The Two Masks of a Dork

[TzenToku]

The day begins like any school day with students walking into the school compound through the front gate. National College Secondary School is one of the elite schools of the state where only the rich attend. Many of the students are children of politicians, rich businessmen and respected medical doctors. The security guard stands by the gate ensuring the safety and security of the school watches as the students exit their parents’ expensive cars and walk into the school compound.


Arthas walks into the school and greets the security guard good morning as he walks pass him. While walking up into class, the school reporter, Terry approaches him.


Terry: Good Morning Arthas! Do you have time for a quick interview? It’s for next week’s paper.

Arthas: Hey there Terry. Yeah I have time. You can interview me while we walk until I get to my class.


Terry walks with Arthas to class while interviewing him.


Terry: Okay. So… What is your opinion of the upcoming parliament sitting next Tuesday? Are you worried about the questions the opposition may ask you?

Arthas: Well, the opposition will have to submit their questions by today and the student council will be reviewing it to defend ourselves during the parliament sitting next week. I’m not too worried about it because I think I’ve performed my duties well as the Minister of Works for the past 4 months.

Terry: Do you have any idea who will the opposition be choosing to question you if there is a question directed to the Works Ministry?

Arthas: Currently no, I don’t know who the opposition will send because this is the first parliament sitting this year.

Terry: How does feel to be the only prefect in the student council cabinet? It seems odd having a prefect serving as a Minister.

Arthas: Yes it does seem weird having a police serving as a politician at the same time, having to manage the school discipline and political affairs at the same time is something you don’t see every day.

Terry: I have done research on the school’s history and this is the first time a student if serving in the two most powerful school body, the student council and the prefect board. I’ve also heard you’re serving as president of St. John ambulance and president of the table-tennis club. How was it possible for you to obtain so many positions? Did the school allow this? Did you have to get permission from the school board before proceeding?

Arthas: The school has always allowed students to hold multiple leader positions all at once. The only condition is the student cannot be failing in any of his or her classes and must have a clean discipline record.

Terry: But with you holding so many positions, the teachers must be very unhappy with you taking most of the leadership opportunities from other students.

Arthas: I had originally wanted to hold only the position as a full Minister in the student council and resign from the other positions, but the school did not allow a senior ranking prefect to resign, the table-tennis club needed someone who was experienced the train the rest of the team and St. John Ambulance uniform body needed someone who knew officers from outside the school to negotiate deals and activities. The teachers have no grounds to have me resign from my Minister position.

Terry: The way you’re speaking, it seems you look at the teachers as your enemies in school.

Arthas: There are teachers who support what I’m doing and I am pleased and respect them as my teacher, but there are those who find any small excuses to have me step down from the student council.


The interview continues until they get to class Form 4-A.


Terry: Thank you so much for your time! I’ll be sure to put a good word for you in my report.

Arthas: Haha… Thank you… I’ll see you around.


As Arthas enters class, the student council Chief Minister, Morpheus, was already there with several other students gathered around a desk talking. Morpheus sees Arthas and calls out for him.

Morpheus: Arthas! Hey! There’s a student council meeting later during recess. Be sure to go, we’ll be discussing about the parliament sitting next week.

Arthas: Alright. (Turns to Leo who sits next to him in class) Hey Leo, did you finish the homework given to us my Mr. Lim?

Leo: Yeah, why? Didn’t you finish it?

Arthas: Haha… Maybe… Mind if I copy yours during English class?

Leo: Okay, just remember to lend me your physics homework.

Arthas: Alright, I’m going to the cafeteria. Want to come?

Leo: It’s ok. I’ll just stay here until class starts.


Arthas walks out of class to the cafeteria to meet his friends. He sees the bunch of them sitting around the large cafeteria table. He walks to the group and notices a new face among the group. It was a younger girl probably from one of the Form 1 classes. He guessed she was probably Tristas’s new girlfriend.

Tristas: Hey there Arthas! How’s it going? Come sit with us.

Arthas: Hey guys. Thank you (Sits down on the bench).

Jude: Any news from the prefect board?

Sara (New girl): Sorry to interrupt you guys but don’t you feel weird having a prefect sitting here with us?

Jude: Hahaha… This guy isn’t one of the regular prefects you know.

