra carefulness, she wrote with her lovely maroon pen her sorry on her Chemistry book, right next to an example of substitution reaction. Exactly how Ezra did before, she moved her book slowly towards him.
“sorry for getting you in trouble :(
and thank you for covering me up…. i’m sorry…”
He, holding a violet pen, was surprised to see the note. Ezra smiled as he took his pencil instead and wrote in his horrible handwriting just under Lilian’s. He then gently returned it back to her with the same gesture.
“you dont have to think about it okay? it’s all good! :D”
Lilian’s heart clenched and so did Mimi for two contrasting reasons. There was a fact that nobody had noticed but the silver haired girl herself. Ever since her “big” interaction with Ezra, Mimi started to get on with common sense. Her dumbness never meant she was actually an idiot, though. She had good marks on most subjects, except PE.
Her “dumb” behavior was projected in slowness in catching jokes, understanding a topic, and mostly reading situations. It all sounded harmless, but these actually made people in school fear, in other words, respect her less, even though they found her funny.
But she only caught herself being “funny”, which she thought had the same meaning as Nat and other social girls type of funny, while it actually meant for being the ridiculous kind of funny. Mimi, a scaredy girl that had always wanted to be one of the social butterflies, concluded that there was no need for her to fix her rather negative personality to be acknowledged. The girl, thinking her traits were at use, started entertaining this behavior.
She didn’t even try to change to be a better person and continued living life in the name of an innocent and meek scared-looking girl. However, it all went to a punch in the gut when a situation threatened to turn out awkward like when she was left alone with Ezra. She, all this time unintentionally succumbing inside her shell, safe and soundly, out of a sudden forced to come out of it.
Terrifying it was.
But the sunshine boy made it all easy. He didn’t mind her being afraid of him, even didn’t notice her ridiculous traits kicked in, such as when she jumped hearing his stomach grumble, which Ezra actually noticed but hid it. He didn’t feel uncomfortable in return of her making the vibe so.
His kindness slowly made Mimi realize that there was no need of caging herself in being friends. It was true her scaredy was the reason all this time, but it could be changed. In fact, right now, she was working on it. She started to speak up, even though nobody had noticed it yet. Like when she apologized to Mrs. Eve for her, Nat, and Lilian being late to course this late evening. Like when she joined in playing along with Nat, forcing Lilian to name their Chemistry group.
But it also meant realizing her crush had fallen for her darling best friend. If only her slowness was still present at the time, maybe her heart wouldn’t clench so tight, seeing him smiling like for nobody but Lilian, just now as Ezra returned Lilian’s book. Mimi could only sit there, her hands up to her stuffy chest as she questioned how the world turned out.
Why couldn’t she just crush on him blindfolded?
——✩——
Ezra couldn’t help but smile all way the History lesson with Mr. Jones. How could he not? Lilian had baked him cookies!
It was both a thank you and an apology gift she made herself, pouring all her heart on it. Ezra kept stealing glances at the cutesy, small plastic bag, tied up with dark red ribbon. In it were five tempting rough cookies.
Something also caught Ezra’s attention; a separate card that Lilian handed him along with the cookies. “I couldn’t find a hole puncher at my home… so here…” It was a plain, white textured card, written with maroon inked pen.
“these five cookies have penta words
solve these penta clues to find out.
1. Fluorine + Uranium + Nitrogen
2. Sulphur + Iodine + T + Titanium + Nitrogen + G
3. Nitrogen + reversed Xenon + T
4. 2
5. remove Lilian, Thorium, & L from CH3 + Oxygen + Uranium
**all diatomics go single”
Ezra could hardly restrain himself from solving the Chemistry themed puzzles in good old Mr. Jones’ History class. He wouldn’t want the precious snack to end up in the man’s teacher desk, confiscated. So he stayed patient and waited until lunch break came.
“McAllister!”
Ezra nearly jumped. How many times he got called out this week? “Yes, Sir?” he asked politely. Ezra thought the naturally angry-looking man caught him smiling and was about to scold.
But Mr. Jones wasn’t. Next to him was a staff member that worked as one of the school's administrators. “You have been instructed to visit the headmaster’s office.”
Ezra’s dark blonde brow furrowed. “Alright, Sir. Thank you.” He rose from his seat and followed the staff member even though he had known his school very well already for sure. As they arrived, the staff member knocked on the oak door and opened it for him.
Inside, there was the headmaster, sitting on his leather chair, and another man sitting on the sofa. The thin man wore dark blue suits, his hair was brunette. Behind him were two muscular men in compression shirts.
“What?” Ezra began seeing stars in his vision. “I know I skipped Music last Tuesday, but I didn’t know it was that deep?”
“Good morning, Mr. Folks,” the blonde boy greeted, nodding to the two, “Sir.” “Good morning. Sit down, please, McAllister,” replied the headmaster.
Ezra sat on the sofa, in front of the brunette man. He was smiling and nodding in respect, so Ezra returned it the same. “This is Ezra McAllister, Mr. Beckham.” “Vincent, please,” came a chuckle from the brunette man. “Alright,” smiled the headmaster, “and McAllister, this is Mr. Vincent.”
Ezra smiled again, handshaking the man. “Nice to meet you, Sir.” “Nice to meet you,” smiled the man with his teeth.
“McAllister, Mr. Vincent is the new chief executive officer of Nexus Corporation,” said the headmaster. Ezra’s eyes widened. “Nexus Corp.?” he thought with great enthusiasm.
Nexus Corporation was the highest selling, most advanced technology company in the world at the time. It had one of the most luxurious buildings that volunteered in emitting mesmerizing city lights. Impregnable billboards that stood near roads were their product. Even almost every Crawford’s facility, such as TVs, screen projectors, vending machines, and smart boards had the brand NX, the company’s.
But the electronics were just a snippet of it. The wealthy company took major parts in science technologies. Recent news reported that they just hired brilliant researchers and scientists for an upcoming project. It remained unknown what it was.
“Mr. Vincent, I, and other responsible teachers had signed a little cooperation regarding the impending student council president election. Teachers said that it is time for the school to give in more in the election, since it’s the students’ favorite events, right? We thought a more touch in technology would be a great idea,” explained the headmaster. “So, there would be a big screen while the candidates, including you, McAllister, give speeches. Like shows in the TV, right?” “Nexus Corporation would lend it to us.”
“And by coincidence… Mr. Vincent also wishes to see you, McAllister,” continued the headmaster.
Ezra could barely believe his ears. The new CEO of the best company in the world wanted to meet him? He himself? This was insane!
Mr. Vincent smiled. “How are you doing, McAllister?” “With respect, I’m doing very well, Mr. Vincent.”
“Well,” the man began as he took the opportunity to light his cigarette. “You are—may I, Sir?” The headmaster responded, “Sure. No smoke detectors in my office.” The man cupped around the flame and sucked on the tobacco roll. The headmaster added, “Please have your conversation while I pick my call.” The oak door gritted as he left with a vibrating phone.
“You are applying for the student council president, Kid?” Ezra nodded quickly. “Yes, Sir.” The boy wondered what could come after out of the smoke exhaling mouth.
Mr. Vincent smiled wide. “The title suits you well. An award winning student, perfect scores, popular… feels like you’re born for that, doesn't it?” Ezra wasn’t the kind of guy that would say “yes” to those remarks. He had no idea how Mr. Vincent knew things about his scores and popularity, though.
“Well, the thing that made me call you was,” said Mr. Vincent as he blew another wave of smoke. “I saw your paper, Ezra. And I see that you have talents in Science. A very much talents.”
Ezra’s brows raised. Paper? One of the “bodyguards” handed their boss a tablet, an NX, of course. Mr. Vincent showed the screen to the boy. It showed a scientific paper he once wrote in tenth grade about time dilation. The topic was ahead of his grade, since it was the twelfth graders’ Physics lesson.
That time, he submitted it to a renowned research competition. Even though he didn’t win it, not even in the runner ups, the paper remained still in the competition site’s archives. It was accessible to anyone accessing the internet.
“This is what I call groundbreaking, McAllister. I know, I know, you’re not creating any theories here, you’re basically just re-explaining it with a simpler language, providing the Galileo and Lorentz formulas, graphs comparison, and illustration to better understand Michelson-Morley Experiment. I know you’re not winning awards in the comp. with this either.”
“But it explains a lot about your competence. Do you have interests in Physics?” “I do, Sir,” replied Ezra with enthusiasm. The boy was truly flattered by the details the man mentioned. “I see,” hummed the man. “So that means you believe in time travels? Parallel universes? Like in those—action, science fiction movies?” Came a delighted chuckle from the boy, “Yes, yes, all of them, Sir.”
