Mr. President

"Ready to go?" Tiah asked Sehvana as they stood before the bus. They were about to go on a school trip to see President Atto. It was an honour. President Atto was not known for entertaining members of the public often. He spoke to the media rarely and listened to the news even less. He was basically closed off in his 'castle' making decisions that affected the country, with men who his decisions would have no impact on.

"Yes." Sehvana said, they soon joined the line to get onto the bus. The students were scared and excited. They even started a rumour that he wanted to gain intel from them and possibly they will go missing after that.

"Are you still afraid?" Tiah asked as they took their seats.

"A little." Sehvana said looking out the window at the younger students who looked on. "What about you?"

"Yeah. Really scared, but Mrs. Keys told us he just wanted to interact with the younger generations a little more. You know? Do something he never did. Still suspicious." Tiah said with a laugh.

"I know. Will we be permitted to speak?" Sehvana asked as Tiah looked at her, surprised. "Or required to?"

"I don't know, hope not. I won't be saying anything. Remember the rumour of the little boy that went missing close to his manor? Investigators were not permitted to investigate, and the family was paid off and threatened to shut up." Tiah said in horror.

Sehvana inhaled deeply.

She heard the rumours; she heard them all. She had something in mind, though. Something that she wondered if she could really do.

A few hours later, 25 students of the ninth grade followed President Atto's personal assistant, Kerry Peters, down the hall. She was very nice. That was a relief.

"This way." Kerry said with a smile. Passing down the hallway, they looked at the many portraits of the past leaders. Some were wonderful, and some were like the current President. Sehvana wondered for a second about the success of the country. It was very successful. They had zero debt, the currency was the strongest in the world and they provided much help to other countries. Countries that it also made dependent. Yes, Sehvana thought, her President, her country was the monster in the world. It murdered the poor and twisted the stories, conquered weaker countries and muffled their voices, oppressed women and children and refuse to listen to their cries for justice.

"Ugh!" Sehvana exclaimed.

"You ok?" Tiah asked in a high whisper.

"Yeah." she responded calmly. She was still nervous, but it was diminishing each minute and a new feeling was taking over.

They were ushered into a big room. There was a lot of natural light coming in from enormous

windows all around. It didn't help to ease the tension that they all felt. There were also 5 stern men in the room. They barely acknowledged the students as they stood in a circle talking.

"Well, we are here!" Kerry said cheerily. Then she said something in Mrs. Keys' ears, then turned to leave. "Oh, another thing. Don't make direct eye contact with President Atto. Don't ask controversial questions. Again, don't ask controversial questions. It would be best to not ask any question. Ensure that you compliment him and thank him for inviting you here. You're the chosen school, remember that."

The students looked at one another as Kerry left.

Two hours passed, and the students and Mrs. Keys stood there waiting. They were not offered to sit nor told why there was such a delay. They were in the dark and growing more fearful as to the real reason they were invited. The men also busied themselves, constantly exiting and entering the room. They still haven't acknowledged the students.

Just then, the door swung open, and in walked President Atto with a weird smile. His face was accustomed to being serious, his smiles were always weird looking.

"Students. I had to attend to urgent matters, but I am here now. How are you feeling being here?" He asked. There were two medium built bodyguards standing on either hand with

menacing expressions.

The room was silent as the scared students looked on.

"Students?" The President asked, his smile faded.

"Go... good-Mi-Mister President." They stammered.

"Great." The weird smile slashed across his face once again. He then walked to the left of the room, signalling the men to leave, then he took a seat with his bodyguards still next to him.

"So tell me, how is school?"

There was silence. His smile faded. Mrs. Keys nudged one boy next to her.

"I-It's ok." The terrified boy said. The smile returned.

"Good. This country has worked hard to ensure the future of this nation is well taken care of. I have worked hard."

"Yeah right." Sehvana said in a low tone.

"Someone said something?" President Atto asked, looking at all the students. Everyone looked around, including Mrs. Keys. Her heart was sinking. Who could it be? "Who was that?"

Sehvana and Mrs. Keys locked. Mrs. Keys eyes displayed fear. Sehvana displayed determination.

"Mr. President..." Sehvana began as the crowd parted.

"One of my students wants to complement your good work." She blurted.

The President looked at her, then at Sehvana, as the crowd had parted to reveal her.

"What compliment is that?" He asked with suspicion.

"It's not a compliment. It's the truth. Mr. President, you don't hear this often, but I am not afraid to say so. Along the way, I have mustered the courage to face you, to tell you what I thought." Sehvana began as the others gasped. Tiah held her hand to stop but she pulled away. The President looked intrigued. "I don't feel thankful or happy to know that my 'privilege' is attributed to the oppression of others. This country has destroyed so many families in so many countries but has twisted the truth to where even the victims feel as if they don't know what is true anymore. We are built on lies and stealing, to create the illusion of a flourishing society based on hard work. This is not a flourishing society. We are the beneficiary of persecuted nations. There is also a sick culture here that disregards women and children, believing that we should be pushed aside and ignored. Genuine progress, true growth in a country is the upliftment of all citizens and all people. Not this façade!"

Sehvana stopped. Took a deep breath and quieted herself. She finally did it. She finally shared her thoughts.

"Your bravery is admirable." Mr. Atto said, looking at her. "What is your name?"

"Sehvana Mirashae...Mr. President."