Sara: But he’s one of the senior prefects. Isn’t he best friends with Dex the jackass?

Arthas: Don’t you ever say he’s my best friend. He’s a jackass with no life. He likes kissing the teachers’ asses.

Tristas: (Hugs Sara tightly) Baby, please respect my friend. He’s been the only prefect protecting us from getting suspended.

Arthas: Hahaha… Did I really put up such a great act that people actually think I’m strict with the school discipline?

Sara: From first sight I thought you were. You dress so appropriately with your tie up high and your red blazer.

Arthas: How else do you think I was promoted to senior prefect so easily? Without this position it’ll be very difficult for me to be protecting you guys.

Sara: But why are you hanging out with hooligans like us? It’s so weird.

James: This guy is one of the most corrupted prefects. In a mob organization, you have people like the boss, the regular small timer mobs, the inside man and others. This guy is the inside man in the school’s two most powerful organizations. Plus he’s the one most suited for the job.

Arthas: Hahaha… You give me too much credit. But damn… I’m so worried about the parliament sitting next week. I hate having to pretend I’m not worried about it in front of the school reporters.

Vishnu: Don’t worry man. We’ll be supporting you all the way. Haha we were the ones who voted you into the student council cabinet. We’ll just boo at the opposition each time they speak.

Arthas: Hahaha… you guys are assholes.


They continued to talk for a while until the school bell rung. It was then time for the students to get into class and the prefects who were on duty to get the students to start going to class.

James: You’re not going to shoo us back to class are you?

Arthas: I’m not on duty today, why should I care?

James: Haha… you see this Sara? Corrupt…

Jonathan: Hey guys! Isn’t that Mrs. Chin coming this way?

Arthas: Damn it. The discipline mistress if coming. Guys, help me out here. Make me look good in front of her (Stands up).


When Mrs. Chin got close enough to the group, Arthas said out loud.


Arthas: Alright guys! The bell rang. Get to class now!


The group started moving back to class without question or resistance.

Mrs. Chin: Wow Arthas, it’s so easy for you to get that group moving back to class. They’re always a problem for the other prefects. Are you friends with them?

Arthas: No, they’re just students from the art class. The students from the science class rarely mix with those from the art class. They think the art students are all hooligans.

Mrs. Chin: It is true. Most of the discipline problems are caused by the art students. Arthas, here is the new duty list for the prefect board. I have assigned these four junior prefects to serve under your leadership.

Arthas: (Looks at the list) Farah?? The daughter of the CEO of “Harta Enterprise”? Roland?? The son of one of the state Member of Parliament? Why did you assign these two children of such important people under me? Why didn’t you assign them to Dex?

Mrs. Chin: I did. They were originally assigned to Dex, but their parents wrote a letter to appeal against that appointment so I assigned them to you. They aren’t bad people, they just can’t stand Dex’s attitude. (Whispers) I can’t stand his attitude either, don’t tell him. Shhh….

Arthas: Hahaha… Understood. I’ll he heading back to class now Mrs. Chin.


As the prefects of the school were the last to enter class after their duties patrolling the school ended, the teachers entered class and began teaching. When it was English class, Arthas and Leo exchanged their homework and started copying. Mrs. Fred, the English teacher who was also the advisor to the student council, declared it was free period and decided she wanted to speak to the members of the student council.

Mrs. Fred: Morpheus, Arthas, Danny and Nicky! Come up front. I need to speak with the four of you.


The four boys walked up to the front of the class.


Mrs. Fred: Okay boys, recess is going to start in 5 minutes. Arthas, can you get permission to be excused from your prefect duties today?

Arthas: I’m not on duty today.

Mrs. Fred: Okay that’s good. (Hands an envelope to Morpheus) I want you guys to go to the student council meeting room now and wait for me. Morpheus, I need you to start by briefing the other Ministers before I get there so we can start quickly and discuss on how you will defend yourselves during the parliament sitting.


The four boys proceeded to the student council meeting room where they waited for the other seven ministers to arrive before Morpheus started briefing. As the other Ministers entered and took their seats, one of them questioned Arthas.

Elaina: Arthas, why is your assistant here? Isn’t this a meeting for only the full Misters? Danny, why are you here?

Arthas: The Works ministry is the busiest ministry and by all means the most important. I made my request to Mrs. Fred to allow my first assistant attend every meeting which involves the Works ministry.

