The Matters of Power

Chapter 13- Fall Festival, Missing Star [4]

"Hey Marcus! Thanks again! I'm grateful to have a friend like you by my side, we all make a good team!" I can't get what she had said earlier in the morning out my mind! Nobody has thanked me genuinely in such a way before, and to think that I actually did something helpful to receive such praise. Yet she called me a "friend", where nobody else wanted to be true friends with me because of who I was with my looks, before and after I got my powers and transformed my body. The majority of people in San Anton High who have wanted to get close to me just wanted to use me because they had assumed that I was wealthy or popular, and their thoughts always proved it to me every time through my weeks here. Yet somehow, Payton's regards feel... genuine, as if she actually accepts me as a friend for what backbreaking work I have done for her to have a clear win for Fall Star Representative. Now I just probably have to improve Carl's relations with her so that things finally calm down for the three of us.

I feel very distracted throughout my morning classes because of this, even though I somehow manage to keep up with the teachers' lessons and not get in trouble for being distracted. That still doesn't stop me from hearing everyone else's thoughts about the Fall Star Representative voting that's happening tomorrow, with what work we did it seems clear that they want to vote for Payton and I. I'm glad that the work is going to pay off, but I really wish that they would think that they would consider voting for someone other than me where I don't have to deal with all the publicity on Saturday. Even when I arrive at the cafeteria for Lunch, there are still group circles still discussing about their vote and more often than not do I hear my name or Payton's name involved in the discussion more than I would think I would like. I don't think they recall this as a way of representing their year to the Sophomores, Juniors, or Seniors, but as an almost undisputed popularity contest, which realistically defeats the whole purpose of the democratic vote.

With today's meal of spaghetti in my tray, I head over to my table where Fernando is, as usual, the first one there. I start to dig in and try to create casual conversation with him. "So... Fernando, are you going to the Fall Festival? Any plans to participate?" He sighs, "No. Not really. I've never been one to attend social events like these, and the people who attend these things tend to look far more snobbish for my own good. It'll be better for you if you aren't seen with me, considering since sooooo many people are sure to vote for you to be Fall Star Representative, it's a cakewalk for ya." I raise an eyebrow, "What makes you say that?" "It's just..." He grips he plastic spoon. "I gave you the benefit of the doubt when you were a new kid to all of these systems, thinking that we might be 'equal' of all things. But it seems that you are too popular for us lesser students to handle and would probably be a stain on ya on this world." Even after all this time, he still seems to struggle with being near me and I hate that he would have to be troubled because of it. I can't really find anything to say to him because I've been in this similar situation like him, but I ain't about to give up like that. Not like this.

"Well... I'm still here, aren't I?" I reply. "Not like I'm going anywhere, we've stayed together since the first day, so-" All of a sudden, Payton slinks down in one of the chairs, her face full of confusion as she holds a piece of paper and reading it. Fernando and I don't say anything, surprised that she even looks in such a state as if a horrible fate has been placed on her. "Hey. Marcus." She finally speaks. "What the hell is this? (She hands me the paper) Did you write this? 'Cause if you did, we need to have a chat." I'm surprised that she would suspect me of all people to do something of whatever this is. Glancing at it, it's clear that this is a letter, a neatly written one at that, but reading the majority of it there is a clear connection that this is a love letter of some sort. "Payton, my love..." "Your beauty and intelligence knows no bounds..." "...I hope dearly that you still remember your promise all those years ago..." "...I congratulate your efforts to become Fall Star Representative and hope to meet you there." Bits and pieces of this is some personal jumbo that I clearly shouldn't know about, but it's pretty clear that they know and have admired her a long time. I'm not capable of such wording or, "affectionate", description and that Payton thinks I would do such a thing is astonishing, when earlier she said she was grateful that she had a friend like me.