“Well, we do too, Ezra,” he said, “and I’m afraid to say that you’re the right person to take part in it.”
“Pardon?”
Ezra leaned forward, still couldn’t catch the meaning.
“Have you heard that our company is hiring researchers and scientists?” At once, Ezra took the hint. “But, with respect, I’m no researcher, nor scientist, Mr. Vincent.” He didn’t even win that paper with time dilation as the topic. Why would Mr. Vincent saw him worthy enough?
“I see your talents with my very eyes myself,” coaxed the man. “It shan’t go to waste.” Ezra’s mind raced for a moment. This was sudden, but big opportunities came in surprise, right? This might be the perfect chance for him to pour all his interests in Physics and Science all this time. He could be very successful by working for Nexus Corp. and having Mr. Vincent to fully acknowledge his competence.
Moreover, imagine if he actually made it to invent time travel? Sounds imaginary and childish, but maybe he could, with Nexus Corporation. Maybe there were more things that could be brought to reality, no longer something I believed to be possible.
Even so, a part of him refused this promising offer. Ezra loved Physics, but he only took it as a side interest; it didn’t mean he wanted to be a Physicist in the future. He had always aimed for Medicine and he couldn’t change that dream just now.
With a polite smile, Ezra refused the offer. “Why?” asked Mr. Vincent, a mix of surprise and disappointment. “McAllister, right now, there are thousands of actual scientists, real researchers on the company’s hotline, begging for that position and you just spurned it away?”
“I apologize, Mr. Vincent.”
“Alright—what do you want in return?” he insisted, “you—you’re applying for the president, right? Alright, I’ll help you. I’ll be your sponsor. The Nexus Corporation will be your sponsor.”
Ezra’s eyes widened slightly.
“If you agree, we can help you to get prepared for the election. We can hire a team to film you handing beggars food, like a campaign. Just imagine you’re JFK and we’re your Democratic Party. Yeah, like that!”
Seeing Ezra’s unwavering smile, Mr. Vincent insisted, “Or simply win. Yes, we’ll just—win you instantly. I’ll speak to Mr. Folks and other teachers. They would at once obey it, unlike how you’re behaving now.”
Ezra was taken aback and refused once more the offer, this time firmly. There was no way he would accept that! It was nepotism. He couldn’t just—have a whole—the biggest technology company in the world on his back while the other candidates had a mere jolly parade!
Ezra left the headmaster’s office with a contented sigh. He made a big decision today. Sure thing, still, it was an honor to be offered a position in such influential company.
Wait, the lunch break had begun?
Ezra sprinted towards his classroom, avoiding juniors in the hallway. His hair swayed as he slid to Class 6. “I still got five minutes.”
Just as he was about to touch Lilian’s cookies bag, out of a sudden, out of nowhere, Mr. Jones called out for him, yet again. “McAllister!” the bald man growled. Ezra lolled his head backwards. What now?
“Where were you, delinquent?” Ezra’s jaw dropped. “Delinquent?”
“I was at the headmaster’s office!” he exclaimed softly. “You sent me there!” “Stop playing games!”
Ezra bit his tongue as the usual, good old Mr. Jones’ scolding unfolded, “You must’ve wandered around the canteen, you can’t fool me! A visit shan’t be that long. What could’ve made you stay in the office that long? Like you got a job there?”
The foreshadowing was a little bit too good that he actually thought Mr. Jones was playing with him.
“No more excuses,” roared the bald man. A pile of papers was burdened to the blonde boy’s arms. “Now I send you to bring these unused papers to the storeroom.”
Ezra sighed quietly, so inaudible that the mad teacher couldn’t catch it. He glanced in puppy eyes to Lilian’s precious bundle of gift as he heard the class bell. He sprinted again towards the storeroom, not wanting another scolding session with the next teacher. “What a day!”
——✩——
“Alright, let’s see…”
Ezra was nestled safe and sound, now in his bedroom. In front of him was Lilian’s bag of cookies, still untouched, with its big, dark red ribbon flapping. He studied the card. Once more, it was written:
“these five cookies have penta words
solve these penta clues to find out.
1. Fluorine + Uranium + Nitrogen
2. Sulphur + Iodine + T + Titanium + Nitrogen + G
3. Nitrogen + reversed Xenon + T
4. 2
5. remove Lilian, Thorium, & L from CH3 + Oxygen + Uranium
**all diatomics go single”
“Five cookies have five words… so each has one,” he murmured. “First one, F, U, N2?” he wondered. “Oh, it’s actually N because diatomics go single?” came a chuckle. Lilian’s funny at times.
“So, fun it is,” he murmured as he wrote the answer. He began seeing the pattern now. “Alright, so the second one… S, I, T, Ti, N, G.” His terrible handwriting traced his spoken words. “Reversed Xenon? Xe… Ex? N, Ex, T.”
He wasn’t even aware of the solved words, being too focused on the fun riddle. “Uhm, ‘to’?” Then, he came to the last one.
“Remove Lilian?”
He ruffled his hair as he tried to come up with an idea. “Is it supposed to be her initials? Lilian Stacy, Ls? Or Ll?” Violet pen scribbled on the white loose leaf.
“Methyl… Thorium is Th, L—” his eyes sparkled as an idea sprang upon him, “Oh, you mean, me! So, it’s remove me, Th, and L… Leaving Y.”
Then, he read out loud the completed puzzles in wonders.
“Fun.Sitting.Next.To.You…Oh, fun sitting next to you!” he cried. His cheeks felt hurt from smiling.
“Yeah, it’s fun sitting next to you too, Lilian.”
His heart ached from joy. “Damn.” The thin, long fingers covered half of his blushing face as he gazed once more at the card. “If you keep on being like this I might have to knock on your door and confess my feelings right away.”
A laugh followed. Oh, how he had fallen for her. His eyes then darted at the ribboned bundle. He couldn’t forget the cookies, the main joy.
Pulling the ribbon, a delicious aroma of the bakings pleased his nostrils. He took one out of five. For a second, he gazed upon it, reluctant to munch and consume it. But Lilian wouldn’t like her hard work to become a mere muse, displayed in his room.
So he ate the whole piece. But then, he paused, his eyes wide to the walls. He swallowed.
“Oh, it’s spicy?”
But that made it way more of a chef’s kiss. He ate one, one, one, and the last one. It was tasty, no joke!
“She’s silly,” he thought as he licked his fingers.
“I shall ask her to bake more of these when we’re dating!”
Mimi totally didn’t expect Ezra to ask about Christine, who chose being with St. Canterbury girls over them. Christine, her dear Chrissy. “About that…” she mumbled.
“We… we had a fight.”
Her gaze lowered to her legs. "Mimi, Chrissy, Nat, and Lilian used to be together since 10th grade,” she began. “Nat wouldn’t like to remember all this.” Ezra put aside his empty cup and fully got his attention to the backstory.
“It was us, the four of us since orientation day.”
Mimi remembered that Christine was her first friend from different junior high. Christine was the one who found her lost, walking in circles on the basketball field, nearly bawling her eyes out. Realizing that they were classmates, Mimi clung to her for days, like sisters. As the time went by, everyone in Class 5 began to acknowledge each other.
It was Nat who reached out for the first time. Her long, navy hair moved in waves anytime she came to Mimi and Christine’s desk. Lilian that got separated from Atlas was there, too, already befriended Nat. As the days went by, the four got closer, forming a new friend circle. They made group chats where they talked at night, telling jokes and funny stories. Once at school, they set up their desks; Nat with Lilian and Mimi with Christine in front of them. Doing assignments, studying, hanging out, all were done together.
They had joined Mrs. Eve’s Chemistry course since tenth grade. The four always sat adjacent one to another among the total eleven people from different classes. They also decided to have matching hair clips, with each other’s color—aura color Christine would say. It was her idea at first. Hers was pink, Mimi’s lilac, Lilian’s maroon red, and Nat’s baby blue.
As they got into eleventh grade, they got busier from school’s events and other courses. They then decided to transfer to a more suitably scheduled class, initially "We Hate Chemistry" to “Crawford 11Chem10”, where the boys belonged. The four girls had confirmed to Mrs. Eve that the boys’ group’s progress matched theirs.
However, two days before the transfer, a simple disagreement of how a group work should be done led to a heated argument between Nat and Christine. And there was Mimi, standing between them in confusion. Lilian was away for a moment with her Journalism Club works, unable to hand a help to Mimi mediate.
