Chapter 6 - "Your Senior Class President is now..."

"I can't decide if you are loyal or stupid for giving up your chance at Senior Class President," Miguel said to Courtney.

They stood in the school's broadcast room that Friday morning. Along with all the student council and those who'd run for office that week. Plus the whole AV team, which actually belonged there.

"Only because the thought of relinquishing power to anyone gives you anxiety," Courtney said. "Also you're loyal to no one but yourself."

"That is slander. I'm loyal to people."

"Oh really? Who?"

"Mi Madre and Jace."

"Only because our mutual cousin is willing to get you into baseball games for free, so I'm not sure that counts."

"You never said my loyalty was not bought."

A man of self-serving ties, and good looks. He would make a great politician one day. One day? He made a great one now. Despite being detached from almost everyone, people still liked him. It was impressive.

"So what was it?" Miguel asked. "Stupidity or loyalty that made you drop out of the race?"

Courtney glanced at Lynn across the way, laughing and smiling with other council members. She looked flawless. Okay, more than usual which somehow seemed impossible since she always looked perfect. It was like her superpower. Honestly, she could make wearing a garbage bag look fashionable and not trashy.

"I believe it's called friendship," Courtney said. "Since you know nothing about it, let me explain. It's where you and someone else connect, form a bond and are better for it because it makes your life happier."

Miguel narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms. "Connecting. Bonding. Happiness. Sounds disgusting to me."

Courtney laughed and Miguel winked at her. Ah, Miguel, I am your only friend and that's sad. Though he didn't seem to mind, since his mind was always focused on what came next. For him, it was Harvard. Anything that didn't play into that goal was dropped. Courtney might be the one exception.

"Still," he said. "Giving it up for her. I have to say I..."

Courtney tilted her head and tapped her ear. "What is it you were going to say? You admire me for it? You are floored by my selflessness? You wish you understood that type of friendship?"

"I still think you're an idiot."

Well, what did she expect, after all? But he didn't say idiota so she decided this was the most positive he could get.

They fell silent, observing the manic energy of the room. The AV team was trying to get set up while having to zigzag their way through council members who were oblivious to being in the way.

Courtney had opted to remain near an unused wall because she was nice like that. And mainly because she figured some of those wires had vengeful thoughts and would easily take her down.

Courtney saw Micah working on the camera setup. The past week he'd looked better for wearing shirts that fit him. His pants needed work. Not the right style. And his hair could still use a cut but he was improving. No declaration of love from Max, but Courtney figured it was only a matter of time. He was too great not to snap up.

"Five minutes to air time!" Shelby, the head of the Broadcast team, shouted. "Five minutes to air."

The council members talked louder at the announcement. Lynn held out her hands to her fellow members as if asking how she looked. She would be on the broadcast after all.

"Miguel," Courtney asked, deciding that she was a glutton for punishment. As well as one for ice cream. "How long did you know she wanted to run for president?"

"Since last Friday morning," he answered. "She asked if it was even worth it to try and run against you. You did win by a landslide last time."

Yes, she had but Lynn had candy and cute t-shirts and no opposition from Courtney, Lynn landslide here we come!

"Why do you want to know?" Miguel asked, with a look that almost appeared like concern. Ha! Trick of the light, most likely.

"I want to be able to go back and mark it in my diary. The day of betrayal, the day I turn to the dark side. The day I decide to step into my role as villain. You know, a fond memory to look back on when I get old."

"She made no mention of it before? Nothing?"

Now that was sympathy in his gaze. Don't you dare go soft on me, Miguel, or I'll have to drop you. Cold reality is why you're my friend, don't you dare change.

"Everyone likes surprises," Courtney said.

"No, I'm pretty sure no one does."

"Oh, that definitely means I'm throwing you a surprise birthday party."

"By announcing that you have made the surprise null and void."

"Nope, I never told you which birthday I was planning it for. Be afraid, my controlling cousin, be very afraid."

Miguel rolled his eyes and Courtney decided she should brave crossing the Wires of Death to join in with Lynn's happiness. After a complete week of using the crutches, Courtney was more capable with them.

Also, she'd updated them. They now had padding under the arms and a multiple fabric cover that she'd sewn so she could have ones that worked with her outfit of the day.

Also, a less cool change was if she pressed a button a tranq dart shot out and on the other crutch, a laser emerged. She wanted to add rockets but apparently, those would only serve to tear off her arms. Were these useful additions? She wasn't sure, but always good to be prepared, she might have to fight off zombies in the future. Preparation is key.

"Are you nervous?" Courtney asked, drawing Lynn away from the group.

"No. Only very excited," Lynn said.

She looked it, her smile threatening to break her cheeks.

"Look, Cory," she said, shyly. "I wanted to thank you for all the support you gave me this week. I...You could have still run but you gave it up for me. It means a lot."

Lynn squeezed Courtney hands. Courtney didn't know why Lynn hadn't told her before but that didn't change the fact that she was her best friend. They'd been through the thick of cheer try-outs, first crushes, first breakups -at least on Lynn's side, and late nights working or the Council.

