The Matters of Power

Chapter 16- Fall Festival, Missing Star [END]

*Monday morning, the day of the postponed Fall Festival*

Ugh, the school atmosphere is unusually more uncomfortable this morning. Not even do I go through the foyer do I hear students passing by discussing what happened the past Friday and seem to fix their eyes on me with extreme curiosity and excitement. Not many approach me, but those who do give me congratulations for rescuing Payton and beating up that "stalker" to put him in prison. They hardly mention Carl as a factor in this, probably more convinced that I actually did more than him based on their own assumptions, but it doesn't stop them anyway. Arriving at Biology early, I can only guess and think heavily on how the Fall Festival will be conducted with the recent events that had a trespasser managed to go into school grounds and kidnap a student when classes ended, with the most probable case being police officers being sent to heavily monitor the festival. Worst case scenario: the festival is canceled last minute and all of our work is wasted to little incentive, making the title of Fall Star Representative meaningless to Payton. I can barely pay attention to my own thoughts as other students start to crowd in and socialize about recent events, even though I can still hear them very well with their futile attempts of whispering and murmuring to not get my attention. The bell rings and the teacher enters the classroom, but he seems very gloomy and unmotivated from the start, clearly impacted from the kidnapping on Friday. He sighs and starts to speak up, "Alright everyone, listen up. We all know what had happened a few days ago, and I ain't gonna sugar-coat it, this hurts us teachers and the school just as much as you students and those closely associated with Ms. Moon."

He shuffles a folder and places it on his desk. "Since we were originally supposed to start another grading period today, and circumstances have railed our schedule that we had decided to still host the Fall Festival, but on Monday today, and start the grading period tomorrow. You guys have a free day, just... take it easy, will ya?" Finishing his announcement, he resumes to his desk and focuses on paperwork as students hesitantly move around and hang out for time to pass. I've yet to hear anyone be very enthusiastic about attending the Fall Festival, but it seems that most would want to be there if not for sympathy for Payton, from what I remember is stubborn enough that she still wants to attend even with what happened to her. Very determined, that girl is. I can safely say that no one bothers me for the rest of the period as I pretend to take a nap and the same occurs for the next three periods. By Lunch, I sit at the same table with Carl and Fernando and eat with awkward silence as neither of us know how to casually start a conversation with what has happened.

"I've just gotten a text from a text from Payton earlier," Carl breaks the ice. "She wasn't able to come to school today because of her parents wanting to comfort her for the day and that she had to confirm a few things to the police department in town. (He lifts a spork at me) But, she did text me to remind you that you should look presentable in the evening as she will not miss the Fall Festival and doesn't want any screwups with first impressions." Even among all troubles Payton still manages to come back at me to berate me, but at least I'm done with her commanding. "You should be lucky, Marcus," Fernando looks up from his tray, "that they would even still do this event. Last time I checked, you didn't want to be a Fall Star Representative and even bother to back out of i-" Carl slightly clocks him in the back of the head. "Geez, chill out will ya? As much as the both of fear the wrath of Payton and her ability to take these things seriously, it sure wouldn't hurt to go the even that us Freshmen had to prepare for. 'Enjoy the fruits of our labor' and all that, right Marcus?" I nod in agreement, and we finish the rest of our lunch as the bell rings the day slowly go forward...

*Later, in the evening...*

The best clothes that I could find for such an event was a collared shirt and black jeans that my father stored in the closet, and even then I had to tuck in more than what I would've like and tighten the belt considering our size different even with my perfect body. Both of my parents are busy with work and aren't likely return before nightfall, but regardless left a letter for me to read that summarizes that I should have fun and don't overdo myself. How kind of them. Locking the house and walking to the school, I find a sizeable amount of security when I arrive at the front area, borrowed from the police department and clearly on the lookout for any more "unsavory persons". They pay no mind to me since they seem to know me (with their own thoughts confirming so, from the news or briefings that they have) and I find in surprise a large crowd hanging around in participation of the Fall Festival. Plenty of activities and creative booths to visit: Culinary Club's on-site bakery and store, various clubs offering games and unique "stores" (the Literature Club's 3-D printer is not as effective as they thought), and the main spotlight of the booths being the Fashion Club's makeshift face painting and hair salon, with Hugo being the main star of the operation. I'm just able to pass through the extensive line (mostly girls, who are just there to get close to Hugo and admire him closely) that takes up most of the salon, but I hear Hugo calling me out from all the way to the tent. "Marcus! Marcus, come over for a bit! Make way for the Fall Star Representative!" As if they were instantly ordered in strict discipline, the lines make space as I approach him, finishing touches on a student's hair. He lets them go and calls for the next person, "Marcus, I'm real glad that you managed to make it here today!" He doesn't look away from the student customer and continues the conversation with full concentration, how does he do that? "I was concerned that you wouldn't make it today after the last chaotic 48 hours, and believe me, I would've sympathized with you, but you haven't ceased to amaze me with what a colorful character you are!"