PANG!
A loud throw sent a shocking jolt to Mimi’s shivering body. Mimi’s eyes widened as she saw that it was Christine’s hair clip. The golden haired girl threw it away like meaningless trash.
“I never liked you anyways,” she scoffed, directly addressed to Nat.
Little did they know, Christine walking out of their classroom after the argument was the beginning of the wrecks in their friendship. The next day was bitterer than ever. Christine moved her seat, leaving Mimi all by herself.
Feeling guilty to Mimi, not Christine, Nat asked the poor, innocent girl to exchange seats with her. With now Mimi seated next to Lilian and Nat with another kid in class, everyone could know at once about their break up with Christine. Mimi could hardly believe this was happening.
Everything messed up. Even worse, Christine texted Mimi that she cancelled on going to the same Chemistry course with them. Mimi was for a moment relieved the girl still talked to her. But when Mimi asked where Christine's new group was, the golden haired girl didn’t reply. She didn’t even leave her on seen either.
And Christine didn’t seem affected by it all. She, being one of the theatre kids, busied herself in it at once. Nat got angrier seeing this. “I never liked her either. I’ll NEVER watch those theatre nerds’ work, as long as I’d see her there,” she spat when the three ate lunch. Lilian, not knowing the full story, had asked Mimi about the fight.
As she would always do, Mimi cried her heart out as she explained everything. “Ah… so that’s what happened. Hey, hey, it’s alright, Mimi. We’ll… we’ll work it out together, alright?” Lilian said in hesitation. Nat’s bold and sharp attitude probably wasn’t much a match to Christine’s grace and there was nothing neither Mimi nor Lilian could do about it.
Ezra took a piece of tissue from the mart table and handed it to Mimi. She was already crying again from telling the story. “Shh, shh, it’s okay. You have us now,” he soothed thoughtfully. She sniffed at the tissue, feeling more relieved the more she told people about the fight, like what she did to Lilian and Ezra. It was as if she wasn’t carrying the burden all by herself.
Ezra, not knowing Mimi’s natural crybaby behavior, felt guilty, thinking he actually made a girl cry unintentionally. But apologizing would only make her feel bad in return. He then remembered buying a lollipop he actually planned on giving to her previously. He searched his pocket and gave it to her.
“Look, I have something for you.”
Mimi was absolutely surprised at the small act. “…for Mimi?” Ezra nodded, his eyes shutted as he smiled as if he was talking to a five-year-old. Still in hesitation she took the candy from his hand. “Thank you…” she mumbled shyly.
“You are very… very kind, Ezra. I… this is the first time a boy does things like this to Mimi…” Ezra beamed, radiating his sunshine energy. “You’re very welcome!”
Since the beginning, Ezra knew Mimi was afraid to be just two with him. He could feel the table shaking from her leg bouncing when he asked if she had eaten. He actually noticed Mimi’s cowardy jump from his stomach rumbling. It was funny enough to make him burst, but he would never want to embarrass her, so he acted as if he didn’t notice anything. He also respected her bravery for going to the mart with him, so he bought a small act of such candy.
It was 8.15 and the two began seeing the others arriving. “Let’s get back,” he said as he littered the empty noodle cup in the trash can. Mimi nodded as she followed his path.
Mimi’s heart began to flutter, this time not from the social anxiety. Her naturally pale cheeks began to red. The pair of purple irises was reluctant to get the sight away from his thinning back as it got to under. Her heart leapt to the throat as he turned to the back and positioned himself beside her, protecting from the road.
As the course began, Mimi couldn’t help stealing glances at Ezra’s gorgeous features. “What are you thinking, Mimi?” she thought as she shook her head slightly with her mouth still sucking on the lollipop. “Does Mimi like him…?”
But when she decided to focus back on the lesson, that was the time Ezra looked at Lilian, just right next to her. A small smile tugged on his lips as he saw the green irised girl nodding to Mrs. Eve’s words; it was angelic.
And in return, when Ezra wasn’t looking, Lilian glanced at him back. She was flushed, fully noticing his actions just before. She rested a half of her face on her palm, hiding the tomato red on her cheeks. Her heart thumped, longing for Ezra to “study” her again instead of the Hydrocarbons.
Mimi didn’t see it all happening.
——✩——
“Dude!”
Ezra snapped out of the delirious state he was trapped in. His eyes widened again to the gang, his home-boys. “Oh, sorry, man,” he admitted softly as he stirred the wet noodles with a pair of chopsticks. “I wasn’t following you guys. What was it again?”
The blue-black haired guy, Lando, shook his head. “We were asking about the upcoming election. You know, your future, Mr. President!” he smirked, adding a mischievous glint. “Yeah, man,” added Austin, the light brown headed one, nudging Ezra’s upper arm, “can’t wait for you to rule us!”
Ezra chuckled playfully.
“I hope so,” he chimed in, his gaze lowered to the bland canteen table surface. “It makes me nervous, knowing the D-day’s close.” Colt then added as he patted Ezra’s broad shoulders, rather hardly that it made a loud noise. “Hey, you know you got this.” “Right! You’re going to make it, alright, buddy?” “The day’s not even that close, my gang. You still have many weeks to go!”
Ezra soon beamed cheerfully, radiating sunshine and positive energy to everyone witnessing it at the school’s canteen. However, for him, it was imminent enough, compared to the first time he wanted and decided to be the school’s student council president in senior high; back then in junior high.
“Well, about the election, I heard there are plenty of soon-to-be candidates, rather than last year.” “Yeah, but it’s unlike last year, though. I heard that most of them are boys. I mean, other than our boy.” “Oh, really? Who are they, I wonder?”
Ezra couldn’t stop thinking about Lilian. He had caught himself stealing glances at her too many times this week. He also had changed his route when he patrolled after school, now passing by the Journalism Club.
“…yeah, there’s Atlas Westwood. You know, the black haired boy from Class 1. There’s also Darren. And the girls, well, there’s Moira Plum, I don’t really know her, honestly.”
Ezra’s attention was already lost, falling under the spell of those fresh, green irises in his memory. He totally didn’t catch anything about his friends’ discussion. The wet noodles in front of his eyes were left as remains.
He liked her and he knew it. Was it from the first sight that evening? He couldn’t tell, though.
“Oh, hey fellas!”
Nat’s firm voice snapped Ezra back, yet again. His eyes widened at the sight of the angel that had occupied his mind just before. Lilian was there, standing between Nat and Mimi; their hands carrying a bowl of the canteen's special noodles.
“Hey, why don’t you all sit with us?” invited Miles warmly. At the moment, Ezra’s heart leapt as Lilian looked back to him in return. Nat beamed. “Sure!”
In coincidence, Lilian, being between Mimi and Xavier, sat right in front of Ezra. There was an unspoken tension between the two, yet they did nothing other than exchanging smiles. Lilian even felt too shy to eat her wet noodles, afraid it would sully her matte lips. She only stirred her chopsticks in it back and forth, listening to Nat chatting with the seven boys.
“Did you all know that I almost overslept last Sunday morning? If it wasn’t Lando that called me, I would miss one meeting for sure.” Nat chuckled, “Oh, really? I guess me either…” She added, “Just when I opened my eyes, I saw millions of missed calls from our lovely Mimi. Imagine calling me at half past seven on the weekend! What do you expect?”
Mimi blushed. “Oh you… It’s a long story.” Mimi looked at Ezra at once. She was worried at first he would make fun of her to play along with Nat’s mischievous tone. But he didn’t say anything about her panicked behavior.
She was relieved, but it all turned to an even more reddish tone on her cheeks as Ezra glanced back at her. “Now that you mention it,” he said with a small smile, “why don’t we change our group’s name? I can’t even remember it, man.”
Mimi nodded shyly, but thankful, knowing that Ezra suggested such a thing since she misread it for being too difficult. “Wait… it has a name?” said Xavier, puzzled. Nat and Lilian highly agreed to the idea. “Good thing is we got our swiftie-bookworm-writer here,” Nat said playfully, nudging gently on Lilian’s upper arm. She laughed, “What does a swiftie have to do with that?”
“You’re good with names, come on!” The boys agreed at once. Lilian then thought for a moment, thinking of the perfect group name. She giggled suddenly, yet she shook the idea away. “This must be a great one,” said Xavier. “Is it?” asked Nat, looking excited, “oh, do say it, Lilian.”
