ROSES HAVE THORNS-Chapter 40 - The Ten Representatives

Beep!

[Attention all students. Before you leave for the end of the school day, please be reminded that tomorrow, which is Friday the 20th, will be an off day much like the rest of next week.

The academy premises will still be open but no classes will occur in preparation for the tournament. If you have club activities in which you need to attend, please do so.

To all those that are representing our academy please use this time wisely to ready and strengthen yourselves. And to all those watching and supporting, we hope you enjoy this extended leave. Thank you.]

Ding-Dang-Dong

The academy bell rang signaling the end of the school day. Emelie, who was lying on her desk, pretending to sleep, waited for everyone to leave the classroom first since she knew what was coming next.

’No matter how many times I lay here and wait, it won’t change the outcome for what’s about to come. I can jump down the window and try to escape but I’d just be caught at the bottom anyway. *Sigh* there’s no stopping the inevitable. Let’s just get this over with.’

Emelie then sat up, slung her bag over her shoulder and lazily made her way out the classroom. She held her hand on the door and took a deep breath to mentally prepare herself.

’Here we go...’ She slowly opened the door and was met with the two things she hated most in life. Especially when they come hand in hand.

People and attention.

"""""EMELIE!!!"""""

The entire hallway was packed to the brim with students, staff and a few teachers. All of them, clapping and applauding for her as she walked out down the river of cheers.

"Good luck with your training, Emelie!"

"Use this time to prepare yourself thoroughly, Ms. Herst."

"You’re the best for a reason Emelie! Keep up the good work!"

"C-Can I shake your hand before you leave?"

"I LOVE YOU EMELIE HERST!!!"

’Argh! These people are so annoying! I hate going through this every. single. time.’ She thought as she power-walked through the crowd.

When she finally made it out of the building she was then met with the rest of the representatives. They stood on opposite ends of each other, making way for her to walk between.

The first she walked past were the twin sisters belonging to class 1-A, Summer and Autumn Wingard.

"This is the last time we’ll see each other before the tournament, senior!" Summer clapped her hands as she looked at Emelie in admiration.

Autumn, however, crossed her arms as she puffed up her cheeks, "Yeah! You better be even stronger the next time we see you, so that we can beat you and get our revenge!"

"Mm." Emelie nodded.

The second she walked past were two 4th year students. Zack, who had a giant black scarf covering half his face and Lily Mathers, who had the aura of a loving mother watching her child leave her home and becoming independent.

Zack and Emelie simply looked at each other. Both shared the face of understanding that they’d rather be anywhere else.

"I’m going to miss not seeing you, Emelie! You take care of yourself, ok?" Lily pulled her into her giant bosom.

"You’re suffocating me Lily." Emelie sounded muffled as she tried to speak.

"Oops! Sorry, ha ha."

Finally, waiting at the end of the line was the student council’s Vice President, Victor Moor, and the President, Amber Strongwill.

"With your strength and discipline, we would’ve loved to have you on the council. But alas a bet’s a bet. I had a month to recruit you in yet your will remains strong and thus you won our little game. I hope to see that same energy when we meet again at the tournament, Emelie."

Amber stretched out her hand to which Emelie proceeded to shake.

"I told you trying to recruit me is useless, President Amber. I’ve already got enough on my plate with my personal life to be thinking about managing a whole academy of children."

"C-Children!? Y-You insolent! Aren’t you practically a child as well!" Victor barged in.

"How about we take this to the arena and I’ll show you who the child really is. Spoilers though, you’ll get your ass kicked like the million other times you tried getting up in my face."

"Y-You little–"

"Okay, that’s enough from you two." Amber pulled Victor away from Emelie.

"But President she–"

"She has already proven herself to be the strongest amongst us here. I’d be silly for you to start a fight with her only to injure yourself when the tournament is just around the corner. So please just think of what she said as a simple joke, right Emelie?"

"Yep."

"See! We’re all friends here."

