The morning of the debate, I feel all giddy. But also stressed. I only mentioned that I had signed my name to the girls yesterday. They were angry at me for not telling them, and they knew they had to stick along. It must be separated in small groups, and it isn’t like a presidential election. Which is something I had forgotten, which is classical of me to do. They were good friends, so they decided to be with me. Another idiot idea of mine not to mention it. At least I did, or I would’ve embarrassed myself. I would either way though. Ann-Marie surely found some awesome ideas, and another way to ruin me. 

I prefer not to think about it. Yet I am not scared. I do not fear embarrassment-maybe I do. The point is I’m used to those things. If I do get fooled by her, I wouldn’t be as affected than I was last year when she first started being on my case. Let’s say I believe my reaction is going to be better now. Am I ready? No idea. The girls and I quickly discussed some ideas, yet I must remember what each of us said. We must give the students an idea of our values, the next activities or menu, as well as a field trip. Fortunately, we have our ideas, yet remembering all this? That’s tough. Well, for me. I bet Ann-Marie practiced all week or something. 

It was written all over the walls that it was going to happen. People knew it. I had checked the list recently and noticed that only five teams had registered. It starts by two teams debating while two other teams do, and the two winning teams will afterwards. Then, the winner will fight against the other team. I believe that this is incredibly stressful for the left-out team at first, having to wait for the winner of all of this. It stresses out, to be against the winning of four teams. You're convinced you’re a dead man, unless you feel prepared. At least our team isn’t that one team. It’s Ann-Marie.  

We’ll start against the environment club. If we win, we’ll fight against either the tech club or the politic club. If we’re lucky enough, we’ll reach the top and defeat Ann-Marie. If she hadn’t found a way to ruin me. I hope not. Yet it might happen. I wouldn’t be surprised. So right after class-and my English exam that I’ll probably fail, we all head to the gymnasium. Even the ones that aren’t in clubs. It was all prepared for that one debate, by the end of September. Shit, all those people watching. I hope I don’t do shit. I think to myself stressfully as I pin my badge of the theater club on my sweater. People judge me cautiously-the ones who remember the rumor. 

It faded away slightly, but I still have weird glares from time to time. Yet they start to direct their gazes to my nemesis from time to time, which makes me feel a bit better. The less judgement I have the better, right? Well, point of view of an overthinker-yet I’m not overthinking the judgement when it’s clear. Anyone could see, nobody’s oblivious. Alas! People still believe and call me a fuckgirl. Whatever that is. After a moment, a woman comes up front and clears her throat, tapping on the mic as it echoes through the room. I block my ears, and I’m not the only one. 

“Hello? Ah, the mic finally works! Well, good evening, students, I am glad you all came to assist this wonderful event! Sadly, we only have five clubs who have decided to show up, but it does add some spice! Now, let’s meet the presidents! First off, for the environment club, the ones fighting for the animals, let’s give a round of applause to Isabel Fletcher!” 

Everyone claps and so do I-out of kindness- some of her friends chanting her name. I instantly spot her, her cheeks flushed red as she blends in the crowd. Oh, right. We don’t have to get on stage, the woman got me worried for an instant. 

“In the theater club, those who witness and act, able to make a movie to happen: Nora Jones!” 

Not many people applaud me at first, yet my friends do. I look down in shame, then more people clap for me in respect, the ones not believing in the rumors. Ann-Marie hoots, though I’m not affected. I feel a wave of pride wash over me when nobody agrees with her and that even more people clap for me. 

“In the awesome technology club where the impossible happens: Emelyn Windsor!” 

Same thing again, people applauding, and so do I. I don’t even know those people. 

“In the dance club, making everything turn poetic, Ann-Marie Anderson!” 

“The ones fighting for the rights and thinking about it thoroughly:  Silas Edwards!” 

Not that guy! He’s such a nerd, and he always raises his hand in class! That’s not the problem- if you try and answer the question, he’ll cut you off only to say the exact same thing but with a twist. And the eyes, yes, the eyes are so arrogant! This guy thinks he can do everything! I still applaud, so that people don’t find me weird. 

“First battle, Miss Windsor against Mister Edwards!” 

*** 

The debate is quite heated. Both have particularly good arguments, and it’s like they know each other more than as classmates. Like they have some kind of rivalry. Like Ann-Marie and I, visibly. Yet I believe it’s less bad-they are more civilized and respectful towards each other. Silas is doing the speech I was expecting him, but it’s not that bad. I do lean towards Emelyn’s ideas more. 

“What’s the point in calling yourself a politic club when you’re just a bunch of nerds talking? You aren’t even that much!” 

“That, dear nemesis, is quite pejorative. Some of them may decide to join us, one day, with the desire to share their opinions and to prove themselves in an oral discussion with no judgement.” Silas speaks calmly. 

“Yes, indeed. Yet I believe that learning about the technologies we have nowadays is more innovative. The students get a deeper understanding about the world we live in, plus they have many rewards for voting for me!” Emelyn retorts. 