“No, no, I’ll come up with another.” “Oh you! Now you got us all curious,” protested Nat. “And you must take responsibility,” added Mimi, wickedly straining Lilian’s left arm with Nat, unlike her usual slow innocence.
The boys laughed, truly enjoying the moments. “Aah! Alright, alright,” squealed Lilian as she played in. “I’ll say it.”
“It’s The Seven Husbands of Natmily.”
It was a parody of the famous book The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid, one of the books in the library which Lilian was currently reading to complete a book reviewing English assignment. All of them burst at once, totally fond of the idea, mostly the boys. It suited them well since there were seven boys and three girls, shortened to “Natmily”.
“Oh, fancy!” exclaimed Colton. “I’ll change the name right now in the sheet document,” said Miles in excitement. “It’s hilarious,” chuckled Ezra as he patted Austin’s back.
The lively tone made everyone in the canteen look, half curious about what such an impactful circle was so fond of. “What do you think, Daaé? The new stage.” Even a tall, graceful yet assertive girl’s attention there was stolen by their table. “Oh, what was it? Sorry. I wasn’t following.”
“The new stage. It would have a black backdrop. What do you think of it?”
“That sounds nice,” she replied as she flipped the long, golden hair to the back, initially being on her shoulder. “In any case.” Her complexion gestured without pointing directly to The Seven Husbands of Natmily who was still laughing.
“When did they start hanging out together?”
“Oh, you mean, Nat, Mimi, and Lilian? They’re from your class, right? Well, I don’t know. Maybe they had been in an event before? I don’t know.”
The girl hummed, her blue-turquoise eyes still fixated at them.
“Come on, Christine,” the other boy beside her coaxed, “we still have things to do for the new stage. Let’s go now, you said we could get the ropes after the canteen, right?” Christine then nodded slowly and walked along him to the gym storage. “From the Chemistry course, is it?”
“Ezra.”
“Hmm, yes?”
“About the article…” said Lilian, preventing Ezra from going back to his class after returning the empty bowl. “…it’s done. You can find it on the bulletin board.” “Ah, thank you so much, Lilian!” Ezra beamed, “I’ll see it right away! Oh, thank you, thank you so much!”
As he rushed to reach where it was before the bell rang, he paused suddenly after moving mere meters from her. He turned his head, a friendly smile tugged on his lips. “With you, of course!”
Lilian’s heart thumped heavily, screaming to escape her ribs. Shyly but determined, she nodded, giving in all her prettiest smile, sending a flush to Ezra’s cheeks to the ears. “Let’s go! We shall hurry before the bell!” she exclaimed.
The boys nudged on one another. “When did they get this close?” Nat’s smile rose at once, “Well, well, well.” She smirked, “They got the chemistry right! Ooh, Lilian, so this is what you mean by you understanding ionic bonds well?”
And for Mimi, she only stood there, trying her best to use all her capacity of such a brain. But she wasn’t slow this time. In the moment she wished her dumbness to take place, that was the time she actually read things right.
“This one!” Lilian panted as they arrived in front of the bulletin board. “I printed a big one, the biggest paper for you,” she chuckled. Ezra examined the article in a mix of awe and amusement. “It’s perfect,” he whispered. “I love the fonts you put in! And the background‘s textured… How did you even do that?” he gasped, half pretending to not know how.
Lilian gazed at him lovingly. “You always notice the small things.” He glanced at her, their height differences were mere inches.
“I’ll keep doing it if that’s what you like.”
She nodded, still smiling.
“I like it.”
Her heart clenched. Lilian wasn’t someone that talked much, except with her girl friends and Atlas, her long-time known pals. But this time, she was desperate to keep talking, expressing her heart out that used to be poured only by writing.
The bell’s ringing failed to bother the two. The history teacher's cruel scolds sounded tempting and all worth it for the blonde boy. Lilian breathed as she held back the loud knocking inside her chest.
“My… my interviewing quota is up. But… we can still talk sometime again, right?” Ezra felt a gush of success hitting him. His eyes widened in excitement.
“Yes, yes, of course, anytime, Lilian!”
His words echoed in the back of her mind as the students of absent-teachered Class 5 sprang around in their free time. Meanwhile, for Ezra, he caught himself smiling while listening to Mr. Jones’ harsh reminder of going to class on time. He knew he must begin planning things out to do with her.
“This is working well, I can’t believe it. Oh, is this really happening? I mean, shit!”
“Do you like Ezra, Lilian?”
The strawberry blonde haired girl choked on her remaining tomato juice from the canteen. Slowly, she made her sight way to Mimi who sat inquisitively beside her. Her round, big eyes stared right into Lilian’s soul.
“W—what?”
Her face went all red, mirroring the tomato drink she just consumed. Nat in front of them chimed in, “Yes, do admit it, Lilian. You haven’t said anything about him to us!”
Mimi stared into Lilian’s shy attitude. She knew her well; sure thing Lilian wouldn’t react this way to a random guy she got matchmade with. Realizing everything, she forced a supportive smile, “You two looked cute together, Lilian!”
——✩——
“So… where’s mine?”
“In front of your eyes, dummy.”
“What?” Atlas had his brow furrowed. “Why is it small?”
Lilian sighed, “Just like your—”
“No, no, I won’t accept that. Not when you haven't even witnessed it.” “Lucky you, I shall never!” she mocked.
“Dork.”
“Loser.”
The two laughed beastly in front of the bulletin board. Atlas then read the biggest paper, Ezra’s. He was just playing around; he was totally chill about the differences in article sizes.
“You should’ve made mine this big,” he murmured, “at least this big.” But Lilian didn’t respond. When he glanced at her, she was somehow lost in her own minds, gazing at the same article.
He snapped his fingers to bring her back to reality. “Oi.” “Oh, sorry,” she mumbled. “What did you say? Oh, I made it so because he’s that influential, you know. Like people, girls, I mean, would stop at once in this hallway and read the bulletin!”
“So you’re saying I’m not?” he pleaded with made-up puppy eyes. She gagged, joking still, since Atlas was an important figure too in Crawford. The difference was just that Atlas was the funny and unserious kid while Ezra was more like a just-being-kind and genuinely gentle guy.
But a slight odd feeling pierced through his mind as he continued examining Ezra’s article. He fully sensed Lilian’s merry mood this late afternoon. Did something happen between them?
“Let’s go now, I’m tired,” she murmured.
The two then continued their walk to the school’s gate. Before fully having the bulletin board too far for his sight to reach, he turned to it the last time. His mind raced.
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Books stammered against the dark wooden desk. Ezra tidied his belongings, letting his backpack consume them. His phone’s screen was unlocked, displaying a notification that had just arrived. He spared one finger to click on it before replying.
Today 6.44 AM
lilian 5: helloo ezra, this is lilian.
lilian 5: sorry to inform you this suddenly, about the interview, are you free this afternoon after school?? if you’re not thats fine, we can arrange another schedule
you: hiii liliann
you: sure, sure! i’m free after school. thankyouu in advance
lilian 5: ahh thats good to hear. i’ll inform you further about the specific time and place. thank you too
Today 3.45 PM
lilian 5: hii, sorry again for the sudden information, the interview will be at 4.00, meet me at the journalism clubroom kk?
you: heyy, sure!
you: hahaha, dw dw no big deal
It was a quarter to four o’clock at the time. Ezra, always looking busy in nature, truly had prepared for the upcoming student council president election. He had written his speech, though it wasn’t fixed and might need several revisions.
Work plans were the first thing he did. The practical ideas he had brainstormed were written neatly. He might add or remove some of them, still.
Ezra strolled out of Class 5 towards the Journalism Clubroom. Despite the opportunity of making an appearance again on the bulletin board, Ezra felt his mind hanging. It was about last night.
Never had crossed Ezra’s mind that Lilian already had someone with her. Actually, they were just best friends, she herself and Mimi said, right? Yet, still, the fact that the person literally waited for her course to end in the parking lot lingered in his mind.
Ezra stopped in front of the spacious clubroom with a narrow corridor decorated with posters, not the award-winning ones, though. The works of the champions were displayed outside on the walls so that anyone passing by could take a look and marvel at them. The clock pointed at 3.49, talking about power-walking. Ezra decided just to go inside.
He looked around at the narrow, kinda claustrophobic-triggering corridor as the grand entrance. Ezra remembered that Lilian Stacy had mentioned a progress report on decorating this feature of the clubroom. She was quite right about her emphasis on such activity. Ezra was sure the project was completed because just look at the dim mini yellowish lights around; it gave the room a comfy, yet elegant look.
