Reese McCartney stood at the door to the Student Executive office, tapping his foot.
"You're late." He motioned to the clock. They were fifteen minutes late.
Magenta didn't know why Reese was making such a big deal out of it. They weren't the only ones arriving late and yet they were the only ones receiving admonishment. Blue had to agree with Magenta on this, and they exchanged exasperated glances.
Two other students snuck in but Reese didn't even say anything to them. Rather, he accepted their excuses and turned his full attention on Blue and Magenta.
"I expect all my council members to be at least five minutes early. I would welcome you to the team, but I am unimpressed by your tardiness. Sit down Blue and Magenta."
Reese was the student council president. Elected at the end of the previous year, he ran all the student council events and liaisons with the staff members. It was a huge responsibility, and something Jasper was very passionate about too. Jasper was vice president and wanted to become the stucco president.
"Five?" Blue mouthed at Magenta and she confirmed with a nod.
They would have to change to become early birds then. They weren't that used to being on time for everything. Blue and Magenta had a look around the room, to see the other members of the student council.
There were fifteen people in the student council, including Magenta and Blue. Magenta was going to be in charge of the student newspaper in the final year and for now, she shadowed a senior called Rhea. Blue would be the sports feature writer. Shelby would be the co-treasurer.
Magenta really admired everyone in the student council, but she also felt a bit intimidated by all of the seniors. They carried themselves with a sort of otherworldly grace. It made Magenta feel inferior and she was trying to figure out whether she was okay with this feeling or not.
Shelby and Jasper were already there, not looking sick at all. They looked even happier and better together now that they weren't broken up anymore. Shelby and Jasper made every effort to refrain from making eye contact with Blue and Magenta.
Blue and Magenta glared at their best friends and took their seats at the end of the table next to each other.
"Sorry," Blue said to Reese, not sounding sorry at all. His whole aura was unapologetic, from the way he sat down to the outstretched foot nearby Reese as he spread his legs.
Magenta was the same, she tried her best to spread her legs like a guy, copying Blue.
Reese didn't reply and he continued talking.
"As we were saying, we've collected all the votes across classes on the theme for the stucco event in three weeks. And the theme is..."
Shelby indicated a drumroll and the members obliged, slapping their hands across the wooden table.
"HISTORY Carnival!" Reese exclaimed.
It was like a normal carnival, only you could dress up as famous figures from throughout history. The stalls would all be decorated in different era aesthetics too.
"Alright, well now that we've got the theme, let's write down the ideal list of stalls we'll have and the assigned stalls to each class and pair up everyone in the exec team."
"We have to have hotdogs, candyfloss, and popcorn!"
"Carnival games stall,"
"60's Photo booth!"
"20's Roses stall."
"Face paint!"
"Keep the ideas coming," Reese smiled for the first time since Magenta and Blue appeared.
Magenta was blown away at Reese's smile. Starstruck. She could almost see stars orbiting her head. She didn't see how perfect Reese looked with a smile like that.
"Jasper, you're on for MCing with Shelby. Blue, you're handling the stage and sound for the talent and music performances. Magenta will be with me for the decoration planning and preparations." Reese announced, sending a smile at Magenta. She smiled back with a dreamy countenance, learning on her hand as she gazed at him.
Blue noticed their interactions and shifted in his seat. His hands clenched and unclenched. He felt thoughts spinning around in his head. Why was she looking at Reese like that? Maybe it was because he didn't eat enough for lunch and he felt lightheaded. Maybe he was just thinking too much and needed to focus.
"We have three weeks, so let's get ready as early as possible. The rest of the time today we will split into our smaller groups to discuss details."
With that, everyone split into their smaller groups. Reese grinned, sauntering over to Magenta.
"Hey Magenta. Sorry for being gruff earlier. I just want everyone to follow a good example." Reese said.
Magenta could get used to seeing Reese smile at her. But she still didn't like how he had been at the beginning, treating her and Blue differently to others.
Magenta said, "Well that doesn't make it okay, but I'll give you a pass this time."
Raising an eyebrow, Reese replied, "A pass? I think I deserve an A plus!"
Magenta laughed, saying, "I'm the one who gets the A's, not you."
Reese placed a hand over his heart and said, "Wow. I think my heart just skipped a beat."
