Students gathered in front of the bulletin board.
Whispers filled the air. Shouts followed. Applause erupted. And there were names Maverick searched for immediately.
"BROOO!"
He nearly jumped in pure joy when he saw the list.
OFFICIAL STUDENT COUNCIL COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
ALONZO SANTIAGO…
MAVERICK REYES…
"YES!"
Maverick shouted, almost hugging the bulletin board.
"WE PASSED! WE REALLY PASSED!"
He spoke into the air, stomping his feet in excitement as he reread the names—again and again—as if they might vanish if he didn't keep looking.
"And the best part of all…"
He smiled as the thought of his crush, Angela, crossed his mind.
"I'll get to see Angela every single day!"
He let out a happy sigh, feeling as if he had won two battles in one day.
But then, down the hallway—
He saw Alonzo.
Walking fast. Straight ahead. Clearly in a hurry, as if chasing something.
"Hey, bro—" Maverick was about to call out, but he stopped.
He noticed the serious expression on his friend's face.
It wasn't the smile of someone who had just passed.
It wasn't the relaxed Alonzo he knew.
"He's heading to the Student Council office," Maverick murmured to himself.
He smiled faintly.
"Go ahead, bro. Take care of that first."
Inside the Student Council Office, it was quiet.
But the air felt heavy. Alonzo had barely stepped inside when he heard a voice he had been expecting.
"Alonzo."
Lexus stood near the desk, arms crossed, gaze fixed straight ahead.
"Congrats," he said coldly.
"You're official now."
"Thank you," Alonzo replied properly, standing tall.
Lexus didn't waste time.
"Now that you're a committee member," he continued,
"you'll be assigned immediately."
Alonzo looked at him.
"No orientations here. Work starts right away."
Lexus picked up a folder and placed it on the desk.
"Your first task," he said.
"Advocacy."
Alonzo raised an eyebrow slightly.
"There's an upcoming campus-wide advocacy program—scholarship awareness, student welfare, and community involvement."
Lexus paused before adding,
⁰⁰⁰⁰
"And you'll be assigned to the Communication and Advocacy Team."
Alonzo's chest tightened.
Alonzo's POV:
"Immediately? Communication? Advocacy, of all things?"
"This isn't just paperwork," Lexus continued.
"This involves exposure. You'll be coordinating with students, drafting proposals, and communicating with other departments."
He glanced at Alonzo briefly, as if measuring whether he could handle it.
"Can you do it?" Lexus asked directly.
Alonzo took a deep breath.
"Yes, Sir," he replied firmly.
"I'll do my best."
Lexus smiled slightly—not a smile of praise, but of challenge.
"Good."
He closed the folder and slid it toward Alonzo.
"Because this advocacy will be your first test," Lexus added.
"Let's see if you truly deserve your position."
Alonzo took the folder. It was heavy—not just in weight, but in meaning. He remained silent.
As he stepped out of the office, he felt the responsibility suddenly placed upon his shoulders.
"Oh, bro. How was it?"
Maverick was waiting outside. Excitement and nervousness mixed on his face. But when he noticed Alonzo's serious expression, his smile slowly faded.
"Bro… why do you look like that?" he asked.
"Aren't you supposed to be happy?"
Alonzo stopped in front of him, still holding the folder Lexus had given him. He slowly lowered the bag from his shoulder.
"I am, bro—but I already have a task," he said honestly.
Maverick's eyes widened.
"Huh?"
"A task? Right away? Was that Lexus?"
Alonzo nodded.
"It's about advocacy."
"He assigned me to the Communication and Advocacy Team."
Maverick went silent for a moment—then suddenly raised his voice.
"WAIT. WHAT!?"
"Bro, there hasn't even been an orientation yet!"
He glanced around, as if making sure no one was listening.
"Do you know the orientation for new committee members is this afternoon?" he emphasized.
"Everyone's supposed to be introduced to their roles together!"
Alonzo sighed.
"Lexus said work starts immediately," he replied.
"It feels like… a test."
Maverick shook his head, clearly displeased.
"That's not normal, bro," he said firmly.
"It feels like he's singling you out. If it were Janice who told you right away that you passed, I'd understand and be happy for you—but Lexus? I really don't like this, bro."
Alonzo stayed quiet for a moment.
"It's okay," he finally said.
"I can handle it—and I need to."
Maverick suddenly faced him.
"No. That's not okay!"
"Just because he's the campus Vice President doesn't mean he gets to treat you like that. That's power-tripping, bro. Janice should have the final say."
Maverick paused, thinking.
"I'm telling Janice about this later during the orientation."
Alonzo looked at him.
"Don't, bro," he said calmly but firmly.
"Please."
Maverick stopped, brows slightly furrowed.
"Why?"
Though he didn't want to admit it, Alonzo felt the tension tighten in his chest.
"Don't report it," he explained.
"I don't want trouble or conflict."
"And if you report Lexus," he added,
"it would be like saying I can't handle the responsibility."
Maverick gasped.
"But it's unfair—"
"I know," Alonzo cut in, smiling faintly.
"But if this is my first test, I want to prove that I can do it."
They stared at each other for a moment.
Maverick sighed.
"You're unbelievable, bro," he said.
"Instead of complaining, you want to prove yourself."
Alonzo smiled—not happily, but with determination.
"That's just who I am, bro. You should be used to it by now."
Maverick patted his shoulder.
"Alright, if that gives you peace of mind," he said.
"But if this crosses the line, I won't stay silent anymore—fair warning."
Alonzo chuckled softly.
"Thanks, bro! I appreciate you worrying about me."
Narrator's Note:
Even before the official orientation began,
Alonzo was already placed under a heavier responsibility.
While others were still preparing,
he was already being tested not just in skill, but in principle. And behind the papers and positi
ons,
a question slowly echoed across the campus:
How far can a student stand one who refuses to bow and chooses not to complain?
"I'm expecting great things from you, Alonzo. You can do this."— Janice
To be continued…