My Significant Rival

Chapter 3

“Lucas! Where are you?” I called, shouting from the door as soon as I arrived home. I went inside and once again called my brother as if I was in urgent need. “Lucas!”

“I’m here, Loreign. What do you need? Why are you shouting?”

I looked up to where my brother went out of his room on the second floor. His hair was messy, very unusual for his always gelled hair like he had been frustrated and was messing his hair every time. I didn’t know what he was up to these days, though I know that he had been hitting the books since he was a law student, I still had no idea how hard he was studying, I just knew that law school was hard and was not for petty people like me.

I was for business, though. I would be handling our jewelry businesses all over the country once I graduated. It was supposed to be the eldest in the family, which was Lucas, but he just didn’t want to do anything with business and was more inclined to law and justice, so I took the responsibility. Someone had to take after their parents.

“Who is Arth Dalton?” I fired away the question that had been bothering me since I met that rude man. Again. Out of every person to meet and become a rival, why did it have to be that man? And how many years had already passed, three? Four? Why did I only hear about him now? I could have thrown all of the crumpled papers I used in all my college life on his face.

“Arth Dalton?” Lucas creased his forehead as if he was also remembering who this person was. Then as if a bulb dinged on his head.

“How did you know him?”

“It’s because of you! You sent me to him before, remember? It was the very first time I was treated rudely by a stranger and now that I found him again, it’s time to seek revenge!” I could feel Lucas looking at me weirdly, but I persisted. “So, tell me what you know about my rival.”

I was adamant to know about this person who I know my brother at least knew something about Arth. It seemed like everyone knew him except me. I didn’t know if it was me who was living in the mountain or him that we never really crossed paths. Though it was understandable on my part since I never go past my department buildings. I wondered if he remembered me and have heard about me before.

“Ah, rival. Is he running as the Campus Mayor, too?” He walked down the stairs and sat on the couch in front of me. I was still standing with my arms crossed. I was serious about this talk. I needed to know everything about Arth Dalton, the rude bastard that I would be up against for the position. “Though I predicted that before, I didn’t know he’ll do it.”

“Unfortunately.” I rolled my eyes. “So, tell me now about him so I know how much effort I should give in my campaign to win against him.”

“Well…” Lucas breathed in and sighed. “He’s a smart guy. He was given a full academic scholarship, even when he didn’t need it because he aced the entrance exam. He was the third of obviously three students in the whole history of Wesley College. He was like the perfect score machine because every written exam that he took scored perfectly, even the subjective ones. Aside from that, he has empathy, courage, clear vision with ambition to succeed, which is what it takes to be a good leader.”

I frowned. I have never seen or heard Lucas praise someone else before, but by his description of that rude bastard, he spoke with admiration and respect as if that rude bastard really was worth his regard. He had never done that to me, though he was always proud of me and even talked about me to his friends, that was probably because they were siblings. But talking about other people? He wasn’t even like that to our cousin who top notched a licensure examination.

“He doesn’t have a good personality, though,” I countered with a pout. Maybe it was slight jealousy that was making me badmouth a person, though was I really badmouthing him when that was really his personality? No. I was just telling the truth about that rude bastard.

“Ah, yes. Certainly. That’s the only thing he lacks, but I don’t think that matters for students, especially since he doesn’t really bully or violate anyone. He has everything that it takes to be the Campus Mayor, even more than me.”

My frown became bigger and bigger every time Lucas’ would continuously praise this person. Actually, I wouldn’t even have this much problem with this. I couldn’t possibly be the best person in the whole Wesley College, I know that. But what I couldn’t accept was the person he was praising was the same person who would be my rival for the position I was running for, additionally, he was rude to me. There was no way that I would agree with his praises.

“You’re hurting my feelings, Lucas,” I told him honestly, crossing my arms and glaring at him. “It’s like you’re indirectly telling me that I have no match for him. What’s so special about that rude bastard? I can easily crush him down to pieces.”

“I don’t mean to hurt your feelings. I can’t lie to you to make you feel more confident, or full of yourself, admit it, you have that ability to be unknowingly cocky, only to end up having a hard time swallowing the end result that might be different from what you have expected.”

I sighed. I let myself fall onto the couch and hid my face in my arms. “Should I cancel? I haven’t found my members yet, though I’ve already passed my candidacy and I can enter on campaigning now, but with your input about Arth Dalton? I don’t think I’ll win.”