"I already ran my race. Now you get to," Courtney said. "Oh! I did have an idea for Homecoming-"

"Me too!" Lynn said, her eyes lighting up.

Of course. That made sense. She wanted the position and the main job was designing the Homecoming dance. Sophomore and Freshman class presidents worked together to design Winter Formal while Prom went to the Student Body president and Junior class president.

"Great! I can't wait. How's practice going?" Courtney asked.

Courtney wasn't joking about that one-woman squad thing. It would be awful but gosh darn it if the squad failed she would make them regret it.

"It's good. Everyone's in good shape," Lynn said.

"Good, because this is our last year. Our last chance to go to state in the spring. How are they bonding? Are they working well together? There was some tension between Aliyah and Cassidy-"

"Cory," Lynn said. "It's handled, okay?" She paused. "You do trust me to be a good captain, right?"

Complete control is an illusion: be water, go with the flow. Yeah, well water also forms a waterfall and can cut through stone. Breathe. Go with the flow. Courtney breathed slowly. She did trust Lynn, no one had worked as hard as Courtney when it came to cheerleading. The team would be okay.

"Of course, I totally trust you."

Only sitting on the sidelines sucks. Not even on the sidelines. On a bed in my house miles from the sidelines.

"Good. I got it handled."

Shelby yelled for quiet and for everyone to get into position. Lynn beamed at Courtney and she quickly returned her friend's smile. The main broadcasters took their seats behind the main desk and Miguel took a spot at a secondary desk specifically for guests.

"All right," Shelby called out. "We are live in five, four, three." She mouthed the final countdown and pointed to the two broadcasters.

Courtney had to wonder if this girl had watched too many news shows. After all, it was only a high school broadcast. Though if you're going to do something, give it all you got. You go, Shelby, you live your newsroom dream!

After the broadcasters made quick announcements, the camera shifted to Miguel, who looked like a real newscaster in his button-down shirt and perfectly styled hair.

"Good morning Oceanside High," Miguel said. "Today you will be voting for your class president. Five minutes will show on the screen. In that time you will be instructed by your teacher to open the school app and vote. You can choose from one of the nominees on the ballot or you can write in a nominee. You should know that if has to be someone here at this school. You can try to nominate Captain America but it will be kicked out. Your chance to vote starts now."

On the main monitor, a countdown flashed up.

Courtney opened the app, a green dot popping up by her name. She opened the ballot. Lynn's name was at the top under Senior Class President along with two others and a space for write-ins. She held her phone up to Lynn and tapped Lynn's name. Lynn laughed and did the same. There, her best friend won. All her hard work would pay off.

"It still blows my mind that your sister created this app during her junior year," Lynn said.

"Yeah, she makes everyone else look like slackers."

Not only had Heather, with some help from their aunt, created an app for receiving and tallying votes for class president, but also Homecoming court and Prom king and queen. From there she'd expanded it to include message boards for students needing tutoring, offering to tutor, or wanting to make study groups. All of it was designed specifically for Oceanside High.

During her senior year she'd marketed it, with the help of their parents, to schools all over Southern California. Now it was one of the main apps schools used all over the country. The main reason being it had a hidden algorithm to kick out and report offensive messages or comments.

Yeah, her sister definitely knew how to make others feel like slackers. And living in that shadow made tanning impossible.

"Time is up," Miguel said. "And the votes are in." He glanced down at his phone screen. "Your Freshman Class President is now...Maria Sanchez."

The room broke into applause as Maria took a spot behind Miguel and waved happily at the camera.

"We're celebrating with C&C this weekend, right?" Courtney asked. "I mean besides the huge party you'll throw for winning."

"It's a plan!"

"Your Sophomore Class President is now...Garrett Alden."

More applause. Garrett looked like he wanted to break into a dance for the camera, but Miguel's glance back at him kept him contained. Beside her, Courtney felt Lynn buzzing with energy. Courtney knew the feeling, the anticipation, the nervousness, the excitement.

"I have to admit," Courtney said. "I've been working on my surprise face so it looks like I'm genuinely shocked you won."

"Same."

"Your Junior Class President is now...Darren Smith."

More cheers. Courtney grabbed Lynn's hand and squeezed it. Lynn gripped it back as if scared something might undo all her hard work.

Courtney wasn't worried, she'd spent the week handing out all that candy...okay about 95% of it, no one would ever discover where that 5% disappeared to. Courtney didn't know, even if she would admit that she was over candy at the moment. But a candy overdose was worth it for now. For Lynn.

"Your Senior Class President is now..." Courtney wiggled her shoulders and beamed at Lynn. "Courtney Hart."

Woohoo!! Go, Lynn!! Wait, what?!

Lynn's hand went dead in Courtney's grip and she stared at her.

"Courtney," Miguel said. "Join us, so everyone can celebrate."

Celebrate? Celebrate what? She hadn't even been on the ballot. Someone nudged her and Lynn took her hand away.

