𝑬𝒓𝒆𝒔 𝑴í𝒂 | ᴮᵒʸ ᴹᵉᵉᵗˢ ᵂᵒʳˡᵈ

36: Presidential Power

"Football?" I asked, reading through the list of sports and clubs.

"No, no. Pain. Cleats on face." Cory answered.

"Modern dance?" Shawn asked. "No, a lot of girls. Tights. No." Cory said. "Drama club?" I asked. "No, a lot of guys. Tights. No." "That's the list, Cor." I said, handing him the paper.

He took it and skimmed over it again. "None of these are me, Adriana-Camila. I mean, here I am going into my eighth year of public education, and who am I really?" "You're Cory Matthews." I said. "Yeah, but there's no Cory Matthews club on here." He said.

"There's no club for ordinary guys who don't know who they are and aren't great at anything." "So, start one." Shawn suggested. "Uh, I probably wouldn't get in."

The bell rang. "Cory, come on. You got a lot of good qualities." Shawn told him. "Hey, you're honest, loyal, and decent." "Housebroken, too." He replied. "I'm a stinking beagle." We walked into homeroom.

"Alright, people, this is just off the wire. Elections for next year's eighth grade class president will be held next week." Mr. Turner said. "Who cares?" Cory asked, pretending to sneeze. "Detention." Mr. Turner replied, pretending to cough. "Sorry." Cory pretended to sneeze again.

"You know, you people whine and moan about the way things run around here. Well, this is a chance to change things by getting involved." Mr. Turner said, walking down the row of desks. "But remember, this is a student election,"

"It's not a popularity contest." We all said. "You know, I think we've been spending a little too much time together." Mr. Turner commented.

"The point is, your class president doesn't need to be a quarterback or a cheerleader. You'll be much better off with someone who's honest, loyal, and decent." He stated as he walked back to the front of the class.

"Cory, that's you." I said. "What?" "You wanted to know who you were. You could be president." Shawn responded. "Come on." Cory said, not believing us.

"Alright, let's have some nominations." Mr. Turner said, writing on the board. Shawn hit Cory's shoulder.

"I got somebody good." Meese said. "I nominate me." "Your humility is impressive, Meese, but someone else has to nominate you." Mr. Turner replied. "Topanga, how about it?" Meese asked.

"No, go away, and don't look at me." She said. "Come on, Meese here has the guts to run. Someone should have the guts to nominate him."

Cory raised his hand. "Alright, big deal. I'll nominate him." "What are you doing? That's your compilation." Shawn said. "I'm not running." "Anybody else?" Mr. Turner asked.

"I nominate Cory Matthews." I said, rising from my desk. "No!" Cory said, rising from his desk. "No, he's not gonna settle for second-rate leadership." Shawn said, rising from his seat.

"Matthews, you've been nominated. Do you accept?" Mr. Turner asked. "No way!" "No way would he turn down a chance to serve his fellow students!" Shawn said.

"What are you? His handler?" Mr. Turner asked. "Yes, I am." "No, he's not. Look, I don't know anything about being president." Cory said, walking to the front of the class. "Okay, I wouldn't have a clue. I'm not somebody special, I'm just an average guy, like all of you." He said.

"The simple, hard-working," His voice raised. "Students who struggle day after day with too much homework, unfair teachers, and an antiquated justice system that relies too much on detention." He stated.

"And if elected, if I win, and you guys vote for me," He picked up the American flag in the corner of the room. "I would say to each and every one of you, "Hey, thanks!"