The Matters of Power

Chapter 26- The Eastside Gang [1]

It feels as if San Anton High has become more active because of Julieta's transfer. Apparently, it's been a while since anyone has transferred in the middle of a school year but it sure doesn't stop almost everyone from trying to have a genuine conversation with her. Not that it bothers me since I never knew her that well and I know her true face. Even as I sit down on my lunch table with a plate of chicken drumsticks do I see Julieta being surrounded by a ton of students who have nothing better to do but sit around. Fernando doesn't seem to care and Carl is busy scrolling through some Moogle News feed that I'm paying attention to. "Chicken drumsticks, ya gotta love it." Payton grumbles as she peels a bit of the chicken off, "Why do I even bother getting lunch here when I can get my dad to drop off some fast food that's WAY better?" "If you want to do that," Fernando looks up and chimes in. "you're better off skipping lunch altogether or make it at home." She disagrees with, "No way, I don't got time for that! At least Micken's Chick gives some quality in some time, what you got against that?" They start to bicker a bit about their situation but Carl tugs at my shoulder and I focus my attention on him. "Hey Marcus, there's a lot of coverage on this company here in San Anton, ever heard of them?" I shake my head, not bothering to go through news that doesn't concern my immediate problems. "Really?" He goes on, "Well anyways, they're actually starting to do big construction contracts in this area that they say is gonna improve the quality for us residents. I'm no corporate lover, but I think we got easy lives for what they do." For some reason, this intrigues me. "Oh? Well, what's the company's name?"

He double-checks his phone to reassure himself. "Star-Cor Technology. Here, there's even an attached video about an interview with the CEO. Despite looking old, he has some... interesting qualities." His pause makes me uneasy, but I suck it up and click the play button on his phone. A typical news interviewer sits on one side and the camera pans over to show a late-30s or early-40s guy sitting with a suit, wrapped cloth covering his right shoulder, largely dark brown-ish hair with few greying strands, and to my surprise a prosthetic right hand on clear display over his knees. He practically breathes professionalism and I listen attentively for the next few minutes as he goes in details about his contributions and future projects for the company's products. Before the interview ends, I spot another news article below the current one that shows Julieta's face on the thumbnail. "Hey, click that article below this one will ya?" Carl doesn't protest and cancels the interview video. I was shocked to see what I was reading, that Julieta was the daughter of Star-Cor Technology's CEO! No wonder she was extremely stuck up to me that day, she clearly thought she was superior to all of us here since her father's company is the dominant force here in San Anton. And yet, it doesn't explain why she was considerate and kind towards me in my original body during Winter Break. Was she doing that out of pity, or was it some sadistic tactic to let my guard down towards her for some company scheme? I'm about ready to stand up and stomp my way towards to where Julieta sits, but the warning bell saves her, and we're all forced out of the cafeteria to the rest of our classes.

*After school...*

I finally cooled down to now realize that it would've been an extremely stupid idea to confront Julieta in the current state of things. It has been an extremely long time since I ever got mad towards someone, but I doubt I could stand to Julieta and the money and influence she wields to make my life a living hell. Even as I sit down on one of the benches outside of the school, I see her stroll towards the car that had dropped her off in the morning and leave as quickly as she got in it, with a small posse tailing her for God-knows-how-long. I hear a bit of thoughts around me about a small movie set that is going on near the area where I live, so I figure that I can watch it for myself before I head home. Yet as I stand up from the desk a black luxury sedan suddenly and violently comes to a stop on the street and takes a U-turn towards my way. One of the doors opens to see a middle-aged man wearing what I assume fancy executive clothes and rushes towards me with his eyes wide open. "You there, good sir!" I look around me to confirm that he's talking to me. "Me?" "Yes, you!" He stops suddenly and moves his head around as to look at me from certain angles. Another door opens from the sedan to show another guy but wearing office clothes instead, "Sir! I do not wish to pressure you, but we are on a tight schedule." "I know that!" He barks at the man, "But I think I just found another star to shine!" He rolls and eyes and just looks at me while whispering something that I can hear in his head. "(Office Worker) Oh boy. Let's hope this kid can withstand the chief's zeal."