My phone buzzed with messages from the newly elected club officers. Athina's message, predictably, was blunt and irritating:
4th Rep. Athina Ildefonso: MR. PRESIDENT @Orion, Seriously? There are still props and panels left in the gym! The student council is blaming us! I thought you were supposed to have cleaned up after the event? The stage is a disaster! Get on it.
I ignored it. Athina thrived on drama. I checked Daisy's message instead:
Daisy:
Orion... Dad dropped me off. See you at the gate. ❤️
I knocked on Penelope's door.
7:00 AM sharp. Time to face the day.
Penelope opened the door, offering a tight, strained smile.
"Good morning," I said. "Ready?"
Her smile didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Yeah... Let's go, brother."
We said goodbye to Grandma and Nanny Lorna. Outside, two bodyguards and a Range Rover waited—our weekly chauffeured transport, and, let's be honest, our security detail.
Some obsessed hater trying to sabotage my sister? Not a chance.
The bodyguards opened the back doors. One in front, one driving.
During the drive, Penelope stared silently out the window. I cleared my throat.
"Wanna come to the airport tonight? Mom and Dad will land at 8."
She glanced at me, a fleeting smile touching her lips.
"Yes, brother."
Her gaze returned to the window. I sighed.
Silence fills the car, broken only by the engine's hum and the guards' occasional whispers.
The road curves, opening onto a long, straight path towards the university.
Trees and mountains surround us. Our university sits in a secluded rural haven, far from city noise.
Mostly elite students study here, many arriving in private cars or chauffeured vehicles. The lack of public transport means this world, this sanctuary of learning, operates largely on its own terms.
The university's large arch appears, signaling our arrival. Penelope and I prepare. She puts on her sunglasses, likely to hide swollen eyes.
It's been tough on her. Her movie got canceled. But she remains determined to pursue her acting career, now as a solo artist, although she needs a hiatus.
The Range Rover pulled up to the gate. Two guards swiftly exited, opening the doors. As we stepped out, a wave of students solidified, their gazes settling on us. The air crackled with the collective hush, broken only by the insistent clicks of camera shutters and the flash of phone screens. I felt the weight of their scrutiny.
I overheard snippets of conversation:
"Will her movie still come out?"
"Poor Pene..."
"My CalPen heart is breaking..."
"They look like twins!"
They'd heard the news, of course. But the photos? Really?
I put a protective arm around Penelope, shooting a pointed look at the most enthusiastic photographers.
Penelope gently removed my arm, her gaze meeting mine.
"Brother, I'm used to it. Let the guards walk me to class," she said, subtly indicating someone with a slight nod of her head. "Besides," she added in a low voice, "I think someone's waiting for you."
My eyes found Daisy, a warm smile playing on her lips. Then, back to Penelope.
"Are you sure you're okay with this?" I asked, concerned.
"Perfectly fine, brother. Go on, go with Daisy," she replied, offering a small, reassuring smile before gesturing to the guards. She turned and walked towards the campus, the guards flanking her.
I practically sprinted to Daisy, who met me with a tight hug.
"Good morning," she greeted, her voice soft but I could practically hear the underlying disapproval. When will she just say yes already? We're practically acting like a couple.
"Morning," I replied, managing a smile. "Ready?"
"Yeah, we still have ten minutes." She linked her arm through mine, but I stopped abruptly before we reached the gate, turning to face the still-photographing students.
My eyes narrowed. "Seriously? You morons don't know that snapping pictures without permission is a privacy violation? Maybe try reading a book instead of being mindless phone zombies for once."
They scrambled to lower their phones, faces flushing.
Daisy's grip tightened on my arm. She was staring at me, like I'd just committed a social faux pas. Yeah, I was a bit harsh, but did they deserve a polite lecture?
"What? I'm not a goddamn zoo animal," I snapped, my voice sharper than I intended. Then, I continued walking, ignoring her silent disapproval.
