He didn't process the words right away. His eyes widened, his body momentarily frozen where he stood.
"I… I already passed?" he asked carefully, as if afraid he had only imagined it.
"Yes," Janice answered confidently.
"You're not dreaming. You're officially part of the committee—so congratulations again, Alonzo."
Alonzo felt his chest slowly loosen, as though a heavy weight had suddenly been lifted. All the anxiety, all the waiting—it vanished in an instant.
"T-thank you, Ma'am," he said, bowing slightly. For the first time, he allowed himself to take a deep breath.
"Janice. You can just call me Janice," she corrected with a smile. "Anyway, Angela will assist you with the next steps. You may go now."
Janice smiled as Alonzo nodded back, returning the gesture with a shy grin. He quickly composed himself before finally leaving the office, unaware of the eyes that briefly followed him.
The door closed.
Only then did the air inside the room begin to shift.
"Janice," Lexus called quietly, his tone serious.
"That was fast."
Janice took a deep breath before turning to face him.
"I know what you're thinking."
"It feels rushed," he said bluntly.
No anger—just doubt. "One interview and he already passed? Come on, Janice."
"That was enough for me," Janice replied calmly.
"Not everyone who's capable needs to prove themselves repeatedly at the very beginning."
Lexus stood up and walked toward the window. He fell silent for a moment before speaking again.
"But committee work isn't easy," he said. "Not everyone who looks quiet can stand firm under pressure."
Janice smiled—not playfully, but with certainty.
"That's exactly where we'll see if my decision was right."
Lexus shook his head slightly.
"Then let's see if he can keep up."
When Alonzo stepped out of the office, he felt light, clutching the paper Angela had handed him—official proof that he had passed.
"Hey, bro!"
Maverick's voice echoed down the hallway.
He had clearly been waiting, hands in his pockets, a grin he couldn't hide.
"Bro!" Maverick exclaimed as he rushed over.
"What's the news? Why do you look like you just won the lottery?"
Alonzo smiled, still struggling to believe it himself.
"Bro… I passed," he said softly, his voice full of joy. "It's official."
Maverick went silent for a second—then burst out laughing.
"Seriously?! Is that real? Why does it feel like the results came out so fast?" he said, pulling Alonzo toward their usual hangout spot.
"Yeah, honestly, I don't even know why it happened so quickly."
"YES!" Maverick shouted, slapping Alonzo on the shoulder.
"I told you! This was meant for you, bro!"
Alonzo's POV:
"If only you knew how heavy that interview felt…"
He shook his head. "Janice made the decision right away, bro."
Maverick raised an eyebrow and smirked.
"Janice? Interesting!"
But Alonzo's expression shifted the moment he mentioned another name.
"But the other one… Lexus."
He sighed.
"He doesn't look happy about me," Alonzo added quietly.
"It's like he's measuring me."
"Tsk." Maverick shook his head.
"That's just how he is. Acting like the heir of the Student Council. Like the whole campus belongs to him."
Alonzo stayed silent for a moment.
"It feels like he doesn't like me."
Maverick patted his shoulder.
"You wouldn't have passed if you didn't have what it takes. Maybe you're special to Janice," he joked.
"Besides, bro—what matters is you passed. And the exciting part? Janice herself made the decision. You get me?"
They were about to leave when familiar voices stopped them in their tracks.
"Hey… poor country boy!"
Alonzo turned as Benjie's group approached.
"Oh, I thought it was just an interview—but you already passed?" Benjie said, feigning surprise.
"Why does it feel like the result came out so fast?" Reymark asked in disbelief.
Maverick stopped walking.
"What's your problem?" he asked coldly.
Jacob laughed.
"Nothing. We're just surprised. Relax—we're not here to fight. Chill, guys!"
But Benjie kept his eyes on Alonzo.
"Let me see that paper," he said, snatching it from Alonzo's hand.
"Wow, congrats," Benjie mocked.
"But maybe you're just a quota."
"Someone nice-looking for display. The 'good guy' type."
The group laughed. Alonzo clenched his fist at his side, heat rising in his chest—not just anger, but a familiar feeling he had known his entire life: being looked down on.
Still, he didn't speak right away.
Instead, he took a deep breath and faced them.
"I don't need to explain myself to you," he said calmly.
"What matters is that I passed. Officially."
The group laughed again, irritation creeping into their voices.
"Let's see how long you last and how far you can go," Benjie said.
"You're just a poor guy from the province."
"And it's just the Student Council," Reymark added.
"It's not for everyone. That's as far as you'll ever get."
Maverick stepped forward, his face serious.
"If it's not for everyone, then why was he accepted?"
Silence.
"Let's go, guys! There's nothing to gain here," Benjie suddenly said.
"Let's go see Boss Lexus."
The group exchanged glances before walking away, leaving Alonzo and Maverick standing in the middle of the hallway.
"They haven't even done anything impressive on campus," Maverick muttered angrily.
"So arrogant."
He looked at Alonzo.
"You okay, bro?"
Alonzo nodded. "Me? I'm fine. I'm used to it."
They both laughed.
"That's what I like!" Maverick said.
"You're fighting back now. It's fine—let them talk. They don't know… That you're not someone to underestimate."
Narrator:
That day, Alonzo didn't just earn a position as a committee member.
It was also a reminder—that no matter how quiet he was, there would always be people uncomfortable with his rise.
And while others belittled him, his resolve only grew stronger—to prove that he deserved that position.
But what would be the campus's first test for Alonzo?
Would he be able to overcome it—especially the task Lexus was about to give him?
"Alonzo!" an old committee member called out.
"Sir Lexus is asking for you
. He said he has a task for you."
"Ah… okay. I'll head to the office," Alonzo replied.
As he folded his books and notebook, he hurried out of the classroom.
To be continued…