December 7th. Thursday, 3:13 PM.
It was the end of the school day. All the lessons had finished, but the students weren't walking home. They were seated in the main hall. There were no more lessons, but an assembly still had to take place. An important assembly.
"This assembly is definitely about the next challenge", Ryan said, sitting up straight, staring at the stage.
"Do you know anything about it?" Lorenzo asked, surprisingly not on his phone.
"No. I think this challenge will be a new one", Ryan replied. "The last two were challenges that had come up in the past, but the older years have said that their fifth challenge was an exam-based one. This doesn't look like it will be exam-based".
"Maybe you're right", Lorenzo said. He was barely listening.
"You weren't listening, were you?" Ryan said, hearing Lorenzo's different tone of voice.
He looked at Lorenzo to see what he was doing and saw he was sneakily turning his head left and right. He had his head up as opposed to down. He was looking for someone.
"If you're looking for Maria, you won't see her. 1-C is sitting behind our class. You won't see her unless you turn around", he told him, knowing Lorenzo wouldn't go through that much effort.
Lorenzo stopped swivelling his head and disappointedly pulled out his phone. He wanted to check if Maria was looking at him, but he wouldn't go as far as to look behind him, as it would be awkward for him and the other people behind him.
Ryan gave a small smile. He was happy Lorenzo cared about something. "Lorenzo, don't rush. Everything will happen in due time".
"I can't believe Malakai spoke to my mom", Maria said, leaning back in her seat and staring into space.
"Maria, you've been dazed the whole day. You've told me they only introduced themselves to each other", Tanisha replied, looking at her weirdly.
"I know, but my mom knows who Malakai is. She'll keep asking about him", Maria said. "My mom hasn't seen me with any boys, probably only Alejandro".
"Weren't there guys at your photoshoots and stuff?" Tanisha asked.
"There were, but I didn't talk to them. I only said hi and bye. But she knows Malakai now".
"Just tell her he's only a classmate. If you keep telling her that she'll get bored eventually", Tanisha replied, not seeing why she was making a big deal out of it.
"Tan, my mom's already taken a liking to him because he called her auntie", Maria said, sitting up and getting close to Tanisha to make a point. "No stranger has called her that. You haven't even called her that".
"Hmm. I should call her auntie. I don't know why I haven't", Tanisha replied, feeling a little ashamed. "You're thinking about it too much. Make it clear that the two of you are friends, nothing more, and you'll be fine".
Tanisha thought about this situation differently than Maria. Tanisha thought Maria didn't want her mom to know about Malakai because he was Malakai. He's an idiot. Who wants their parents to know about Malakai? She thought Maria's mom would misunderstand their relationship, and Maria didn't want her mom to think that Malakai was her boyfriend. That's how Tanisha understood the situation. But sadly, her understanding is wrong. However, her advice about making it clear that she and Malakai were friends actually suited Maria's interests right now.
Maria wanted to do that but didn't want to at the same time. She loved Malakai, but only she knew that. She hasn't told Tanisha yet. Even though Tanisha was her best friend, she held back from telling her. She knew Tanisha didn't like Malakai, so telling her she loved him would only make her feel a type of way. She felt like Tanisha would only dissuade her from loving Malakai. But Tanisha would only do that because she doesn't trust Malakai. Once Tanisha trusted Malakai, Maria would tell her everything. But Maria felt like that would take a long time.
As for her mother, she didn't want to tell her. Maria was extremely close with her mother, but she wanted her relationship with Malakai to become closer before she spread information to her mom. Right now, it is a one-sided love. She needs to know what Malakai is feeling before jumping the gun and telling other people. She felt it would have been annoying if she had told her mother. Her mother would persuade her to make a move and do something out of character, which could lead to Malakai rejecting her. She didn't want that. Anything but that. This was Maria's first time falling in love, so she wanted to do things her way. If she made mistakes, it would be her fault. She didn't want to blame anyone else if this didn't work out. It will be all up to her. Her love story.
After a few minutes, someone walked through the door on the left side of the stage. The sudden appearance of someone caused everyone to quiet down. A small man walked onto the stage. His face had a few wrinkles. He had a stubble beard, and the hair on his head was brown with a few white strands. He had a full head of hair; even though he looked around fifty, it didn't look like he was balding. His nose was big and pointy, and his eyes drooped a little. He walked to the mic and announced,
"Good afternoon. I'm Mr Donald, one of the higher-ups at this academy".
Another higher-up. The second higher-up the students have seen.
"You can probably guess why I'm here", Mr Donald smiled. "I'm here to announce the last challenge before you leave for winter break".
