Chapter 26: Flurry of Cheats

"Why'd you quit the club?" Bianca looked up in surprise as Alfie sat down beside her. Lowering her legs and closing over her sketchbook, Bianca shrugged, glancing away.

"Because it was made abundantly clear I wasn't welcome," she told him as Alfie watched her curiously.

"So? I wasn't either at first," Alfie pointed out, and Bianca gave a small smile.

"Yeah, but you didn't pretty much blackmail them into telling you," Alfie blinked at her words. "I wanted to know. Some part of me felt like I needed to know, I guess," Bianca shrugged, smiling wryly as she didn't look up from her hands. "And I forced my way in," she admitted.

"You're being crazy," Alfie shook his head. "If they didn't want you to know, they wouldn't have told you, right? Like when they fed me that story about aliens first," he pointed out. Bianca chuckled, nodding.

"I guess you have a point," she admitted.

"Then rejoin, come on. It's not the same without you," Alfie nudged her, and Bianca's smile fell. She shook her head.

"Sorry Alfie, not right now," she looked up at him at last, and shrugged again. "I need some time away from it," Bianca told him. Alfie's own little smile faded.

"Alright. But you know where we are if you want to come back," he told her, and she nodded.

"Thanks Alfie," she smiled at him, and he patted her shoulder.

"Any time B," he grinned, before looking up as they were approached by someone. Bianca's smile instantly disappeared as she looked up at Garnet, who was looking away awkwardly as she approached.

"Can I have a word? In private?" she requested. Alfie frowned at her, but Bianca got to her feet and smoothed down her grey skirt.

"Sure. I'll see you in class Alfie," she smiled to the boy before following Garnet away as he watched. The two walked over to a quiet spot, and Bianca folded her arms as Garnet turned to her.

"I just wanted to apologise for what I said yesterday," she told her, rubbing her arm as she looked down at the gaze. "And for my attitude to you since this started," Garnet sighed. "I've been a mega bitch to you, I'm sorry," Bianca blinked, surprised by her words.

"I'm sorry too," Garnet looked at her in surprise, and Bianca ran a hand through her hair. "I've not really been the nicest to you either," she confessed, before pushing her hair from her face and giving a small smile. "So how about we start over, and forget this Rep nonsense?" Bianca held out a hand.

"Start over?" Garnet blinked rapidly, before laughing. "Sure, we can start over," she shook Bianca's hand. "But I still intend on winning," she told her, making Bianca's smile grow.

"Then good luck to you. I'm afraid I already promised my vote to Amber, but you'd be my next choice," Garnet laughed at Bianca's words.

"Thanks," she smiled.

"So how's Mara's campaign going? All ready for tomorrow?" Bianca asked Jerome as he sat on the sofa in the living room that night.

"Of course. We've got it in the bag, no thanks to those two," Jerome nodded confidently. Bianca laughed, knowing that he was probably right. They had been off being very public with their relationship, very giggly and cuddly in front of everyone most of the time. It was a little nauseating.

"And you got stuck with all the work. Aw," Bianca taunted.

"All thanks to you," Jerome complained. Bianca smiled back pleasantly at him.

"Nope, that was entirely your fault," she poked his nose, and he lunged for her. Bianca couldn't stop herself from squealing with laughter as he tickled her. "Let go...you...idiot!" she pleaded between bursts of laughter.

"Enough of that racket immediately!" they jumped, pulling apart as Victor stormed in and snarled at them. "What are you all staring at?" he demanded as Fabian and Nina walked in and froze. "I want you all in bed by 9 o'clock, or else there will be consequences!" he warned, and stormed out again.

"What's his problem?" Jerome muttered. Bianca shrugged, before her eyes settled on something and widened.

"Probably reminded that fun is against the rules," she shrugged, getting up and sitting on the edge of the sofa. Behind her back, she reached out and lifted a silk scarf, holding it out for Nina and Fabian. Nina's eyes widened and she grabbed it off Bianca quickly, trying to avoid Jerome seeing.

"Well, if we have an hour less in the day, I best get working on homework," Bianca decided cheerily, disappearing out. Her smile fell and she glanced back, seeing Nina and Fabian whisper to each other about the scarf. Shaking her head, she told herself firmly that she wasn't interested, and began her ascent up to her room.

"Bianca..." the whisper came in the darkness of Bianca's dream. She looked around curiously for the owner of the voice as the light of the stars above lit up the clearing she stood in.

"Who's there?" she called back, not seeing anyone around. Hearing a laugh, she turned, and jumped, stepping away from the old lady standing behind her. She was smiling gently, almost sadly, at Bianca as she watched her. "Who...are you?" she asked curiously.