While Amber tried calming Victor, Emelie made a smug face towards him as if to make fun of him for actually being treated like a child.

"W-What! You little-"

"By the way Amber." Emelie intervened before things could escalate, "I don’t see the prince or princess anywhere. Gary also isn’t here. What happened to them?"

"Ah yes, Kiana and Maxwell, Jr. were called in by the royal guards at around lunch break so they left early. Gary on the other hand was last seen in the courtyard during break with a friend. *Sigh* I assume they must’ve found a way to ditch classes early somehow since I couldn’t find him anywhere."

’Normally the three of them would’ve also been here. *Tsk* Something must’ve changed again. Come to think of it, I didn’t see Gary nor Austin during class. No wonder it was so quiet. They’re probably doing something stupid that’ll land them in trouble. Meh, who cares about that shitstain.’

"I see. I was only asking because you all gathered here for this grand farewell even though it’s only for a week."

"The most important week of the year I’d say. I do hope you prepare yourself well and get lots of rest. You may not know this but a lot of people are counting on you to be at your best. So let’s not disappoint them." 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

"When have I never been at my best?" Emelie smiled. "Don’t worry Amber, I got this. I’ll be counting on you as well."

"On all of us, Emelie," Amber spread her arms and posed in front of the rest of the representatives. "You can count on all of us because we’re a team."

"... Right. Thank you, Amber, and you all. See you next week." Emelie waved to them and said her goodbyes.

...

Once inside of her dorm room, Emelie threw her bag on her bed and plopped down on it while facing the ceiling.

’Finally. With the academy out of the picture for the entirety of next week, I can focus all my efforts into stopping the cult’s plan.’

The room’s exit door opened and in came Amy looking like she just walked through a storm.

"Emelie, you’re here first? That figures I guess. You know I could barely make it out of my own classroom let alone the academy. The place was packed to the brim of students wishing the representatives good luck. Even the ones in my class, Summer and Autumn, were not spared."

Amy then also threw her bag on the bed and plopped down on it.

"No wonder you told me to just go straight here instead of waiting for you at the gate as usual. I’d imagine you must’ve gotten the worst of it, ha ha."

"I did. I even saw one guy rip open his shirt and begged me to sign it with a permanent marker. Said he’d be priceless after I win the tournament. Which makes no sense cause what will he do? Sell himself?"

"Did you sign it?"

"Of course not.... He got dragged away before I even opened the marker."

"Pfft! Ahaha! You’re so mean, Emy! What if he was actually gonna sell himself!"

"Heh heh." Emelie chuckled, "It would’ve been a funny story to say the least. Say Amy, how’s the media club been doing? You got any activities going on next week?"

"The club’s doing just fine. Although they did tell me to tell you that they appreciate you saving me after that whole display tag debacle."

"Damn that sounded like a whole tongue twister. You alright?"

"Ha! You’ve never heard a real tongue twister before have you?. Listen to this: Peter Piper–"

knock knock

"Go away!" Emelie shouted. "I’m not in the mood for signing anything!"

"But Emy, what if it’s for me?" Amy got up from her seat to open the door.

"Then that makes it even better."

When she opened the door she saw her neighbour who stays in the room opposite theirs.

"Yes?" Amy asked.

"Hi Amy. Is Emelie here."

"She is but she’s not in the mood to see anyone."

"O-oh. Can you tell her to go to the common room? There’s someone here to see her. They said it’s very important."

"Ok! Will do!" Amy ran back inside. "Emelie, there’s someone here to see you in the common room."

"Did you ask who it is?"

"Oops!" Amy ran back to the door, but she was already gone. "Sorry, I guess I didn’t... But they said it’s very important!"

"Haaa...Amy..." Emelie kicked herself back up and walked to the door. "I swear if this is nothing you owe me a tub of ice cream."

"Ehhhhhhh!"

Emelie closed the door and made her way down to the common room. When she got to the bottom of the stairs she saw a familiar silhouette and eyepatch.

’Kurt?’