Hi y'all! This chapter is split into two POVs (Amber & Liliana).
Anything in Bold and Italics is a text message! Enjoy!
Amber's P.O.V.
The morning of the election dawned bright and early for the Anubis house residents. As she curled her hair Amber couldn't help but feel nervous. She kept flashing back to last year's failure. She couldn't go through the humiliation of losing to Mara again, she just couldn't! A knock on the door had Nina rushing to open it.
"Morning Neens, is Ambs up yet?" came Alfie's voice from the doorway.
"Come on in Alfie" called Amber as she sprayed her now curly hair hoping it would hold throughout the day.
"Morning beautiful!" her boyfriend greeted pressing a kiss to her cheek.
"What's behind your back" asked Amber eyeing his giddy smile.
"Oh… just a little something to wish you luck today" Alfie grinned revealing a beautiful bouquet of flowers.
"Oh Alfie! I love them! They're absolutely beautiful!" squealed Amber accepting the flowers as she hugged him.
"Alright Ambs," Alfie said placing his hands on her shoulders. "I know you're probably freaking out about today, but you have no reason to. You ran a solid campaign; we are all well prepared for the debate this afternoon. So let's just take a deep breath!". Laughing lightly, Amber closed her eyes and took a deep breath trying to center herself. "Alright are you centered?" seeing her nod he continued, "Great! Now open your eyes and let's shake our jitters out". Hitting play on his phone their favorite song started, and the couple started to rock out as Nina looked on and laughed. As Alfie spun her Amber felt her fears and worries leave her, for who could be upset with Alfred Lewis by their side.
*Tears of Gold – Tears of Gold – Tears of Gold*
Classes were cancelled that afternoon in order to clear time for the election. The speeches had gone off without a hitch and it was now time for the junior class to cast their ballots. Each of the girls had done a great job, Amber was impressed by Tessa. The girl had some awesome ideas about how to improve the school and Amber wouldn't be surprised if the other girl won. On the off chance that Amber actually did win, she decided that she would ask the other girl to help her with the job. Amber was sure that together the girls could change Frobisher Academy for the better!
"How are you holding up Millington?" asked Jerome as he passed her a fizzy water.
"Just nervous, I mean Tessa would do a great job as school rep, but I really want to win" she admitted sipping her water. The bubbles helped to settle her stomach a little, but she couldn't help but hope that Mrs. Andrews would hurry up and announce the winner of the election.
Ten minutes later Amber's wish was granted as Mrs. Andrews appeared on stage. "Attention everyone!" called the professor. "I have here in this envelope the winner of this year's Student Representative election. Before I announce the winner though, I want to congratulate each of the three candidates. You all ran impressive campaigns and demonstrated a true passion to serve the school and bring about change for your fellow students. You should all be extremely proud of yourselves, but it the end we can only have one winner…" Amber's stomach felt like it was in her feet. From her place between Alfie and Jerome, she could see Tessa nervously bouncing next to Hadrian and Abby, as well as Mara's serene smile as she stood with a smug looking Joy.
"And the winner is of course… Mara Jaffray!". What! Amber felt lightheaded and began to sway, suddenly unable to breathe. Of all the outcomes possible she had never thought that Mara would win. Mara who didn't care about the job, Mara who didn't campaign and just pushed the work on Joy. Alfie wrapped his arms around her holding her steady and whispering for her to breathe.
"No way! We polled and polled! The data never once suggested that Mara would win, even with the undecided vote! There was no possibility of this happening" snapped Liliana. "Don't worry Ambs, I'm going to demand a recount right now!". The furious look on Hadrian's face matched Liliana's showing that the Osiris house residents were not happy with these results either.
Joy had run over and snagged Jerome to take celebration pictures with Mara so only Alfie remained with Amber. The pair made their way over to one of the couches to wait out the uproar. Looking around the room Amber tried to find Nina but couldn't see her anywhere. Why wasn't she here? Amber needed her best American friend!
Mara was forcing an unhappy Jerome to pose with her in the celebratory photos Joy and Fabian were taking. As Amber watched, the taller boy kept trying to pull away, but Mara just wrapped his arms around her. On the other side of the room, Liliana and Hadrian were in a heated argument with Mrs. Andrews. Patricia, Eddie and Alex were busy chatting with the other year eleven students, trying to get a quote for their article and looking more and more troubled with each conversation.