"I think that was me." Magenta said.
Blue cleared his throat nearby. Magenta being flirty was something new. And the thought sickened Blue, not because she was too cute when trying to be flirty. But because she was flirting with none other than Reese. Snapping out of their bubble, Reese cleared his throat too, leaning away from Magenta.
He said, "Okay, well let's start planning for the event. We need to order and organize all the booth materials and supplies."
They needed to collaborate with the food department of their school, and some shops downtown for stationery, flower, and stage supplies.
"Let's make rounds afterward to collect any extra supply needs lists for each stall," Reese said.
"Hey, Reese. Something I need to ask," Blue said, coming towards Magenta and Reese.
"Yeah?" Reese twirled a pen between his fingers, as Magenta and Reese looked to Blue's direction.
"So aside from sign-up sheets, and making sure we have everything set up on the day...is there anything I can do right now?" Blue asked.
"Ooo, you can help us!" Magenta said.
Reese flashed a smile, and said, "Yeah...sure. Help us. We need help to order the roses and stationery. If you could phone these shops and ask for availability of cardstock and different types of roses."
Reese handed Blue a slip of paper, and Blue walked off, feeling left out.
____
After the meeting, Blue and Magenta grabbed their best friends.
"Ow!" Shelby yelped.
Drilling them, Magenta asked, "So what's going on? Didn't you break up? What was with the 'I'm sick' and then running off?"
"Yeah, explain." Blue said.
"Hold on, we can explain," Shelby started.
"We're waiting," Blue said.
Jasper relented and he said, "We didn't want you guys pranking anymore. It was our chance to get you guys to be closer."
"Huh?" Blue and Magenta echoed.
"Let me get this straight. You broke up to bring me and Magenta together?" Blue asked.
"So what you're saying is..." Blue continued.
"You didn't break up!" Magenta finished his sentence and smacked their heads as Blue pulled Jasper's ear.
"Ow, sorry, sorry." Shelby and Jasper apologized in sync.
After another bout of apologies from Shelby and Jasper, Blue declared they had to do a dare.
"I dare you to run around topless." He told Jasper.
Magenta came up with one for Shelby, "I dare you to dance in public successfully behind five people like a mad person and if you get caught you have to pick another person."
Jasper and Shelby accepted their dares as adequate punishment.
Jasper took off his shirt, and Shelby swooned over her boyfriend as he beat his chest like King Kong. He went off, running around campus with Blue rolling around on the floor in laughter. After Jasper was glistening and sweaty, Shelby told him to cover up and go shower.
"I don't want other girls ogling my man!" Shelby said, pushing him off as he tried to hug her in his stickiness.
"I wanna watch you do your dare though," Jasper said.
"Then put a shirt on," Shelby said.
"But it's hot," Jasper said.
"Sorry," Shelby said, as if to say 'look at all my gorgeousness' she twirled around.
Magenta watched their interactions, with a big grin on her face. Blue stood beside her and he said, "Okay, we get it, you're a sweet couple. Come on! Shelby, go do your dances!"
Jasper slipped a hand onto Shelby's hip and they kissed before she also ran off to find her dance victims. She kept failing which made her friends and boyfriend break into fits of laughter. Shelby stopped by one girl and as soon as she started moving, the girl turned around to glare at Shelby. When Shelby finally finished the dare, she needed a break, but it was dinner time.
After dinner Shelby and Magenta took a short walk around the playground near the dining hall.
"Wait, so Magenta. What's going on with Reese," Shelby wiggled her eyebrows.
"He's really cute," Magenta admitted.
"So is Blue," Shelby whispered.
Magenta looked over at Blue, who was playing rock paper scissors with Jasper.
He was cute. Blue was tall and fit, and his brown eyes were filled with an intense depth.
"Yeah well. Blue is a meanie beanie." Magenta muttered.
"A cute meanie beanie." Shelby was trying to inject the idea into Magenta's head, not knowing that the thought was already there.
Magenta felt insecure at the moment. Would Reese be interested in her? Was she interesting, smart, and pretty enough for the almighty Reese McCartney? Didn't he have many other options, all girls who were so much more attractive than her?
And Blue...he was her frenemy, so it was off limits. She dismissed the thought as it came, even when it was beginning to leave lasting imprints.