May Parker's Guide to Winning the Election

Tip #3: Sometimes You Have to Play Dirty

 I walk into school on Friday, the typical hum of students' conversations floating down the hallway. My feet carry me to my AP English class and I plop down next to Riley who is typing away on his laptop. I take out my notebook and a pencil before turning to him. "One second," He says. "I'm trying to finish some ideas for your campaign slogan."

"I'm not even in yet, Riley." I chuckle and turn back to face the front of the room where our teacher is busy scribbling things on the board.

"Yes, but everyone knows you're a shoe-in, May, there's no need to waste time." Riley rolls his eyes as he closes his laptop gently.

"Thanks for your confidence in me." I say, punching his shoulder lightly as the announcements come on. Our principal's voice comes over the intercom, immediately silencing all the students in the room. She starts with her usual club announcements and reminders of her strict rules that must be followed. She finally reaches the election news and everyone leans forward in anticipation.

"The shortlist of candidates are posted on the bulliten board by the front office. If you made the list, your first speech is next Friday before the first round of voting; you'll present them at a rally directly after school. Attendance is mandatory for all students, so don't even think about skipping it. That is all for today; enjoy your Friday and your weekend." The principal signs off and class begins.

~~~~~

"May, we already know you made the list. Can't we just sit in the cafeteria and eat like the rest of the school?" Riley whines as I drag him down the hallway to the front office.

"I need to know for sure." I say with exasperation as we reach the bulletin board.

"See, you made it." Riley replies, pointing at my name that's written neatly at the top of the list. "There was no way in hell they were going to leave the Parker legacy off the list. Now, can we go?"

"But look who I have to compete with." I say and point at Trip, whose name is right above mine.

"May, we knew he'd be on the list; he's the captain of the freaking football team and the son of one of the school's largest donors."

"Why does he even want to do this?" I bite my lip and glare at the sheet of paper.

"So, he can knock you off your high horse." I look up and see Trip swaggering towards me.

"You're not even tall enough to reach my horse, pretty boy." I roll my eyes, hiking my bag up on my shoulder.

"I beg to differ, baby girl." He winks and goes to check the list, even though he already knows his name is on top of it. "Looks like we're in business, boys." He high-fives his friends, but his eyes never leave mine.

"Have fun learning the meaning of takeover." I say, giving him a little wave as I begin to walk down the hallway.

"Couldn't we make this a merger instead?" He calls back, an insipid smirk playing on his lips.

"That would imply that we're on equal-footing and I'm obviously the stronger candidate," I answer with a shrug, a grin spreading across my face. "So, this is a takeover."

"Well, I think the two of us merging would be a much more productive use of time." Trip says, his eyes flickering with amusement.

"I'd say 'keep dreaming', but even then that'd be nowhere close to a possibility."

"Well, can we at least make this a hostile takeover?" Trip smirks, obviously enjoying our banter more than I am.