"You won," she said. "Again."

Really? Because from the way Lynn stared at her it looked like she'd lost. The cheering still hadn't died down and it forced Courtney to join the newly elected members. She shouldn't be up here. She wasn't the one wearing the perfectly picked-out outfit for this moment. That was Lynn. Courtney smiled and waved at the camera but all she could see was Lynn's face.

She'd won. She'd won when she'd done nothing. She hadn't had shirts made. She hadn't had candies with her name on it made. No, all she'd done was walk around handing out candy for Lynn and smiling at everyone.

"Gratulation to our new class presidents," Miguel said. "If you feel like annoying someone with an idea, you now know what they look like." He grinned playfully and everyone laughed. "Thanks for voting. I'm Miguel Cortez, your Student Body President and I hope you all have a great day!"

"And we're out!" Shelby called out.

The instance the cameras shut off, Courtney found herself surrounded by half the council, all of them wanting to congratulate her while they boasted how they'd written in her name. You're the culprits! Thank you, thank you for stealing my best friend's success.

Celebrate the wins, no matter how small or how big. Yeah, dad not really my win. Should have been Lynn's. But still, Courtney smiled and thanked everyone.

When Courtney could finally breathe air that wasn't someone else's, she searched for Lynn. No surprise, she left. Fantastic, just perfect.

Miguel approached her. "Seems you'll be able to do your Homecoming dance idea after all."

"Please tell me it was at least close?" Courtney asked.

Miguel checked his screen. From the way he didn't answer right away, she knew the answer.

"Yeah, it was close."

Liar. Even if is a merciful lie, still a lie. Maybe it was a lie that would encourage Lynn. Not likely, she'd still lost.

"It's that video," Courtney said. "That stupid video is the reason my name was easier to think of than Lynn's, isn't it?"

"Your downfall became your greatest success."

Didn't feel that way.

"I'm going back to the Council room, I need to sit down," Courtney said.

As she crossed to the exit, Micah intercepted her.

"Hey," he said, pushing his curls out his eyes. "I want to say congrats! I will admit...I voted for you."

"Why?"

Micah shrugged and stuff his hands into his pockets as if suddenly embarrassed.

"I think you deserve it," he said.

"I didn't even campaign."

"No, but you knew my name."

"What?"

"Last Friday, you knew my name and I never figured someone...someone as popular or as pretty as you would...you deserved it."

So he hadn't been trying to go invisible. Just thought she wouldn't know him.

"Thanks, Micah."

What else was there to say? He wasn't at fault. Only his vote felt won. Everyone else's...not so much.

She stepped out of the broadcast room and into the early morning sunlight. The classic California morning chill was gone and the soft rays promised a pleasant day. Yet another liar. It was not going to be a pleasant day.

Courtney's phone buzzed and she looked at the screen, hoping for Lynn's name but seeing her mother's.

"Hey, mom," Courtney answered.

"How's our Golden Girl?" her mom asked.

"Still sixty and still making millions off my sitcom reruns."

She heard her father's laugh as well as her mother's. Speakerphone then.

"Is the election over?" her mom asked.

"Did Lynn win? Did all your candy dispensing work?" her dad asked.

Yes. No. No.

"A bit of a plot twist," Courtney said.

Why did this feel impossible to say? She was conveying facts. That was all. They asked about the election and that's what she'd tell them.

"I won."

Silence.

"You won?" her mom asked. "I thought you decided to drop out so that Lynn could win."

"I did. But there's an option to write in a nominee and well...I got enough write-ins to win."

Her father let out a loud laugh.

"Naturally! Our Golden Girl doesn't even try and yet wins," her dad said.

Yup, and in the process beat out my best friend. Just wonderful.

"We should be going to you for marketing advice," her dad said.

You could but win-attention-by-using-embarrassing-video-to-advantage isn't the best method. Technically, wasn't even a method since she wasn't trying.

"Here you go: you dictate how the world perceives you," Courtney said.

"Oh, that sounds like a good one," her dad said.

"Funny girl," her mom said.

"I'll charge it to your account. These tips don't come free. Unless I'm your daughter then they are nonstop."

Both her parents laughed. With a reminder that they would be home Sunday, they said goodbye. Courtney stared down at her phone. She wanted to message Lynn, but she had no idea what to say.

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Holy guacamole!

Who saw that coming? And which of you voted for Courtney! Don't lie to me, I know you did! 🗯💬💭

Okay, well I voted for her too, but come on! Could you blame me? She's been having a rough time, I wanted to support her, cheer her up.

What a blow to Lynn. She worked so hard and lost to someone not even on the ballot. That's a rough hand to be dealt. How do you feel about it?

I'm curious if anyone wants to take a chance and look at it from Lynn's POV and tell us if you see something that we can't from Courtney's POV. Go ahead, show off those AP English analysis skills you got!

Vote! Wait, some of you already did with Courtney, so that can be skipped. ComMEnT! FoLLoW! GO figHT! Win!