Finishing her conversation with Fredrick, Patricia joined Alfie and Amber on the couch. "Guys this is really weird".
"What's weird Trix?" asked Alfie
"Everyone that Eddie, Alex and I have talked to say says that they voted for either Amber or Tessa. Mara winning all of this doesn't add up!".
"Joining the club Trix, Lili and Hadrian are over there yelling at Mrs. Andrews now".
"I guess I'll go add our findings and ask for a recount" decided the punk girl.
Sighing Amber watched as Patricia marched off. Who could have stuffed the ballot box for Mara? Mick moved so it couldn't be him this time, so who was left? Joy didn't care enough about all of this and Mara was clearly confident in her own abilities…
"Yo Millington! You got a minute?" asked Tessa.
"Sure Jones"
"Great, walk with me!" Amber left her bag with Alfie and followed the raven-haired girl out into the hall.
"So what's up Jones?" asked Amber once the pair were safely outside.
"We both know that Mara didn't win that election" she began.
"Well yeah, but we can't actually prove it without the physical ballots. Until then it's all hearsay and Mrs. Andrews will take Mara's side as always"
"What if we were able to get our hands on the ballots?"
"I don't know how we would do that… but if we could we would find out who really won".
"Oh please Millington! You and your little followers are always up to sketchy stuff. I'm sure you will eventually figure out who did this. What I'm actually concerned about is what happens when one of us wins".
"Ok first of all we are so not sketch!"
"You so are! Your crew is never in class and when they do show up at least one of them ends up in detention".
"So?" snapped Amber.
"I just mean that if anyone is going to get to the bottom of this issue it'll probably be Martin or Clarke" placated Tessa.
"I guess" admitted Amber reluctantly. "As for what we will do once someone wins, well that person would be the new Student Rep…"
"Well I wanted to propose something"
"Aww, Tess you're cute and I'm honored... but I'm with Alfie" Amber joked.
"Really? I was sure you had broken up. But that isn't what I meant. I wanted to ask if you would be co-leader with me if I win" laughed Tessa.
Amber froze in shock, she hadn't expected Tessa to come up with the same plan as her, "Tessa, wow… Yes! It's so weird, I actually was going to suggest the same thing if I won".
"Awesome! When I talked to Hadrian about it, he didn't think you would go for it".
"Yeah, Roe was the same way. I think it was probably just his lack of faith in humanity talking. So what would sharing this position look like?".
"Well… we both are super busy people. I was voluntold for this position by Hadrian, but I am passionate about making this school better. Since the position doesn't really have a real description we can meet up once this is cleared up and figure out what we want to do and divide up the work. Partners?".
"That works for me. Partners" agreed Amber shaking Tessa's offered hand. "We should probably head back inside before they send a search party after us".
*Tears of Gold – Tears of Gold – Tears of Gold*
When the girls returned to the student lounge the situation had not improved. Liliana, Patricia and Hadrian were on stage in a heated discussion with Mrs. Andrews and Mr. Sweet. Jerome, now free of Mara, was with Eddie and Alex who had apparently taken it upon themselves to interrogate the vote counters. Nina, who had reappeared, was now in an argument with Fabian in the corner which was growing louder and louder by the minute. The commuters and Isis house members who didn't care had left while Tessa and Amber had been speaking outside.
Muttering a quick goodbye and a promise to text Amber later Tessa went off to join her housemates who appeared quite mutinous. Just as Amber had decided to go try and break up the Fabina fight Mrs. Andrews clapped loudly drawing everyone's attention. "Listen up everyone! I have not seen or heard any compelling evidence today as to the vote being disrupted. Furthermore I am appalled at the behavior of the student body to try and rip a victory from a fellow student. I am calling it here and now, Mara Jaffray is our Student Representative and I will not hear another word about it! Now off to your houses all of you".
This couldn't be happening! Everyone knew that Mrs. Andrews favored Mara, but she was generally regarded to be a fair teacher. The fact that she wouldn't even open an investigation was unbelievable. The shocked and angry looks on the faces of those around her showed that she wasn't alone in her thinking. It looks like Tessa was right, Sibuna would have to do what they do best and try to get to the bottom of the corruption happening in their school.
