friend chapter 12

“Give me the application.”

“But you just said you wouldn’t accept it in the hallway…”

“I’ll take it now.”

…What’s going on? His sudden change in attitude was puzzling. The atmosphere had softened strangely. Tilting my head, I handed him the application. Cloud stared down at it for a long moment, then tucked it into his arms and turned away.

“Be careful then.”

“You too…”

I replied, bewildered, watching his retreating figure. What was that all about? It was strange that Cloud knew my face. I’d never met him, unlike Lawrence. How did he recognize me? Could I have become famous without realizing it?

“…Because of Edward?”

The poor commoner caught in the clutches of the crazy crown prince. Maybe that’s what I’m known for. Well, it’s better than rumors of us dating. Thinking positively, I headed back to the dormitory. In any case, I wouldn’t have to face Edward at the club anymore. A wave of relief washed over me.

***

The weekend passed, and the day of the interview arrived. After class, before I could head to the interview, Mary Jane stopped me.

“Lumina, are you finally going to tell me? Which club did you join?”

Oh, right. I’d kept it a secret, worried the information would leak to Edward. I’d promised to tell her later and completely forgot. Mary puffed out her cheeks, looking sulky.

“The student council. I’m on my way to the interview now.”

“What?! The student council?!”

Yikes! Mary’s outburst drew the attention of everyone in the class.

“Why are you so surprised?”

“Don’t you know…? About the infamous student council president?”

The student council president. Of course, I knew her. She’d appeared in the original story. As an extra, her role was minimal. The student council president, Hannah Iris, played a somewhat ambiguous role. Too bland to be a villain, yet she’d hindered Jade, not quite an ally either. She’d warned Jade several times that it would be best to stay away from Edward. Each time, Jade had brushed her off, asking what business it was of hers. When she’d taunted Hannah, suggesting she was jealous because she liked Edward, Hannah had left, looking annoyed. Looking back, it would have been better to listen to Hannah then.

“That insightful senior?”

“What are you talking about? She’s a crazy senior.”

Crazy? She wasn’t that bad in the novel… I wasn’t sure, though, since there wasn’t much information about Hannah. I hadn’t heard anything about her at the academy either. Mary was well-connected, so she might know things I didn’t. I didn’t have many close friends yet. Many people approached me, but I hadn’t become close to anyone. Mary, however, was so outgoing that we’d become quite friendly.

“Anyway, be careful. You never know what they’ll ask in the interview.”

“Thanks for your concern, Mary. But don’t worry too much.”

Because I’m going to get in anyway.

The student council interview format changed every year. The president and vice president elected the previous year selected members from the current student body to form the council. This involved a “special interview” designed by the president. Last year, it was poker. Since it was a student-created interview, it seemed rather unconventional.

But it didn’t matter. As long as my grades were good, I was set. Full of confidence, I headed to the student council room.

***

Was I too arrogant? Is this my punishment?

“What is this?”

The Student Council Room. Applicants and interviewers sat facing each other. The interviewers were Hannah, Cloud, and Professor Ias, the student council advisor. I recognized the professor from Summoning Magic class. There were six applicants, and only three would be selected.

“I will dedicate my youth to this student council.”

“I will dedicate my very soul.”

“I have lived my life for this moment, to become a student council member.”

“.…”

I remained silent amidst the applicants passionately declaring their ambitions. I was once like them. It brought back memories. Haha. Before entering the room, I had been just like them, eager to become a member. But not anymore. I seriously considered ripping off my clothes and breaking into a dance.

Why? Because of the applicant sitting next to me. Someone who didn’t need to say a word to make an impression. Someone who seemed like the obvious choice, even just sitting there. Edward, the freshman representative and crown prince.