The School For Gifted Kids

Chapter 5: Willa

Two weeks into the year, they called all the students into the gigantic field to make an announcement. There was so many of us, she had to use a mega-mega-MEGAphone! "For all of you seventh grade and above, this time of year is a busy one. It is time for Student Council elections!" Sitting on the wet grass, I heard a mix of boos and cheers. "We need candidates for President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary, as well as class representatives. Class representatives will present their speeches for their home rooms, while the other four positions will be presented in front of the whole school. Both will be put to a vote. Now, please look to your teachers and go back to your classes." Everyone started chatting to their friends, but me, Ben, Elle and Tyldy silently eyed each other with knowing glances.

After classes, we all met in the commons. "Ok, so we're all on the same page, right?" Tyldy was jumping up and down. "Yeah." Ben nodded. "We work together to get into one of the positions." I nodded. "Correct. And the position is obviously president. What we need is a candidate." Everyone looked at Elle. "What, me?!" "Well, your more intelligent than all of us combined..." Her eyes fluttered to each of us, looking for hope. "But I stutter! And I'm shy!" Ben shrugged. "Sorry, it's unanimous. Elle, our future student body president." Me and Tyldy were in charge of posters and the main campaign, while Ben took care of PR*, Elle was writing her own speech. "Ben came rushing in to the empty classroom we were using as headquarters with a stressed look on his face. "Alright Elle, you're rally is right after school in the gym." I spun around, holding my newest poster design: a giant storm cloud, with the words: Elle's taking over the election by a storm! Written in lighting bolts "You like?" She pushed me away. "Yes, yes! I like it, I like it! Now please just leave me alone!" We all cleared out of the room quicker than jack rabbits fleeing a fox. We all worked hard preparing for the vote the next week, but no one worked harder than Elle. Her rally's were amazing! They brought students to their feet clapping almost instantly. We all thought we had this thing in the bag, until we realized who our competition was. "Hello, noobs. Kiss that presidential dream goodbye, 'cause Valaraes winning it all." Me and Ben had been designing the decorations for Elle's next rally when Jackie and Shonny standing behind us. I scoffed. "Yeah, Mrs. Chirofracture is running for prez? Please. Who'd vote for her?" Shonnys squeaky voice pierced the air. "The boys! Because just like me, my big sister is pretty." This time Ben scoffed. "So, she's relying on the boys who's hearts she will soon crush."
"Basically."
"This won't work."
"Sure it will, Benny boy."
"No it won't, Jacko the wacko." Tyldy stepped between the two, but she barely fit since they were about rip each other's throat out. "Hey, why don't we shake hands? In the spirit of friendly competition." They proceeded to squeeze each other's hands as hard as possible. Once Shonny and Jackie were gone we tried to continue, but Ben couldn't calm down. -"The nerve! Comin' in here like they own the place!"- so we decided to call it a night.

Finally, the day came. It was a Wednesday, and a cool breeze drifted through the air along with the fresh scent of fall. Elle and Valarae stood at podiums, preparing for the final debate. Valarae went first. Her speech included lots of promises everyone knew she couldn't keep. Elle's speech was incredible. She talked about integrity, truth and solving problems. We woulda won too, if it weren't Valarae's indecency to mention the test scam and Elle's involvement in it. See, somebody had set up a camera in the printer, so when the teachers went to copy the tests, Bing! One stack of fresh cheating opportunities. Elle had just found out how they were doing it and was downloading the contents of the camera when a teacher walked in mistakes her for the culprit. She tried to explain, but no one believed her. Neither did Valarae. She told her own nitty-gritty version of the story, and Elle ran off the stage crying. We knew what was coming when they announced the winners. "And our new student body president is Valarae! Congratulations!..."

We found her crying in one of her famous secret passages. Her glasses lay beside her, and her eyes were red and swollen. "Hey guys, I got this." I quickly herded them through the small alcove behind the fireplace. I sat next to her, cleared my throat and started talking. "You know, we all make mistakes." She snuffled, and wiped her hair out of her eyes. She looked down and muttered, "not you." I was stunned! "Excuse me?! I'm not perfect! I make my share of mistakes as well." She stood up and put on her glasses. "No, you don't! You just stand there blushing enjoying all the attention you're getting from Ben! I was reading in the library that night. And I saw you two. Cuddling." At that she made a face. "You play this innocent card and act all cute and girly, when under all that you're a materialistic bully!" I finally realized what it was. "You like him.." She stomped off, calling behind her:"Even if I did; it wouldn't change a thing I said."

*Public Relations: dealing with interviews, rally's and popularity.