"Who I am isn't important any more," the woman told her. "What matters is who you are," Bianca frowned as the woman poked her in the chest. "I do hope you will be a much better guardian; a much better friend, than my Keeper," she commented as Bianca failed to understand what she meant.

"What are you talking about? A better friend to who?" Bianca asked, but the woman just smiled again.

"You'll know. You'll understand in time, dear one. Just please, keep her safe. Keep her secrets safe," she requested, taking a step back. For some reason, panic swelled in Bianca and she followed, reaching out to her.

"Wait!"

"Don't forget to keep yourself safe too, my dear. Take care," the woman smiled as she faded into the darkness, and tears stung at Bianca's eyes.

"Come back!" she pleaded, but was met only with silence.

Sitting up abruptly, Bianca breathed heavily, her hand outstretched in front of her. After a moment, she lowered her hand, and realised that tears were running down her face. She sniffed, quickly brushing the tears away, but they continued as she shook with barely suppressed sobs.

"Why...am I crying?" she sniffed, slumping back down and staring at the ceiling, illuminated by fairy lights just like the starry night sky. Closing her eyes, she rolled over, and the tears continued as she drifted off.

Glancing up as Bianca walked into the room, Fabian blinked in surprise.

"Whoa, you look terrible," he commented. She slumped into her seat and yawned widely.

"Thanks," Bianca replied, pushing her glasses up to rub at her eyes.

"Don't tell me you're letting this campaign nonsense get to you?" Jerome commented as she grabbed some toast. She snorted, giving him an incredulous look. "Thought not. What's with the zombie look?" he asked.

"Bad dreams is all. Probably just fed up of all the campaign nonsense," Bianca glanced to Fabian, who grinned back at her. She glanced up as Amber walked in, taking her seat beside Mara. "I just can't believe it's finally almost over," she sighed in relief.

"Well I'm a definite for Amber," Alfie winked to the girl, who smiled. "And so are B and Nina," he listed. Neither looked up, still on poor terms, but Bianca swallowed as it felt like a rock settled in her stomach. "And I expect Fabian as well," Alfie gave the smart boy a firm look. He just rolled his eyes in response, caring for it as little as Bianca. "Which leaves Jerome, Patricia and Mick for Mara," Alfie scoffed as Mara glanced down, trying not to look too hurt over the idea. "Nervous, Mara?" Alfie grinned.

"Oh, back off," Mick elbowed him.

"Nina, sweetie?" they glanced up as Trudy gently caught Nina's attention. "Could you come with me please?" she requested. Nina, who had been quiet since she'd sat down, looked like she was going to be sick as she slowly followed Trudy out.

"What's all that about?" Fabian wondered as Bianca watched the door, the weight in her stomach growing. Something was wrong and she could feel it, but for whatever reason, she had no clue. She pushed her food away, suddenly not very hungry. Fabian, noticing, frowned at her.

"Hey," Bianca glanced over her shoulder as Fabian caught up to her. "Are you okay? You've been acting off all day," he commented as they walked into the common room, where the candidates for class rep were gathering. "I know I was joking when I asked about letting the campaign get to you, but..." Bianca laughed, shaking her head.

"Honestly Fabian, the day I let that stuff get to me, is the day Mick's full," Fabian laughed as they glanced up at the young man in question, who was stealing another muffin as Mara scolded him. "It's just bad dreams, I'm fine," Bianca insisted.

"Are you sure? Because you reacted weirdly when Trudy called Nina out into the hall," he pointed out.

"I'm fine Fabian, I think I've just been watching too many movies before bed and it's getting into my dreams," Bianca told him, smiling at him. It was just a dream, nothing to be concerned about. "So, who do you think is going to win?" she asked him.

"Honestly, I couldn't care less," Fabian shook his head. "I'll be glad when it's all over," he told her.

"Ah, a man so much like myself," Bianca put a hand to her heart with a smirk. "I've been bored with it since day one. I'd like to get back to some semblance of normalcy around here," she watched as Garnet, Amber and Mara prepared on stage for their speeches.

"I am curious though, why Jerome is helping Mara," Fabian commented. "Especially now Mick's back. The two hate each other," he watched as they both tried to speak to Mara, but she clearly favoured Mick.

"I guess he's just dedicated," Bianca smirked.

"Alright, shall we begin?" they glanced around at Ms. Andrews as she walked in, ready to start the speeches. "Bianca? Aren't you preparing?" she asked.

"Nope, I feel that I've shown my desire abundantly by now," she smiled back. Ms. Andrews sighed heavily and shook her head, before turning back to the other three as Fabian laughed quietly.

