Westbridge felt different that morning.
Quieter.
But not calm.
The kind of quiet that comes before something shifts.
Students moved between buildings faster than usual. Phones in hand. Conversations cut short whenever someone new approached.
Everyone knew what day it was.
Voting day.
Not a dramatic election with banners and speeches.
Westbridge didn't work like that.
Influence moved quietly.
Through conversations.
Through alliances.
Through reputation.
And today all of it would be measured.
—
Anaya arrived on campus earlier than usual.
Not because she was nervous.
Because she liked seeing the board before it changed.
The voting board stood outside the main administrative building.
Names already listed.
Shortlisted candidates.
Three columns.
Five positions.
Her name sat second on the list.
A few students nearby whispered when she approached.
Not rudely.
Just aware.
"Morning," Aarav said, walking up beside her.
"You're early."
"I wanted to see it before people start pretending they knew the outcome."
He glanced at the board.
"You look calm."
"I am."
"You're either winning or planning something."
She didn't answer.
Across the courtyard, the four had already gathered.
The mischievous one stretched his arms lazily.
"Today's the day."
"Relax," the tall one said. "It's not a boxing match."
"It kind of is."
He stood slightly apart from them, watching the courtyard.
His eyes landed on Anaya.
Naturally.
Like they always did.
"Your rival looks confident," one of them noted.
"She usually is."
"You worried?"
"No."
"About losing?"
"No."
They exchanged looks.
"You're enjoying this," the mischievous one said.
"Yes."
Because competition sharpened everything.
—
Near the library entrance, Kiara arrived.
Perfectly composed.
White blazer. Hair flawless. Expression calm.
Students greeted her politely.
She returned each greeting with effortless warmth.
Because influence wasn't loud.
It was cultivated.
Her eyes briefly scanned the courtyard.
Anaya.
Him.
The F4.
Everything exactly where she expected it.
Good.
—
By noon, voting officially opened.
Students entered the administration hall in small groups.
Names checked.
Votes submitted.
Quiet.
Controlled.
But the tension outside built steadily.
Aarav sat beside Anaya on the stone steps.
"You know everyone thinks you two are the main contenders now."
"Everyone is usually wrong."
"You say that a lot."
"Because it's usually true."
Across the courtyard, he approached slowly.
A few students noticed immediately.
The air shifted again.
He stopped beside her.
"Already analyzing turnout?" he asked.
"Always."
"And?"
"Too early."
A pause.
"You nervous?" she asked.
"No."
"You should be."
"Why?"
"Because if I lose," she said calmly, "I'll make sure the next round is harder."
He almost laughed.
"You're impossible."
"You're predictable."
Behind them, whispers started again.
"They're talking."
"Are they arguing?"
"No… it looks worse."
"Worse?"
"They look calm."
And calm was dangerous.
Because calm meant control.
Across the courtyard, Kiara watched them again.
Still standing together.
Still unbothered.
Her fingers tapped lightly against her phone.
Just once.
Because voting had started.
But the real game—
Wasn't finished yet.