Liam looked up at the list of candidates for the next year's student government elections outside the guidance counselor's office. Miss Snyder had pinned them up that morning, but Liam had waited until the initial rush had passed to check the names at his leisure. Jonah was running for class rep again, and Ruth was running unopposed as secretary. Glancing over the paper, he spotted what he had been looking for. Under "Study Body President," he saw two familiar names: Sylvia Liu and Cass McCloud.
"This is gonna be crazy," said Taylor, stopping to look at the names on the list over Liam's shoulder, "Between those two."
Liam nodded.
"Well, maybe not as hard for you," said Taylor, smirking.
"Hey," protested Liam, "Sylvia's from my class. I've got loyalties both ways."
Liam had wondered whether the campaign would be a time of renewed tension in the student body after the release provided by Spring Banquet, and the attack on the TV Tower, but to his surprise, it was nothing of the kind. There were no whisper campaigns, no lobbying, no strained remarks or heating discussions. The study body appeared to be pleased by having two excellent choices for president, and expressed frustration mainly at being unable to choose between Sylvia and Cass. The other girls in Liam's class (apart from the apolitical Mori) formed the core of Sylvia's supporters, while Liz, Rebecca, and the other 10th and 11th grade girls comprised Cass's voting base. However, nearly every other student fell firmly in the undecided middle.
"So, who are you gonna vote for?" Sylvia asked Liam at lunch on the day before the election.
"Oh, don't do this," said Liam, "Can I vote for you both? Is that allowed?"
"No, not allowed," Sylvia grinned, "You know, you should really vote for the person you think is most qualified for the position, not the person you think is the prettiest."
"Leave him alone, Sylv," said Vasilio, "Liam will vote with his brain, not with his eyes."
"So who are you voting for, Vasi?" asked Sylvia, leaning over the table towards him.
"That's my secret," said Vasilio, shooting a glance at Liam.
"So, whoever Rebecca tells you to vote for," said Sylvia, leaning back in mock satisfaction, "Got it."
"I'm going to vote for whoever doesn't try to guilt me into voting for them," countered Vasilio as Liam snorted.
On election day, Liam did his best to avoid both Cass and Sylvia. He still hadn't chosen who to vote for, and he was starting to get an uncomfortable feeling in his stomach. He clapped as loudly as he could after each of their speeches in the afternoon assembly, and then spent several agonizing minutes wavering between the two names.
"Liam," said Vasilio, "You coming? We've still got class with Huang."
Liam nodded and, with a wince, circled Sylvia's name and dropped his ballot into the box.
Liam tried to be the first to see the list of winners posted on the announcements board the next morning, but he found another mob of students blocking his view. As he stood on tiptoe to get a better look, he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Have you seen it yet?" asked Cass, "I'm so nervous."
"Nope," said LIam, "I can't get to the—."
"Cass!" called a student from the front, "You won! You're president!"
Cass gave an embarrassed smile as the students around her cheered and clapped. Liam felt relieved. He'd voted with his brain and seen the girl he liked win too. But before he could congratulate Cass, the crowd of students had descended on her, pushing Liam aside with their high fives and embraces. Liam found himself standing awkwardly at the edge of the group, occasionally trying to push his way to Cass with little effect. By the time the other students started clearing away, it was time for class, and Liam barely managed to mumble congratulations to Cass before he was sprinting to Rollon's classroom.
Liam didn't feel very hungry at lunchtime. He picked tepidly at the toothpick meat, corn & soybeans, and roasted potatoes Vasilio had ordered to celebrate their last school day before final exams started the next week.
"Go ahead," said Liam, noticing his Sneasel staring hungrily at the meat on his plate.
"You okay?" asked Mori through a mouthful of potatoes.
"Yeah," said Liam, poking listlessly at his rice, "I just…. Nevermind."
Vasilio raised his eyebrows, but didn't say anything.
"Oh, come on," said Mori, fixing her large, dark eyes on Liam, "Tell us what's up."
"It's…. It's stupid," said Liam, "You don't want to—"
"Spit it out, dork," said Mori, giving Liam's shoulder a hard flick.
"Okay," said Liam with a sigh, "I didn't get to congratulate Cass about winning the election because there were too many people around, and I'm worried I'll see even less of her next year once she becomes president."
"Are you two official yet?" asked Mori.
"No," said Liam.
Mori rolled her eyes.
"Liam," she said, "Get Cass by herself and say 'I like you, I want you to be my girlfriend' and all your problems are solved. Vasi, back me up."
Vasilio took a long sip of tea.
"She's right," he said as he set down his cup, "Why don't you come to Youth Group this week and talk to her afterwards?"
"That sounds terrible," said Liam, crossing his arms defensively, "How did this end up with people trying to drag me to Youth Group again, anyways?"
Sneasel jabbed Liam in the neck.
"Ow! Whose side are you on?"
"Sneasel wants you to get out of your comfort zone and take some freakin' initiative," said Mori, "Liam, c'mon, you know she likes you. It's incredibly obvious. You just need to make it official, and she's yours."
Vasilio nodded in agreement.
"Speaking of which," said Liam, "Vasilio, what's up with you and Rebecca?"
"What do you mean?" said Vasilio suspiciously.
"Oh my god," said Mori, rolling her eyes, "Vasi, don't try that with us. Are you just leading her on?"
"No," said Vasilio, as if that ended the discussion.
"Uh huh," said Mori, looking up at Misdreavus and shaking her head, "Boys. They're all hopeless."
"We're going to Santiago's next Saturday, okay?" said Vasilio, running his hand through his white hair in agitation, "Is that what you wanted?"
"Well, you did just make me lose a bet with Annalise," said Mori with a shrug, "But, I'm glad you're taking that relationship somewhere."
"I'm just seeing how things go," said Vasilio cautiously.
"Vasi, you're going on a date at Everspring Academy," said Mori, "You might as well be engaged to her."
Liam snorted. He felt a bit more like eating, and snatched the last toothpick of meat from his bowl before Sneasel could devour it. He didn't mention it to his friends, but Liam resolved to talk to Cass before school ended. He had a week and a day. A chance would pop up somewhere.