Damnation [Book 1]

Chapter 3 - {Day 3}

First week of September: Thursday

Laila

Making her way through the narrow aisles, the intoxicatingly addictive musky smell of aged paper combined with ink – tempting her, as she briskly walked past in a hurry. Crossing over into the seating area, occupied with students, whose noses were buried deep in their books; Laila raced to 'their' reserved table – situated in the corner, behind the last aisle, next to a large window that overlooked the large multi-purpose sports-field.

Upon approaching the two already seated students, she slammed her palm against the polished wood, crisp freshly printed sheets of paper pressed under; momentarily startling her friends, "Guess who's signing up for the student council?"

"Shush!" a finger pressed against her naturally pink lips, unwillingly brought back to reality from her fictional adventure; Rae scolded Laila, who in return sheepishly shrugged.

"I want to say 'you', but that seems like such an easy answer." Her face buried in a mathematical equation, Zaylee sarcastically whispered, earning a playful pat on the head from Laila, "No need for the extra talk. And answering my own question, 'we' are signing up." Excitedly, she declared.

"What?", "As what?", Zaylee and Rae inquired respectively, though Zaylee didn't exactly mirror Rae's enthusiasm.

Seating herself besides Rae, Laila passionately elaborated, "I was thinking, Rae for Head-Girl, Zay for House-Captain, and I for House-Sports-Captain. What say?"

Sighing, Zaylee asked, "Laila, do I look like student council material to you?". Laila parted her lips to reply but Zaylee promptly spoke, "That was a rhetorical question. The answer is 'No'."

Channelizing all her optimism in such a case, would leave her wishful attempts fruitless because she knew her grim friend had a point. In Laila's eyes, she knew her best friend had every ounce of potential to lead their house to victory, then any other student. However, she was also aware that Zaylee's notorious reputation proceeded her, and neither students, nor school faculty would vouch for her leadership. Laila's attempts paired with Zaylee's keenness would just result in Zaylee's humiliated loss. But she was still wanted to try, in case luck was on their side.

"Come on Zay! We'd be the dream team. Pleasee?" Laila pouted.

"Nope." Without sparing Laila a glance, Zaylee replied as she drowned herself in the equation before her.

Determined to not succumb to defeat just yet, Laila turned to what Zaylee playfully labelled – their 'Rae of hope'; telepathically begging Rae to convince their friend, through a violent and explicit eye conversation. However, Rae was already convinced and for once she was on the same page with Zaylee; requesting Laila to give up.

"Alright. I'm asking one last time. Are you a hundred percent sure, you wouldn't like to sign up?" Laila inquired once again, but this time, for final assurance.

"A hundred and fifty percent. Besides," Having the pen pressed against the corner of her dark pigmented lips, deep in thought, Zaylee suggested, "I think you should sign up for House-Captain instead."

"The thought did cross my mind, but I'm afraid I'll not do it justice." Laila voiced her insecurity.

"Not do it justice? Oh please! Laila, you have the grades, agreed you struggle in Math, but that's no big deal," playfully Laila swatted Rae's arm, "Hey!"

"Haha! Anyway, you have earned the house many points in the athletic area, you are great at delegating work, and apart from a countable number of students, you're the house's favorite. You would make the perfect House-Captain." Rae encouraged and Laila blushed.