The last period in the afternoon was a class meeting when Ms. Acheson would preside over the election of the class representatives.
Students had already handed their applications to Ms. Acheson. For some posts, there was only one candidate, and so they could be elected directly. When many candidates were competing for one post, they had to give a speech to persuade the class they were the right choice. Then there would be a vote. The candidate with the highest number of votes was elected.
Ms. Acheson stood in front of her student, holding the applications, she said, "Two students are running for the class monitor: Carol Carter and Molly McDowell. Please welcome them to the front to give their speeches. The first one will be Carol Carter!"
Sophia was surprised. She hadn't expected Carol to run for the class monitor. Carol hadn't mentioned it that day when they were together at the canteen.
Carol smiled sheepishly at Sophia, "Boss, I didn't think Ms. Acheson would give me a chance actually to be considered, so I just applied on the off chance. I was afraid of losing face, so I didn't tell you."
Sophia smiled and encouraged her, "Go on! We'll be supporting you! You can make it, and we're on your back,"
Carol went up to the platform, cleared her throat, and said, "Hello, everyone. I'm Carol Carter. I want to be the class monitor because… I want to make progress. My Boss... my good friend, has been doing very well in school recently. I don't see her working hard, but I know she must be working very hard. So I, um, I want to work hard too, for all of you! I'm a responsible person. I really am. Hopefully, you guys will give me a chance to be your class monitor!"
She spoke haltingly but with feeling. She smiled nervously and went back to her seat. Silently wishing she could get the most number of votes from her classmates. She even saw Sophia gave thumbs up after her short speech. That earned her supreme confidence, recognizing Sophia's support.
Molly gave her a scornful look and went up to the front.
She smiled, "Hello, everyone. I'm Molly. I want to be the class monitor to develop our class better and unite us as one. Meanwhile, I want to practice my own ability to become a great leader and could help other students when they have a concern,"
Her speech lasted about ten minutes. Ms. Acheson actually had to interrupt her, explaining there was limited time before she stopped.
Then a few more students made a speech for other positions, and when they were all finished, the students started voting.
Sophia wrote Carol's name on the paper. Then she wrote down the names of several other students who had run for class positions and handed the slip in. She wished Carol could win as a class monitor.
Ms. Acheson asked a couple of students to help count the votes, and with their help, the results were quickly discovered.
"I will announce the names of our class representatives." Ms. Acheson looked at the list in her hand, "The monitor will be…"
Molly glanced triumphantly at Carol. Her speech was much better than Carol's rambling speech. She had spent all last night looking up online campaign speeches and it had taken her a whole hour to memorize it. Besides, she got good grades. Carol's grades were bad, and her behavior was poor. It was clear who would be elected as the monitor.
"The elected class monitor was Carol." Ms. Acheson announced it loud and clear.
Carol was shocked. She didn't think that she would be elected as a class monitor, and when she heard Ms. Acheson call her name, she was stunned. It took her a moment to stand up. A quickly glanced at Sophia, who was silently sitting beside her, and gave her best smile as if telling Sophia that they made it.
The students broke into applause.
"Congratulations, Carol!" They said in a loud chorus.
Only Molly looked annoyed. She can't accept that she was defeated by a student who had a poor class performance.
She was mad, she thought to herself. Her speech had been perfect, so perfect it could have qualified for a composition competition. She couldn't believe Carol's simple, and stuttering words had beaten her.
What on earth had the class been think when they voted for her? It was so unreasonable. She knew she was better than Carol, not just academically as well as other talents. The anger passed through Molly's eyes as she felt she was being deceived. She wants to lose her temper immediately, but she can't misbehave because they are in front of Ms. Acheson.
Ms. Acheson announced the rest of the class representatives. As she finished speaking, the bell rang, and the class was over.
Carol looked very excited. She grabbed Sophia's hand, "Boss! I'm so happy! Let me treat you tonight! We can go singing! Let's have fun! "
Mariah and Melissa happily agreed. Sophia thought about it and sighed, "Dinner is fine, but let's skip the singing bit."
She had thought back and discovered that the previous Sophia couldn't sing at all.
As it happened, nor could she.
In either life, she had no musical talent whatsoever. What a shame!
She had learned everything fast, except for music. No matter how hard she tried, she just couldn't do it. Her talent focused on academics since she spent most of her childhood reading so many books. As much as she wants to grant their request, she knows herself that she'll be embarrassed. Besides, she is reluctant to associate with her new friends now knowing the fact that they are a teenager while she's already thirty years actually.
Mariah laughed, "Boss has no musical talent! She can't sing! Carol, aren't you afraid that Boss will beat you for embarrassing her?"
Carol said coolly, "No, I can take it."
Seeing everyone in high spirits, Sophia didn't want to ruin their good moods and so agreed to go.