Chapter 103: The Verdict
Andria’s POV
"I got the pamphlets for your election campaign," Liara spoke up from out of nowhere, on our way to school.
"We will be sharing pamphlets today, yay," Michaela squealed excitedly.
"Well, not without Becca or Arlo," I stated blatantly, looking ahead, without sparing them a glance.
"Of course not without us," Becca and Arlo’s voices rang from behind us.
"Wait, how? We left you in the sick bay last evening," I shouted excitedly.
"That’s out of character, Ari; you’re yelling," Liara teased.
I ignored her and turned to Becca, "It’s so good to have you back. I missed you."
I hugged her tightly, and soon we were rocking ourselves.
"Ok, that’s enough," Liara said, trying to separate us.
"Are you jealous?" Becca asked Liara, "Cause I don’t know why you think it’s already enough for someone who almost lost her life."
"No, I’m not, I just think that... the display of affection is... too much," Liara stuttered, and for the first time, Liara wore a shy and embarrassed expression.
"Let me hug you too," she said, embracing Becca tightly.
Michaela just watched the scene, smiling from ear to ear. "You all are just good friends to each other, too good to be true," she acknowledged.
"We will be late to school soon, so let’s hurry," Arlo said, patting their backs.
The school was rowdy as expected; everyone was in their cute little groups, discussing the assembly that would be held today concerning Tracy and Larissa.
I sighted Tricia and Alexa from across the hallway; they looked in no mood to entertain anyone.
I nearly laughed out loud. Did the turn of events just burst their little bubble?
As Becca followed my eyes, she chuckled, "Her cute minions are mourning her. Did you hear that Tracy’s judgment would be announced today?"
"You are late to the news," Liara interjected. "We got the news immediately when it was announced on the school media."
"I saw mine this morning. I know I got it late, but what matters is that I got it and that the culprits are finally going to get what they deserve," Becca replied.
"Meanwhile, Lia, you are being so edgy this morning. Why is that?" Becca asked, teasingly.
"Let’s say because you act like you love Ari more than me," Liara replied with a pout.
I mean, why wouldn’t Becca love me more? I was her friend first.
"Maybe it’s because I met her before you," Becca answered her, "But that doesn’t mean I don’t love you too, Lia. I love you so much."
Liara smiled from ear to ear, and I couldn’t help looking at Arlo and Michaela, who were probably feeling left out at the moment, especially Michaela.
We need to share some campaign pamphlets before the assembly starts.
Liara got out the pamphlets from her bag before dropping her backpack in her locker. She shared the pamphlets with Becca, Michaela and Arlo, and they all dispersed.
I brought out the last stack of campaign posters from my bag and began pasting them on the walls and some lockers. Some junior students passed by and offered to help, and I let them.
It was different today in school; the air didn’t feel as toxic as it had felt for the past few weeks.
We just finished putting out the posters and sharing the pamphlets when the bell for the assembly went.
"For students who didn’t get the announcement on the school media, there would be an assembly now regarding the verdict of Tracy Sebian and Larissa Dawn," the headmistress announced through the microphone.
There was an uproar immediately; everyone whispered to each other as they walked towards the auditorium for the assembly.
"Tracy is actually very deadly if she could plan with Larissa to abduct Aria. What if we actually blindly voted for her?" I heard one pair discuss as they passed us.
"Well, I’m glad you broke that spell; otherwise, we would have been doomed," Michaela added as she also watched the pair disappear into the crowd of students.
Upon arriving at the auditorium, the hall was already filled with students. We found a space in the row assigned for our class.
Tricia and Alexa sat two seats behind us, their faces looking like they had just got out of a fight. I didn’t know when a chuckle left my lips.
"Why are you laughing?" Arlo asked, and Becca immediately turned to me.
"Well, look behind and you will understand why I’m laughing," I said, waving my head in the direction of the sight that I just beheld.
Becca and Arlo burst out laughing too on seeing them, and that drew Liara and Michaela’s attention, and they both laughed out when they saw them too.
"Hmm," The headmistress cleared her throat, and the once noisy hall fell silent to the extent that you could hear a pin drop.
"This assembly was called to show you the punishment that goes to any wolf who attempts what these two wolves attempted. Let it serve as a deterrent to all of you," the headmistress exhaled and continued,
"Wolves do not have businesses with vampires, especially not against their own kind, but these two had made separate deals with the vampires, especially against their own kind. On the contrary..." she said, motioning her hands to one of the guards to call out the students who had been in detention.
Larissa, Tracy and two other male students were arraigned before the assembly. "On the contrary, these other two," she said, pointing towards the male students, "Wayne and Lucas almost had dealings with the vampires. But they were put in detention for sneaking out to the casino and attempting to make deals with the vampires."
Noise erupted in the hall. Most of the students whisper rumors to each other.
"I demand silence," the headmistress ordered, and the hall fell silent again.
"Larissa planned with the vampires to kidnap and kill a contestant for the upcoming student council election, ’Aria Wolfsburn’. She didn’t stop at this, but framed Tracy too," she exhales and continues,
"She convinces Tracy to get a potion from the vampires, which could wrap the whole school on her fingers and enable her to win the election. Tracy stupidly agrees, not knowing that she was falling into a trap.
These two students were tasked with carrying out the deal, but they eventually refused. The other student who eventually did it is still on the run.
But I’m not here to tell you stories, but to tell you what happens to students or any wolf who allies with the enemy of their kind," the headmistress paused for a while, scanning the crowd.