Shrivi: What an excuse to get your friend to leave class early.

Morpheus: Alright guys! Guys! Don’t fight among ourselves. We are the school’s government. I’ll start by briefing you guys on the questions submitted by the opposition. First question is directed to Minister of Health of Environment. That’s you Nicky.

Nicky: What?? What did I do wrong?

Morpheus: Calm down. I’m going to read their question. The question is, why are there insufficient plastic bags provided to each class and why are the plastic bags provided so small?

Nicky: We’re on a tight budget! How am I supposed to get enough trash bags for the whole school??

Morpheus: I don’t know, but you’re going to have to think of a way to defend yourself when they ask you this question. Next question is directed to Minister of Culture, that’s your Shrivi.

Shrivi: Are the oppositions crazy?!?! I didn’t do anything wrong!

Morpheus: Can you guys wait for me to read the questions before you say anything?! That way you’ll know what you did wrong! The question is, why were you not present throughout the Chinese New Year festival celebration?

Shrivi: I had to leave early! I had an appointment that day!

Morpheus: Please don’t tell me your reasons. I’m not the opposition. Next question is directed to the Minister of Finance and Cabinet Secretary, that’s you Elaina. Why was the financial report presented so highly inaccurate? There were several expenditures by the student council that were not included in the report such as money for the Eid festival and toilet roll.

Elaina: This sucks, I thought they wouldn’t notice that small detail. For this case I think I might have to apologize.

Shrivi: Don’t apologize! As a politician you’re not suppose to apologize!

Morpheus: Could you guys please not talk until I’ve finished reading out all the questions! We’ll discuss how to defend yourselves when Mrs. Fred comes.

Clifford: Hahaha… You guys are going to get bombed during parliament.

Morpheus: Next question is directed Minister of Sports, that’s you Clifford.

Clifford: F***!!

Everyone else: *Giggles*

Morpheus: You have been in office for four month but why were there no activities organized by your department?

Clifford: Ummm… No comments.

Morpheus: The last question is directed to Minister of Works, that’s you Arthas. The question is, why has your department not provided any clocks for every class? There are several classes with either no clocks or broken ones.

Arthas: Huh? I didn’t know it was the Minister of Work’s duty to supply clocks.

Morpheus: We’ll talk to Mrs. Fred about this later. I didn’t know it was the student council’s duty either.


There was a fierce argument among the ministers about the questions directed to them. As the argument went on, Terry and her assistant reporter, Philip, were peaking through one of the windows into the student council meeting room and secretly taking pictures of the meeting. Arthas noticed the two snooping around and shut the blinds, preventing the two from looking in. As Mrs. Fred entered the student council meeting room, she locked the door behind her and was greeted by the ministers. She took her seat and began discussing one by one with the ministers regarding the questions and told them how they should present their answer during parliament. When she was done with each minister, they were excused to leave the room until finally Arthas was left in the room with Morpheus and Danny.


Mrs. Fred: Arthas, before we start, I want to apologize for not properly informing you that it was the Minister of Work’s duty to supply clocks. I must have forgotten to tell you when your position was changed from Health and Environment to Works.

Arthas: How should I answer this question? It doesn’t seem like I have a reason for not supplying the clocks other than ‘I did know it was my duty’.

Mrs. Fred: This is what I recommend you to do. Go get the clocks by this weekend and have them hanged on Monday. At least that way the opposition won’t bomb you so badly on Tuesday. For you explanation, tell them you have been very busy for the past few months. You are the Minister of Works, they have to understand how busy the Works ministry is.

Arthas: What if I have no idea what to answer them? This is my first parliament sitting.

Mrs. Fred: Don’t worry. I will be sitting right behind you on when you’re called to answer. If you are having problems, just turn around and I will know what to do. Morpheus will be sitting right next to the podium where the ministers are called to answer.

Morpheus: Don’t panic Arthas, we’ll be backing you all the way.

Arthas: Thanks guys. I really appreciate it.


When the three boys exited the meeting room and headed to the cafeteria, Arthas whispered to Danny.


Arthas: Danny, during the parliament sitting, I’m appointing you to control the P.A. system. Are you ok with that?

Danny: Yeah! Of course! I’ve always wanted to operate the P.A. system.

