Thursday, September 14th.
In the afternoon, crowds formed at the freshman bulletin board right after the mandatory P.E. session. Everyone knew the results of the Freshman Class Council Elections results would be posted there by the Student Council during mandatory P.E., and no one wanted to miss them.
Emilia grabbed my arm the moment mandatory P.E. ended and practically dragged me through the hallway toward the freshman bulletin board. The space was already packed with students craning their necks to the see the results, wishers rippling through the crowd as they speculating about the winners.
When we finally reached the front, Emillia's eyes fixed on the notice pinned to the bulletin board- a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation flickering accross her face.
Freshman Class Council Election Results
Class President – Vote Count
Oliver Murphy – 97
Zoey Myers – 113
Alan Moreno – 102
Abstain – 5
Total Votes Cast: 317
Winner - Zoey Myers (Class B)
Class Vice President – Vote Count
Xavier Vega – 111
Jade Adams – 99
Halley Green – 96
Abstain – 11
Total Votes Cast: 317
Winner - Xavier Vega (Class D)
Class Secretary – Vote Count
Claire Nelson – 149
Jessie Robinson – 163
Abstain – 6
Total Votes Cast: 318
Winner - Jessie Robinson (Classes G)
Class Treasurer – Vote Count
Emilia Stevens – 159
Chloe Bryant – 152
Abstain – 7
Total Votes Cast: 318
Winner - Emilia Stevens (Class A)
For a moment, Emilia stood completely still, her eyes scanning the final line again- just to be sure she wasn't imagining it.
Winner – Emilia Stevens (Class A).
Then it hit her. Her hands flew to her mouth, and her face lit up with pure disbelief before breaking into a wide, radiant smile.
"I won," she breathed, her voice trembling with excitement. "Madison, I did it!"
The students around us erupted in cheers for Emillia, and a few of her classmates rushed forward to congratulate her. She thanked them between laughs, her voice shaking, her eyes glimmering with pride and relief.
I stood beside her, quietly watching her take in the crowd's energy. Her joy was so genuine, so unfiltered, that for a moment, I couldn't help but smile too.
I remembered the night she'd come to my house- how determined she'd been as she went over her ideas and plans. Seeing her name now, printed on the notice as winner, felt like watching all her effort finally pay off.
The noise around us grew louder as students began to disperse, still chatting about the results. Emilia turned to me, eyes shining.
"i have to the Student Council office," she said quickly. "The notice says all winners need to report there during club activities time."
I nodded, and she gave me a quick wave before hurrying off through the thinning crowd. I watched her disappearing down the hall, then turned and began walking toward the library.
My steps felt sluggish, as my mind replaying everything that had happened. I told myself I wasn't really interested in any of the school activities- but beneath that thought lingered something quieter in the back of my mind.
Maybe- just maybe- if I hadn't pulled away from the memories of that summer before middle school. I might have been a little more like Emilia. Someone who actually enjoyed school life to the fullest.
But I pushed the thought aside and kept walking down the hallway, the echo of her laughter fading softly behind me.