Angel in the Courtyard [Book 2]

Chapter 79 - Arisa

I didn't have any energy to worry about the affair between the school receptionist and the academy playboy. All my focus was on the election assembly and how upset Tomasia and Matilda were going to be when they found out I agreed to become the school's VP. I knew it was the right call and yet, I couldn't shake away the guilt. I wasn't even able to enjoy my morning classes. Well, no one was able to enjoy their morning classes because of what the rooftop los—my boyfriend and his friends posted on the administrative site.

Khaleel went out of his way to warn me about it, but I would have never guessed it to be something so serious. And after Joon's victory was announced, my decision to become VP felt rushed. I was summoned to the auditorium, with Joon and we were instructed to prepare for the afternoon assembly. Joon seemed a lot more collected than I expected. Maybe because he was anticipating the win. After all the scandal surrounding Tomasia, it was only a matter of time before she lost.

Things continued to escalate during my rehearsal with Joon too. One minute, he was giving me feedback on my speech and the next, I was asked to hide backstage until my name was called for. There were three sets of curtains, and the two furthest from the audience were both closed.

"Don't panic," Joon said, as we listened to the murmurs of students and faculty filling up the auditorium. "You will do great. I know it."

I nodded. "Okay, I'm just going to follow your lead, and if anyone throws tomatoes at me, I'm going to use your as a human shield."

Yooo laughed. "Deal."

The door to stage left opened, and my boyfriend rushed through with Hino Matsunaga. "Khaleel," I gasped. "What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to wish you luck," he said, moving me away from Joon. Hino took it upon himself to start a different conversation with the new president, one that I couldn't listen in on.

"Is that all?" I forced a smile. "I was hoping to see at least one friendly face in the audience today."

Khaleel took a hold of both my hands. "Just peer my way, back stage, when you need to."

I gave him the stink eye. "What exactly did you have to do to get back here? Who did you bully out of their post?"

Khaleel showed me all his teeth. "No one important."

"And Hino?" I asked. "He knows what I'm about to agree to?"

My boyfriend nodded.

"And he's okay with it?" I delved.

Khaleel shrugged. "It doesn't matter if he's okay with it. You need to stop worrying about what everyone else thinks, and just follow your own path. And if anyone decides to give you a hard time for it, I'll knock their teeth in."

I couldn't help but smile at his sentiment.

The auditorium lights dimmed and the student council advisor took centre stage. I remembered her from my first day at Jackheights. She still looked like she could be a student if it weren't for her clothes. I turned to face her as Khaleel intertwined his fingers with mine. I was really grateful to have him by my side. And it was just like him to appear when I needed him to.

"Good afternoon everyone," the young teacher spoke directly into the microphone. "As you're all aware, this morning we announced the winner for this year's study body president election, Joon Lee."

The auditorium filled with a thunderous applause. Some students even went out of their way to chant his name.

The young teacher took control of the space once again. "Although it wasn't a conventional announcement, it was one we felt we needed to report. Jackheights does not want to deprive Joon of his speech, we also don't want to deprive him of appointing his new vice president. So, please put your hands together for your elected council leader, Joon Lee, and his Vice President, Arisa Hoffman."

I could hear students gasping and saying things like, "No way!"

"Arisa Hoffman?"

"Did we hear that right?"

My nerves unsettled.

"That's our cue," Joon said, appearing behind me. Khaleel released my hand and gave me a pat on the shoulder to move forward.

I followed the new student body president on the stage, keeping close to his back, in hopes of avoiding aerial tomatoes, if anyone was gutsy enough to throw them. Thankfully, that wasn't the case. The spotlight was big and intimidating but Joon looked like he was ready to embrace it. He accepted the microphone from the young teacher and stepped aside to let Joon address his people.

"Hey guys," were the first words to come out of his mouth. His friends and fans cheered tirelessly for him. "I want to thank Ms. Winifred for that awesome introduction, and I want to thank the school for allowing me to deliver my speech to you today. Ever since I was a kid, I was told that leaders aren't born, but they are made. Well, today it is with great honour that I accept a leader's position. A strong democracy is reflected by the people you put into office, and therefore, I hope to be present, attentive, and considerate towards the student body's needs as well as Jackheights' needs. You may think that the two are one in the same, but that's a perspective I would like to change. What the academy needs from its students is often misconstrued by what the students need from their academy. The lines have been blurred for far too long, and I'm here to provide some clarity."

Another thunderous applause.

"Now please, join me in welcoming your new VP, Arisa Hoffman." Joon turned to glance my way. I stepped forward and accepted the microphone. My eyes flashed forward and I searched for that friendly face in the audience, even though I knew I wasn't going to find one. I then looked back stage and found a smiling Khaleel, giving me two thumbs up. His enthusiasm was contagious.

"Thank you Joon," I beamed. "For believing in me and for requesting that I step up to the plate. I haven't been a student at Jackheights as long as you have but—"

My heart dropped.

There, front and centre of the auditorium sat Loyal Wilson. He looked hurt, betrayed, and like he was ready to retract the knife from his back.

I swallowed before continuing. "But I love this academy as much as the next person. And I will do everything in my power to make sure that those who need help from the council, will only need to ask for it, without judgement, and without fear."