MARINETTE

Aaron Byvael is going to have an audience today at one of the state universities, and I was told to be there in disguise to see how it goes. Mister Nordic's audience at the same university will be held next week.

So if Byvael does a good job today, then I would have to work harder in preparing Nordic for what is to come.

The best thing about being first is that you set the standard for people, but the best thing about being last is that you know that can beat that standard.

With the help of Chloé and Nath, who went to the same state university, they helped me find an I.D. I could use to pass as a 'student' for the day. I was more excited in matching the clothes for me to wear today to look the part.

I made sure that I wouldn't catch the attention of people but still make sure that I look cute.

Of course, because your appearance matters in a time like this.

"All students, please proceed to the entrance of the auditorium," one professor announces in front of the crowd of students I am a part of, "We will all enter at the right door while the left will be used as the exit."

Part of plan is to not stay too much in front or at the back. Also stay at the aisle so that you can leave fast if you need to.

I follow the students in front of me when they start to walk, entering the auditorium and finding seats to rest on. I'm thankful that I find a seat by the middle of the rightmost side of the auditorium and I rush to it with no second thought.

Once the students have found seats and the auditorium has found order with the people in it, a person walks to the middle of the stage in front and smiles at us, the audience.

"Good day," the person speaks, holding a microphone close to his mouth, "we are proud to have a special guest for this event. He is one of the candidates running for president with platforms that mainly focus on the betterment of the welfare of the less fortunate; promoting a life of equity for every citizen."

Okay, that sounds like something Agreste would write.

I jot down on my notebook the detail on making sure that I write down a short introduction for Mister Nordic as well.

"He is here today to gladly answer your questions regarding his platforms or anything else that are deemed beneficial when choosing the right candidate. As much as he will answer all of your questions, we will not tolerate explicit ones. Now, without further ado, let us welcome the presidential candidate Sir Aaron Byvael!"

The students applaud as Byvael enters from the side. He grins toward us and raises a hand, acknowledging the applause for him. The emcee directs him to the podium at the middle of the stage and he makes himself comfortable, standing behind it. I notice that his eyes dart down to three blackboxes located at the edge of the stage then he looks back up at us.

Ah, I add to my notes, there are teleprompters.

"Good afternoon, dear students!" He greets, leaning toward the microphone propped on the podium. "Thank you very much for having me today. As you all may already know, I would gladly accept questions from you and to the best of my ability I will answer all of them. I wouldn't want to keep you waiting, you may start asking me now."

"To ensure that there is order when asking questions," the emcee chimes in, "we placed two microphones, one on each aisle. The student who arrives at either of the microphones gets the chance to ask first. After that, our student volunteers will take note of who goes after."

To my surprise, a lot of students stand, all wanting to ask a question. I find it overwhelming, the amount of questions Byvael will be receiving, but for the students I think they find it normal. Even the student volunteers, who are now listing the order of students who will ask later, seem very calm like as if they are used to it.

Well, this state university is known to hold students with very radical minds. They are taught to not be scared of questioning the system and testing the matters of the government. The students here are strong especially in a matter like this.

This is actually the main reason why I am here to spy on what happens today. It's not the fear of standing on-stage that Mister Nordic has to prepare for. He really needs to prepare for the students and their questions. If he says one answer that the students deem wrong, they have the power to speak against it and bring him down.

I let out a heavy sigh, watching the students line behind the microphone stands near them. Not even five minutes have passed and there are around 25 students ready to ask a question. That line of students just make my hands sweaty. Sometimes I wonder why I got this scary and tedious job.

Byvael keeps a smile on his face as he also looks at the students. Though, I can see it. A hint of worry in his eyes. I wouldn't blame him. If I were in his shoes, I would be feeling a hell lot of worry and nervousness.

The air in the auditorium calms when the students have fixed themselves, especially their order of asking. Without wasting any more time, the first student steps to the microphone to ask the first question for this event.

"Hello sir, my name is Sandra. I am a second-year student currently taking up Development Studies." A young-looking girl with her hair tied up in a ponytail and eyeglasses propped on her nose and ears, stands tall when she introduces herself.

"Hi Sandra," Byvael greets her back. "What would you like to ask me about today?"

She fixes her eyeglasses before asking, "I am aware that you have formulated a lot of platforms for this year's election period. I would just like to ask, which one do you prioritize the most out of all?"

"Ah," Byvael utters then lets out a soft chuckle. "I'm glad you asked that question." He brings out both of his hands. "You see, I have a lot of platforms lined up for this election because I truly care for each person's welfare despite the difference of demographics. Since you are making me choose, I would say that my priority would be the platforms that regard the less fortunate especially in terms of their housing and schooling. Would you like to know why?"

"No, thank you," the student flatly dismisses him which Byvael does not take lightly, seeing that his eyes widen in shock. "The answer you gave is sufficient," the student finishes, "Thank you, sir."

