1-2

Ever since we were left behind in this moderate-sized room filled with two pairs of sofas placed at each side of a table tea, a huge LCD, fridge and some cabinets, we were trying to figure out what did Ms. Claire mean by trials. The president chair and desk had remained untouched since then.

“What the hell is this, a riddle?”

Alice and I were sitting next to each other on the sofa. While we maintained a considerate distance, I somehow managed to peek on the message saying,

“Overcome the trials, make yourself worth.

–Claire Samaras”

That was being displayed on Alice’s smartphone.

Judging by that name, Ms. Claire is from German, I suppose?

I was aware that she just got transferred into the school this year from overseas and not to mention, immediately became our classroom teacher, class A-2. Class A is the second class top class you can enter and if you are the best amongst the best, you can enter class S. The alphabetical descending order would from S to D. Though, there’s not much deviance between these classes, at best it would only differ for about 5 marks.

None of the students in the school got less than 80 marks on each subject. That just means everyone had only distinction grade on their examination results. Sounds amazing right?

But class S was more outrageous. It’s a room where you pile a lump of monsters together. Students in the class would only get minimum of 100 marks, no less. Getting 100 marks for every subject was like being perfect. They had like the total of 17 students. In other words, they’re just bunch of study maniacs.

Ridiculous.

Nothing is perfect.

Sliding my hips to the most corner of the sofa, I looked aside and rested my chin against my fist, mumbling,

“What a load of crap. Are we supposed to be playing a game? I’m sorry but I’m not in the mood.”

“Probably, it has some meaning to it.”

Girl A was preparing some sort of tea after she found a newly packed teabag from the cabinets. She stirred the liquid in the jug after pouring the hot water that she got from the nearby active water purifier that came with hot and cold dispensing functions. Then, she poured the blended tea into three cups and put each of them in front of us on the table. She later took a seat opposite of me and Alice.

Unlike Alice who’s sitting in manner with her legs closed, Girl A sat with one feet resting on other thigh. If not because of her skirt’s fabric drooped down, I could clearly see her panties.

I hope she’s wearing a short of something similar.

Alice put her smartphone at the side, then took a sip of the tea. After relishing the drink, she spoke.

“This is really delicious. Did you brew the mixture manually? The sweetness and the tea strength blended together quite nicely.”

“Anyone can make tea… not a big deal,” Kina denied as she swayed her hand.

“Sure I agree,” Alice nodded while landing her half-drunk cup on the table, “I can tell apart amateur tea and pro tea, it is as if you’ve been doing it regularly.”

Amateur tea and pro tea? Either way, both are tea right?

If I was allowed to translate, amateur tea is made from someone novice in tea making while pro tea is made by experienced tea maker, or perhaps, professional tea maker. Quite a distinction in the eyes of the girl named Alice but I just couldn’t tell. It tasted the same of every tea I’d been drinking.

Huh, why is it the same?

“Is that so? Well, it’s a kind of habit. Plus, it’s Tieguanyin tea so it’s no surprise.”

“Oh,” showing the least interest, I spoke, “It’s the same tea I’ve been drinking in my house.”

No wonder the taste is similar. I’ve had the same tea for quite a long time. Oh yeah, in fact, tea is never my favourite as I’ve never bought any tea-related stuff outside my house.

I’m a coffee guy.

Girl A paused upon hearing my say. Then, she carved a soft smile before agreeing on something that never needed an agreement.

“Yes, I suppose. It’s the same what’s in your house.”

“Talking about Tieguanyin…” Alice drank her tea empty, “I heard it’s a type of Oolong tea named after the Goddess of Mercy in Buddhist Deity. It has this unique taste because compared to other Oolong tea, it’s a mixed of black and green teas. And I heard it can cost up to $3000 per kilogram.”

Is that expensive…?

“You really do know a lot about tea, Alice,” Girl A spoke, following suit to finishing her tea.

“Thank you. It’s because I like tea.”

Alice pushed her cup slightly to the front, indicating she wished for something.

“—Is it okay if I ask for a refill?”

“Sure!”

Girl A did what needed to be done with the jug. For the second time, she poured the tea into Alice’s cup as well as refilling hers. She even cued if I needed the same thing but I shook my head as a refusal. She then went back to her seating in front of me and Alice.

After reading Ms. Claire e-mail one more time, Alice sparked the main topic again.

“Let’s get back to business… I think I’ve figured out what the teacher wants.”

“And what’s that?” I asked.

“President of Student Council, a way to describe it that he/she will represent all the students in this school. It’s not limited to inside work but outside work as well. In other word, he/she will be the diplomatic figure for the school.”

“Ahh… I get it. Normally the candidates have to go through the election process before being qualified as the president. Since there’s no such thing, we have to declare it to the students…? I guess,” Girl A explained.

“Yes, we will announce it,” affirmed Alice. “Make yourself worth probably means we have to make the students accept their new president.”

Announce? Accept?

I think I’m out.

I raised my hands as if I raised a white flag, and spoke in reluctance,

“I give up. There’s no way the students will easily accept me. Truth be told, I don’t think they will even accept me at all.”

