The Other Girl

Chapter XIV

"Stella!" Stacey called, waving me over after my Econ class—a bore complete with a droning teacher. "You've got to go down to the quad."

    "Dare I ask why?" I asked, raising a brow.

    "Just go," she responded before rushing to her next class. Slightly unnerved, I made my way to the quad to find that a booth had been set up on the side with the catchphrase "Cupcakes for Kim!" There was a small crowd in front of the table topped with cupcakes, a few snacking on cupcakes. Walking over, I tried to remain calm and not turn on my heels and run.

    "Kimberly!" I called, spotting the familiar brunette behind the counter. "Can I borrow you for a few minutes?"

    "Stella!" Kimberly greeted, raising a rainbow sprinkle-topped, white-frosted treat to me. "Cupcake?"

    "Thanks, but I need to run," I responded smoothly, hooking her arm and leading her behind the booth to an isolated patch in the quad. "So what's with the girl scout-wannabe gig?"

    "We're fundraising," Kimberly enthused, taking a bite of her cupcake. "Need to get funds from somewhere, right?"

    I mentally groaned—fundraising? What are you, in high school? Our school didn't "fundraise"—we spent money. The last time I heard the word "fundraise" was at a charity program, and our elections were not charity.

    "Kimberly, I think that you're taking this a little far," I started slowly. "We don't have fundraisers around here—what are you planning that you can't pay for?"

    "I don't have any funds in the bank like the other candidates," Kimberly said with a frown. "Elections are in two weeks and the other candidates have already started advertising themselves by hosting parties and stuff."

    "They don't have funds either," I explained impatiently. "Everything they've done was paid personally, and the chancellor can't do anything about it since they can just pass it off as a party."

    Kimberly looked surprised at my words, her mouth opening and closing like a guppy.

    "Oh Kimberly, did you really think the students at a esteemed private school for the rich weren't going to abuse their wealth?" I asked, sighing. "Carry on with the fundraiser, but do try to get your funds from elsewhere next time—it's degrading to have a council president, elected or not, grubbing for money."

    Just as I was getting ready to leave—buying a complimentary cupcake and telling the cashier to keep the change—cheers erupted from the school gates. Half the football team charged towards the cupcake stall, shouting and hooting. When the crew arrived, the sea of navy and white uniforms parted for a lone figure with a bouquet of white roses.

"Kimberly Morgan," Calum said, blue eyes unintelligible from my angle. "Will you be my girlfriend?"

A wave of wolf-whistles and howls followed his question. I spotted Chad in the crowd, pumping his hands up to rally the group into further fervor. Before I could collect my wits enough to form a thought, the world went silent as Kimberly opened her mouth to speak.

"Thank you so much for all of this, Calum," she said, cheeks red but eyes resolved, "but I can't accept. I have to focus on my campaign first."

A roll of groans ensued, but Calum pushed on.

"Then after the election?" he asked, approaching the petite brunette in a hoodie and shorts. "What about then?"

"Then," Kimberly started, taking a step away from Calum as he neared her before stopping to face him. "Then, yes."