Warning: Spoilers ahead in the Author's note, read at your own risk!
Bonus: I'm Not Like A Regular President. I'm A Cool Bad Boy President.
"What if he's imagining everyone in underwear?" Mick asks and they all laugh as if he made the funniest joke.
We're all standing together in the hallway and by all, I mean Alex, Taylor, Pipper, Mick, Josh, and I.
After I won the bet, I was named the ultimate champion of the house. Well, I named myself the ultimate champion, none of the devil boys agreed.
Besides the point, when I won the bet I incorrectly assumed that the pranking war had also ended.
I was wrong. I was beyond wrong, the prank war only got worse.
Let's just say, I had to rock red hair.
And, the devil boys rocked a trio buzz cut for a while.
Eventually, Josh and Alex called for a truce, but Vincent refused to admit I was the better prankster.
So now, we are in the ultimate Vinny vs. Elliana prank war.
Vinny: 7
Elliana: 7
But, who's keeping score?
Point is, I am determined to win and today is the day I end this war.
"Hurry up Ellie," Alex says, he's standing a few feet down the hallway keeping watch.
"You either want it done fast or you want it done right," I yell as I focus all of my attention on the image in front of me.
Wow, I would make a pretty awesome artist.
"Bair," Pipper puts his arm around my shoulders. "I always knew you were evil, but I never thought you were this evil."
"Oh I am the evilest," I smirk as I put the finishing touches on my piece of art. "And I am going to prove to that dillweed that I am the ultimate prankster. No one beats Elliana!"
"He's coming," Alex whispers as he rushes over to us. "Everyone act normal and get in your designated positions."
We all stand awkwardly next to each other as we cover the image I've so beautifully altered.
"What the hell is going on?" Vinny asks as he makes his way toward us. "And what the hell are you all doing in here?"
So today is graduation and we're all technically supposed to be out on the football field waiting for our class president to give his famous speech.
"Oh nothing," I shrug. "You know us, we're just too cool to sit in that grass and wait for you."
"But you are going to watch my speech, right?" he asks and for a second he seems genuinely worried at the thought of us ditching his speech.
Vinny, the bad boy, is concerned that his friends won't be in the crowd cheering him on as he gives his emotional and inspiring speech.
Isn't he just adorable?
Please note the sarcasm.
"Of course, we are," I nod and everyone else nods with me. "We would never miss your big moment Mr. President."
"Now," Josh puts his arm around Vincent's shoulders and I nod encouragingly. "We wouldn't want you to be late, so let's get you back to that field."
"Late?" Alex asks suddenly seeming confused and I hold my breath. "But we still have a whole hour left before Vincent has to give his speech. Why would he leave now?"
Oh no, I knew I should have left Alex with Taylor in the field.
Don't get me wrong, I love him. I love him very much, but Alex isn't the brightest bulb in the room when it comes to pranks. Or anything, really.
"I love that you're handsome," Taylor smiles and Alex gives her a big smile back feeling extremely proud.
Oh, Alex.
"Wait," Vincent pushes Josh's arm off. "What are you all up to?"
Shit, what the hell do I do? Think Elliana.
"I think we should run," Pipper whispers in my ear. "He can't catch all of us. If anything, Josh is the slowest runner, we can beat him."
Mhm, that does seem like a good option.
"I can hear you, Popper," Vincent says, looking at all of us confused.
"Ellie, you can't be seriously considering that," Josh whispers, moving closer to me. "You can't leave me behind, you know I can't take it when he yells at me with his angry voice. . . I'll spill, I'll spill everything."
"That is true," I whisper to Pipper. "He'll crack under the pressure and the whole plan will be ruined."
"I can hear you," Vincent rolls his eyes. "Seriously, what the hell are you all doing?"
"Mick," Josh whispers. "We can offer him as a sign of good faith."
"Hell no," Mick shakes his head. "I only came along because I didn't have anything better to do."
"We're graduating," Alex says confused.
"Exactly," Mick nods and with that, he walks down the hall making his way back to the football field.
"Traitor,"Â I yell after him, but he's already out of sight. Vincent is still standing in between all of us completely confused about everything.
"Kitten," Vincent says. "Are you all drunk? I mean, I know I have a speech to give and all but I would have joined in on the party."
"On three we run," I tell everyone, and they all nod, except for Vincent who's looking at all of us like we've lost it.
"Wait," Vincent smiles. "Are you all pranking me? Is this whole act, a prank? Because I gotta say, it's pretty lame."
Lame?
My prank? Lame?
Oh hell no!
"Oh yeah," I scoff as I move out of the way unveiling my beautiful work of art. "How's that for a lame prank?"
On the wall is a picture of Vincent, his presidential picture. Normally, it's him with a black suit on and his serious, and as he says, handsome face.
But I decided, it needed some serious alterations. I drew big black cat ears, a bright pink nose, and long whiskers on his face.
See, eventually, Josh and Alex stopped with the nicknames and instead call me Ellie. But Vincent wouldn't give the kitten a rest.
Who is the kitten now?
"So you drew me like a cat in one of my posters," he shrugs trying his best to seem unnerved.
"One?" I scoff. "I drew you as a kitten in ALL of your posters. The ones inside the school, the posters on the street leading up to campus, and every single one in the football stands."
"All of them?" he asks and I smirk.
"I also gave out the agendas," I tell him and his jaw immediately drops. "The ones we gave to every single person that came in today, with your picture on the cover."
"You drew me as a kitten on those too?" he scoffs and I shake my head.
"No," I laugh. "How lame would that be? Right guys?"
"So lame," Pipper nods.
"I drew you as a beautiful girl with long luscious hair and bright pink lipstick," I explain, a big smile on my face.
"You did what?" he growls.
"Boom," Josh and I say at the same time, high-fiving each other.