Arthas: I need you to mess with the opposition’s microphone volume on that day when I’m eing questioned.

Morpheus: Parliament strategy to sabotage the opposition? What kind of Prefect are you? Haha I love that idea.


As the day went by and school finally ended, the students packed their things and exited the school compound. As day turned to night, Arthas was home waiting for his tutor to arrive. When his tutor came, they entered the study room and class began.


Ben: So Arthas, what did your math teacher teach you today in class?

Arthas: He started on the integration chapter. Hey teacher, I have a question and I want your opinion.

Ben: What is it? Did ‘L’ reject you?

Arthas: What the hell! Lorena moved school! And I never like her that way!

Ben: All your problems are always something to do with some girls.


Hahaha just kidding. What is it? Don’t you still talk to Lorena?


Arthas: Caroline asked me and Lorena out this Saturday to watch a movie. I guess that’s probably going to be the only time we’re meeting.

Ben: You know, I think it’s better if you go for Caroline than Lorena. I’ve seen her picture and by reading her face, I can tell she’s someone who will betray others.

Arthas: I’m not going for any girl! Hey we’re off the subject here!

Ben: Haha… What is it that you wanted to ask me?

Arthas: You used to be Minister of Finance back in your school right? How did you answer the opposition when they questioned you when you failed to perform a certain duty?

Ben: The opposition never asked me any question. I always push all the work to my assistants and they always do a good job.

Arthas: That was helpful of you (in a sarcastic voice). How useless of you.

Ben: Haha… That’s what deputies are for. Anyways, where are you planning to go with ‘L’ and Caroline?

Arthas: We’re going to the mall and maybe watch a movie. Could you stop calling her ‘L’?!

Ben: Haha… I like referring her as the character from ‘Death Note’. Be sure you have Caroline on your right arm and ‘L’ on your left when watching the movie. Good luck on that!

Arthas: Shut up you ass… I’m not going after any girl!
Ben: Ohh… How are things going on in your school? Still got the school bullies backing you?

Arthas: I have everyone backing me except the opposition. I like making friends with everyone I meet. The only people I hate most are the teachers who try to suppress the students’ rights.

Ben: Don’t go over your head Arthas. It’s great that you’re protecting students from the abusive teachers, but always be careful. You don’t know when something unexpected will happen and cause you your downfall. Right now you are the most influential student holding so may positions. Don’t abuse authority or power entrusted to you.

[TzenToku]

It was now Tuesday, 5 days after the opposition’s questions were released to the student council. School in National College High School went on as usual with students entering from the main gates early in the morning. Arthas walks in with the rest of the students and to his class to drop off his bag before heading to the cafeteria as usual. But as soon as he dropped his bag off in class and having greeted the rest of his classmates, Caroline enters class and stops Arthas before he left.


Caroline: Arthas! Hey wait up! Sorry I had to cancel on you last Saturday. I had to help out my dad in his office. Lorena was pretty mad when I told her I couldn’t go. Did you two watch the movie anyways?

Arthas: No, we decided to wait for you anyways. Is this Saturday ok for you?

Caroline: Definitely! I won’t miss it this time. I promise!


Arthas continues heading towards the cafeteria to meet with his friends from the art class. He takes his seat with the rest of the group.


Vishnu: Hey Arthas! Today’s your big day right? Hahaha hope you don’t get scolded too badly by the opposition.

Arthas: Incase if you haven’t noticed, I got the clocks and put them up in every classroom already. They won’t be able to bombard me as much as they originally thought they could.

James: Haha you asshole. The whole school is going to laugh at them if they ask you the question they submitted.

Arthas: Haha… and I want you guys to start the laughing so the rest of the school will follow. Are you guys up for it?

Jude: The politician asking help from the underground? This is so typical. You want us to risk getting in trouble by booing at the opposition too? Hahaha I love the idea. We all can be such an asshole.

James: I don’t like the opposition anyways, especially their leader Kalan. She is such a bitch with her bitchy attitude!

Vishnu: But damn… You have to admit her jugs are huge! I wished she would just put them on the table one day. And you’re an ass Tristas! Yesterday you should have shaken her chair a little more. You know how priceless it is to see those things swing around!

Tristas: Shut up asshole. If I did that, her babies would be drinking milkshake.


