RIVALS (BKPP)

Chapter 7

The election committee decided to set an uncalled meeting together with the presidential candidates the following day. I received the memo early in the morning so I immediately get up from my bed, took a quick shower and that includes skipping breakfast. Thankfully, there were no hassle or incident that happened while I'm on my way so I go straight to the meeting room and to my surprise, Billkin Putthipong was already seated on the other corner of the table.

We stare at each other for a brief moment and when Billkin sent me a small smile, I instinctively look away from his direction- repelled like equal polarities. There are only two of us inside the meeting room and I could feel the deafening silence around that I have to clear my throat from time to time just to hear an audible sound. I walk timidly towards the other chair and took a seat silently.

I play with my fingers, putting my attention everywhere just to get rid the awkwardness inside the room. After a few minutes of just... dead silence, I look down on my lap and realized that my legs are joggling. I breathed deeply and shakes my head afterwards.

This is insane.

"Did... did you sleep well last night?" I heard Billkin's voice. I hesitated at first if he's asking me and as stupid as it sounds for me to ask myself with that question, no one's around except us. Dithering, I glance at Billkin and nods my head as a response.

Another awkward silence.

Should I ask him back with the same question?

"H-how about you?" my voice trails off. My eyes remains staring at the wall, trying so hard not to glace at Billkin's direction. I heard him answer my question- that he had a normal sleep as well- with his auditory caramel voice.

Honestly, I didn't have much sleep last night. It was hard for me go to sleep after my panic attack and breakdown in front of Billkin. I spent the night pondering about it. I'm so embarrassed by my actions that I don't think I can see Billkin anymore with a confident face. Right now, it is so dreadful for me in this kind of situation. Finally, the front door opens and the two members of the election committee enters. Both Billkin and I stand from our seat together to greet them. The members greeted us back with their warm smiles, commenting that it's nice to see two of their outstanding students in one room. We were motioned to take our seat and waited for them to start the discussion.

"Were you informed that there are three of you who will run for president?" one of the member started. Surprised, I take a quick glance at Billkin. "Don't worry, you will meet her in a short while."

After a short minute of waiting, the door opens and I got to see the other person I'll be competing with for presidency. She enters the room with such elegance and confidence- she is something robust and real. She greeted the election members before she turn to me and Billkin, smiling at us.

"I'm not surprised, you're really something, Smile Parada." Billkin said in credence, standing from his seat as he claps his hands for her.

"I was thinking it would be nice to join the competition, right PP?" Smile looks over me. I laugh in an empty manner, forcing a smile towards her. "And I cannot let men fight over a victory without women also fighting on the battlefield." she adds, occupying the seat between me and Billkin.

The meeting finally started and as much as I try to remain focus on what they are discussing, Smile's existence- and Billkin's sudden happiness bothers- NO, it irks me.

"In line with the presidential race, you also have to prepare for the presidential debate that is going to happen one month from now. That means you have to pull all your useful cards for this debate." One of the members inform us before he pass us the guidebook for the said debate. "We are sure you know how the debate works since the three of you are members of the university debate team. What includes on the guidebook are some rules you need to take note of for formality."

"By far, this is the most exciting presidential race we've ever witnessed." the other member commented, giving the three of us a look. "Three of the best-rounded students of this university. Please do your best shot."

The meeting was quick- it only took us half an hour to discuss all the things for the debate. After the members exited the room, I quickly gather all my things so that I could get out of here- away from these two who constantly flirting with each other. I wish I could make a puking face in front of them.

Slinging the bag on my arms, I face them with a bored expression. "I'll be going." I tell them as I make a straight line towards the exit door.

"Aren't you going to join me and Billkin? We're going out for early lunch." Smile says.

I stop on my tracks and turns to them. "Sorry, I can't join you. Maybe next time? And... I think there's no next time? I don't usually make friends with my competitors." I put a fake smile, making it sound as friendly and nice as possible.

"Oh, that's sad." Billkin clicks his tongue, shaking his head as he put his sad- which is undeniably fake- expression yet I can see that sly smile cornered on his lips.

What a pretty bad actor.

"Yeah, sad." I retorted before finally leaving the room.

---

Sky with a concern and curiosity painted on his face, watches me as I finish my third glass of milkshake- taking it with just one slurp. He looks around the coffee shop, probably he doesn't want everyone to know that he's dealing with some kind of lunatic with anger management issue- and that's me and I don't have anger management issue. "You're panicking." He pointed out flatly.

"I'm not," I reply nonchalantly, leaning my back on the chair. "I'm pissed, Sky." I tell him as I gritted my teeth. My anger is skyrocketing onto my head and I want to lash what I feel to someone. "You know what, I can definitely beat Billkin Putthipong but what pisses me off is that he's teaming up with Smile Parada on how to kick me out of the race. I despise them both!" I hissed.

"You're angry because Billkin found an ally." Sky tells me.

"Whatever," I roll my eyes from annoyance. I take a deep sigh, "I need one more milkshake."

"Drink mine," Sky slides his milkshake across me and I did not hesitate to take and drink it. "I'm sure you can beat them." Sky says, trying to console and tame my anger.

"Yeah, sure I can. I just need to make a good action plan."  I put my thinking face towards Sky, staring at him blankly and for sure he can see how deep my frown is. I snap my finger, startling  Sky suddenly as my eyes twinkles with enthusiasm. "Dirt..." I tell Sky.

Sky, with a puzzled face, raised is eyebrows at me. "Dirt?"

"Dirt. I want you to dig some dirt about Billkin and Smile. We need to disarm them, disqualify them, and show that they are not fit to be a council president." I explained. "Can you do that right? I mean you're very good at hacking and all? Maybe you can find skeletons hidden in their closets?" 

Sky simply gives me an unamused face, sighing deeply. I know it will take me a few more persuasions to make Sky do some digging  about our rivals. Sky is an excellent hacker, he is a tech genius and we're the only ones who knows about it because Sky only uses this gift for good deeds and looking for some dirt about Billkin and Smile that will benefit me- his bestfriend, to win the council presedential race will be considered a good deed as well. 

"I'm not going to pull some strings or even manipulate you to do this and... I'm talking as your bestfriend who's on your side since what? since we're five years old? But you shoukd use that gift of yours in order to help me, your bestfriend." I lean my arms on the table, staring at Sky intently. 

"Pulling some strings? Manipulating? And guilt-tripping? Hell, yes." he tells me bitterly. I let out a defeated sigh, leaning away from him. I grab the glass of milkshake and lazily finish it. Sky looks at me for quite some time and I know he'll budge soon if I continue looking like a sad puppy in front of him. "That sad puppy face is not working, PP." he says. "But I'll see what I can find, okay?" 

A small smile appears on my lips. "Not working, huh?"