Election

Nomination

Mike fucking Newton was a dead man. It didn't matter that he'd been Jeremy's best friend since kindergarten and had an unspoken agreement to be each other's best man at their future weddings. Jeremy was going to kill him and dump his body into Lake Pleasant. It was no less than what Mike Newton deserved.

Jeremy found Mike as he finished with football practice and was on his way to his car from the locker rooms. He didn't care that he nearly knocked over Tyler in his rush to get to the football captain. He was so focused on the boiling rage going through his system, he could barely breathe. Mike had just opened the car door to his Toyota Corolla when Jeremy slammed it closed again.

"You fucking traitor," he hissed. "How dare you run against me?"

The blond stared at him, blue eyes wide and guilty. "I'm sorry, Jer. It's nothing personal."

"Personal?" he nearly spat out the word. "You're trying to sabotage my dreams and you don't think it's personal?"

"It was Lauren's idea," Mike explained. "She said I would have a better chance of getting into UCLA if I win this."

Lauren was in on this too? Were all his friends so treasonous?

"If you win this?" Jeremy scoffed. "Of course you're gonna win! You're better looking than me, more popular, and you're captain of the football and basketball teams."

Mike sighed. "Calm down, Jer..."

"No, I will not calm down!" he exclaimed, ignoring the looks the football players were giving them. "You know how important this is to me and then you go around my back and just take it without considering for even one second what you're doing."

"Doing what, Jeremy?" Mike returned. "You're the one who's always pushing me to do better at school and have more extra-curriculars. And now that I am you're pissed at me."

"Cause you're a selfish asshole who only cares about yourself."

"That is not true!"

Jeremy glared at him and remembered the many times Mike was chosen or given things because he was born handsomer, wealthier, and more athletic. Jeremy had to work for things more, try harder, and yet it wouldn't be enough. People liked Mike more no matter what. Girls liked Mike more and always have.

Mike always won. Jeremy began to think. He couldn't win this time. Statistically, it was Mike's turn to lose and feel what it was like to be the lesser one between them.

It was Jeremy Stanley's turn to be the winner.

"Never mind," he said. "I'm going to beat you. And you know why? Cause I'm a fucking winner and this is my election."

Mike looked exasperated. "Can we just talk about this?"

Jeremy turned away and began walking away, his thoughts spinning as he began to plan out his campaign. He could win this. He had experience in student council and was a member of a dozen clubs. Nothing would stop him from taking this win from Mike's undeserving hands.

This was war.

Jeremy needed a new running mate. Eric was another traitor that had flocked to Mike's side which left him to find a new replacement. Tyler was out of the question as he along with all of the jocks was loyal to their backstabbing captain. Lauren was Mike's campaign manager and was the devil in human form.

Then there was Angela, who after hearing about Mike's betrayal, had sympathized with him but opted to stay neutral in this war. She had known both of them since kindergarten and could not pick a side. Jeremy's friends had deserted him and he was essentially alone. It hurt deeply and it was a battle Mike had so effortlessly won that it only fuelled the raging inferno of revenge and anger that permanently lived within him.