“What a mindful club,” he thought. He noted yet again, Lilian’s doing in his mind. “Maybe the English Clubroom’s chairs shall be exchanged from the new building, too now that they’re broken.”
He found himself at the end of the corridor. In front of him was a wooden door and behind it was the main room. Ezra could hear people conversing from inside as he knocked.
Knock, knock
A faint, yet familiar female voice asked him to come in. The hinge gritted as Ezra emerged. Apparently, the ocean blue eyes met a dark pair of dark, navy ones. A stark contrast, the sunshine blonde compared to the moon black haired boy from Class 1, Ezra believed.
“Oh, my time’s up, I suppose?”
The black haired boy grinned playfully as his eyes glinted at Lilian beside him. At once, he stood up from a mini stool. His hand offered a friendly shake.
“The name’s Atlas Westwood.”
“Nice to meet you,” smiled Ezra, his eyes crinkled as he did so, “Ezra McAllister.”
Atlas nodded as he returned the jovial tone. “Did I interrupt something?” asked Ezra, his eyes scanning the two people. Ezra could at the moment know that Atlas was intending to apply for prez, too.
But that wasn’t truly the case. The black haired boy seemed like he was more than just interviewed by Lilian, sensing the merry air. “Ah… I get it.”
Atlas was Lilian’s best friend in question.
Ezra could also tell by the constant shoulder-patting done to her and her acting all normal about it as Atlas made a comment about her loosened hair clips. “I was just looking around. Please continue the interview, you two.” “Oh, no, not at all!” clarified Lilian. “We were just chatting. It is now your turn, Ezra!”
See? They were spending time together. There was more than a prez candidate interview happening.
“Damn,” exclaimed Atlas in a low voice. “My opposition is an Ezra? I am losing this election!” “Come on now,” replied Ezra with a grin, “let’s be real. All underclassmen are your puppy dogs since orientation day!”
Atlas beamed. A member of Charity Field in the student council, a scope dedicated to social devotions, Atlas was a cheeky and fun boy that took the role as the head of orientation committee months ago. His funny nature was often taken as the total opposite of the vibe he gave off from the outside; a quiet loner wolf that liked to play basketball. His friendly and humble manner left everyone impressed. It seemed very easy to be friends and get close with someone like him.
However, Ezra never took rivalry seriously. It was true that Ezra put in all his efforts in this upcoming prez election, yet it didn’t push him into being a power hungry man. It wasn’t like Ezra took Atlas as an impactful enemy, now that he just knew that Atlas was one of the prez candidates Lilian just interviewed.
“Well.” The lively boy looked at Lilian, a smile still tugging to the corners. “Thanks for the chit-chat,” he said as he walked to the door, “see you tomorrow?” Lilian smiled and waved at him. It was somehow affectionate, leaving unknown flutters to the blonde boy’s chest. The previous shoulder pats, too.
The two were that close, didn’t they?
Before truly leaving, in the corridor, Atlas stood for a while, contemplating Ezra’s presence in the clubroom. Again, it wasn’t about the student council president. In fact, Atlas didn't often have physical touch with Lilian. It was a once in a while gesture he gave her. For today, the reason was that a certain “opponent” entering the clubroom made him do so.
“Are you guys dating?”
Lilian stood still for a moment at Ezra’s question. Quickly then, she shook her head, followed by her scattered palms. “No, no, we’re not.”
“He’s my best friend, that’s all.”
Ezra nodded as he sat on the stool Atlas was sitting on. Best friend, sure. Lilian then just prepared her surprisingly big notebook, used for bullet journaling. Ezra asked again as Lilian clicked on her maroon inked pen.
“Was he the one picking you up last night after Mrs. Eve’s course?”
Lilian looked up at Ezra, initially writing the day’s date and time. “Yes,” Lilian replied. She smiled at the hint of curiosity from the attractive boy. But it was actually more than just being inquisitive.
“It was no such thing, though. We are neighbors, so we think it’s effective to go home this way.” “You guys go home together every day?” Lilian’s heart thumped at Ezra’s asking streak. “Oh, no—I mean—very, very rarely.”
She explained once more, “He also had Mr. Adam’s Maths schedule when we’re in Mrs. Eve’s, so it’s not like he waited for me.” Other than Mrs. Eve‘s Chemistry, there were actually other courses in the study area, such as Mathematics, Physics, and Biology. These courses are flooded by mostly senior state students, especially for Crawford’s.
“Ah, I see.”
Lilian continued writing the subject title as her cheeks flushed secretly. She wasn’t like this when it was other boys who asked for such details. But this, Ezra, the finest boy in school, looked very curious and a hint of jealousy was etched on his face. Lilian truly felt honored.
However, she needed to focus on the interview. Even so, it was pretty hard to ignore Ezra’s stare, or gaze, whatever the name was. She gulped many times as she caught the ocean blue eyes longing for a return.
“What’s… your motivation—I mean—what makes you want to be the student council president?” “It had been my dream since junior high. I wasn’t rejected, besides I didn’t even apply for it even though I really wanted to.” “Oh, and why is that?”
“I admit that I wasn’t that good in time management back then. It was hard for me to keep my pace in studying. So, I thought I wasn’t good enough to be a prez.”
“Woah, I have never thought of hearing that from you,” replied Lilian thoughtfully. She began putting down her notebook. “All this time we all know that you’re a top student that is flawlessly active in events.” Ezra chuckled lightly. “My, thank you.”
Before Lilian came up with another question, Ezra made a quick remark to express his awe in the aesthetically neat clubroom. There was an unmistakable blush on both Lilian’s cheekbones. “Mmm… thanks,” she murmured, realizing that his attention was all drawn to her. She shook her head slightly, shaking the butterflies in her stomach. “But, hey, you… you really do notice small things, don’t you think?” she said. “I feel that you’re the first person to compliment this room like that.”
“It’s just very pleasing,” he smiled, his eyes darted to every corner. “All thanks to you? I know that all of these are your ideas.” His finger pointed to the mini yellowish lights then to the ripped newspapers on the wall, “Like this, and this.”
Lilian flushed, yet again. “Thank you.” She had stopped writing Ezra’s interview answers without her even noticing. The boy’s breathtaking complexion was illuminated by the light and it wasn’t easy to let any sight away from it. Accompanied by his gentle remarks, Ezra truly had held her captive.
“Where did you go to junior high?” she asked, her gaze still locked onto his. “Leighton. And you?” “Paisley,” she said, “same with Atlas.” “Oh?” Ezra’s brow furrowed.
“So, you guys have been friends since then?”
“Yup. Well, actually, he was a transfer in 8th grade,” she murmured. “By coincidence his new house was in my neighborhood.” Her lips beamed a little. “So, yeah!”
But Lilian caught Ezra staring at her with unknown meaning. At once, she let down her smile. “Oh!” she thought. “Did he actually not like me talking about Atlas?”
There was a spark of dislike Lilian could see through how he paid sight to her. “But he was the one asking…” She then decided to go on with the interview. Lilian fully realized that the topic had trickled as the two rambled.
“How would you feel if you won this election?” “I’d be thankful since it’s my long time dream,” he replied, smiling sunshine-like. “Then I’ll do my job as prez.”
“Any parties? To celebrate your victory? Maybe like inviting your friends to your house, for games.” “It sounds fun, but I don’t really celebrate things.” “So you focus on your work plans right away?” “That’s what I’m going to do.”
“And what do you think about the other candidates? There are a total of 11 candidates, 10 without you, I believe. Ten rivals.”
Ezra beamed warmly. “I always keep myself in healthy rivalries. I don’t take it that hard. We’re all friends, after all.”
“I’m in awe!” she exclaimed. “You. You’re winning this, Ezra. You’re the next president!”
He smiled humbly. “Thank you, Lilian.”
“I can see it! I can see the bright Crawford future in you! You’re perfect. Even though you’re only the second of eleven I’ve interviewed, I already knew that you’re the one. Gosh, I can’t wait to congratulate you!”
“Oh, that’s so kind of you,” he replied softly.
Lilian’s kind compliments made him grow even more determined to be a good leader. No, not just that. He must be the best, the best of all.
“The sun will always shine on us.”
“Wow,” Ezra turned, “sounds nice!”
Lilian nodded at her modified well-known quote. “I just thought of it. You’re such a sunshine, Ezra.”
“With you, it’s no longer ‘shine on us again’ but it’s ‘always shine on us’!”
