Porcelain behind Glass

Chapter 13: Debatable

"That's enough," stated Rachel, glaring at the six freshmen hoping to join the debate club.

"There is decorum to be followed. You must make your point precisely and concisely. Maintain eye contact. No stammering or stuttering. Keep your posture straight. No slumping forward. Remember you are confident and capable. Mars, write the next topic on the board."

Marisa picked up a chit from Rachel's box of topics and copied it on the board as neatly as possible.

"Those who were for the motion before shall now speak against the motion and vice versa. You will have exactly 15 minutes to discuss with your team and decide your points. Your time starts now." Rachel glanced at her watch briefly before continuing to observe the freshers with narrowed eyes.

Marisa walked back to stand beside Monica. "The training is going smoother with Rache around".

Monica winced as memories flooded her mind. "Most of the university students are terrified of our Rache. Of course, these juniors are well-behaved. You and I, we don't have Rache's scary demeanor."

Marisa pulled a face. "Our juniors shove us aside when we cross paths. They forget to wish us respectfully but they never forget to wish Rache before giving her a wide berth. Her Ice Queen image is quite well renowned."

Monica chuckled, "Why Miss Marisa, you almost sound jealous".

Marisa frowned heavily. "Knowing the kind of life Rache has to lead behind closed doors, how can I get jealous of her? Did you know her throat injury was pretty serious? According to Dr Mork, she had come close to dying. Thankfully she has healed well."

Monica grew solemn at the reminder. "Dad told me, Mr Daniel had been so furious that he ordered Rachel to give a speech at all ten of the campaign events instead of the earlier five."

Marisa gasped, "So that's the reason Rachel has been plugging in her AirPods the entire drive to and fro from the university. She is memorizing her speech."

Monica nodded in agreement, the twinkle in her eyes subdued. "She rehearses with me on Facetime every night before going to sleep."

"No wonder she's so busy. What with tutoring Danish's gang, training the newbies, extra duties of the Student Council, researching and preparing notes for the semester exams. I can barely keep up."

Rachel curiously watched her friends whispering, glancing at the time she ascertained the freshers had three more minutes. "Hey, what are you two gossiping about?"

When they shrugged their delicate shoulders, she pouted at being left out. "Observe this debate and let me know the candidates you prefer."

"Are we announcing the new members of our club today?" enquired Monica taken aback.

Rachel shook her head. "We will put up their names on the notice board tomorrow. Thereafter we can suspend the debate club meetings for now. Next semester, we will continue with the practice sessions. Hopefully, they will be ready in time for the Debate Championship Competition."

Marisa gaped in disbelief. "You're going to register their names in the championship within their first year of joining! They're going to jump out of the frying pan straight into the fire."

Rachel smothered her laughter and nodded, before strolling back to the unsuspecting juniors.

Monica shuddered at her friend's casual cruelty. "Told you she was cold. The moniker Ice Queen fits her perfectly."

"Times up. We shall begin the debate with 'for the motion'. Who has been elected to speak first?" called Rachel, once again taking her place behind the desk.