Central Park, William Wonavilla Academy

The leading pathway  to Junior dorms which was made entirely of basalt rocks gleamed so brightly that one would have mistaken them for the pretty , thinly cut marbles reflecting the high sun.  The shadows of nearby tree  , boiler controls affixed  to outside walls of each floor at recurring intervals had started to hide themselves in arms of the big shadow still casted by the ceiling as the clock struck twelve.

Far from being expectant of any snow, the sight  from inside the dorms to curious gazes with their chins rested on window-still , made it feel like that it was just another sultry day of July rather than the prologue to chilly cold of December just few week away. 

Kate Summer couldn't help but notice the lack of a familiar silver haired figure as she ran her eyes through the dorm.  Her eyes were so deadset on finding him , that she didn't even notice the curious and frantic expression that had started to dawn upon  the several boys, taken aback by this unprecedented invasion of their humble abode by a girl.

It was only after the warden came up half-panting up the stairs that a sense of relief washed over their faces once again, being direct audience to the much-needed earful that was given to Kate as she was dragged back to the girl's dormitory on first floor.

Had Max yet not returned from his official visit? It was going to be today , right? 

Kate's lips twisted in a disappointed curve as she solemnly followed the warden into her dorm, where a deep silence loomed , wracked with anxiousness and trepidation seeing the warden Helga.

If only she was aware that her uneasiness was for naught and how close the person of interest whose thoughts were eating her heart was, she would haven't as minded the annoying slurs that were pounding her ears right now.

.........

Under shade just outside the Junior Dorm

 "For the last time, if I may so repeat myself,  I am not going to run for the seat. " His voice quivered with a sizzling indignation as red blush started to creep up his cheeks. His short hair seem partially hid the creases starting to line across his forehead out of exasperation.

"But why not?" She raised her eyebrows slightly, being perplexed by his refusal. "You get along so well with the President, Max  And since you are already training under him, it would be the perfect time to be..."

"That has no bearing on the matter at hand...." He replied swiftly, but stopped short, seeing the teary-eyed expression forming on her face.

"Oh...so is that because of me? " She softly caressed her hair,  as she twisted her lips into a dejected look. "Do you bear a grudge against me because of your scuffle with Asterix last year?  Do you think I have some ulterior motive?"

"W-What...." Max squinted his eyes, a quizzical brow on his face. "I didn't say that. "

"So you thought that..." She retorted at once, stepping closer as her cleave-brown handbag , braced against her legs.

"Vice-President Chloe." Max kneaded his fingers onto another, as he enclosed his fists against his waist. "Please...don't put words in my mouth. You should know well enough that I don't like playing unnecessary charades. "

"Sorry. That was improper on my part." Chloe bowed her head apologetically as her eyes once again peered at the sheet of paper in her hands. 

 "Hff...what am I going to do now?" She exhaled , finding herself at loss.

 Despite all his impulses urging him to use the opportune moment to sneak into the dormitory, Max found himself compelled to feed his curiosity seeing the somber look on her face. 

In these past five months since he had come to know senior Chloe Parker, she had only displayed a steadfast character who always used to to placate any sort of impending task or deadline that often confronted the Council . 

More importantly, she was the only able to get a word in for him to President Agnes whenever he needed so. So it wouldn't exactly look too good on his conscience to give her an indifferent blunt treatment which he had no qualms in giving to other annoying seniors who always wanted him to join some kind of ridiculous club or event.

"Why are you insistent on making me run for the Council anyway. " He shrugged his shoulder, minding the distance between his feet and his little iron-grey suitcase which rested nearby. "I am only in second year after all and there are still six more years to go.....wait"

He held his head frantically, his eyes widening at realization. "Wait...That sounds too long....I have to attend classes here for six more years."

Chloe snickered secretly, at him losing his own track of thoughts. Genius or not, President's prized idol was still an innocuous kid after all.

"I can smell your thoughts, you know." Max's eyes looked at Chloe accusingly at which she rolled her eyes. "Don't think I haven't seen that look on your face before. You should know, Vice-President, for me, the calculation works as twice the natural age."

"Sure." Chloe pressed her lips, trying to hide her amused look as his face lit up with such eagerness, that she was sure, at any moment, he would start to explain at lengths about his wits and how he was not a kid, even though every time it only confirmed her beliefs ever more strongly each time.

"Well..." He finished at last with a victorious grin on his face. "So you see, there is no reason for you to give me consideration because of age."