——✩——
“Where is everyone…”
A silver haired girl, looking confused, walked in circles in front of Mrs. Eve’s door. It was Sunday morning and the used-to-be crowded studying space was all quiet. Nobody was there, not even the cleaning workers.
Their Chemistry group’s schedule was changed for a day, since Mrs. Eve couldn’t attend last Thursday. The course was supposed to begin at half past 7, yet the space was oddly deserted now at 7.33 AM. Mimi was frustrated.
With the kind of foggy and cloudy sky, the eerie atmosphere started to creep through her neck. The poor girl’s eyes didn’t leave her attempts to dial in her best friends’ phones on her own screen.
But none of those two girls picked the call up. Moreover, Mimi’s screen showed that the call didn’t even get delivered, meaning their phones didn’t even ring.
“Uhh, why’s Nat and Lilian’s phones inactive?” she mumbled in sorrow. Once the call failed, an idea came upon her head. However, she wasn’t very certain of doing it.
“Should Mimi call Chrissy…?”
Her finger stopped at a contact’s call icon. But just a few seconds later, Mimi jumped a bit from a big cylindered bike’s rumble against the asphalt. “Mimi!”
A gush of relief washed her, seeing the unmistakable sight of her friend—new friend, actually. It was Ezra, now wagging his pale blonde hair as he took off the full faced helmet. At once, Mimi had forgotten her intention of calling Christine.
Done parking his bike, Ezra approached her; his smile never leaving his handsome features. “You’re so early!” Mimi smiled meekly, her eyes boring to his. She was still beyond grateful to see him.
He sat in front of her as he leaned his canvas tote bag just next to his left leg. “But I definitely didn’t expect a Sunday morning course would be this quiet.” Mimi nodded.
At the same time, her heartfelt smile dropped. “So… what do Mimi do now?” Her heart thumped, unable to hold back herself feeling nervous, knowing that it was just the two of them.
It was true that they were in the same course group, but it didn’t mean that the two had had interactions before. For Nat and Lilian, they did rather often. Nat’s bold extrovercy and Lilian with her journaling things brought them to the world of social butterflies easily.
And Mimi was left here. All this time, she had claimed the title social butterfly all because she spent most of her time with her friend chatty circle, Nat, Lilian, and, formerly, Christine “Chrissy”. However, she wasn’t sure of it either. Did a shy, scared-looking girl like her deserve to be called “social”?
Mimi bounced her short leg. Her fingers fidgeted her lavender sweater. Awkwardness was her biggest fear. In front of her, Ezra wasn’t even playing with his phone. His eyes were wandering around the studying space, as if he was waiting for a chill chat with her, who was way too afraid of it.
“I should’ve not come after all…”
“Have you eaten?”
Poor Mimi’s body shook to the simple question. “Yes.” He stretched his arms. “Well, do you want to come with me? To the mart? I’m looking for some noodles.”
Mimi froze. She wanted badly to shake her head, wiggling her silver pig tails. Of course she wouldn’t want to come along. Yet, a dilemma disrupted her mind, remembering the “scary” atmosphere of the quiet, tranquil foggy space. She wouldn't able resist the horror.
By perforce, she nodded reluctantly. She climbed off the chair, following Ezra’s path. With her Sanrio themed backpack, she walked behind him like a puppy. To her surprise, Ezra slowed down his pace as he positioned himself on her left, shielding from the road even though no vehicles were passing by.
She still had no idea why nobody else had shown up, since it was already 7.43. Again, the poor meek looking girl jumped from a dangerous, threatening grumble. It turned out to be Ezra’s starving stomach rumbling.
She was embarrassed. Her face was all red. With all her heart she hoped Ezra did not see that ridiculous jump. A pinch of relief sprinkled upon her, realizing Ezra was all neutral as he rubbed his abdomen and didn’t seem to notice it.
“You…”
He glanced over her unfinished words. At once, her breath was trapped as he bent down his tall figure to reach her level. “You… you haven’t eaten…?” she continued, her voice was barely audible. Ezra shut his eyes as he shook his head. “Mm hmm,” he hummed.
They reached the small family mart. He opened the glass door for short Mimi. As she entered, Mimi felt a little satisfaction for being brave and asked him previously.
She followed him like a pet to the noodle corner. His hand moved swiftly, stirring the seasonings with hot water inside the cup. “Do you want some too? I can make one for you.” She shook her head. “It’s okay… thank you.”
She watched his back, growing slim to the under. Mimi began to feel comfortable around him, her friend. “My friend,” she thought.
“Maybe my friend isn’t just Chrissy, Nat, and Lilian.”
As Ezra paid his unhealthy breakfast, he turned to her once more, “Do you really not want anything? Come on, it’s on me! You have accompanied me here, I shall thank you.”
Shyly, she shook her head. “No, no… really.” He smiled and nodded. Before he chose the payment method, his finger snatched a loli candy from the counter.
“Want to hang out here?”
There was a massive confusion in her head. “I thought he’s going to eat it inside Mrs. Eve’s room. Why is he being so relaxed? What about the course? And why the others hadn’t shown up?”
But Mimi wasn’t that brave to oppose him. She just nodded. The two then sat on the chairs in the mart’s terrace.
Everything didn’t seem to add up. It was 7.56 now while the course should have begun almost half an hour ago. But Mrs. Eve wasn’t even here yet!
“I certainly didn’t expect to see you this early,” murmured Ezra as a fork already tangled with hot noodles flew to his mouth. Mimi glanced at him, still puzzled. “Because… the course started at 7.30… right?”
The two bored each other’s eyes. Ezra gave a pause, even he stopped sipping on the chicken broth for a second. “Oh, but I thought it’s 8.30.”
Her purple irises widened impossibly. Ezra then took his phone, opening a sheet document from a link. He then showed it to her. “Here, this one. The yellow cell.”
Ezra was right. Their course began at 8.30 and it turned out that poor Mimi was an hour early. She was left speechless.
Without saying a single word, she opened her phone and the same sheet link. It was true that she had made a mistake. She misread both the group’s name and year! Their group’s name was supposed to be “Crawford 11Chem10”—a placeholder name, though. She misread “Crawford 11Chem01”, even from a year before! Which meant it was their upperclassmen’s group last year.
Mimi could hardly believe she had made a big yet ridiculous fault. “Ah, that’s alright,” Ezra said, “I had the wrong schedule one time, too.” Mimi looked up at him. “Well, if you weren’t this early bird then certainly I’d eat all alone here. It’s all thanks to you!” he cheered.
Her naturally pale lips formed a smile. Ezra was such a kind person. “Anyway,” he said. “I’ve been wondering about something. Something about you and your friends.” She nodded slightly at the mention of Nat and Lilian, “What is it?”
“Why did the three of you transfer to our group?”
Mimi was stunned. He added, “And why the fourth girl… Christine, right? Why did she cancel and not come with you all?”
The chilly evening air crept inside as the dark oak door was pushed open. For a moment, the initially chuckling boys, goofing off to kill time before their course began, gave pause to glance at the three new girls standing before their very eyes. One had dark navy hair; behind her was a silver haired scared-looking girl.
A pair of green eyes of the girl from the very back of the three accidentally met with one of the guys’, the blonde pretty boy. His ocean blue ones were in captivity. The mind of his sprinkled with surprise and excitement of welcoming new friends. It was an apparent contact before the straight, navy haired girl’s voice broke the sudden silence.
“Hello,” she greeted. “Well, I’m certain that you all have heard that we’re joining in from now on.” For a second, she turned to the two next to her. “Right, Mimi, Lilian?”
“Oh,” began the earlier boy, fully back from the previous sudden eye contact, “sure, sure! Here, come in.”
He, always the friendliest among all, stood and pushed aside a chair almost barricading the girls’ way at first. This blonde boy glanced at them again, smiling. It had never been nicer than welcoming new members of their Chemistry course group.
The girls then sat down adjacent to one another. Following the one’s warmth, the other six boys started to give off the same friendly and engaging vibe to the room. It wasn’t like this bunch of eleventh graders didn’t know each other since they went to the same school.
“Ah, so it’s the three of you?” One of the boys began a casual talk, then responded by a nod of the girl speaking before. “Mrs. Eve told us that it’s four girls,” said the other boy. His brows furrowed a bit, seeing only three were present. “But, one changed her mind, I suppose.” The same navy haired girl replied to one’s absence, “You’re right. She did just yesterday.”
Although they knew one another’s names, it felt odd to be a new team without a proper introduction. So, the girl then continued, “Well, I’m Natalie, by the way. I’m from Class 5. Feel free to call me Nat, though!”