Excitement levels were rising. Many students were tired due to enduring lessons the whole day, but some were getting a second wind.
"This last challenge is a big one. It's a class challenge".
The students liked that. Classmates smiled at each other. They got to work together for once. Other classes were more confident than others. You can probably guess which classes those were.
"Yes. The next challenge is a class challenge, so everyone is involved. However, I will not explain the challenge today. I will explain the rules tomorrow before the challenge starts", Mr Donald said.
Many expected that to happen. When they were in the main hall, they expected a big announcement but no explanation.
"I'm not finished!" Mr Donald said, quietening the students. The students thought that was the end of the assembly, but it was far from over.
"I know I said that everyone in the class will be involved, but one person from each class will have a major role in the next challenge", Mr Donald said. "That means I need you all to pick one person from your class that will represent you".
Noise broke out. Everyone started talking.
"Just one person?!" "Who's going to represent us?!" What does he mean?!" How is this a class challenge if one person is chosen?!" "I'm choosing myself".
"QUIET!" Mr Donald shouted. "I don't want to stay here forever, so let's do this in an orderly fashion", he said. "I see that all of you are seated in your classes already. That makes things easier". Mr Donald looked towards class 1-A. "Let's get started. Class 1-A. Can you pick someone to represent your class. You have a minute to decide. No one else speaks!" he made it clear that no other class could discuss. They still could, but not loudly.
The hall fell silent.
"It's going to be you, right?" Frank asked.
"Of course", Alexander replied.
Alexander looked to his right. All of his classmates' eyes were on him. No words were said, but it was clear what they decided. Alexander stood up from his seat. He was sat at the end of the row, so when he got up, he was already next to the aisle.
Alexander got up and walked down the aisle to the stage. It was a short walk as class 1-A got into the main hall first, so their seats were near the stage. He went round the stage and went up the stairs at the side of the stage. Everyone watched him and expected this outcome. Who else was going to represent class 1-A?
"You can stand over there", Mr Donald pointed at where Alexander should stand.
Alexander stood straight-faced and looked at the crowd. His eyes scanned everyone. He didn't look at anyone in particular. He just kept his eyes moving.
"Class 1-B. You have one minute to pick someone", Mr Donald said.
"It has to be you, Ryan", Melody said, turning around in her seat to look behind. Ryan was sitting in the row behind.
"Are you sure? Does everyone want me to represent the class?" Ryan asked, looking around.
"Yeah, who else is it going to be?" Michelle asked, sitting next to Melody.
Most of the girls were in agreement. They didn't have a problem with Ryan representing the class.
"Do any of you guys want to represent the class?" Ryan asked his male classmates.
None of the guys protested against it. All of them told him to go for it. There were one or two guys who wanted to represent the class, but they knew they would be rejected by everyone else. It was always going to be Ryan representing. They stood no chance.
"Looks like it's up to you to carry the class", Lorenzo whispered to him.
Ryan smirked. "Thanks, guys", he humbly said to his classmates, raising a hand.
Ryan stood up from his seat and made his way to the aisle. He walked down the aisle and did the same walk that Alexander did. He went up the stairs and stood next to Alexander. He smiled and looked at the crowd.
"Class 1-C, you have one minute to pick someone".
Everyone looked at each other. Nothing was said. They all waited for someone to lead the conversation.
"David, I think you should go", Lucas said, starting a conversation and breaking the silence.
"Me? You're crazy. We have Mr number one in our class. We'd be stupid if we didn't choose him", David replied.
The whole class looked at who he was talking about.
"Yawwwwn!" he was covering his face with his hand. After finishing his yawn, he saw everyone looking at him.
"What? You're choosing me?"
"Stop trolling. You knew you would be chosen, Mally", Ray said, sitting next to him.
Malakai smiled, "I wanted to hear you lot say it. If the people want me to represent them, I'll do it innit".
All his classmates were tired of his jokes but smiled nonetheless. Some people wanted someone else to represent them, but what argument could they put out there against Malakai? What David said was right. They'd be stupid if they didn't pick Malakai. He was number one.
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"Aight, you've said what you wanted. Now go", Benjamin told him, pulling his uniform up to make him stand.
"Aryt, aryt", Malakai replied, standing up and brushing Benjamin's hand away.
"You better win. The whole class is depending on you", William said.
"Don't worry, bro", Malakai nonchalantly replied.
He made his way to the aisle. Class 1-C were seated at the back of the hall, so Malakai's walk to the stage was longer than the rest.
