Gabriella's House: A Night of Assignments and Secrets
The scent of old paper and fresh ink hung heavy in the air of Gabriella's room. It was late, and her mahogany desk was an organized mess—a fortress of reference books piled high, their spines cracked from diligent study as she put the finishing touches on a massive assignment. The silence of the night was suddenly fractured by the insistent buzz of her phone.
It was Dona. Gabriella picked up, her eyes still scanning a highlighted paragraph.
"Hey, tomorrow is the School Rep Election," Dona's voice was a low, urgent hum. "Do you remember it?"
"Casually, mmm," Gabriella replied, flipping a page with indifference.
"Aren't you excited about it? And at the same time, aren't you... not afraid?"
Gabriella stopped flipping the book. Her thumb rested on a crisp page corner. "Not excited," she said, pausing for a beat. "...and not feared too."
A sharp intake of breath came from Dona's end. "You're the only candidate standing against her! And a Silver Storm member too! I don't think she'll allow you to win."
Gabriella let out a soft, sudden laugh.
"Are you laughing?" Dona was shocked. "Hey! How can you be so cool? I can't even sit still!"
"I don't think that I will win either," Gabriella admitted, a subtle smirk playing on her lips.
"What?" Dona practically yelled. "Then why did you stand against her as a candidate?"
"Let's wait," Gabriella said, returning to her book. "Then we'll know what will happen."
"Even I don't understand you," Dona sighed in defeat.
Gabriella's tone suddenly shifted, becoming sharp and serious. "Are you keeping that Pendrive safe, right?"
"Yes," Dona confirmed quickly. "Is that your identity pendrive, right?"
"No," Gabriella said, her voice dropping. "It's strong evidence that will trap Raina. Are you curious what's inside it?"
"No," Dona firmly replied. "I don't want to. I only love to watch a thriller drama, but not in real life."
Gabriella smiled. "Then I'm ending our call. I have to complete my assignment."
The moment she hung up, her phone immediately rang again. A caller ID flashed across the screen: Lara. Gabriella didn't pick it up. She turned her face away and fiercely focused on her writing.
Seconds later, a notification popped up. It was a message from Lara. Gabriella looked at it, then opened it.
The message read: "Don't avoid me, Gabby. I am sorry, I will listen to you. I didn't pick up your call because I already told you my phone was with Ronnie. Sorry."
Gabriella didn't reply.
A soft knock interrupted her thoughts, and Fiona—Gabriella's aunt—pushed the door open. "Are you studying?"
"No, I'm doing an assignment," Gabriella replied. "But it's almost complete. Come in, Auntie."
Fiona's eyes sparkled with mock offense. "Don't call me Auntie. It makes me older. Call me Sister."
Gabriella smiled warmly. "As your wish... Sister."
Another notification. It was Lara. Gabriella saw the message: "Shall we go out this weekend? If you forgive me, please come with me."
Gabriella smiled faintly but still didn't reply. Fiona, noticing her expression, asked, "What's going on?"
"A friend," Gabriella said simply. "She wants to go out with me next weekend."
"Then go!" Fiona exclaimed, her voice full of enthusiasm. "Hanging out with friends is so much fun. Enjoy it now, otherwise you can't in the future."
"Are you missing it now?" Gabriella teased.
"Of course, a lot! My friends are in different countries now," Fiona confessed. Both girls shared a laugh.
"Then I'm going," Fiona said, giving a quick wave before leaving the room.
As the door clicked shut, Gabriella finally responded to Lara.
'Ok.'
Lara replied instantly with a smile emoji. Gabriella smiled back, a genuine, soft curve of her lips.
Brighton Wisdom School: The Face-Off
The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the grand Auditorium of Brighton Wisdom School. The School Rep Election was underway, and the cavernous room was a buzz of nervous energy as students lined up to cast their votes.
Gabriella entered to vote. As she walked to the polling booth, she saw a group coming in the opposite direction after casting their ballots: Raina, Han, Selina, and Ronnie.
Gabriella smiled faintly at them. They returned the smiles, though only Han's seemed genuine.
Selina stepped forward, her voice laced with subtle condescension. "You have so much guts to stand against Raina, our own Silver Storm member."
"Anyone can do that, not only me," Gabriella countered smoothly.
The smile vanished from Selina's face. "But no one can win in this election other than Raina. Just wait and see."
Gabriella gave a faint smirk.
Han stepped up next, offering a friendly, encouraging smile. "Best of luck, Gabriella." He leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper in her ear. "Do you know who I voted for? It's You."
Gabriella looked at him, her smile a mix of disbelief and quiet gratitude. Han and Selina walked away.
Then, Raina moved closer. Her eyes glittered with cool challenge. "We are now opposite parties, you know."
Always, Gabriella thought, but she simply smiled and said, "Of course."
The two girls stared at each other, the casual pleasantries dropping away.
"Are you sure you can beat me?" Raina asked, her smirk returning.
Gabriella's smile disappeared entirely, replaced by a steely look. "Are you thinking this whole school's students are under your control?"
Raina laughed, a dry, brittle sound. "What do you think?" Her laugh stopped abruptly, her eyes hardening with anger. "You are new here. You don't know about Brighton Wisdom."
"I know," Gabriella said, her voice low and even. She paused for a significant second, her expression turning dark. "When I found out... I was also shocked."
Her eyes bore into Raina's. "All are devils hiding in angels' costumes. I want to tear their fake identity and reveal their truth to the world."
Raina didn't flinch. She simply started back at Gabriella, two powerful forces in a standoff. Two strong feminine figures, standing against each other, their silent confrontation promising a storm.
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