"A-Ah, you're welcome," Byvael musters to say. "Thank you for the question." Even I could feel it from here. He is still recovering from that suprisingly sudden event.

I have a bad feeling about this. This is going to take a while.

And it really does take some time. As the students ask their never-ending questions, Byvael answers them but I could see that he is getting tired by the minute.

The students never asked personal questions but most of them were about things that required one to really ponder on the question. One wrong word uttered and it could be used against him.

I know that someone else is more tired than Byvael. After all, Byvael does not answer most of the questions here. It really is Agreste quickly preparing the answers that are immediately shown through the teleprompter.

...How is he now?

I then scrunch my face in disgust with my sudden thought.

What the hell. Why should I care?!

My face softens when I remember. He helped me a lot with that list of charities. The popularity of Mister Nordic truly started to rise because of what he did for us. Agreste even mentioned that it was the least that he could do. I beg to differ. I would say that that was the most anyone has done for us.

And I did not even thank him properly for doing that.

"Hi, sir. You may be feeling tired now," the voice of a male student brings me out of my thoughts and I turn my attention toward him.

Byvael smiles at him, which I can tell is forced. "A bit," he answers truthfully. "But I will still answer each question properly and with gusto. May I ask what your question is?"

"Sir, how could you ensure that you will prioritize diplomacy over conflict?"

"I believe that there should be a balance of both." Byvael quickly states, playfully shrugging his shoulders.

The students immediately let out disapproving grunts or comments. Even if they keep their voices hushed, anyone could feel the shift of tension in the auditorium.

"What is he saying?" I mutter under my breath, appalled with his answer.

But what's worse is that it seems like Byvael cannot read the mood. He's still answering, defending what he is saying.

"It's a matter of who stays strong," Byvael continues, "A nation's standing is also based on the effect it brings to other nations..."

I choose not to listen anymore. I notice that he is not looking at the teleprompters. What is Agreste doing now? I would be freaking out if I were him.

Damn it.

For the sake of Agreste, I need to do something.

I stand and collect my stuff to head out. No student notices me since they are too busy nitpicking or making comments on Byvael's answer. With my notebook in my hand and a pen in the other, I start to write down an answer for him to say while walking to the other side of the auditorium using the hallways outside.

There is a door that would lead me backstage and without any hesitation, I push it open and head in. The place is messy and hectic with people, who I assume is a mix of student volunteers and Byvael's people, walking around tending to their own tasks.

I slip in and briskly walk by the wall, keeping my head down, hoping to find Agreste as fast as I could.

"Aaron!" A voice shouts from my side, "Look at your teleprompter! Stop answering!"

Wait. I know that voice.

I look up and see Agreste, his hands pulling his hair in frustration, trying to get the attention of Byvael who, I can see from the side curtain, is still saying his answer to the question.

"Kill me now! He needs to look at the teleprompter-"

"Agreste," I yell in a whisper, standing a few feet behind the man. He turns back the instant I say his name. When he catches my eye, his eyes widen in shock and anger.

"What the?" He sputters and strides to me. When he's near me, he grabs my wrist and drags me to a room at the side which looks like a dressing room judging by the amount of vanity tables lining its walls.

Once he locks the door, he eyes me from head to toe with eyebrows furrowed in anger. "What the hell are you doing here?" He spits out, resting a hand on his hip.

"Make the words in the teleprompter red to grab his attention," I utter in haste, "and let him say this." I hand him a piece of paper with my answer on it which Agreste grabs.

He reads through the words in a hurry then I could see the worry and anger in his eyes subside. Even his eyebrows are not furrowed together anymore. He looks back at me, a relaxed yet bewildered look grazing his features.

"Go," I urge and push him to the door. "Let him say the answer I wrote down before it's too late."

"A-And you, stay here with the door locked." He unlocks the door and opens it, pointing at me.

"Yes, yes, now go!" I push him out and close the door behind him. After locking it, I lean all my weight on the door and slide down to the ground.

Now, it all hits me.

What did I just do?

This won't help Mister Nordic, I gave the favor to Byvael.

I slap my forehead in dismay when I realize it further.

I didn't want to do it for Byvael. The worry I felt moments ago was not for him.

After a few more minutes, I hear three knocks from the other side of the door. "Blue-head, it's me," the voice says from outside.

I get to my feet and unlock the door before opening it for Agreste to come in. I take a few steps back to give him space by the door. Once he closes the door behind him, he leans on it and lets out a sigh. He glances at me then clears his throat, looking the other way.

"I won't ask why you're here in the first place...but why did you go out of your way to help out?" He asks.

"I didn't want you feel the same way you felt back at the president's party..." I find myself answering truthfully.

He looks back at me, tilting his head to the side. "Just say that you want to do it for Byvael-"

"Doing it for your candidate never crossed my mind," I cut him off. "I did it for you."

He quietly sighs and opens the door. "Turn left and it will lead you to another exit," he instructs me, jutting his chin in the direction he wants me to follow. "And by the way," he continues, "thank you. I don't know if I should fully believe your words. But I'll still want to thank you."