As he walked down the aisle, his hands were in his pockets, and his head was raised. He closed his eyes and was lost in his own head,
"I can hear your thoughts so loud. I can hear the crowd so loouud. (Telekinesis by Travis Scott was playing in his head while he walked down the aisle). I can hear the crowd so loud".
The crowd was dead silent (I don't know what bro was hearing).
Malakai made his way to the side of the stage and went up the stage. He walked across the stage in front of Alexander and Ryan and took his position next to Ryan. No words were exchanged, but Malakai could feel the tension between him and Ryan. Malakai looked at the crowd and smiled. He was trying to find familiar faces to look at.
"That lineup is serious", Benjamin said, seeing the three of them on stage.
"I hate to admit it, but they've all got aura", William replied.
"Class 1-D, you have one minute to pick someone".
Dillon stood up. No discussion or other opinions. It looked like the decision was already made.
"What is he doing?" a girl rhetorically asked, looking around. "What are you doing?!" she asked Dillon directly.
Dillon ignored her.
"Why are you going?! No one picked you", she said, louder. The girl looked at Sabrina for help. "Sabrina, stop him. It should be you".
Sabrina saw Dillon continue to walk. "If he wants to go. Let him", she said, already accepting it.
Dillon made it to the aisle.
"It's not about letting him. Our whole class is depending on him. We need someone reliable", the girl said. "Girls come on. You agree, right?"
The girls didn't reply. All of them awkwardly looked away. They didn't want to argue in front of the whole year. Of course, they didn't want Dillon to represent them. However, none of them wanted to cause a scene.
"Tsk. What about the boys? she asked, looking at the boys in her class. "Are all of you scared of him?".
The boys couldn't be bothered. They didn't want to get into an argument with Dillon. There was no point. Dillon wouldn't listen. Of course, some of them didn't want Dillon to represent them. However, none of them wanted to cause a scene.
"Seriously?" she said, looking at their unbothered expressions.
She looked at Jason, who she thought was the closest to Dillon. Jason lifted his shoulders, showing there was nothing he could do. To tell the truth, he didn't care. He knew this was going to happen.
"Kayla, sit down. He's already up on the stage", Sabrina told her.
Kayla looked towards the stage and saw Dillon standing there next to Malakai. There was no going back. She powerlessly slumped back in her seat. Disappointed. She felt like her class lost the challenge before it even started.
The crowd got second-hand embarrassment from witnessing that.
"That's awkward", Lucas quietly said.
"How much aura does Dillon have on the stage?" Benjamin asked William.
"Negative aura".
"It looks like 1-D have decided", Mr Donald said, a little confused. "1-E, you have one minute to pick someone".
Someone stood up immediately, but this time, there was no commotion or disagreements. The guy that stood up was Justin. He had long black hair, brown eyes and pale skin. He was on Dillon's team for the second challenge. He was the reason they nearly crashed.
Justin looked at his best friend, Marcus.
"What are you waiting for? We already decided it would be you", Marcus told him, nodding towards the stage.
Class 1-E discussed who they would pick among themselves while the other classes picked. This way, there were no delays or confusion on who to choose when called upon.
Those words of encouragement helped Justin a little. He smiled and gave a nod to Marcus. Justin made it to the aisle and made it to the stage. He had to stand next to Dillon.
Dillon tilted his head away from Justin. There was still some hatred there. Dillon would never forget how Justin sold second place for him. He still wanted to punch Justin for what he did, but there was no point now.
Justin still felt guilty about it. His confidence has been slowly decreasing since then. At the start of the year, he was full of confidence despite being in the lowest class, but that incident made him question a lot. Now, he feels inferior to everyone and is intimidated by the higher classes. He had to build his confidence back up, and this was a great opportunity for that.
"I'm weirdly pumped up for this", David said, seeing the lineup.
"Me too, Ray replied. "Seeing them go against each other will be cool".
"This will be the first time Malakai goes up against Ryan and Alexander", Lucas added.
"It's weird that guy didn't get chosen in 1-E", Benjamin said. "What was his name again? He told me it. Tch ... Adam. Yeah, that was his name".
"I think he wants to stay low-key", David replied. "But in the second semester, he has to stand out more if he wants to climb the leaderboard".
The five boys stood on stage for everyone to see. Alexander had a straight face. Ryan had a gentle smile. Malakai had his usual toothy smile. Dillon had a mean look. Justin had a timid look.
"You five will be representing your class", Mr Donald said, looking at them. "How do you feel about that?"
The boys glanced at each other to see who would answer his question.