Everyone started laughing out very loud.


Sara: Are her jugs really that big?

Vishnu: OMG! They look like they came from the Gods! Thank you lord for brightening my scenery in class by gracing me with such jugs to gaze upon.

Arthas: Stop talking poetic! You failed in literature!

Kristie: Vishnu! You’re a freekin perv!

Arthas: Guys! Can I count on you on today’s parliament sitting?

James: Yeah you can. But you better be bailing us out if we get into trouble with the discipline mistress.

Arthas: Mrs. Chin is a cool person. It’s Mrs. Yeo I hate.

Jude: Are you talking about the Vice Principal?

Arthas: I swear, if she shows another sign of being racist, I will get her fired!

Sara: But she’s been working for the school since the day it was opened. Getting her fired is really impossible don’t you think?

Arthas: Maybe. But I’m going to at least try. I hate it when teachers abuse their authority to pick on students.


When the bell rung, everyone returned back to class and waited for their teachers to enter. Mrs. Khoo entered class Form 4-A and began teaching physics. After the first half of class, she assigned class work to all the students and they were allowed to discuss among themselves.

Leo: Hey Arthas, could you show me how you do this question?

Arthas: Which question? Let me take a look.


Arthas and Leo looked at the question for a while and their attention was caught by one of their classmate’s voice. They turned back and looked at Dex teaching Caroline physics.


Dex: (Talking about physics stuff)…. And that if how you get the answer.

Caroline: Wow, thank you so much! You’re so smart.

Dex: Of course. I’m also so nice to take my time helping you. You should really thank me more.

Arthas: (Talks to Leo) I feel so sorry for Caroline.

Leo: Haha… What an ego. That’s normal I guess, being the smartest guy in class.

Arthas: Anyways, forget about him. About this question, first you start by …(Physics stuff).

Vishnu: (Comes towards Arthas and Leo) What’s up homies! Hey Arthas! Can you teach me a little about physics? (Pulls a chair next to Arthas’s desk)

Arthas: Why don’t you go ask Dex? I’m explaining something to Leo right now.

Vishnu: Two reasons why I’m not going to ask him. First reason, have you never gotten to know his attitude? I’m not talking to gorilla boy! And second reason, I’ve got a clear view of Kalan’s Jugs from here.

Leo: Get lost you perv! We actually want to study here!

Arthas: Hmmm… Kalan has her two best friends Kimmy and Vanessa sitting together with her. I wonder why they don’t go asking for help with their physics. Have they suddenly gotten better in it?

Leo: Are you saying they’re dumb?

Arthas: No. I mean, usually Vanessa would come asking me, Kalan and Kimmy would go asking Dex.

Vishnu: I don’t know what year you come from but just a reminder to you, they don’t talk to Dex after he became senior prefect and his ego went through the roof because of that. You on the other hand betrayed them remember?

Arthas: What the hell are you talking about!?

Vishnu: You do remember you were in Kalan’s party before you moved to Morpheus’s party right? Well… She saw that as a betrayal.

Arthas: Hey. I moved before election. I wouldn’t have joined her party if I had known earlier that Morpheus was forming his party. I went ahead and asked permission for both sides before I moved.

Vishnu: I don’t know why you would want to move away from the jugs for Morpheus.

Leo: (Kicks Vishnu’s chair until he falls) Dude! We’re trying to study here!

Vishnu: Alright. Alright. Hahah I promise I won’t talk about jugs anymore for the next period.


Class goes on as normal and for several hours, the students continued with their normal school life. One hour before parliament sitting, an announcement was made by the principal through the school’s P.A. system.


Principal: Attention to Minister of Works, please see Mrs. Fred in the student council meeting room now.


Arthas gets up and heads to the meeting room where Mrs. Fred was already waiting for him. They talked for a while regarding the arrangements of the seating for the parliament sitting. Once the discussion was done, Arthas goes to the school administration office to use the P.A. system.


Arthas: (Clicks on a button *Ding Dong*) Sorry for the interruption. Attention to all assistant Ministers of Works, please see Arthas in the school hall now.


Minutes later, the six assistant Ministers of works assembled in the school hall and waited for Arthas’s instructions on how to set up the arrangements for the parliament sitting which was going to start in 50 minutes. Arthas directed and helped his assistants in the arrangements until it was all done and with 10 minutes to spare.


