Election Parties

There are two competing parties for the Student Council election: the Royal Eagle Party List and the Wild Cats Party List. Each party has impressive credentials, but the most popular always wins.

This year, most of the popular students joined the Royal Eagle Party list because of Ridger and Rosie, who are the candidates for president and vice president. This put the Wild Cats Party List, or WCP, on the defensive. No one would want to compete against Rosie for VP because her followers are notorious for being bullies. Meanwhile, this was a good opportunity for Maxene. Since it gives her a chance to be part of WCP.

Aside from that, there is an existing rule saying that if a student council election party is incomplete or has a vacant position, their candidacy will be null. Which is why, sooner or later, before the election comes, they will have to find someone to fill the position.

Maxene decided to reach out to the candidate for the presidency of WCP along with the others. She found out that they were having a meeting at a student lounge inside the main campus, so she headed there with Lianey.

There are several wooden group tables in the lounge, and all of them are full, so Maxene finds it hard to look for the party. Meanwhile, Lianey knows them, which is why she easily spotted them in the corner.

"There they are!" she exclaimed and grabbed Maxene's hand to walk towards the party. They were all conversing with each other casually and didn't seem to notice each other.

"Hi!" Lianey greeted them and took their attention.

"It's Lianey! Hi girl," a fourth-year woman said while beaming at her, then she looked at Maxene and smiled. "You must be Maxene Claire," she stated.

Maxene nodded her head and replied, "And you are Lorraine Delmar, the candidate for the presidency," and looked at the others. "Hello, everyone," she greeted.

"Maxene, the new girl," a guy said, who took her attention. "I'm Zeke Valle, third year from the College of Engineering," he added, extending his hand.

Lianey slapped his hands and looked at him with her sharp eyes. "Don't flirt with her." They have known each other since they went to the same school in elementary school. Zeke just transferred here in high school, while Lianey remained in her old school until college.

Everyone laughed because of what Lianey said, while Zeke played innocent. "I'm just introducing myself, though," he told her.

"Everyone knows how you are around girls, Zeke," Lorraine remarked, shaking her head.

"Just ignore that playboy, Max," Lianey told Maxene. The reason she reacts this way is because Zeke is notorious for being a heartbreaker. He flirts with girls and makes them fall in love, but he would hurt them in the end by saying his actions don't mean a thing. Kind of similar to Ridger, except Ridger didn't mean to hurt anyone. He has pure intentions.

Maxene chuckled because she wanted to tell her that the guy wouldn't even stand a chance, but she remained quiet.

"Anyway, you're here to join the party, right?" Lorraine asked her. Maxene could see in Lorraine's eyes that she seemed uneasy, and Maxene knows exactly why. "Are you sure you want the VP position?" she inquired. The others looked at each other because they all thought it was ridiculous, except for Zeke, who was just waiting for her response.

It's obvious why the position is still vacant, and that's because they would have to compete against Rosie. And it is shocking for them to know that someone like Maxene would want to take it. First, she has never joined an organization before. Basically, she doesn't have any experience. Second, her grades are average, unlike Rosie's. Third, Maxene's popularity is low compared to Rosie's. If anyone had to choose, they would definitely choose Rosie over her. It's a losing game. But of course, they would have no choice but to accept her since they would lose the candidacy if they didn't have a VP.

Maxene smiled at them and said, "Of course, I am sure. I'll have to try. You can never know what will happen soon."

Zeke stared at her as if he were trying to read her expression. It's his first time seeing someone who's not afraid of Rosie's influence. But he thought that it might just be because she's new and knows nothing. Sooner or later, she will see how tough it is out here.

Meanwhile, Lorraine believes that the other members of her party have more credentials than Maxene, just like Zeke. The reason she decided not to give him the VP position is because he has a better chance of winning the secretary position since REP has a weak candidate for secretary. She thinks that Maxene will eventually lose, so she'll just let her take the position instead.

"Alright then, we'll give you the candidacy for VP. Don't worry, we'll help each other in the campaign," Lorraine assured her with a smile. Meanwhile, Zeke knows what she's thinking, and he kind of feels bad for Maxene. He believes that she's going to lose in the end, no matter what she does.

But of course, Maxene knows exactly what is running through their heads, which is why she can't help but grin on their way back to their department building. Lianey on the other hand feels worried because of the situation Maxene is in. She also believes that there is a small chance Maxene will win this election.

"Don't worry, Max. I will do anything to help you in the campaign!" she cheered and raised her fist.

"Are you worried I'll lose?" Maxene inquired and chuckled.

"It's just that... argh!" she uttered frustratedly. "We must do anything so you can win against that girl."

"You mean, Ro—?"

"Shh. Don't mention her name carelessly." Lianey cut her off instantly.

"Why?"

"She's got eyes and ears everywhere. And you know how gossip twists the story, right? It's gonna end badly,"

Lianey explained and sighed.

"Lianey, the world is round. They won't always stay above us and us at the bottom. Don't worry, it's just the beginning," she stated, looking at her with a reassuring smile.

—

The last class in the afternoon ended early because the professor had an emergency at home. Instead of 4:30, they were dismissed at 4 in the afternoon, which is the same time Ridger's class ends. For that reason, Lianey suggested they go to the mall to eat so they could bond.

Ridger had no choice but to say yes because it was still early and he didn't want to upset her sister. What surprised Maxene was that even Dave and Nathan were going with them.

"They are here too," Maxene uttered while looking at Nathan, who seemed to be living in his own world, not speaking to anyone, and the golden retriever boy Dave.

"Hi Maxene!" Dave greeted her while holding a chocolate bar.

"Get in, guys," Ridger said from the car window. He's already inside.

"I'll see you there," Nathan uttered, and he went straight to his motorcycle beside Ridger's car. Then he went straight ahead.

Lianey looked at Maxene and said, "Come on, Max. We'll have some fun today!" She opened the door for Maxene and giggled as if it was her first time going to the mall. Well, technically, it's her first time in a while.

Dave sat at the shotgun, as usual. Meanwhile, Lianey sat behind the driver's seat, which is on the left side, and Maxene on the right. From her position, she could see Ridger's face in the rear mirror, who was focused on the road. She would often catch him staring at her through the mirror, and he didn't seem bothered that he was caught. It was like he was letting her know that she was under his surveillance.

Maxene just smiled as she stared outside the window, and Lianey kept talking. Maxene had no experience in a relationship, which is why she didn't push through the idea of making him fall for her. She thought it was impossible because she didn't know how. Besides, she thought that being a close friend with him would give her better and easier access to him. But gaining his trust would take a long time. For now, she would let him obsess about knowing her. Sooner or later, he would soften.

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End of chapter 13