"This is kinda sexist, I can't lie", Malakai replied. "Everyone here is a boy. There's no girl representative", he said, looking at the others on stage. "I don't wanna point fingers, but 1-E, you lot should've chosen Nada. And 1-D, I swear there's a girl in the top ten. Why's he on stage?".
Dillon felt Malakai's eyes on him. "Why did you come on stage then? Why didn't you let a girl represent your class?" he asked, rattled.
Malakai grinned and faced Dillon. It was time to chat shit.
"Do me a favour real quick. Pull out your phone and check the leaderboard for me. That'll answer your question".
"Tsk. I don't care if you're first. No one wants you here", Dillon replied, not looking at him.
"Pffffftt. How are you talking? You forced yourself here", Malakai said, pointing and laughing at him.
"Malakai, if you keep being arrogant, people will continue to dislike you", Ryan intervened with a gentle voice.
Malakai turned to him. He kept a poker face and didn't show how he truly felt. He didn't like how Ryan sounded. It was like Ryan was treating him like a kid.
"Hmph. I'm just taking the piss. When I'm not the first anymore, you're gonna miss me", Malakai said.
"No one's going to miss you. The sooner you're gone, the better", Dillon replied.
"Hehehe", Malakai giggled. "Bros talking like he's gonna take the top spot from me".
"You don't stop chatting shit, do you?" Dillon said, stepping closer to Malakai.
"Okay, that's enough", Mr Donald stopped them. He pleasantly watched the whole thing from the side but didn't want it to get physical.
Dillon stepped back in position. Pissed. While Malakai smiled with his teeth out. The crowd got a bit of entertainment from that.
Mr Donald looked to the crowd. "I hope you're happy with whom you've chosen because this challenge is exciting. HOWEVER, it's not done", he said.
The students got startled by the way he shouted however.
"Another person from your class will be representing you".
Everyone's excitement levels rose again. Another chance for someone. Only class 1-A knew about this. The other classes were clueless. Class 1-D was the most relieved. Another person could help their class. All their eyes landed on Sabrina. They knew who they were going to pick.
"Silence!" Mr Donald said to kill the whispers. "This time, you won't be choosing your person, but these five will", he said, pointing to the guys on stage.
Mixed feelings. Class 1-A knew what they were getting into. Class 1-B was confident in Ryan's decision-making. Class 1-C were guessing who Malakai would pick as he had many options. Class 1-D was certain that Dillon would choose Jason, and Class 1-E was certain that Justin would choose Marcus.
"But there's one condition", Mr Donald announced. He turned to the guys on stage. "The person you choose must be of the opposite gender to you", he told them. "So, as you are all males. You must each choose a female classmate to join you".
All the boys slumped in their seats. Their chances were gone. The girls, however, perked up in their seats. This was exciting for them. They could get chosen.
"Let's not waste time and begin. Can you pick a female classmate to join you", Mr Donald told Alexander.
"He's going to pick you. It's confirmed, right?" Eve asked.
"Yeah, he told me on Monday", Isabella replied, nodding.
Isabella told the rest of the girls in 1-A of what happened in her meeting with Alexander on Monday. I say, everyone. I meant everyone in the girl's group chat, which doesn't mean every girl in class.
"I'm confident with you and Alexander representing us", Anya said. "This should be an easy win for our class".
Isabella smiled. She was excited to show everyone what she was capable of. She was going to force herself into the limelight.
Alexander stood on stage and looked at his class. His eyes quickly tried to find Isabella in the crowd. It wasn't hard to spot her silver hair, though. He told Isabella he would choose her, and Isabella told him that she was the best girl to pick. Simple. He was about to say her name, but he saw another face in the row in front of her. It was Destiny. Destiny was staring at him. The stare came with a smile. The smiling face she was pulling was normal, but it had a lot of meaning. It was like her eyes were telling Alexander something. Something he couldn't understand. How could one normal facial expression say so much?
"Can you pick someone please?" Mr Donald pressured him to say a name. He noticed Alexander was taking his time.
"What's taking him so long?" Eve asked, seeing Alexander looking in their direction.
"Are you sure he knows your name?" Anya asked Isabella.
"He does. He said it to me..." Isabella replied. She didn't know what Alexander was doing. "Has he forgotten my name?" she thought.
Alexander got himself together. He had already decided who he was going to pick on Monday. Why was he hesitating? He looked at Isabella, who was looking at him, but Destiny's face was still in view. Destiny's 'normal' facial expression. Those eyes were telling him something. He hesitated again, but this time, he caught himself hesitating so he wasn't lost in thought. He had to choose.
And just like that, a name slipped out.
"Destiny".