No way, how did I get so many nominations? I barely just joined the club. What makes them think that I would make a good editor in chief? Just one article? There's no way that is true.
"Sir". I stood up and walked up to Steele. "There must be some mistake somewhere".
"Yes, there must be". Angie said. "It has to be a mix-up or something".
"Well, it is no mixup. I checked and cross-checked".
"Wow, I guess this is going to be tough competition". A junior girl said.
"Well, there always is time for a change. Change is constant and isn't a bad thing either".Mr Steele said.
"I don't know about that". I voiced my doubt.
"It's okay if you don't want to run for the post. You can step down but that leaves the post unopposed". Reggie explained.
"You will step down right?" Angie asked me earnestly.
"No, she won't". Ryan said.
Who does he think he is? He barely even knows me and here he is making decisions for me. We are not even a couple. I was very angry at him for answering for me like that.
"I will if I want to". I shot back at him angrily.
"Well, I leave it to you to decide. I will be here tomorrow on an official assignment and I hope you will have made your decision by then". Mr Steele said.
"I definitely will". I responded and shook his outstretched hand. He shook Ryan,Angie, Reggie and Karenina too.
"Till tomorrow,I say goodbye. See me at the principal's office tomorrow". He walked away.
The room suddenly became quiet,no one was talking.
"Let's continue today's meeting". Karenina broke the silence. She saved us all especially me from the embarrassment the silence was causing.
"What's next?". Angie said.
"Well we have no pending topic from the last meeting to discuss so we can randomly discuss another topic or talk about books or politics or something". Karenina said.
"Speaking of politics, let's discuss school politics". Christian suggested.
"Luckily for us, we have a student activist among us today". Another boy said and everyone cheered. They were referring to me.
"Everyone knows I plan to run so you know who to vote for".
"Oh really what are you running for?". I asked hoping it wasn't president. I hated to compete against Reggie.
"Student council treasurer".
"But why not president?". Roxanne asked.
"Nah I don't have what it takes. Marc or Kim is probably running for president too and we all know I don't stand a chance".
"Not with Babe's eye-opening article". Someone commented.
"Yeah that was really great". Reggie complimented again. "The process is way too long. First you have to write an essay, submit and then wait for the nomination results and who knows that might not be the end of process. On the other hand all I needed to do was to meet you with the few requirements and then get my nomination form signed".
"Plus we do not need two aspirants from the club". Ryan chipped in. The look on everyone's face showed that they were in the dark about what he is talking about. "Babe is running for president". He enunciated.
*Clap*
"You stand a chance Babe". Ayesha said and everyone agreed.
"Which is why you do not need to run for club president too". Angie said.
"Are you scared of losing?". Desmond said.
"Like I could possibly lose to her". She said.
I never thought I could see Angie like this. My first impression about her was that she is a very nice person. Perhaps she was,she was probably being competitive. I am a nice person too even to Kim but that doesn't mean I want to lose to her. I guess everyone and everything is not what it looks like in Duncan Town.
"Good luck to you Babe". Reggie said.
"Thanks,good luck to you too".
"Back to our earlier discussion". Angie said.
"We were discussing school politics". Someone reminded.
"Yes we were. So what do you think about Babe's article on high school hierarchy?". He asked directing the question to no one.
"There must be a government isn't it?". A girl in the junior class said.
I answered her question."Not the government that bullies the followers...."
"...That is a common misconception". Angie cut me mid-sentence. "Of course in every establishment there should be an authority but not the type that bullies the citizens. Kimberley McAdams is not an authority and should never be. There should be no such thing as high school hierarchy and shouldn't be. The only form of authority should be among the teachers and principal and elected student representatives".
"But she is running for president". Desmond countered. "Doesn't that make her an elected student representative?".
"It doesn't,she is not elected yet".
"But she definitely would be".
"Ouch". I said and pretended to be hurt by his statement.
"No offence". He apologized.
"None taken". I said and smiled.
"Listen, Kimberley McAdams is not a goddess and doesn't deserve to be treated like one".
"Yeah,Babe taught us that in her article". A guy said and Angie's cheek went red. It seemed like they were all trying to get on Angie's nerves.
"Yeah she did". Someone else said.
"Can we focus pls?". Reggie reprimanded.
"Thanks, Reggie. As I was saying, school politics is fun and should be fun in all cases. There should be no form of bullying among students and even when bullied, the victim should be able to speak up and speak out".
"Of course".
"You are right".
"Well you are not wrong".
A lot of people agreed. Angie smiled, she was getting the attention she wanted. Such attention-seeking freak! Little wonder she was so excited about Simon being my brother and the attention it would bring.
"I must agree with you Angie. High school hierarchy should be eliminated completely and that is our own role to play. What's wrong with wanting to be an A+ student? We should love to learn and not be criticized for it or tagged as being uncool". I put in to support Angie.
"We can only keep our fingers crossed and hands-on deck. Let's wait and see what the future holds for all of us. Whatever we do let's not forget that Kim's dad is the overall principal and director in this education district,the election is bound to be rigged. I mean he who pays the Piper calls the tune". Karenina concluded.
No wonder Kim keeps bragging about her dad being principal to señor Singer. But there is something I didn't understand about all of this.
"What do you mean?". I asked.
"What part of rigging an election do you not understand?".
"No I meant Kim's dad being the principal. Everyone knows that Principal McAllister is the principal".
"Everyone also knows that each class of Duncan middle and high school stands as an institution on its own and has it's own administration and principal. All the classes of Duncan high and middle school, Duncan elementary and other private schools have a director of education common to them all. This director of education is Kim's father".
"Oh,now I get it". No wonder Kim thinks she owns the town.
The meeting ended and we left the meeting room.
"Hey" Karenina called after me.
"What's up".
"Good luck winning the election".
"Thanks but am not so sure if I am contesting".
"I should not be saying this but you got the highest nominations by 156 to 320".
"Wow". I could only say. I was nearly dumbfounded.
"Yes, but you did not hear this from me".
"Okay". I walked away from her and heard my name again.
"Babe, wait up" This time it was Ryan.
"Hey. You are walking me home?".
"That wasn't the initial plan but I can deal with that too".
"Oh really, what was your initial plan?".
"You are quite forgetful. I promised to treat you to a drink, remember?".
"Yeah sorry, I almost forgot. I was going to do something else...".
"...oh". He cut in.
"But it's fine. I was supposed to do something with my mom, it's not until night though so till then I am free. I was just planning to buy my mum a gift".
"Is it her birthday?".
"No, just wanted to surprise her".
"Awn, cute". We both smiled.