The boys nodded, followed by the soft voice of the one with ocean blue eyes, “Good to see you, Nat!” He continued, “I’m Ezra, from Class 6.”
Names flew in the vibrant toned air as the other boys began introducing themselves too. Colt, Xavier, Lando, Miles, Austin, and Sebastian. All the guys came from class 6. The girls nodded. They totally knew who they were; a part of the all-boys circle in their school. No wonder how they looked so fond of each other.
The other girl, the silver haired one, then joined in, “Nice to meet you all.” As she gathered her books on the desk, she added with a beam, “I’m Mimi. Actually, Michelle Myers. Mimi likes abbreviations.”
Nat laughed at her words. “Gosh. Sometimes I think of My, my instead of Mimi. Cause, My, my, look at this Physics book you’ve brought? Your already-empty backpack, too. Don’t tell me you left Chemistry in the family mart just minutes ago?”
The silver haired Mimi stood immediately in shock. Her face was all white, realizing the “fatal” mistake she just made. “Oh my God… I left it! Yes, Mimi left it on the family mart!” The boys chuckled lightly, seeing the already chaotic scene happening. They knew at once that this new team would be a blast.
“Lilian… or Natalie… will any of you take Mimi to the mart? I can’t go alone,” whispered Mimi, pleading helplessly. “Oh, you. It’s just out there, you goofball! Fine, come. Lilian, you too.”
However, the girl with the green eyes shook her head. “No, I’ll stay here. It’s too chilly outside.” Nat then returned it with a nod before conga-lining behind Mimi. “Hurry, run! We shall never know when the cashier will thrift that Chemistry book!”
So, the door closed, leaving the strawberry blonde girl and the seven boys alone. There was one gaze that hadn’t left her complexion, Ezra’s. As if his ocean blue longed for the once-cut contact with her green.
At last, she let out a few words, “I’m Lilian, from Class 5 too.” She seemed like she didn’t talk much, though. “You’re in the Creativity Field, aren’t you?”
The soft, gentle voice added in. Lilian turned her angelic face towards the boy, already smiling warmly. Finally, their eyes met once more. She nodded, hinting a “yes” to Ezra’s question, which referred to a field in their school’s student representative assembly.
“And, you’re in the Language Field of the student council. Am I right?” Ezra wasn’t stunned that she knew him, though. Still, he smiled and replied, “Yes.”
Both were certain that they had been in the same meeting at school, where the student council and the student representative assembly gathered to discuss future events and current issues in their school.
Knock, knock.
Again, the door was pushed open. A middle-aged woman entered, followed by two girls; one was clutching a Chemistry book close to her chest. The woman smiled motherly at all her pupils.
“Evening, everyone.”
“Evening, Mrs. Eve.”
“I see that our new members are here now,” said Mrs. Eve as she prepared her multicolor markers. “So, ten members. Hmm, one person still could fit here… But it’s fine,” she murmured.
“I’ve made sure that Nat, Lilian, and Mimi’s origin group progress is the same as this group,” she added, receiving nods from the three girls. “Alright. Today, we’re going to continue our last discussion on Hydrocarbons. But before we start our lesson, let’s pray together.”
At once, everyone closed their eyes, followed by various hand gestures. The blonde boy raised his hands to chest level as he closed his eyes. All that remained was darkness, no longer the vibrant tone of the tiny yet lively room.
“Praying begins.”
——✩——
“Why do you remember me?”
Ezra glanced at the pair of green eyes that had just come next to him as he searched for his motorbike keys inside his pocket. He was just about to go home when this Lilian girl approached him after the one-and-a-half-hour course finished. “I’m wondering what made you ask if I’m in the Creative Field,” she continued, “I’m just curious.”
“Oh… well…” began the blonde boy, slightly taken aback by the sudden question. “Hmm, because I remember, in the meeting… I mean, we had been in the same meeting, right? Well, you did say something about an extracurricular’s struggle. It really caught my ears back then.”
“You mean the Journalism Club?”
Ezra gave a small nod.
“What’s so memorable about that?”
Ezra immediately dismissed the idea of going home early. He glanced back down at the keys. “It’s just that… I saw your passion in developing that extracurricular,” he murmured softly. He beamed again, seeing the sparkle in those green irises and hearing her nice remark.
“When you mentioned the students’ interest in literacy, I could instantly relate. Most people at our school aren’t really into the bulletin board unless it has crispy news. It just shows.” Lilian then sighed as she leaned her tote bag on a pillar. Shaking her head, she murmured, “You got it.”
Their school, Crawford State Senior High, is one of the elite schools in town. Genius olympiad winners, aspiring athletes, and outstanding event enthusiasts populate the school’s hallways. With that, these students are heavy fans of current issues; consuming this new knowledge and information is like a daily breakfast for them.
To facilitate this interest, the school’s journalism extracurricular, chaired by Lilian Stacy herself, always comes up with brilliantly out-of-the-box ideas and ensures that their topics aren’t limited to academics. One of their top-grossing pieces was a full-on interview of popular people in school.
Certainly, everyone is special in Crawford. However, there are indeed people who have everyone’s eyes on them. Talk about charm, talk about looks.
This pretty blonde boy, Ezra McAllister, is actually one of Crawford’s favorite subjects. Beauty and brains collided in him. His achievements in an English competition and excellent grades only made others murmur, “How perfect he is!” as they read about his victory published around ten months ago.
Ezra was truly a captivating tall figure at some time seen playing basketball at recess or simply hanging out with other boys. Whenever he wasn’t found in any of those places, then he was, for sure, studying! Having a dream of being a med student meant there was hard work to fulfill.
Besides being a student council member, Ezra fully recognized his impact on the school’s atmosphere, yet he always remained humble. He had never admitted to his handsome features or his “fans”; his friends, as he would say.
Ezra was well aware of what people thought of him. He did realize he stole underclassmen’s hearts the instant he appeared as one of the committees welcoming new tenth graders months ago. He knew it would be as easy as pie to win over any girls at school for a person like him.
But he had never actually done so. Romance—he hadn’t thought of much into that yet. People wondered, “Why?” Yet, didn’t that fact also warm his admirers’ hopes for a chance?
“I don’t mind finding just the right topic to engage everyone in this school as readers. I know that none of them would spare their precious, strictly limited time just to read a bunch of bland, AI-generated-like content, you know?
Ezra nodded again. The corners of his moistened peach lips lifted. “Ah… I see, Lilian.” He then added, “So, it’s clear that you’re really a good leader of the club! I was in awe at that time, which is why it was memorable.”
Something—or perhaps everything—about her truly captured his attention. Lilian Stacy, that was written on her uniform’s name tag. Lilian was an active member of the student representative assembly, abbreviated as SRA. This organization worked hand-in-hand with the student council for the school’s good.
Aside from her responsibility in Crawford’s organization, Lilian herself was a talented and gorgeous girl. Her straight strawberry blonde hair was taken down neatly. Lilian was also often seen wearing maroon hair clips, which was most likely a matching accessory with her friend circle, Natalie and Michelle Myers.
Ezra noticed the flush on her face right after his powerful compliment. “Mhm… thanks.” That just showed how quickly everyone folds for this pretty boy. Quickly, she shook it off, trying to get her sight away from him, who was already leaning in towards her, even though their height difference wasn't that significant.
“Anyway, when I was with SRA upperclassmen,” she said, distracting both of them from her reddish cheeks. “I heard that you’re going to be the student council president. Congratulations!”
Ezra’s eyes widened before he let out a husky laugh. “Oh, they probably meant that I’m one of the candidates for the student council president. Well, if that’s the case, yes, it’s true!” he said. “Pray for me, alright?”
“You know you got this,” cheered Lilian, now beaming. “Come on, it’s a piece of cake! You’re awfully experienced. I’m sure the whole school will at once vote your number the moment you stand up.”
Ezra smiled in return.
“So this is her when she talks much...”
——✩——
“Hey, now that you mentioned it.”
“What about another interview session with our club? It’s been a while since your English competition’s winning, right? Everyone in school would love to hear you declaring to apply for prez!”
“Save your lines for the oration. Just talk casually. You don’t even have to mention your work plans.”
“So, what do you say?”
This Tuesday was the third meeting of the three girls joining Ezra’s Chemistry group. Everyone seemed to have gotten familiar with the merrier class in this tiny room. The girls still sat adjacent to one another, though. As if superglued, they won’t ever leave each other’s side.
