When Maverick finally stepped inside, he took a deep breath—but it wasn't enough.
His heartbeat felt like it wanted to burst out of his chest—fast and loud. He wiped his palms against his pants. Cold. As if he had just touched ice. He grabbed the water bottle beside him and drank. One gulp… then another…
Alonzo's POV:
"Damn… he's been in there for thirty minutes already. Is the interview really that long? Or is that just Maverick being Maverick—turning even the most serious situation into casual conversation and jokes?"
From inside the office, Maverick's voice could still be heard—laughing, answering confidently. Clearly, he was still being interviewed.
"Calm down, Alonzo. Calm down. This will be over soon."
But how could he calm down, when every second felt like it was pulling him closer to the very reason behind his nerves?
Janice.
A few more minutes passed. Each second felt like an hour. Until suddenly, the door to the Student Council office opened.
Maverick appeared—smiling, relaxed, as if he had just come from a friendly chat instead of an interview.
He immediately walked up to Alonzo and even gave him a wink.
"Bro!" he whispered, giving a thumbs-up. "Good luck. You've got this."
Alonzo forced a smile, but he could feel a bit of Maverick's confidence transferring to him.
"Thanks, bro…" he replied softly.
Before he could even recover from his nerves, Angela stepped out as well. She was holding a clipboard, a familiar smile on her lips.
"Next applicant," she said cheerfully, then looked straight at Alonzo.
His eyes widened slightly.
He stood up, his knees weak. His body suddenly felt heavy as he walked inside.
"Please stay here for a bit and fill out this form. After that, you may proceed inside for the interview," she said with a smile.
"Are you okay?"
Alonzo nodded, even though he wasn't sure if it was true.
"Just relax," Angela added before heading back inside.
Alonzo's POV:
"Relax? How?"
He slowly opened the door.
And there… the air felt even heavier.
Inside the office was a long table. The interviewers were seated there.
At the center—Janice.
She sat properly, composed, serious, yet with a faint smile. Her presence was quiet, but commanding.
Beside her was Lexus.
Seated as if he were the boss himself, his gaze cold—the type of person clearly used to positions like this. Even without speaking, his authority was undeniable.
On the other side were two other committee members, busy with papers and lists.
Alonzo's chest tightened.
Alonzo's POV:
"So it's not just Janice… Lexus is here too? Dear God."
"Good morning," he greeted softly, almost inaudible.
"Good morning, Alonzo," Janice said first. Her voice was calm and clear.
"Please take a seat."
That alone made his nerves worse.
He sat on the chair in front of them, posture straight but visibly tense. He clasped his hands together under the table to hide the trembling.
The Student Council office fell silent.
Janice was the first to move. She adjusted the papers in her hand and looked back at Alonzo—with a smile she couldn't seem to hide. It wasn't the formal smile of a president; it was softer, warmer, with a strange sparkle in her eyes.
"Alonzo Santiago," she began gently.
"You're a scholar, Nice! We're the same. And you're applying as a committee member. Can you tell us why?"
Alonzo's eyes widened slightly.
Alonzo's POV:
"Wow. We're both scholars."
"U-uhm…"
He scratched the back of his head, trying to breathe properly.
"I just want to help with the student council's projects and… learn as well."
He could feel his cheeks heating up. He tried to avoid looking directly at Janice, but every time their eyes met, his heartbeat only grew faster.
Janice smiled even more.
"That's good," she said. "So you're willing to balance academics and responsibilities?"
"Yes, Ma'am," he answered quickly.
"My studies will still be my priority."
Janice nodded, clearly pleased.
But before the next question could be asked, a cold voice interrupted.
"Mr. Santiago."
Lexus.
His gaze was direct—no smile, no emotion. As if this wasn't an interview, but an evaluation.
"So you're a scholar as well. Then you must know how heavy the responsibility is once you're given a position," Lexus added.
"What makes you think you're qualified? Isn't this just a distraction from your studies?"
Alonzo's chest tightened.
"I don't see the student council as a distraction," he replied carefully.
"I believe it will help me learn how to manage my time and responsibilities better."
The committee members smiled slightly, but Lexus remained unmoved.
"Many students say that," Lexus said, leaning back slightly in his chair.
"But when pressure comes, they break. Especially those who aren't used to this kind of environment."
There was emphasis on the last words.
Alonzo understood exactly what he meant.
Alonzo's POV:
"Provincial kid. That's what you really want to say."
Janice glanced briefly at Lexus, her brow slightly furrowed, but she allowed Alonzo to answer.
This time, Alonzo didn't avoid his gaze.
"If we're talking about pressure, I'm already used to it," he said firmly.
"I'm a scholar not because it's easy, but because I learned how to fight even when things are hard."
A moment of silence followed.
Lexus and Alonzo locked eyes.
A stare-down—no words, but filled with challenge.
"Interesting," Lexus said shortly.
Janice, on the other hand, smiled softly, admiration flickering in her expression.
"Last question," she said, turning her attention back to Alonzo.
"If you ever find things difficult, what will keep you going?"
Alonzo paused.
In an instant, images flooded his mind—his parents, the farmland they worked on, the scholarship… and the woman sitting in front of him now.
"My dreams," he answered. "And the people who believe in me."
Janice looked at him—longer than before.
"That's great. Thank you, Alonzo," she said.
"You may wait outside."
Alonzo stood up. As he walked out the door, he felt the weight of eyes following him—especially Lexus.
Narrator's Note:
The interview was over.
But between Lexus and Alonzo, it was clear—this was only the beginning.
A simple application had opened a deeper tension—of position, pride, and a heart that would one day learn how to love.
And outside the door, Alonzo had no idea that the decision he made today would slowly change not only his path… but also the balance of power within the campus.
A few minutes later, Angela called Alonzo again from outside.
"Mr. Santiago."
He stepped back inside.
"I won't prolong the results any further," Janice said as she suddenly appeared from the interview room, smiling.
"Congratulations! You'
re now officially a member of the Student Council Committee, Mr. Alonzo Santiago."
To be continued.