“You believe that this is the way this works, huh? Insisting on their case and say they’ll get rewarded? The students aren’t toys, they are human beings, and they make their very own decisions.” 

The woman claps her hands to gain the attention of everyone. Voting time. Everyone must raise their hands each time she mentions the name of the person who they believe is the best one. The two of them stop talking. 

“Who votes for Silas, in the politics club?” 

I hate to admit it, but I agree with the idea that he had with the whole human being thing. With the way Emelyn had said it, he is right, it did sound a little aggressive. That wasn’t the goal. I’m not into politics, yet I decide to vote for him. 

“As for Emelyn, in the technology club?” 

Silence. The voters are being counted. After a while, the woman speaks up: 

“And....This is a win for Emelyn Windsor!” 

*** 

Fuck. I didn’t think this would go as planned. I had managed to gain the crowd’s attention and won against Isabel AND Emelyn. It wasn’t even tough. Is that even normal though? I thought they would be despising me because of the rumor and don’t choose me. Yet more than the half of the students voted for me. I don’t believe Ann-Marie has something to do with it though. She looks furious, yet she doesn’t look like she’s planning anything. Or used to, as she planned everything. I must go with different arguments once I’ll debate against her. I just know she’ll mention Dylan, and it infuriates me. 

I remain on the stage, and the applauding stops as Ann-Marie walks up. She goes behind the desk and glances at me with a mix of disgust and anticipation. And something else. Do I see fear? I do not know. The only thing I do know is that she is confident, but she hides her vulnerable side. She has one but doesn’t want me to see it. Neither anyone else. I find it funny in some way. 

“Last but not least, the final debate, Nora Jones against Ann-Marie Anderson!” 

The crowd goes quiet, watching us both. Shit, will she start, or will I? I bet she’s expecting me to say something stupid, and then she’ll come with a good comeback. The woman gestures to her, wanting her to start. I can feel myself relaxing slightly. 

“Do you want a president that lies? She is a hoe, dear students, a hoe! Using her body for services, isn’t that disgusting? Would you ever wonder what else she’d be doing? Do you want her as your president?” She states rudely, her eyes sparkling with pride. 

“Right, let’s pretend those rumors she had shared with the entire school were true. Why would I do that? Why would I want to use my boyfriend, and some others? You have seen me, last year. You might say you never judge anyone’s appearance, and you may think it has something to do with the rumor. But it doesn’t. How filthy.” 

Ann-Marie shifts to me, “Anyone could pretend. I can see that you’re scared, Nora, hiding the truth.” She then looks at the crowd, “Do you want a liar? Can’t you see how much she’s affected?” 

“Damn right I am, motherfucker.” I snap at her, my blood boiling, “You have created a rumor, a false one about me, and dropped it to the entire school. A photoshop about an ex I had a few years ago. Playing with my dang emotions, toying with my past to make me look different in the present. Now, public, would you want a girl like that as your president?” 

Ann-Marie rolls her eyes, “Lies. Do you even have a proof, dear?” 

This is the moment I have been waiting for. I share my phone screen with the public, my lips curling into a smirk slowly. I can’t wait to see her reaction. I notice the woman watching me in confusion, but I shake it off. They need to see, it’s not like I was checking my Instagram account. 

“This is a picture of me, five weeks ago at the lake nearby. Look closely, I was with my father and my dear friend Addison, who knows about it. This has been photoshopped.” I go on Dylan’s account and pause for a moment, “How do I know him? He’s my ex, and of course, I remember him. Here’s the photo that got modified. Him, hugging his dear friend Alexander. Now, do you see the truth?” 

Ann-Marie's face goes white. For the first time, I see her reacting badly. I exposed her, right in front of them. Heck yeah, baby! I fucking did it! The public stares at the two pictures as well, and some of them start feeling bad-they aren’t saying anything, but I see it in their faces. Some of them even gasp. I take a glance at my friends, and they don’t seem surprised. My gaze stops and meets Jules, and I see the happiness and the relief in his eyes. Thank God. Ann-Marie tries to compose herself. 

“That was only one thing.” She mutters incoherently, before gritting her jaw and speaking louder, more confidently, but it seems harsh for her, “But if you chose me, we’ll get a field trip at the museum, as well as a project to make small houses to stray cats in the streets. I have great values, see. Friendship, scholarship, respect.” 

“Here you go again, Anderson. Respect? Well, you’re clearly not respecting ME right now. How did you dare? I knew it was you from the start, making me feel this way. It was always you. And if you choose me, we’ll have a trip to Sandbanks. We will have special activities concerning the environment, as well as more vegetarian dinners and a free shop for the students.” 

The woman chooses this time to blow the whistles. She calls our names for the vote, but starting from there, I’m not really listening. I don’t bother. I watch as the hands raise straight up for my case, and I peer at Ann-Marie. She seems furious. As we celebrate and get off the stage, she stares right at me, seemingly holding back to slap me. 

“You’ll regret it, Nora.” She scowls angrily, poking my chest. 

“People like me. The truth needed to be said.” I declare with a shrug as she storms off furiously.