“Remember that Carbon has hands?” said Mrs. Eve as she drew “C” on the glass board.
“Four hands to bond with others,” murmured Ezra. “Correct. They can bond with certain elements to create Hydrogen bonds.” “Bond with Hydrogen, Fluor, Oxygen, and Nitrogen,” Lilian answered.
“Excellent. Once bend…?”
“Their bond is very strong.”
What a jinx.
The two glanced at one another before the boy smiled first. The course felt different now that the… girls were here. Once the class got unserious, that was when the blast was. With Nat’s sarcastically comedic comments, Mimi’s slowness accompanied by her dumb, innocent look, and most important of all, Lilian’s tranquil composure, yet always giggled at funny jokes that flew across the room, the new group grew more lively than ever.
“Now, open page 233. Do numbers 19 to 22,” ordered Mrs. Eve as she continued writing on the glass board with the multicolor markers. The class went quiet at once, each working on the task. Whispers crept over the time, making sure their answers matched others. “This one’s D, right?” “Wait, why do I answer B…?” “Dude, B and D’s answers are literally the same. I just realized.”
As Mrs. Eve wrote on the board, she turned to Nat. “Christine just got her new group this afternoon. An all-girls group.”
“Oh?” Nat responded, her fingers still busied carving black ink on her yellowish notebook paper. “That’s nice.”
There was a sign of indifference in her tone regarding this new name for the boys. Hearing this news, Lilian asked, “An all-girls group? Is she with St. Canterbury students?” Mrs. Eve nodded. “It’s a loss that she missed three meetings of Hydrocarbons, since her, also your origin group’s progress doesn’t match these girls’.”
Mimi gazed at Mrs. Eve meekly, looking in heaved worry. “Oh, poor Chrissy! Three meeting’s a lot,” she pleaded. “Had she joined us…”
Xavier nudged Ezra, still writing on his loose leaf, the moment other boys saw Lilian, grasped Mimi’s hand. Her strawberry blonde hair shook slightly along with her head. Nat’s unhappy frown answered the sudden little tension in the room.
“Alright, what’s the answer, guys?” asked Mrs. Eve immediately followed by the students’ voices, except for Nat’s, still having a stern look that bore to her notebook.
“She insisted on joining those girls, huh?”
That was a sentence the boys heard from the navy haired girl as she packed up her books before going home, the moment the lesson ended. Lilian only stood there, wearing her maroon cardigan to cover the dark blue-white uniform. She exchanged glances with Mimi, now no longer acting as slow as usual.
As Mrs. Eve waved goodbye, the boys scattered outside the room. “Mimi, has your father come to fetch you?” Mimi shook her head, shutting her purple irises. “No, Lilian. He said he’ll be here in ten minutes.” Lilian, who actually already had someone to pick her up waiting in the parking lot, nodded. “I’ll wait for you, then. Let’s sit over there.”
Hearing this, all seven boys then sat with them in the cafeteria. Sure thing they would never let ladies be alone in this 9:30 PM late. Nat had left first, going home fetched by her older sister.
“Lilian, it’s okay, you don’t have to wait for me,” Mimi whispered, yet so loud that everyone could hear it. “You know… Mimi can’t let your best friend wait out there, too.” Lilian shrugged it off in chill. “That’s alright, hey! Remember, you are my best friend, too, okay? I’m never leaving you.”
Ezra smiled as he silently watched their interaction, even though he had no idea who Mimi was talking about. Mimi herself, at first, seemed grateful towards the warmth radiating from Lilian. However, she looked sorrowful just not so long after.
“Does Chrissy still take us as her best friend too?”
Before Lilian could even answer, though reluctantly, she heard a rumbling noise, coming from an SUV that had just arrived. She quickly pushed Mimi, forcing the girl to stand up, not wanting to continue the conversation any further. “Look, look, it’s your father. Bye, see you tomorrow, Mimi!”
Witnessing enough pretty chaotic scenes about “girl friendship” this evening, the boys exchanged glances for the umpteenth time. They couldn’t follow who this other girl was that Lilian seemed to avoid talking about and Nat seemed to be upset with. After all, the boys knew it wasn’t a good idea to ask those two girls if they really wanted to have some context.
“Do you have your people to fetch you, Lilian?” asked Ezra as he extended her arm across the table. Lilian then smiled and nodded. She knew these boys were trying to keep their new girl friends safe. “Yes, thank you for waiting for us,” she replied, “my friend is already waiting in the parking lot.”
“He’s going to take me home. See you, guys. And thank you again!”
Ezra was beyond surprised to hear the mention of the word “he”. So, the best friend, not just a regular friend, said Mimi, was male? Not what Ezra was expecting to hear.
Now that all the girls had their own rides, the boys then began strolling to the parking lot. Ezra rushed among them to see if Lilian and her friend were still there. But, no. They had left, probably just seconds ago.
“Dude, let’s go now.” Austin’s voice had called upon him. However, Ezra couldn’t shake the fluttery thing trapped inside his ribs.
A girl grinned as her legs crossed one another. Looking above, a boy tuning an acoustic guitar murmured, “I learned.” A playful smirk tugged on a corner of his peach lips. “Just when I saw your Spotify activity. You took song repeater that hard, didn't you?”
“I don’t get what you mean,” replied the girl, playing fool.
“You know,” said the boy, “you’re on the same song over and over again.” “As if it reflects your life—love life to be specific.” After a pause, the boy added as she noticed he had put his fingers on the strings, ready to voice the chords, “Well, I can play it, Lilian.”
The strawberry blonde girl, Lilian, thought a moment before she responded, “Alright.” Her smile rose again, “What song is it, I wonder?” With great enthusiasm, the bony fingers started to dance just the moment his lips moved.
“You’re on the phone with your boyfriend…”
Giggles came from Lilian, “You told me you weren’t a swiftie!” A light chuckle followed then, “I know.”
“…you’re upset. You’re going off about something that he said.”
“Hey, that’s not the lyrics…”
“Cause he doesn’t have time for you like I do…
…I’m in my room multitasking, or so it called
I’m hovering between your chats and the council works
And he’ll never do the same as I do.”
“Ah!” he exclaimed, realizing how bad the made-up lyrics sounded. That boy grinned, scratching his scalp. “Pardon the off-keys, will you?”
Suddenly, a rumble of footsteps, accompanied by students' babbles was heard from the music room. “Now, what is this?” mumbled the boy, his song paused to the distraction. “The meeting in hall ends early.”
For a moment, the green eyes of hers stuck to his face that brushed with stray black strands. She left him back in silence for seconds. “I have to go.”
He sighed. The guitar was put back in a reluctant way. “Why?” “He’s going to enter this room to turn off the sound system. He will be upset, if… if he sees us together.”
“Don’t be silly.” He clutched the curve of her bent elbow. “We’re just hanging out.”
“Atlas.”
“No,” he insisted. Firmly, he gripped her shoulders, forcing her to look at him in the dark, navy irises. “You changed, Lilian. You changed since you got together with him. Do you even realize it?”
“Right now, you look like you’re a rebellious teenager trying to sneak out of a strict parent’s watch to meet a friend. And it’s damn ridiculous. He’s not your dad, hello?”
“Do you really see this normal, Lilian? His behavior? If he’s really your boyfriend, he should never be dramatic and restrict you so selfishly, right?”
There was a glimmer of tears wrapping her sclera.
“I know you better, Lilian.”
“Atlas, I have to go.”
“Does he ever notice your Spotify activity?” he asked crossly. The girl sighed in her weak smile. “We don’t follow each other there.”
“He… he’s busy, Atlas.” He spat on the words scornfully, “Busy? I am busy, too, Lilian. That’s a shit reason. You know my responsibilities right now?”
“Yet, I’m still here for you, giving in all my time. And do you know why is that?”
Atlas leaned in closer, brushing the soft cheeks of hers, which threatened to be wet by stray tears.
“It’s because I want to. If your damn boyfriend wanted to, he would, Lilian. But do you see him now?”
The room was initially back tranquil despite the rumbling noise some moments ago, up until a husky voice pierced in sharply at the door frame.
"I have always comforted myself by believing you'd leave him one day, now that you have me."
From now on, Ezra McAllister, an aspiring student council president, had to be in the same study group as Lilian Stacy, the determined Journalism Club girl. Connected by the dots of school's organizations, the two fell deep as high school sweethearts. It's now just a matter of time before Ezra's sick jealousy of her boy best friend—Atlas Westwood, in coincidence also aiming to be the student's president—kicks in.
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