Chapter 5: Student Council President

“So? What happened to your face, Lei?” asked Phylian Lu, who was comfortably resting his arms on top of Phyllis’ head. 

From the moment that Leila woke up, she’s been in a bad mood. She doesn’t know how to take in what her father just arranged for her. 

‘Marriage?! I’m still too young for that!’

‘Does mom know about this? When is she coming back from Paris? I need to see her…’

Her frown deepened as she thought about what happened. 

Just then, Phyllis yanked her twin’s arms away from her head. “Get off, asshole!”

“Hey, I’m your older brother, watch your words!”

“Oh, yeah? Older by a minute?”

Phylian snorted. “I’m telling Mom!”

“Go tell mom, you suck up!” Phyllis fearlessly argued back. 

Phylian couldn’t help but pinch his sister's nose in annoyance. “Isn’t that you? You even suck up to Grandma and Auntie!”

Phyllis did not back down and delivered a flick on his arm. “They favor me because I’m pretty and you look like shit.”

“We’re twins! We look alike!”

Listening to the twins argue was an everyday scenario inside their classroom. Who would’ve thought that the top students of their year were childishly arguing loudly? Their classmates were not even fazed by it anymore. They just carry on with their day, without butting in the sibling's argument. 

However, there’s one person who dares to butt in… 

“Why don’t you transfer sections, Phylian?” asked Leila, who was massaging her temples. 

“My head’s aching with your loud voices. I’ve been enduring this my whole life. Can you please spare me a day or the entirety of this school year?!”

The twins froze. 

Phylian’s nose wrinkled. “Why me? Why not Lis?”

Leila looked at him as if he were asking a dumb question. “She’s my best friend. Of course, she stays with me!”

Phyllis smiled smugly. “Well… I guess you’ll move to another section now~”

Phylian pouted with his head hanging low. “Okay…”

He walked towards his desk to pick up his bag. 

“I’ll tell the teacher to transfer me…” he dejectedly said. 

Watching her twin leave in a sour mood, Phyllis felt a sting in her chest which made her go after her brother. “Lian! Come back, hey! We’re just joking!”

Now that the twins are out, finally, there’s silence…

 A classmate raised a thumbs up on Leila. “You’re a genius, Leila! It works every time!”

The whole classroom erupted in laughter. No matter how loud the twins got, they still found them amusing. 

The reason why the twins are both loved in the school is not because they were intelligent kids, but because they were kind. Studying in a competitive high school puts pressure on students who are having a hard time keeping up with the normal study pace. But the twins were kind enough to guide and help them by lending their notes. So no matter how insufferable and childish they can get, they still like them. 

In their mind, all they can think about is, ‘They're an eccentric pair of geniuses.’

The students then turned to their savior-slash-goddess, Leila, who was looking a bit upset. Usually, once the twins quiet down, Leila is back to her usual cheerful self. 

But something is different with her today…

“Leila, the president of the Student Council is looking for you,” said the class monitor. 

Confused, she asked, “Did they tell you why?”

“No… He’s just looking for you…”

Leila sighed. She reluctantly got up and walked towards the Student Council office located in a separate building dedicated to extracurricular activities. It was a student-centered place that was regulated and maintained by the school’s student council. 

‘Why am I being called at a place like this? Did I do something wrong?’

“Am I in trouble?” she murmured before she knocked on the door. 

Knock 

Knock

Knock 

The office was quite spacious with three tables for the main officers and a couch. Posters were hanging on the wall and the books were neatly arranged on the shelf. 

She then saw the boy she met yesterday, partially hidden behind the piles of folders in front.

The boy that her father arranged for her to marry…

‘Julius…’

“Leila,” he said as he rose from his seat. He guided Leila to sit on the couch before giving her the boxed chocolate drink he prepared. 

“Do you like chocolate drinks or should I get you a different one?”

Leila forced a smile. “No, I like chocolates. Thank you.”

Julius sat next to her. 

And like a gentleman, he asked, “Do you want me to open it?” 

Leila, still wary of Julius, took a second to respond. 

‘His kindness seems natural and genuine. Maybe because he’s the student council president. Or maybe… He’s just kind.’

She handed the drink to him. “Thanks.”

Leila briefly saw the slight changes on his indifferent face.

‘He smiled!’

This was the first time that she saw him smile ever since she met him yesterday. A part of the reason why she feels upset is because this prospective marriage partner is like an unfeeling robot. But she was quite elated to see him like this.

He handed the drink with a straw inserted in it. “Tell me what snacks you like in the future so I can prepare it for you.” 

Here he goes again with his considerate gestures. She was, of course, touched. She never experienced this kind of approach from other boys. Her childhood friends were all rough and loud. Phylian, Zacharias, and Eli never treated her like this. What they’d probably do is drink the chocolate drink instead of giving it to her. 

So this…

This is new to her…

“I will… T—Thank you…”

“No problem. As long as it’s you, Leila.”

“Ah…”

“Why did you say that?” she asked. She couldn’t seem to understand his words or where he was coming from. It’s not like they’re close.

“Well…”

Julius fixed his glasses as he looked at her straight in the eye. There’s still no expression on his face. His straight and thick brows looked fierce behind his silver rectangle glasses. 

In all seriousness, he muttered, “That’s because you’re my fiancé.”

Leila’s eyes widened. 

‘Yesterday, he said that we’ll figure things out. But why is he saying that I’m his fiancé?! He did not even propose to me!!’

She instinctively moved away from him. 

“What are you saying? I did not agree to this marriage arrangement! Who arranges marriage in this day and age?!”

She couldn’t contain her anger. Her emotions burst out in the open. She’s frustrated at her father. And this boy just added to her frustrations. 

“Leila, why don’t we give it a try?”

“Don’t call me by my name!”

She rose from her seat. “Don’t ever try to look for me again!”

She quickly ran out of the office, leaving the boxed drink on the table.

“She’s so stubborn…” he muttered under his breath.