Liliana's P.O.V.
The results of the election shocked everyone; it wasn't statistically possible for Mara to have won. Assuring Amber that she would make this right Lili marched over to the stage where Mrs. Andrews stood with Mr. Sweet "Mrs. Andrews I need a moment of your time please!".
"I would also like to be included in that conversation" snapped Hadrian as he appeared beside her.
"Mr. Black, Miss Wells what seems to be the issue? And can this conversation wait, Mr. Sweet and I need to finalize some things with Miss Jaffray" returned the normally calm professor.
"I'm afraid this cannot wait. We have reason to believe that someone tampered with the results of the election" explained Liliana.
"On behalf of Osiris house I respectfully ask for a recount" added Hadrian.
"Anubis house seconds the motion. I am also willing to submit the polling data my team put together prior to today's vote. I'm sure Mr. Black would be willing to submit his group's data as well".
"Children, any data collected before today's vote is circumstantial at best" argued Mr. Sweet. "Everyone has the right to change their vote up until they turn in their voting slip. Clearly several students decided to switch their allegiance to the known and successful candidate, Miss Jaffray".
Liliana balked at this. How dare he call them children and speak down to them? She was 17 years old going on 18 come the spring. "Headmaster Sweet! Can we at least be informed of the percentages for each candidate. That would allow us to determine the likelihood of students having changed their vote in favor of Mara, rather than any tampering of the data".
"no No NO!" declared Mrs. Andrews as she rejoined the conversation. "That cannot happen. It would be unwise to share the vote totals as certain candidates might become discouraged, or as they are prone to do, enraged".
A suddenly furious Lili found herself having to take a step back. How could a teacher talk about a student under their care so callously and to others behind their back! It was obvious the woman was speaking of Amber after last year's issue of ballot box stuffing. Amber could be emotional at times, but she was a gracious candidate. If on the off chance that Mara had actually won fair and square, Lili knew her friend would cede the position without (vocal) complaint.
"The clear lack of respect for your students aside. We still need to see those numbers" demanded Hadrian.
"Mr. Sweet and I have already told you no" the teacher shot back.
"Well what if you had new evidence" asked Patricia.
"Miss Williamson. Of course you are mixed up in all of this too" sighed the headmaster.
"Eddie, Alex and I just polled all of the students and they were just as shocked about Mara's win. The majority votes were for Tessa and Amber".
"Well that could just be the dangers of peer pressure. 'Noli Timere' though everyone, never fear. We will be having an assembly on the topic soon".
Stomping her foot Lili began to lose her cool. "We don't need an assembly Headmaster Sweet! What we need is a recount. The academy owes that to Amber and Tessa".
"Miss Wells if you do not check your attitude, I will have to ask you to leave. I am your superior and am to be respected. Do not become hysterical due to your loss".
"Sir, respect is a two-way street. Liliana is well within her rights to question the authority figures in her school" defended Patricia.
"Especially when she is seeking to defend her fellow students. I would be careful with your language sir. You wouldn't like another case of your sexism brought to the board again" threatened Hadrian.
As Mr. Sweet turned white, Mrs. Andrews turned red. "Well I have heard quite enough" clapping her hands loudly she called the attention of the room to her, "Listen up everyone! I have not seen or heard any compelling evidence today as to the vote being disrupted. Furthermore I am appalled at the behavior of the student body to try and rip a victory from a fellow student. I am calling it here and now, Mara Jaffray is our Student Representative and I will not hear another word about it! Now off to your houses all of you".
Liliana was sure that there must be steam coming out of her ears at this point. She couldn't even speak she was so mad. Seeing that she was about to blow, Patricia grabbed her hand and pulled Lili down off the stage and back to their group.
*Tears of Gold – Tears of Gold – Tears of Gold*
Later that night after everyone had calmed down and was getting ready for bed. Lili's phone beeped with a new message.
Hadrian: Hi Liliana. I had a great time getting to know you these past few weeks. Now that we are no longer political rivals I was wondering if you would want to grab dinner sometime? Let me know!
Well what was she supposed to do now?!
So did Mara win fair and square? If not who do you think rigged the vote?
Next Update: The fall out from the election, Ping Pong news, and more!
I love hearing from y'all, let me know what you think of the chapter and the story so far! Stay safe everyone - Xo Evie