Her silence was deafening. She always gets like this when I do something she doesn't approve of. But frankly, I wasn't going to play the charming prince for a bunch of paparazzi wannabes. They got what they deserved.
Their actions were completely disrespectful; they were trying to ruin my reputation.
I gently removed Daisy's arm from around me and turned to face her, walking backward as she continued walking.
I took her hands, squeezing them lightly. She tried her best to avoid looking at me, but I saw the blush rising on her cheeks.
Yup, Orion effect.
"I see you really didn't like my sassy side, huh?" I said.
She rolled her eyes before looking at me, her brow furrowed.
"You could have asked them nicely without offending them, Orion," she said.
I chuckled.
"The irony is, sometimes the most compassionate act is brutal honesty, Daisy."
But she still seemed unconvinced by her expression.
"Come on... It's not about being rude; I'm just being true to myself and my convictions—"
"ORION, LOOK OUT!" Her sudden shout cut me off.
Before I could even react, I felt the impact of a body colliding with my back, sending me stumbling forward.
I looked up, meeting a broad chest. This person was taller than me. My eyes focused on his chest.
I was about to offer an apology, my gaze still fixed on the broad chest before me, when a large panel slid silently into place, creating an unexpected barrier. Leo and Evan, both panting and leaning against the newly positioned panel, appeared as though they'd just completed a grueling race.
"Orion! Kinana! At last!" Leo exclaimed, his breath coming in ragged gasps.
"Athina's been having a meltdown in the gymnasium!" Evan added, sweat beading on his forehead. "She's been relentlessly criticizing your performance as club president – and not in a particularly subtle way."
"What's the big rush?" I asked, my irritation simmering.
"Tomorrow's the freshman orientation," Leo explained, "and we need to prepare the gym for the Club Exhibition. Moving this panel... well, let's just say it tested our strength and patience."
I ran a hand through my hair, attempting to regain some semblance of calm.
Inhale... exhale... Orion... I silently reminded myself.
"Fine," I conceded. "I'll be there. But I need to speak with someone first."
They exchanged a look before maneuvering the heavy panel aside. The stranger who had collided with me was gone.
Damn. I'd forgotten to apologize.
I turned to find Daisy standing with her arms crossed, one eyebrow raised in silent interrogation. Her expression clearly demanded an explanation.
"Well," she began, her tone laced with curiosity, "that was... certainly eventful. Care to enlighten me?"
I sighed in disappointment.
"Excuse me, Daisy," I said. We were in the same class, so I'd be seeing her all day.
When I entered the gymnasium, I was greeted by loud applause.
"Bravo! Our beloved club president has finally arrived!"
I paused, shoving my hands in my pockets, and looked at Athina with a neutral expression.
"By the way, Mr. President," she said sarcastically, "everything's been magically resolved! No need to worry yourself!"
I raised a skeptical eyebrow.
"What exactly did you do? Did you unleash a verbal tirade?" I asked, matching her sarcasm.
She scoffed, hands on her hips.
"What... did... you... do?" she retorted, emphasizing each word.
I knew this conversation wouldn't lead anywhere. Athina thrived on arguments, convinced she could win any debate. So, I decided to take the high road, or at least pretend to.
I crossed my arms, offering a smile so fake it looked sculpted from plastic. It was better than strangling her or waxing her ridiculously long false eyelashes – lashes longer than the sparse hairs under my arms.
I glanced at the other club members. Their eyes were glued to me and Athina, a silent audience awaiting the inevitable fireworks. The air crackled with anticipation.
I wouldn't resort to physical violence, especially not against a woman, but passive-aggressive warfare was my domain, and I didn't play favorites.
"Okay, I'll admit," I said, my voice dangerously calm, the edge sharper than any blade, "this is the first time you've actually accomplished anything without my constant prodding. Perhaps the Student Council's 'little talk' finally penetrated your thick skull. And for that… I offer a begrudging apology for my past nonchalance." The apology was a thinly veiled insult.