------------

"I assume that you are on your way already?" Mister Nordic asks through the phonecall he made minutes ago.

"Yes, sir," I answer, making the speed of my windshield wipers at the highest speed due to the heavy rain that is almost blocking my view. I adjust the  earpiece in my left ear so that I could hear his voice clearly.

"Now, Marinette, this party is important since most of the senators will be there."

One of the oldest-living senators is celebrating his birthday which we were invited to, including Byvael's team. The senator asked his guests to follow his party theme of movies from all time. I had to comply by making my own attire for tonight.

"Yes, sir. I prepared things for you to say if ever some of them will want to talk to you about the election period."

I hear him let out a soft chuckle. "You are fantastic. I'm glad to have you as my campaign manager."

"I'm just doing my job, sir," I utter with a smile on my face. I carefully turn my car to the left and continue on the road that will lead to the highway.

"Byvael did a spectacular job back at that university," he suddenly says which causes me to almost freeze in place. For a moment I forgot that I was driving under the heavy rain. Byvael's talk happened a day ago. It scares me that he's bringing it up again.

"Especially that answer on the question on diplomacy and conflict," he continues, "At first it was a bit messy but then towards the end, he picked up his argument and actually made sense out of it. It was written so well...it reminded me of how you write! Did you write it?" He laughs heartily and I force out a soft laugh.

"Sir, you really love to joke!" I say cheerfully, but my face held fear.

"I'm just messing with you! I know you wouldn't help out in that aspect. Anyway! See you when you arrive at the party. Drive safely."

"Thank you and see you, sir," I utter back and he ends the call.

I let out a heavy sigh and grasp tightly on the wheel. Oh my God. If ever Mister Nordic finds out about what I did and that he is correct, I wouldn't know what will become of me.

"I should stop myself," I mumble under my breath, "Marinette, you should stop meddling in their lives and focus on the fight."

I huff out some air and sit up straighter on my seat. I continue to drive down the highway, the heavy rain is still ongoing and it looks like there is sign of it stopping soon.

As long as I drive safe, nothing could go wrong-

My car suddenly lets out a thump which causes me to jolt in my seat.

"What the?"

My steering wheel starts to pull right and I try to pull it back to the middle. Then my car lets out another thump which I heard came from the back again.

"Oh no, oh no..." I utter repeatedly and pull down the dirt road at the side to stop my car. Once I reach the side, I grab an umbrella from under my seat and take it with me as I go outside.

I underestimated the rain. It is more than heavy, it is raining cats and dogs out here and the wind was enough to blow someone away. I'm even having a hard time holding my umbrella. Because of the wind, I'm still getting wet by the raindrops.

I rush to the back of my car and notice that my two rear tires have become flat. I groan out loud and continue to look at them in disbelief. From all the days I get a flat tire, it had to be today. And TWO flat tires?! I grab my phone and try to call for help but the signal is so bad because of the rain. I have no choice but to help myself.

The wind is growing stronger by the minute and with one hand I open the back of my car which holds a spare tire and the tools to help me change it. But I don't have another spare tire. Without any warning, the wind suddenly blows away my umbrella just when I was about to grab my spare tire.

"No, no!" I shout as I watch my umbrella get carried by the rain and wind. I can't waste anymore time to get back my umbrella. Despite being soaked under the rain, I go back to carrying the spare tire and my toolbox.

I go back to the rear of my car and grab wheel wedges to place in front of my front tires. After that, I kneel beside one of my flat tires and grab a lug wrench to loosen the nuts on the tire.

My shoes are wet. My clothes are soaked to the skin. My hair and make-up is a mess. I am kneeling on a dirty and now muddy road. I am fixing a tire of my car which will still not help me in the end because I only have one spare tire.

I start to cry.

It comes out softly, like hiccups at first then it turns to full sobs. I cry loudly while still loosening the lug nuts. At least in my moment of solitude, I am thankful for the rain. It hides my endless tears falling from my eyes.

I sniffle and continue to sob, even when I grab the jack and try to place it under the frame of my car. "Why did it have to be me?" I cry out, working my way through this ordeal. "Why did it have to happen now?!"

Suddenly the weight of something drops on me and I notice that I am not getting hit by the rain anymore. But why are there still raindrops falling to the ground?

I touch my shoulders and notice that a coat is on me. I slowly look up despite my tears and see that an umbrella is covering me, shielding me from getting wet any longer.

I turn my head and see a man, Agreste standing under the umbrella as well. I gape at him, not uttering a word. My tears still continue to fall down my face.

He looks at me with a soft look on his face then crouches down to be at the same eye level as me. With the most gentle voice I've ever heard from him, he says, "Leave your car here and grab the stuff you need. I'll take you to the venue."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

DAMN. NGL I LOVE THIS CHAPTER HAHA

I hope you enjoyed it :)

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