I did my best when getting ready this morning, but I knew I looked like a wreck. I just hoped that no one else could tell because the guy running for class president being hungover on a random weekday would probably not be a good look.
I was taping another poster to the wall when I heard someone snicker behind me and I groaned when I realized who it was.
"Woah, you look like shit," Javier said, startled by my appearance once he caught a glimpse.
Yousuredon't.
"How kind of you," I rolled my eyes before turning my back to him and focusing on my poster. Maybe if I ignored him, he would go away.
I felt a tap on my shoulder. I reluctantly turned around again to face the arrogant prick standing before me.
"Your poster looks cool. I mean, it's not as clever as mine, but you tried," He smirked.
He wasn't wrong. His poster had a printout of his smug face on it, and then in a pretty font it read, 'Vote for Javier, if you Care.'It was very colorful, vibrant, and it definitely drew attention.
My posters were hand drawn, no pictures, but I did have a slogan. 'Donut Forget to Vote for Eli!'Ricky helped me come up with it, his bright idea was to bring donuts to give out to everyone to help my campaign. Since I was a broke little bitch, my friends were all pitching in to help me pay for the donuts to give out. Free donuts were not as good as gift cards, but we felt it came as close as it was going to get.
"My posters may not be as fancy, but I think I have a pretty good thing going on here," I said confidently.
Javier scoffed. “At least you’re confident, if that's even what we can call it."
"Oh, fuck off Javier. You didn't even put effort into your slogan," I snapped, already pissed off. "The only reason people even vote for you is because you buy their vote. You’re the school's golden boy. You use daddy's money to get what you want, and you buy your friends. That's why they like you."
Javier raised a brow. “You think I buy my friends? Like I pay them ten bucks for every hour they spend with me?”
“I wouldn’t be surprised.”
“Seriously?” he asked incredulously. He seemed to genuinely question whether or not I believed that.
I rolled my eyes. "If it wasn't for your money and looks you would not get all the votes that you do.Iactually put in work."
After a couple of seconds, the disbelieving look morphed into a sly smirk on Javier's face. He ran his fingers through his hair, staring me down intensely.
I raised an eyebrow, confused as to what he was smiling about. Suddenly, he pushed me against the wall. I dropped my posters out of shock. He leaned in close to me, right next to my ear.
"It's not my fault that you aren't likable enough for people to vote for you," He insulted in a low, deep tone. "That tells us more about you than me, don’t you think?"
He backed up slowly, still maintaining eye contact with me. He held his smirk for a moment before it began to fade into an unreadable expression. That only lasted for a second before he left me standing there, dumbfounded.
I hated Javier Cortez.
Three
Eli
The past couple of hours I had spent at Bella’s house as she and Kailey played music. They were singing and dancing to it while also trying to get Ricky to join in. He did not like the songs of their choice–he never enjoyed the songs of their choice, yet every time they played music they would still try and coerce him into joining them in the fun. Sometimes he gave in, other times he did not.
I was more willing to join them, but that was because I enjoyed listening to the songs they played. Not even just that, I simply enjoyed being carefree with my friends. The only reason I was sitting out this time was because I was too busy stressing over the election. I was trying to think of any possible way to come out on top. This was my last try, after all.
The song on the speaker changed to one of Bella’s favorites. She instantly perked up and sang at the top of her lungs, not caring that it sounded very similar to a screeching cat. Kailey joined in and harmonized with her friend, wrapping her arm around her shoulder and pulling her close.
Bella began walking over to me with both of her arms extended out toward me. Once she made it to me, she grabbed both of my hands and tugged to pull me into a stand. Shecontinued to sing and waited for me to join. It did not take me long to give in.
Kailey went over to Ricky and tried to get him to join the fun. Ricky didn't know most of the lyrics, but he still sang along in his monotone voice as best he could. I knew all the lyrics because I hung out around Bella and Kaileywaytoo often. Eventually, we were all singing our hearts out.
I loved times like that. The times where you get caught up in the moment and all you can think about is how much fun you're having. You forget every bad thing that has happened in your life for that brief moment. The only thing on your mind is the lyrics, the sound, and the free feeling that comes along with that.
After the song ended, it changed to the next song on Bella’s playlist. I was done with the little bit of dancing we had done and decided to get back to the work that I was doing before. Bella plopped down on the couch right along with Kailey.