Averting eyes contacts with both of them, I continued,

“—Alice you do it.”

“No, you will do it,” a solid, firm rejection promptly expelled from Alice’s mouth followed by a grave look. Her eyes stared so sharp that it somehow threatened me from the inside.

“—Atone your mistake, your sin. As much I want to support your withdrawal from the position, I will want to make you the president.”

Her serious look defined nothing of any sense. If she would just accept being the president, everything can be solved so easily. I bet this type of girl was very much liked by ‘everyone’. She’s gonna have the simplest way.

Maybe I’m wrong?

You really can’t judge the book by its cover, or the face… wait. Her appearance didn’t tell me anything. Yeah right, her unfiltered, sharp-tongue personality. By a societal standard, it’s common to adapt a hypocritical approach in some parts of your life. There are things you should point out and things you shouldn’t

Others might call it interpersonal skills. Changing your way of talking and behaviours, depending on your audience, is just being hypocrite. Argue all you want but it’s a fact. Just because he’s your boss, you should just listen to him and lick his shoes because he pays you? Even though what he’s doing is plain wrong? Or because he’s your boss you have to talk politely?

Hypocrisy and Interpersonal Skills.

It’s just like yin and yang, a negative description and the positive description.

People aren’t just being true to themselves.

What is being true anyway?

“Your attitude before and after the agreement with Ms. Claire differs too much. What’s up with you? Identity crisis? Is it because you don’t have friends to support you?”

She let a small sigh before answering.

“You are partially true… but that’s not the case. We have to follow teacher’s order.”

“Oh wow... look here, a teacher’s pet.”

“Say what you want. I will do what I’ve agreed to do.”

And just like that, I had lost interest in the conversation. I knew when she said ‘say whatever I want’, it really meant say whatever I want. In that case, it would bring me no benefit to continue sparing words with her and there’s no reason to break the shell which someone had been comfortable to be in.

Because they will just recreate the shell.

Why?

Because it’s comfortable.

I stood up, and looked down on both Alice and Girl A.

“Don’t regret ever supporting me.”

By the look of Alice’s sullen reaction and Girl A’s unchanging expression, I had probably made that mischievous smile. A smile that indicated nothing but bad omen. Though after the declaration, none of the girls ever gave a reply.

“Vice-Prez,” I called, “I’m all ears of your suggestions.”

Alice dropped in confusion as her left eyebrow lifted.

“I’m not officially the vice-president, in order to have a vice-president, the president needs to be elected first.” She then went into deep thought, “—Well… if you want to call me, maybe soon-to-be-vice-president?”

“Soon-to-be…? Damn long, and weird. Forget about it, I’m just gonna call you Alice.”

Seeing her accepting expression, I brought the conversation back.

“—So, what’s your suggestions? I’m not good with this kind of stuff and to be fair, I’d appreciate if you come up all the processes we have to go through.”

I don’t know why she decided to give me an intense glare. But when she opened her mouth, I knew she’s not just an Alice.

“I see. At first, I didn’t understand when Ms. Claire told me about you. Now I get it. Not only you have detestable personality, you can also lie straight to people’s face without the slightest guilt.”

I forced myself to lay down and took the seat back. Then, I crossed my legs, tilted my head to the side and rested my face against my fist.

“It just means that I trust you as my future aide.”

Alice definitely heard my fake assurance. Somehow, she decided to take a glance at Girl A who was relaxing against the sofa with her arms wide opened. Noticed, Girl A asked,

“Is there something in your mind?”

“Nah, I just thought this student council gonna be bizarre one.”

“I think so too.”

“Let’s make a plan. First, we have to make an announcement, possibly via poster and media social. Then make a town hall to listen any dispute that students would probably voice.”

There’s simply a thing I didn’t like in the plan. Thus, I asked.

“Town hall? Is that even necessary? Ms. Claire has given us green light to form a student council already. There’s no need to go trouble organizing a town hall. Just announce it and be done.”

“You’re right. That way, there’s no way students can make an objection and we be good without further hassle. However, while I’m being ordered to be your vice, I won’t just help any fools.”

I understand when you don’t want to blindly extend hand to someone. Knowing where to put your face is very important. But well, it’s kind of hurt when she said that.

“So you’re just saying that you have pride to mind?”

“For the least, I’m not helping an idiot. Plus...--”

Before proceeding, she made a blank stare. Though, I couldn’t really tell what’s the telling of the stare, I was confused. It’s like she’s trying to convey a message, but the content was written with various languages. Unless you learn all the languages in the world, you can’t possible understand.

“—I want them to know that you’re the president.”

Hostility. . .

Friendliness. . .

What’s going on…?

The way she talked felt like she wanted to kill me but at the same time, she ought to support me. I can’t help but foresee a backstabbing coming from her.

“—We might even need to go class by class,” she added.

Breaking the weird intensity, Girl A started asking with a relaxed voice,

“Talking about class, what class are you in Alice? I never saw you in mine, so I think you’re in different class?”

Alice paused a moment, taking a sip of tea and eventually replied,

“2-S.”