The entire club stared, Athina's grin a wide, triumphant sneer that made my fists clench. The urge to wipe that smug expression off her face was almost irresistible, but I held back. She was, after all, utterly worthless.
"But," I drawled, the single word hanging heavy in the silence.
Their eyes, especially Athina's, were locked onto mine.
"I'm the one who decides how we promote the club at the exhibition," I stated, my gaze unwavering, meeting her furious glare head-on. "And my decision is final. A simple booth will suffice." The words were a challenge, a direct affront to her presumptuous planning.
Cathy coughed, a nervous sound swallowed by the tension.
"Orion," she began, her voice a fragile attempt at peacemaking, "we really want to make this the best club promotion ever. The group chat has some incredible ideas..."
"Ideas I've been deliberately excluded from," I interrupted, cutting her off before she could finish her placating sentence. "Because apparently, my leadership is only valuable when it's convenient for some people." My gaze was fixed on Athina, the accusation clear.
Several members shifted uncomfortably, their nods of agreement half-hearted.
"How was he supposed to know about these 'incredible ideas'?" Athina spat, her voice dripping with venom, "He hasn't even looked at the group chat all summer! He's clearly not committed to this club!" The accusation was a blatant lie, but she delivered it with such conviction it almost felt true.
Her words were a spark to a powder keg. This wasn't just about the exhibition; it was about her relentless attempts to undermine me. My patience had finally snapped.
"And you know," Athina continued, her voice dripping with thinly veiled condescension, "most of us are fourth years, except for the underclassmen reps. Let's be honest, not many people are actually interested in this club—"
"The nerve," I interrupted, my voice cold and sharp. "You think your pathetic attempts at undermining me are subtle?"
She took a breath, a flicker of regret in her eyes, but she pressed on regardless.
"Look, Orion," she said, her tone slightly less confident now, "we're fourth years. Our schedules are insane right now. We're drowning in requirements this week alone—"
"I concur," Leo chimed in, eager to avoid the impending explosion. "Maybe we should choose something less… demanding?"
My gaze swept across their faces, one by one, each expression a mixture of fear and resentment.
"A booth," I stated simply, the word a blunt instrument.
As expected, their reactions were a chorus of complaints, but before Athina could open her mouth, I cut her off.
"Because who the hell said we're starting now?" I snarled, my eyes boring into them, a predatory gleam in my eyes. "We can finish this in a single day, even the day before the exhibition! The Student Council gives us a day for setup, remember? What the actual fuck is wrong with you people?!"
The sudden, uncharacteristic profanity stunned them into silence. Most of them hadn't seen this side of me; the side that didn't bother with polite pleasantries when enraged. Heads ducked, eyes darted nervously.
"You can just say you disagree with the plan," I sneered, my voice dripping with contempt. "What's with all the melodramatic bullshit?" I scanned their faces, daring anyone to challenge me. "Speak now, or forever hold your peace."
Silence. Complete, suffocating silence. They knew better than to defy me now. I continued, my voice low and dangerous. "This isn't a democracy; it's my club, and I'll run it however the fuck I want."
"We can focus on the upcoming academic crap in the days leading up to the exhibition if you're truly too busy to help! We can dedicate an entire day to setting up the booth, provided we have all the necessary materials." I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
"But the expenses—" Athina started with her voice tight with barely suppressed frustration.
"I'll cover the expenses," I cut her off, my voice dangerously low. "SO Shut up!"
Silence descended, heavy and tense. I could feel Athina's simmering rage radiating off her like heat.
The bell rang, a welcome interruption. I offered them a chillingly polite smile, a smile that didn't reach my eyes. Then, I turned and walked away, leaving Athina's furious outburst echoing behind me.
Am I really that rude?
Look, I'm not going to pretend I'm a saint. I'm far from it.
I'm a walking, talking red flag, plain and simple. It's a defense mechanism, a way to protect myself when I feel like everyone's ganging up on me. It's not pretty, it's not always fair, but it's how I survive.