"I also gave you huge boobs in one," Alex laughs.
"I'm going to kill you," Vincent says with a death glare.
"Three," I yell and we all start running down the hall.
***
We all take our seats ready to hear our fabulous president's speech.
Honestly, he's been practicing this speech for weeks and he hasn't allowed any of us to hear it.
I begged, and I mean begged, to hear the speech and he wouldn't let me. I'm embarrassed to admit, I even meowed.
MEOWED!
And nothing, he wouldn't budge.
Stupid devil boy!
"Thank you all for joining us on this wonderful day," our principal smiles, she's a small white lady with bright red glasses. "We are now going to hear a fantastic graduating speech from our class president, Vincent Halls. . .Oh, and please ignore the images drawn on the posters and agendas. We apologize for that."
I giggle at her mention of the posters and agendas.
"Good thing she can't expel you now," Josh laughs and I nod, a big smile on my face.
"Good morning everyone," Vincent smiles, as he stands on the stage.
Awe, look at him in his big boy suit looking all nervous.
"This year has been an interesting year for me," he says looking down at his flashcards. "I didn't even know I was running for president at first and then I was elected, which I'm sure surprised everyone. . .Especially my teachers, a special shout out to Ms. Edwards for the immeasurable support and the greatest group project."
We all laugh at the mention of our history teacher, she hates him.
And me.
And Taylor. And Pipper.
"I didn't want the position at first," he continues. "But it landed on my lap and I had no other choice other than accepting and doing my best. See, there are a lot of things we don't want that we end up getting, life isn't fair."
Geez, this speech seems sad, I hope this isn't all he has to say. I'm depressed already.
"Or at least that's what I use to think," he chuckles. "See, I'm going to tell you about the things I didn't want. For starters, I didn't want to come to this small town and leave behind LA. I didn't want to move in with an old friend and a dirty blonde. I didn't want a new roommate after Cameron graduated and certainly not a girl. A girl who is stubborn, loud, and who doesn't mind telling everyone exactly what she thinks about them. . .I'm sure we've all been called a grass ass or dillweed by now."
Everyone laughs and looks directly toward me, I can feel myself turning pink from the blush.
"Grass ass," I mouth at him and he shakes his head.
"I didn't want a popper or a redhead in my life. . .I didn't want an endless prank war," he laughs. "I'm sure everyone has seen the fantastic images of me created by a wonderful artist."
I laugh and almost consider standing up and bowing, but I'm sure I won't like the consequences that'll come with that from the principal.
"These are the things I didn't want," he continues. "And I'm sure there are plenty of things you all can come up with for yourselves. . .If I'm honest, I didn't want a lot of these things because I don't like change and uncertainty. But, I'm lucky I got each and every one of those things. . . See that old friend and dirty blonde ended up being my greatest friends and family."
Oh god, is he going to make me cry? I feel like he's going to make me cry.
"That stubborn and loud girl," he smiles and I can tell he's looking directly at me. "is my best friend and the ultimate champion of the house."
"Yes," I react pumping my fist in the air and everyone laughs.
Finally!
"The Popper, and I will never repeat this in my life, has taught me more about strength than anyone else," Vincent says, and it warms my heart. "The redhead, aside from annoying me, brightens up every room she walks into. . .That idiotic prank war, made my entire family grow closer together. And leaving LA behind allowed for all of this to happen."
Okay, so I'm definitely crying.
Ugly crying.
"The point being," he laughs. "Uncertainty and change are good things. Currently, as we graduate, there's a lot of uncertainty around us. What college are we going to? What new town are we moving to? What new adventures are we facing? What new people are we meeting? What changes are coming our way?. . Yes, it can be scary, but it can also be filled with great new opportunities. I, for one, am happy to have been on this adventure with you all."
"Congratulations graduates," he yells and we all scream as we toss our caps into the air.
Finally, we have graduated!
Not a bad speech, for a bad boy president.
"Also," he says, quickly into the microphone. "Elliana Bair meowed and begged to hear this speech early, I will be providing video evidence to anyone who asks."
"Oh, he's good," Josh laughs and this time, I know I've turned tomato red.
"He wasn't recording," I say, looking directly at Josh and Alex.
"I might have recorded it," Alex says sheepishly and I glare at him.
"And I sent it to him," Josh admits, but he's still laughing.
"Oh, this prank war is far from over," I look over at them. "And you two are back in it, watch yourselves."
I'm going to get them back!
And it'll be good.
Devil boys: 8
Elliana: 8
But, who's keeping score?
***
A/N: Hi everyone!
You all begged for Vincent's presidential speech and honestly, I had a hard time writing this. It had been a long time since I visited these characters. I had forgotten how fun they are, I mean, I love them.
Hope you all enjoyed this little bonus chapter!
QOTC: What did you all think of Vincent's speech?
Also, the 2nd most asked question; did you always intend for Elliana to end up with Josh?
The answer is yes. All the boys had their time to shine, right?
Josh, when he takes her to the lake (which was the first "date" she went on by the way) and when she meets his family #wealllovegrandmasally.
Alex, when he shows off his endless pickup lines and at the beach. I mean, he had us swooning, right?
Vincent, when she tells him about Lilo and when they go visit Red/Janet. Also, their whole hate/love relationship when they worked on their school project was amazing, I loved writing their arguments lol
Truth is, we all love the bad boy. But Ellie loved him exactly the way he was, she didn't want him to change a single thing about himself. Not even his drinking, not if he didn't want to.
So how could she be true to herself, and honor Lilo's memory, by dating a guy who drinks and drives?
And how could she believe he was being true to himself if he was only changing to date her?
That was my logic when writing their story.
Anyways, I hope that makes sense! #Jolliana!
Love,
Pam
January 24, 2023.