Her Semi-Colon

Chapter 4: Strike A Deal

Freshman year, I lost to Bianca Lawson, a popular cheerleader who was admired by many. Sophomore year, I lost to Dion Matthews, a senior who was apparently a class clown and made everyone around him. I remember being upset that I lost for that second time but then he cracked a joke and I couldn't help but find it funny.

Junior year, I lost to Stacie, my sister's best friend. Stacie was really popular in our grade along with my sister so since they were thick as thieves, of course, Stacie was a shoo-in.

This was the hardest loss to get over because not only did I fail to win, I failed to be seen.

My stomach dropped knowing now that I may fail again because I was so gullible. I actually nearly considered the fact that the most popular guy in school was flirting with me. What a joke, Mace, what a joke.

However, I was tired of not being seen. I was tired of losing so many times and not getting the recognition I deserved. I kept thinking about Lacey and remembering her words. 'You are definitely smart enough to beat him.'

I wasn't so sure about that especially since every girl at school probably wanted to go out with him but it didn't hurt to try. I didn't know why but Brayden messing with me actually made me want to fight harder and for the first time, I'm not going to accept failure.

I'm going to try my best to make the sun shine on my own.

With my sudden determination, I closed my eyes and took a breath. I repeated that phrase over and over until my stomach felt somewhat less queasy.

I tried my best to bring myself back to the present and focus on class as much as I could. I practiced the same thing over and over. Whenever my stomach would drop again, I brought myself back up again until free period began and I had to present.

We had to meet in the auditorium to present and as soon as I saw Brayden Connors, he locked eyes with me tossing a mischievous smirk. I rolled my eyes back in response before Stacie walked up to us along with the principal.

“Hi Macey," she greeted happily before turning to Brayden with a flushed look on her face. “Hi…Brayden."

Ew.

“Hey Stace," Brayden replied as he ran his fingers through his hair, being flirty per usual. “I'm excited for this opportunity, I have a killer speech so I can't wait to get started!"

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's mine. “Of course," Stacie replied back with a smile, obviously pleased by Brayden's behavior which made me want to barf. “I can't wait to hear from the both of you."

“So here's how it's going to go," our principal Miss Wesley said before turning to me. “Macey, my dear, I'm sure you know the rules already but let me refresh your memory."

I suddenly heard Brayden snort as I glanced at him, he tried to hide it behind a cough which of course no one else paid attention to.

“So the rules go as follows, the former student council member will say a short speech and the both of you will have five minutes to present. Then we will give the audience a piece of paper and they will cast their votes. Is that clear?"

“Yes Principal Wesley," we responded in unison.

“Okay great," Principal Wesley said before turning to Stacie. “Why don't you take these two backstage and we'll get started shortly okay?"

“Yes ma'am," Stacie nodded before gesturing us to follow her. As we did, I turned back to see students filing in the auditorium.

I suddenly caught the eyes of my sister who waved excitedly and mouthed 'good luck.' I smiled back at her and gave her a thumbs up. She didn't know that this jerk I'm running against probably stole bits of my speech.

However, right now it didn't matter. I can do this…I had do this. This jerk had to pay!

When we finally went backstage, Stacie turned to both of us. “Okay guys wait here until I'm done with my speech and afterward, please go to those two podiums near the front of the stage."

I nodded and just as she was about to head over to the stage, Brayden tapped her shoulder. “Good luck okay?"

“T-thank you, you too!"

As soon as she departed, Brayden turned away from the curtains and took out the notecards from his pockets.

Without thinking, I snatched them out of his hands and threw them on the floor.

“Hey, what the hell!" Brayden exclaimed sharply as he suddenly crouched down and rushed to pick them up. “What was that for?"

“Oh you know Bray-Bray, I just wanted to catch a glance of the competition," I retorted angrily. The more I was talking to him, the more I wanted to scream.

“Okay, first that's the ugliest nickname I've ever heard in my life, and two I can explain–

“You don't need to explain," I interrupted. “I don't care, have my notecards for all I care. I'm still confident I can beat you, Bray-Bray."

He chuckled before tossing me a shocked glance. I was pretty shocked myself, I didn't expect myself to have the guts to stand up to him, but here we are. And for some reason, teasing him was also kind of fun. I wasn't really the type of person who sought revenge but maybe there's more to me than I realize.

Suddenly, he approached me, walking so close to my body that we were just inches apart from each other. I suddenly felt my stomach dropping again and the anxiety trying to swim its way back in. “Macey, are you sure you're confident?"

Breathe, Breathe, breathe. “Y-yes," I stuttered awkwardly trying to step back but I nearly fell into the curtain when Brayden suddenly grabbed my hand and my wrist keeping me steady. “Um? W…what..get off of me!"

“S…sorry," he replied, and to my surprise, his face was flushed, which confused me. There's no way it was because of me. It was most likely because he was caught stealing my speech. “Look, I have to be honest with you, I didn't actually want to run."

“W…what?"

“Let's just say I want to make my parents proud of me again," he said to me, his voice suddenly getting smaller. If he spoke any louder, he would break into tears. “I remember your speeches from years prior and I took some of your notecards to confirm. You're definitely the smartest girl I've ever met, that's for sure."

I was so taken back by his words and confessions that I didn't even know what to say or how to react. He thought I was smart? Is he playing more games right now or what?

Before I could even open my mouth and interject, I suddenly heard Stacie stop talking, and the crowd applauding in the background. Sighing, I knew exactly what to do. I could feel the anxiety welcoming me back with open arms as I spoke, “L…look just use my cards okay! I understand what it's like to want to make your parents proud. You would beat me anyway. They all know you."

“Not really," he replied, which surprised me, and when he caught my confused expression, he continued: “If they knew me truly, they would recognize that the speech isn't mine. But since that's not going to happen, I'll tell you what, if I win, I'll make you work alongside me."

I didn't know what came over me. Maybe it was because he was different than I expected, but I forgave him. I suddenly pictured my parents when Lacey wasn't around. It was like the sun was nowhere to be found and they were raining all over me because I wasn't just like her.

I nodded, “Okay deal, let's head out there."