Arthas: Danny! Come over here! Here’s the proof of appointment that I’ve appointed you to be in charge of the P.A. system for today. Keep this and show it to anyone who questions your presence.

Danny: Alright. Sabotage the opposition’s microphone volume right?

Arthas: You got it. And don’t tell anyone. If anyone asks what’s going on, just say it’s all technical difficulties.


Parliament sitting began with the singing of the national anthem and an opening speech from the principal. After the opening, the Lord Speaker, Mr. Miller, the school’s history teacher began by welcoming everyone and asked each Minister to present their report. Each minister stood up, proceeded to the podium to present their report regarding the activities they have carried out under their ministry’s name.


Morpheus: Good afternoon to the Lord Speaker, fellow opposition members, principal, senior assistants, teachers, my fellow cabinet members, and every students present here. I am Morpheus, the Chief Minister, leader of the National College United party and also the appointed Minister of Internal affairs will not present my report. For the past for months, I have organized… (Talks about things he organized)…. Thank you


The rest of the other Ministers presented almost similar reports and when everything was done, the Lord Speaker invited the opposition to begin by asking their first question. The opposition leader, Kalan, was the first to walk to the opposition’s podium which was located directly opposite the student council’s podium.


Kalan: Lord Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of Health and Environment. (Minister of Health and Environment, Nicky, walks to the podium). Lord Speaker, why are the trash bags provided by your ministry to the classes insufficient and extremely small?

Nicky: Lord speaker, the reason why I did this was because (gives explanation).


The argument went on between opposition and the student council. Each time when someone was to speak, they must begin their sentenced by addressing the Lord Speaker. When they finally for to their final question, Vanessa was selected to question the student council. She walks to the podium and presents her question.


Vanessa: Lord speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of Works.


Arthas walks to the podium, looks at Mrs. Fred who was sitting behind the podium, hoping her presence would help when he becomes unable to answer. Morpheus was sitting next to the podium and looked at Arthas with thumbs up letting him know everything will be fine.


Vanessa: Lord Speaker, why did your ministry not supply clocks to some classes until after we have submitted our question?

Someone in the crowd: We’ve got the clocks already!

Arthas: (Tries to resist laughing then with a serious voice) Lord Speaker, my ministry and I have been very busy for the past four months with many activities. As you know, the Works ministry is the busiest ministry in the entire student council and it is impossible for any activity to commence without the involvement of the Works ministry. Due to the overload being pushed onto my ministry, we must have overlooked the issue regarding the clocks.


The group of school bullies clap and cheer, followed by the school hooligans and finally the rest of the school followed.


Vanessa: (looking very annoyed) Lord Speaker, please explain to us what was it that your ministry has been so busy with that you would have overlooked the issue regarding clocks. Tell us about the events you have organized under your ministry’s name that were such an overload for you.

Arthas: (looks back at Mrs. Fred and whispers) What has my ministry been so busy with?

Mrs. Fred: Everything you presented as your report in the beginning of parliament sitting.

Arthas: (raises his report sheet to Mrs. Fred and whispers) All this I just said just now?
Mrs. Fred: Yes.

Arthas: (With a very confident voice) Lord Speaker! Were you (points at Vanessa) not paying attention to me when I was presenting my report in the earlier session of parliament sitting? Are you expecting me to repeat my long list of report again?


The whole school goes wild and cheering for Arthas as he embarrassed the opposition.


Vanessa: (Looks back at Kalan for opinion then looks back at Arthas) Lord Speaker, what you have presented in your report are your daily duties. Those are just duties you should be performing regularly.

Arthas: (Looks back at Mrs. Fred and asks) Are these my daily duties?

Mrs. Fred: No they are not.

Arthas: (looks at his report for a second and for a second he sees something in his report and begins to give an evil smile) Lord Speaker! These (waves his report) are not my daily duties! We do not celebrate Chinese New Year daily, nor am I expected to set up preparations for it regularly!


The whole school begins to laugh at the opposition’s wrong choice of words for saying the words ‘Daily’, ‘regularly’ and attempting to make Arthas repeat his report. The Lord Speaker called an end to the questioning after Arthas’s last statement and asked that everyone disperse. Arthas then gave the orders to his assistants to begin packing up the place when Morpheus approached him.