I was confident earlier that no one would be on my level. Leadership was flowing in our blood. We wouldn’t have leading jewelry shops and other businesses around the country if my parents weren’t competitive enough to lead the change. My brother wouldn't be the best Campus Mayor in the school's history and wouldn’t receive this opportunity of pursuing his dream profession if he wasn’t good at leadership. They were just pretty much good at everything, while I… I was now doubting myself.

I felt the space beside me dip, and felt a hand on my head. “I believe in you, Loreign, more than I believe Arth Dalton would make it. He may be academically smart, filled with ideas for the betterment of the college. But you are empathetic, you heed others’ concerns, you know how to deal with things decisively. I believe, It’s something Arth couldn’t do, so you still have a greater chance. Cheer up, Loreign.”

I didn’t know if I was supposed to feel better with that after all the praises that he gave to that rude bastard, but I guess that would do. What was someone intellectually giant but emotionally dwarf to someone who had both equally? I’ll let him know who he was battling with.

—

“Please, Oliver, you’re my only hope. You’re like the smartest in your college. I have been eyeing you as my Vice Mayor ever since I decided to run. Please, Oliver, what should I do to get your ‘yes’?”

I was begging. Yes. The great woman like me was begging for this nerdy to join my team. I couldn’t just run alone, could I? Arth Dalton had already formed his team, and had been starting his campaign with his girlfriend and also Vice Mayor, Sabrina. Gosh, if Arth was smart enough, he should have chosen a better Vice Mayor. Sabrina was nothing but a deadbeat. Also, a lot of people hated her.

This person that I was persuading, however, was even more reliable than her. Though Oliver was a huge weird nerd, he also excelled academically. He was called a loser, I heard, but I had seen him lead children cross the street so I guess he could also have the ability to lead, at least. If I have another person to persuade, I would have chosen them, but I couldn’t see anyone fitting.

He looked away and put the heavy book in front of us to avoid looking at my face. We were at the library, the only place that I know I would find him. As usual, he wasn’t with anyone. Who would even want to be associated with a person who had no style, thick glasses, face that look very uncomfortable to stare at, and… well, no more. I didn’t want to describe him anymore knowing that I wouldn’t be saying anything good.

“No. Drop the thought. I don’t want to,” he answered. I almost didn’t hear it because his voice was low and quiet, I even had to lean closer to hear him. “Leave me alone, please.”

I pouted. “Come on, Oliver. This is a good chance for you to build your confidence and let others know that you are not just a nerd. You can do something more. I know you have a lot of ideas in your head that you want to do in this school, and I will listen to all of those if you’ll join my team.”

Arth Dalton might be smart on his own that no one could level him, but then I’ll form two people who were academically capable to balance him, and that would be me and Oliver. I just need him to agree and we can plan our campaign already like how Arth’s team was doing. SMART Party was already making their name, and if I wouldn’t hurry, then I guess I wouldn’t stand a chance.

I couldn’t let that happen.

“How about a free lunch every day?” I offered. I’d have to take Rhaze’s advice about Oliver. Since he was a scholar and had been continuously bullied for being poor, then something she could offer would make it work.

And I knew I hit the jackpot when he put down his book and looked at me with surprised eyes. “Do you mean it?”

“Of course. I hold dear to my words. Just be part of my team, and you’ll get it,” I replied rather too enthusiastically because finally, I got his attention. I should have used that trick earlier so we didn’t waste our time. “You have to take the test, though, but I’m sure you’ll ace that. I’ll take care of our team’s campaign, you just have to be present.”

I smiled at him. He hadn’t even get to confirm that he would be joining us but I already assumed it. However, he seemed to be hesitant once again. He sounded apprehensive as he asked, “May I know who else would be with your team?”

“Well, just Simon from the College of Engineering and Erica from College of Arts and Sciences. Do you have anyone in mind?”

He shook his head almost immediately, looking around which made me look around as well. There weren’t anyone in the library, or at least on the spot that he chose, but from across the table that we were seated, my eyes squinted from seeing that familiar Psychology hoodie of a color navy this time who had his back turned from me.

Maybe he felt that someone was looking at him as he looked over his shoulder and met my eyes. He also looked at Oliver then back at me, then he smirked, as if he knew what I was doing and was mocking me for scouting a nerd.

Gods, his face is annoying! My blood was boiling just by seeing his hoodie. Argh!