Chloe was about to refute his naïve contentions again as usual but then a thought coursed through her head like an overpowering streak of lightning and she quickly took a step back, her eyes dancing in frenzy.

"My thoughts are in full consonance with yours, junior." She smiled brightly. "But you must also know that for someone to truly have trust in your words, they need more than mere words or action. They need action sanctioned by authority."

"I am already solving cases for the state and exposed the fixer last year " Max clocked his head to side, as he crossed his arms. "What better authority could anyone in Wonavilla need than that to believe in my capabilities?"

"That is very true." Chloe nodded her head as her eyes stared at him with firmness. "But again, it was last year- a one time momentary glory which can be easily omitted from memories. And do you truly think , save for few seniors, anyone really follows the newspaper to know about your budding feats for the state in one or two case?"

"Well...when you put it like that." He pouted, tucking his hair behind his ears. But then , he furrowed his eyebrows again as he stared back at Chloe. "Wait a minute! You are just saying all of this to convince me to run for your stupid Council elections coming week. It isn't like there is guarantee of me earning any glorious reputation while being an errand-boy of Student Council. 

"Come now! " She waved aside his concern with sleight of hand. "I won't be coming up to you to keep you on such bottom lines obviously."

"Regardless of that, I don't see any merit in your offer, Vice-President." Max shook his head, firmly rooted in his belief. "My association with President Agnes already tends to attract enough attention as nothing would change in favor by joining the Council except piling up of more burdensome tasks. But more importantly, I don't care if I am obscure or treated as ordinary here. The real worth of any glory or image is for the world outside this hostel where I intend to set foot again the very moment exams are over."

Chloe who had been listening intently to his words, couldn't help but clap in admiration. "Max Ryder, you truly are the perfect candidate for Student Council."

"Oh god! " Max facepalmed himself , as he hung his head. "Don't tell me we went over all this just for you to again try to induct me into..."

"Just listen for once, will you?" Chloe put her fingers onto his lips to silence him to which he complied while registering his silent protest by tapping of feet against the floor. "I have got an idea in mind that will suit both of us. See, you have basically no merit in joining Council because you think it will only give you burdensome tasks and I imagine, you want to devote your time to studies after having missed out for whole three months of school since summer. But you don't want to actually study or give exam like proper student ,do you? Wouldn't you rather have it as per your convenience and just get it done? Surely, you are eager to get back to outside world? "

She removed her finger as Max urged after much reluctance, being intrigued. "Go on." 

"Great." A delightful smile bedecked her face. She was finally getting to his interests. "A seat at Student Council of Wonavilla is a prize for any student simply because of the wealth of opportunities it offers and the doorways it allows you to access. If you become part of Council and earn enough credit points, there can be a significant relaxation afforded to you in exams. In fact, some rumours would say, it wouldn't be a test at all."

Max bit his lip at the odd remark , 'Some rumours would say' . That means there was no guarantee whether it was actually true or not. It could either be a deceitful bait or just wishfully true.

What a sly trick! She truly was fit to be with President Agnes. 

"So what is it going to be?" Chloe thrusted the paper into his hands as her eyes looked at him expectantly. "A month of drowning in banal books you despise or being part of fruitful team solving actual problems with honour."

"Right...right." He rubbed the back of his head, slightly squishing his hair. "You don't have to oversell it, Vice-President Chloe. It spoils the surprise of devouring the fruit."

"Delightful. " She intertwined her fingers together as she turned around to leave, feeling content in heart. " I will have someone send you handbook on election procedure and rules."

"Wait a minute..."Max rolled his eyes at her. "I still have to stand for election as a normal candidate "

"That is how contesting works." Chloe blinked. 

"Tch...I mean, since you came here with offer as Vice-President. So I thought....."

"That I would be able to crown you as a member without any procedure." She finished, making a fake horrified expression on her face. "You do realize we are the embodiment of fairness and discipline? We can't play favoritism. Anyway, don't hesitate to reach out anytime you need help with profiling."

Max gave her a deadpan stare holding the urge to say what else was this but favoritism. "Agh. What a pain...fine. You better pray I win the elections for my social skills are zero when it comes to these things."

"Trust me." Chloe gave an reassuring smile. " Despite your sassy attitude, you will do just fine."

"That was going to be strong point though...." 

"You will do just fine." She repeated stoically with same smile. 

.......

In the distance, unaware to both, having heard it all, own expectations seemed to brimming more than ever in a girl that would affect the whole course of future ahead. A girl whose name would earn far repute than even the young silver bird all had set their eyes on: Azesha Washazi.