Morpheus: Arthas! Were you panicking?

Arthas: Was it that obvious?

Morpheus: Yeah but only from my distance. I could see that your hands were shivering. Were you nervous?

Arthas: I could feel the blood being drained out of my hands and into my stomach. Damn it! I hope no one else saw that.

Dr. Hew: (Approaches Arthas) Hello Arthas. Really good fight you put up there. Keep up the good work.

Arthas: Thank you Dr. Hew. I’ll see you in Bio class tomorrow. (Turns back to Morpheus) I seriously hope you were the only one who saw my hands shivering.

Morpheus: Why not ask someone for their honest opinion? Let’s ask him (Points to a random student). (Walks to the student) Hey kid! What did you think of parliament sitting just now? Who would you say did the best against the opposition?

Kid: Hello Chief Minister. Ummm… Parliament sitting was great, seeing two sides debating over whose fault it was. I guess it the Minister of Works did the best. He was able to make the whole school laugh at the opposition. Others were practically just shouting at the opposition, but I think Arthas kept his cool.

Morpheus: Alright, thanks kid. See you around. (Turns back to Arthas) Haha you got lucky.

Arthas: Yeah. Hey I have to put up two faces you know. I have to keep up my public image being the confident and cool guy. Where else do I get my political support from? hahaha…

Mrs. Fred: (Approaches Arthas) Arthas, great job on your first parliament sitting. You handled it quite well without having to scream at the opposition. You even managed to get the whole school to laugh at them.

Arthas: Hahaha Mrs. Fred, you know I was in panic most of the time when I was being questioned.

Mrs. Fred: That’s not the point. As a politician it’s public image and results that counts. And plus I don’t think anyone else other than me and Morpheus knows the actual situation you were in just now. Keep up the good work.

Arthas: Thank you Mrs. Fred.


Terry, the school reporter was at the school hall trying to interview several members of the opposition and the student council to get their opinion on the parliament sitting and on how they think they did their job for the past four months.


Night came and in Arthas’s house, Arthas was waiting for his tutor to arrive. When Ben finally arrived, they proceeded to the study room.


Ben: So, how was the parliament sitting today? Did you get scolded badly by the opposition?

Arthas: No, actually I handled it quite well. I managed to embarrass the opposition in front of the whole school.

Ben: Was it all your doing or were you up to your usual scheme? Haha what did you do this time? Blackmail them? Ohh no no no no… you threw money at them! Hahaha.

Arthas: Shut up asshole! I’m not rich! And I don’t sink so low as to blackmail! My teacher advisor was there behind me giving me advice on what to say.

Ben: I knew it could not possibly be all your doing. Hey you haven’t updated me on your date with Caroline and Lorena?

Arthas: I told you it’s not a date! And plus Caroline canceled on us so we’re planning to go this Saturday.

Ben: Remember what I told you, Caroline on your left and Lorena on your right. Hahaha…. Hey something I’ve been wondering. Why and who decided to call for this date?

Arthas: It’s not a date! Caroline did. I don’t know, I guess it’s because she hasn’t seen Lorena in a while? I haven’t seen Lorena since the day she moved school.

Ben: But why just you? Why didn’t she call other friends as well?

Arthas: I guess it was probably because I’m the only other person who’s close with Lorena. I mean, Lorena moved school because she felt she had no friends in my school. But I don’t know her that well either. We only started to get to know each other since like, I don’t know…. 8 months before she left?

Ben: Ohhh yeah… One of your resolutions you told me about. You wanted to make friends with a girl all with only your effort and so you chose to Lorena right?

Arthas: I mean yeah. At the time we’re both kind of in the same situation. We were really quiet people and wanted to make a change in our lives. We really wanted to make new friends my forcing ourselves to talk to other people.

Ben: And look how much of a difference you two are right now since last year. I’m so glad she isn’t my student. Haha… One good thing about you is, you are a very quick learner and you adapt very quickly to your new environment.

Arthas: Haha... Thank you.

Ben: All I have to do now is to teach you to actually date someone. You need to get yourself a girlfriend! How long have you been single?

Arthas: Since birth you idiot.

Ben: How long is that? 16 years?

Arthas: Shut up…