As cheers fill the school cafeteria…
My campaign manager, Samantha, whispers to me.
Samantha
That was the best rally speech ever, Lynn—
Samantha
You’re totally going to win student council president!
I’ve wanted this forever…
And now that the school election is approaching…
My dream is within reach.
The crowd starts chanting:
Things couldn’t look any brighter.
And that’s when my worst nightmare steps out of the crowd:
He rests his skateboard on his shoulder…
Then pumps a fist into the air.
Damian
Overthrow the establishment!
Damian
Choose anarchy instead!
He sends me a challenging grin.
Jeez, he thinks he’s God’s gift.
But I’m just not into rebels like him—
And I’m not going to let him ruin my campaign!
I coolly eye his Sex Pistols t-shirt…
Then smooth down my vanilla skirt and sweater.
Lynn
I’m hardly “the establishment,” Damian.
Damian
You dress like you’re the principal of this school.
Damian
Nothing is more establishment than that.
Lynn
Yes, I’m sure you know exactly what our principal looks like—
Lynn
Seeing as you’re constantly sent to her office.
Some of the crowd “ooh’s."
Although I’m not sure why.
Lynn
Are you finished heckling me?
Lynn
Because I’m a little busy here.
Damian
Yeah, I noticed you were having a rally.
Damian
And I’d like to ask a few questions about your election platform.
Damian puts on a mock serious expression.
Damian
You said that you want to upgrade the media center—
Lynn
Yes. We need the very best environment for studying and—
Damian
I said media centers are boring.
Damian
If you want to win, you need something that’ll excite your voters.
Lynn
Oh really, Mr. Know It All?
Lynn
Then why don’t you tell me what my campaign platform should be?
Damian
How about free Flamin’ Hot Cheetos for lunch?
But then Samantha nudges me.
Samantha
Don’t let him push your buttons, Lynn!
I must ignore this temporary nuisance.
Luckily, the lunch bell rings right then.
I say goodbye to Samantha…
And smoothly walk out of the cafeteria.
Damian rides his skateboard over to me…
Damian
So I’m assuming Flamin’ Hot Cheetos are off the table?
Lynn
You’re very perceptive.
Damian
Hey, I’m only trying to give you campaign advice.
Damian
If you lighten up a little, you might even win.
Lynn
Are you saying I’m too boring to lead the school?
Damian
Well, if the perfectly polished shoe fits…
My glare turns into a death ray.
Lynn
Listen, if I’m too uptight to get your vote…
Lynn
Maybe you should just run for office!
Damian
You don’t think I could beat you in an election?
Lynn
You wouldn’t have a prayer.
Damian
Are you sure about that?
As we lock gazes, something strange happens—
It’s almost like he can feel the lightning bolt, too.
We’re complete opposites.
In fact, I would even go so far as to call him an enemy.
He proves it by giving me a ruthless smile.
Damian
Okay, Miss Establishment — challenge accepted.
Damian
Prepare to lose this election.
I give him my own ruthless smile in return.
Lynn
Give it your best shot, Skater Boy—
Lynn
And may the best candidate win!
By the end of the day, Damian already has posters on the walls.
"A VOTE FOR DAMIAN IS A VOTE FOR FLAMIN’ HOT CHEETOS!"
Surely everybody will know he’s a joke.
People start buzzing about his campaign.
The next day, I find Cheetos wrappers covering my posters.
Samantha and I tear the wrappers off…
Only to find what’s written underneath:
"A VOTE FOR LYNN IS A VOTE FOR BORING!"
My campaign retaliates by pasting new posters over all of his…
Because the challenge is ON.
When the day of the debate arrives…
The entire school is talking about our war.
Damian and I overshadowed the other opponents with our rivalry—
And they all dropped out.
Leaving just Damian and me.
I can’t wait to make mincemeat out of him on stage.
I can hear the murmur of the crowd behind the closed curtains.
Damian is already lounging at his podium.
Of course, he’s wearing another punk t-shirt…
Damian
This is your last chance—
Damian
Surrender now or be destroyed.
Lynn
Hah, right! Beating you is going to be easy.
Lynn
You don’t even have any notecards for the debate!
Damian
I’m not programmed to recite some boring speech…
Damian
Unlike some candidates I know.
Lynn
Are you calling me a drone?
Damian
Hey, if the skirt fits…
He glances at my perfectly ironed clothing.
I walk toward his podium.
Lynn
Brace yourself, Damian…
Lynn
Because by the end of this debate…
Lynn
I’m going to expose you for the joke you are.
Damian
Oh yeah? Well, if I’m such a joke…
Damian
Then why are you so afraid I’ll beat you?
Then stare into his eyes.
His eyes are a really gorgeous blue.
Lynn
Okay. You’ve had your fun…
Lynn
But it’s time to be honest—
Lynn
You don’t care about this school.
Lynn
Admit it and we’ll call this debate off.
Damian
But I was looking forward to getting you all riled up—
Damian
Just like you are right now.
I realize that he’s looking at my mouth.
There’s something different in his eyes—
Something that takes my breath away.
But the question fades in my mind as I realize…
That I’ve never seen Damian get this quiet.
Something inside me explodes.
Out of nowhere, I pull Damian to me, kissing him.
And as fiery as an inferno.
When I finally come up for breath…
Oh God…what did I just do??
Lynn
Wow, that was sure weird.
Lynn
Maybe I’m just stressed out about this debate or—
When he kisses me back, my world spins…
Damian’s eyes are filled with intense emotion.
Damian
Lynn, I’ve always wanted to tell you…
Then he looks toward the front of the stage.
I follow his gaze and discover something horrifying—
While we were squabbling, the curtains were opened…
And the whole school is now watching us.
Everyone has just seen me kissing my opponent.
But then someone calls out.
Student
That’s what this school could use—
Everyone starts to cheer.
Two spots of pink are on his cheeks.
Damian
I started to tell you, Lynn…
Damian
I only ran for office because I knew it would irritate you.
Damian
I didn’t take it seriously. But now…
Lynn
Something has changed?
Then links his fingers with mine.
Damian
I don’t have to be such a jerk about this.
Damian
I know how much being president means to you…
Damian
So it’s all yours.
I tighten my grip in his.
Lynn
Wait a minute, Damian…
Lynn
Shouldn’t we listen to our voters on this?
Everyone
"Teamwork! Teamwork!"
Lynn
Maybe they’re right—
Lynn
We should work together because this school does need some changes…
Lynn
And maybe that even includes a little anarchy.
Damian
Okay, but here’s the real question—
Damian
Are you ready for some anarchy in your life?