After two passionate speeches from Mara and Garnet, followed by a dance routine by Amber, the ballots were opened, and everyone got busy voting. Mara, Amber and Garnet milled around, talking to everyone for one final attempt to convince them.

"Are you sure I can't convince you to change your vote?" Garnet asked Bianca as she sat on the sofas of the common room, watching everyone while occasionally adding to her sketch. The black haired girl looked up to see her offering a slice of cake. Bianca laughed, shaking her head.

"Sorry Garnet, but my vote can't be bought, even by cake. I still have to live in the same house as those two," she reminded Garnet. The taller girl handed over the cake regardless.

"That's very true. I can only imagine what it's like there," she commented, her eyes on Amber, who was chatting away to a couple of boys, occasionally flipping her hair over her shoulder.

"Let's just say that it's never dull," Bianca chuckled, demolishing the cake. "Thanks for that, you almost swayed me," she smiled.

"It was worth a try. Now, I have some people to win over," Garnet flicked her own hair out of her way and left her to continue sketching.

"Since when are you friends with Amber 2.0?" Jerome asked as he sat down beside her. He took her sketchbook off her, and Bianca sighed in irritation.

"Since she's not actually a bad person. She just got caught up in the politics," Bianca took her book back and hit him with it, making him grin. "She's nice, and she gave me cake. Why am I friends with you?" she challenged.

"Well since you asked so nicely," he held out a muffin, and her eyes lit up. She smiled brightly, taking it.

"Don't take this as a sign that I'm voting for Mara. I just have a weakness for sugar," Bianca told him as she bit into it, relishing the sweet taste.

"What, you think I thought I could change your mind with food? Perish the thought," Jerome retorted, looking offended.

"Good. Plus, you'd be too late. I put in my vote straight away," Bianca elbowed him, and he put his arm around her, pulling her closer.

"Drawing your view of the election?" he gestured to her sketchbook, and she glanced down at the sketches of Mara and Garnet challenging each other, with Amber bursting onto the scene between the two. "You realise you're technically a candidate as well?" Jerome reminded her.

"Against my will," Bianca retorted. "This is as far as I go with it. You know that," she shook her head.

"I really thought you might kill Alfie for it," Jerome nodded.

"Yeah, well, if he'd not focused on Amber's instead," Bianca shrugged, watching their friend as he hovered around Amber.

"Those of you who haven't yet cast your vote, you need to do it now," Ms. Andrews called as she walked in.

"Oh, we're getting there," Bianca hummed, not looking up from her sketch. "Thank god," she muttered.

Everyone was on their feet, the last of the food demolished – by Mick – and Ms. Andrews stood with Mr. Sweet on stage. The anticipation was almost suffocating as they waited to hear who won.

"So, the results have been counted and verified," Ms. Andrews smiled mysteriously. "And now, Mr. Sweet will announce the new school representative!" he stepped forward, waving a golden envelope as everyone clapped politely. Mara turned away, looking as if she was about to be sick. Amber looked confident, while Garnet looked nervous.

"You're gonna win it babes, I know you are," Mick told Mara confidently, a hand on her shoulder.

"This...this is amazing!" Mr. Sweet exclaimed as he saw the results. "Only two votes in it, and the winner is..." everyone seemed to hold their breaths as Bianca tried not to roll her eyes, bored already. "Mara!" he announced, and her eyes lit up as everyone applauded loudly.

"Congratulations Mara, come up on stage," Ms. Andrews invited. Unable to contain her smile, Mara stepped up onto the stage as Bianca patted Amber's shoulder.

"Sorry Ambs," she murmured sympathetically. Mara was given a sash, before turning to the microphone.

"First I'd like to thank everyone who supported me, to everyone who voted, and my amazing boyfriend Mick," Mara spoke as Amber turned away with a sniff. As Mara began to give her speech, Amber stormed off, and Bianca glanced after her. Before she could think to follow her, she saw Mick nod to a short boy, who had been in charge of the ballots, and the two walked off. Frowning, Bianca followed, wondering just what he was doing.

"Job well done bro," Mick was complimenting as Bianca hid in the doorway of the boy's toilets, trying not to be seen.

"Thanks," Robbie spoke awkwardly. "So, when do I get my date with Patricia?" he asked. Bianca put a hand to her face.

"Mick, you damn eejit," she hissed under her breath.

"Oh! Patricia, yeah! I'll go talk you up right now big man!" Mick told him, and Bianca quickly moved out of the way, watching as Mick left, followed by Robbie. Bianca ran a hand through her hair.

"Now what do I do?" she wondered. She was no snitch, but this wasn't something that should be kept quiet.

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