To New and Foreign Feelings

I tried to calm myself down as I sensed my heart beating faster.  I didn’t expect this at all. Well, maybe I did. But I certainly didn’t expect for it to happen now.

I followed the senior before me, the one who called me for the meeting of the Elections Committee. They’re probably going to interrogate me, try to see if I deserve the position or not. And the interview part is what scares me the most.

The senior, he’s a guy by the way, led me inside a hall where the rest of the committee members all sat down. I was about to say that I can’t do the interview and I’ll just back out. Then, I’ll apologize for the inconvenience. Just then, another guy, I think he’s the chairman because an aura of superiority seems to be surrounding him, spoke up.

“Are you Angharad Lee?”

Stuttering, I answered. “ I am.”

“Well, you’re in. Welcome to the Elections Committee.” He said, trying to look as friendly as he could be.

Me, on the other hand, was utterly shocked. I was mentally screaming in my mind and a thousand mini versions of myself were running around in my mind.

“For real?”

“Yes. For real.”

I sat down quietly, still feeling a bit fazed about everything. Everything seemed like a prank. A prank which they played too well. It looked nothing like reality.

But, it was reality.

So I accepted the fact that I was in. Besides, it was a good thing for me.

The meeting started almost immediately, the chairman clearly not wanting to waste any time. It was about the implemented rules and regulations about the elections, including the new ones. They were also reminders on what not and what to do. They clearly wanted to inform us new members about what to do. Especially since the elections for the seventh grade representatives were coming near.

I was deep in my thoughts when I noticed someone else sitting beside me. On my left actually. And it was a guy.

I looked at him for a minute and then turned away. I didn’t want to be mistaken as weird if I stare at him too long.

He was a senior. Two years older than me, I think. I was in tenth grade and he was in twelfth grade. His hair was combed in a natural way. No wax, no gel. And I admit that he was undeniably handsome in his own way. But that was only my impression of him about his physical appearance.

His attitude? I guess I’ll have to find out. Sooner or later.

I paid my attention to the chairman to stop myself from pondering about the guy sitting beside me. Because if I didn’t, I’ll get myself in big trouble. And maybe get myself humiliated.

The chairman adjourned the meeting after giving away final instructions. We packed up our things and headed home. I walked out to the gate alone, feeling lonely for I had no company. Even though I knew the names of my seniors in the committee, I doubt they even know mine.

And the other three chosen in my year were from different sections. And even though we knew each other’s names, we weren’t exactly close. Not even a bit.

And I have to say that the guy who sat beside me didn’t even cross my mind until I got on the bus.

Along the ride, I tried to convince myself that he was just another ordinary person in my life. He’ll come and go, like the others. It’ll be the same I-know-you-you-know-me relationship because I never really was the type of person to go up to a person and make the first move on being friends.

I was afraid to be given a bad label from the judgmental people in their class.

And so, I didn’t think about him until I realized something. Until I remembered something actually. I think I’ve heard his name. Maybe seen it. Somewhere. Oh right.

Harry Everett. The writer from the Journalism Club. A twelfth grade student. The guy who sat beside me earlier.

Days passed and I got used to my new schedule. After class, I’d immediately go to the office to meet up with the other members. I got used to the slight fact that I won’t be able to hang out with my friend after dismissal. It seemed like my temporary daily routine. It did become my daily routine. For the time being only.

Today was an extra special day. We were supposed to interview the candidates today and clearly, I won’t be sneaking out on the meeting any time. I entered to office and immediately set my bag down. They already had the whole place set up. I sat down on one of the vacant chairs labeled tenth grade and waited.

Soon enough, four seventh grade students entered. Hands clasped tightly together. They looked like they were gathering all their courage for what seems to be such a huge event in their lives. Well, if you think about it, this interview will affect their candidacy. So, it is huge. For them. For me, it’s nothing.

Seconds turned to minutes. Minutes became hours. When all of the candidates had been interviewed, we were immediately sent home. And that, I included, was one of the most boring meet ups ever.

June 25. It was the start of the official preparations. We had been assigned to different tasks to make the work a whole lot easier. And we were supposed to finish it all before the elections. So obviously we were all of us were busy with something.

Arthur was printing the official ballots. Gerald was cutting the printed ones to its supposed size with help from Kyle and Justin. Michael, Cyril, Richie, and Joseph were double-checking the tarpaulins with the candidate’s names on it. Ivory, and Darlene were sorting out the attendance sheets and tally sheets. On the other hand, Irene, Francesca, Janine, Harry and I were writing on the columnar.

Gerald would often open up a random topic to keep us talking. And noisy. He says it’s not nice if everybody works so seriously. He reasoned out that we need to lighten up a little. And soon enough, Justin, Kyle and Arthur would tell him to shut up and take over his place as master mind of all the noise. I found it a bit childish for twelfth graders.

All of a sudden, Arthur cleared his throat and called for our attention. We immediately stopped whatever it was that we were doing.

“Okay so guys. I’m going to give you your assigned sections. We’re going by pairs, and we’ll hold the elections from room to room.”

“Do we get to choose our partners?” Richie asked curiosity evident in his eyes.

“No. Newbies are supposed to be paired up with seniors. So that you’ll have someone to guide you.”

Of course. That shouldn’t come off as unexpected. It’s only practical that we pair up with twelfth graders.

“Okay. So here are your partner guys. And I’ll also mention the sections where your assigned to.” He paused for a minute before continuing. “Richie you’re with Darlene. Kyle with Francesca. Gerald with Irene. Ivory your partner’s Joseph. Justin you’ll be going with Cyril. Michael with Janine. And Harry you’re with Angharad.”

I saw Harry immediately look at me before going back to face his notebook and, probably, note down the reminders.

I silently pondered about the thought that I got partnered up with Harry. This couldn’t be just a mere coincidence. This is too much to be called a coincidence or luck. There must be more to it.

And all the through the night I kept on wondering about what destiny has in store for me.