CHAPTER TWO: INTERROGATION

Jouce walked in the council room and I started the meeting off by saying

"Maki's not attending again?"

Jouce replied "I looked for her everywhere and I couldn't find her.. I guess not."

Liora chimed in "So what do you want to do about Maki? She doesn't attend meetings she's known as this mysterious person among the council, not even teachers know quite clearly what she looks us."

"Don't think of it as a disadvantage Liora, in this situation she's as much use to us as you are."

Jouce replied "In what situation exactly? This little conspiracy you have?"

"Not a conspiracy anymore." I said, tossing a folded piece of paper on the table

The piece of paper wrote,

"

Leadership was not written in your story, yet here you are — stubbornly clinging to a role you stole from fate. You’ve asked too many questions. Followed too many footprints. Pushed too far into places meant to remain untouched.

Did you really think your intelligence shielded you? That logic would make you untouchable? That because you knew what others didn’t, you were safe from what they know?

There is a balance in this school — a quiet, delicate equilibrium. You’ve tipped it. You’ve made noise.
And now you’ve drawn eyes that do not blink.

Here’s what you must understand:

You were never supposed to make it this far.

You are not the smartest person in this building.

And if you keep trying to uncover the truth, you’ll discover something far more terrifying:

That the truth already knows you.

Walk away, President. Or don't.
Either way —
You're already a part of it.

"

"Scary" Jouce described

"So what're you planning to do?"

I stayed quiet, with my hands held together, There was a brief moment of silence in the room with Liora and Jouce looking at each other. "Let's try to solve this mystery case, huh?" I suggested

Jouce let out a deep sigh "This seems like alot of work. Me, Her and Maki don't even get compensated for this, you realize that right?"

Liora smiled, replying "Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because if this mutiny succeeds, your name is first on the chopping block?”

“But sure, keep acting like this doesn’t concern you. I’ll make sure they come for your locker first.”

Jouce was beat and kept a reluctant silence

"Fine, I'll get you that salary you've wanted since first week."

Jouce let out a happy smile "ALRIIIIIGHT!!!"

"Now stop smiling and start scheming."

The school guard knocked on and opened the council door "President Mike? I think you might want to take a look at this."

[ Elsewhere, in another part of school. ]

He stayed silent in defeat, Jouce looked back at me "Did Liora ever get the security camera footage we were looking for?" walking towards me

"I'm pretty sure, why?"

"I wonder, Wouldn't someone have already planned ahead in the event that happens?"

I scoffed saying "I know."

He added "Then why? This all just seems kind of hopeless. I cant say I wasn't onboard at first but grumbling in the hallways?? meeting up after classes?? This all just sounds like a coincidence. You can't say ripped up posters mean anything even if they were expensive because it's bound to happen brah."

I looked at him confused "Are you backing out?"

Jouce leaned up against a wall, "Nah I just-- Don't want us to be wasting our time over some something like this. I've been a student officer before too but the sound of a mutiny just sounds so ridiculous. What if we're chasing ghosts?"

I crossed my arms saying "What if we aren't?"

Liora quickly chimed in walking up towards us "I think we have exactly what we needed." holding a usb flash drive

"Speak of the devil." I muttered

Jouce turned around to the suspect "Don't move." intimidatingly

"I took a look earlier and you couldn't believe who and what I saw."

We both looked at Liora curiously

"Edgar Fritzgerald."

Jouce held a big suggestive grin on his face saying "Oh yes."

[ Much Later...  In a hallway]

"YooHooo!!" Jouce yelled out

Knock Knock..

"Good noon everyone, Is Edgar Fritzgerald here?"

He felt stares all around him, staring at each others contrast. Edgar Fritzgerald walked up, his golden slick hair shined at the suns gaze, although Jouce was held higher in regard because of social status and place in the council, Fritzgerald was held as the schools "Golden Boy." therefore, Jouce envied him

Jouce started the conversation saying "Hey, We need to talk."

"Yeah.. Sure, But if I can ask what's this about?"

Jouce replied "Come with me, You're needed."

"Needed? Me? What could I be possible needed for?"

"I personally don't even know, but it sounds important."

Fritzgerald reluctantly agreed, following Jouce

"Nice classroom." Jouce remarked

There was an awkward silence in the middle of them. Edgar Fritzgerald and Jouce walked side by side in the empty hallway, walking up towards the student council room. Edgars hands jittered and his breath was stiff. Meanwhile, Jouce kept a relaxed expression, keeping his shoulders high while smiling all the way through

"I hope you trust me Jouce."

Jouce looked at Edgar confused

"What?" Jouce asked

"This is clearly about something isn't it, so whatever it is I hope you take my side."

Jouce shrugged it off "Ofcourse." He said, continuing their walk

Knock Knock...

Jouce opened the door to the student council room

"Here he is." Jouce said, pushing his sun-glasses back

Edgar Fritzgerald stood infront of us, we all looked at each other before anyone said a word

"Come sit." I offered

Liora butt in directly saying "Let's cut to the chase Fritzgerald why did you tear over one of our campaign posters."

Fritzgerald was taken aback "S-Sorry? I don't know what you're talking about."

Liora turned on projector in the room and presented the incriminating evidence

"Boy!! You are under arrest!" Jouce exclaimed, pushing back his sun-glasses and walking behind Fritzgerald

Liora chimed in saying "You mind explaining?" while I kept my gaze directly at Fritzgerald

"Boy!! So much for being a 'goodie two-shoes', once everyone knows your reputation is gonna go to dirt!"

Fritzgerald, nervous replied "You're still upset over being second place?? Didn't I already give you the trophy?? wasn't that enough?? and please trust me when I say I didn't mean to do it! I swear!"

Jouce rebutted "Didn't mean to do it huuuuuh?  and what part of tearing over one of our campaign posters isn't voluntary?"

"I was bought out!! They asked me do it for them!! It wasn't my own decision!!"

"Bought out? By who?" Liora asked

"You?? Bought out?? Isn't your family super duper rich??"

I tilted my head in confusion

"I don't know their names, I promise I'd tell you all if I could. I just remember a letter appearing in my locker one day forcing me to do this. I'm genuinely sorry!"

"Letter huh? Do you still have the letter by any chance?" I asked

"I lost it along the way but I swear that's all I know!!"

"Weird question but.. this is my second year... Why ask?"

"Better to estimate how deep your connections are with people at this school." I thought

"You have heard of the recent 'mutiny' that's been going around right?" Jouce replied leaning back on his chair

"Mutiny..? I can't say I have."

Jouce stared at Fritzgerald barely squinting his eyes "Well what have you seen that.. you think seems suspicious?"

Fritzgerald scratched his chin "Let's see... I have  seen some of the other class presidents and officers talk after classes which they usually don't do... And so far... They seem to meet up at one place."

I quickly asked "Where?"

"Do you know about that coffee shop right in front of the school entrance? Right there.. I used to think it was normal... Just students casually hanging out after classes but as more and more of them piled up I did think it was oddly suspicious."

Jouce stupidly asked "Why were you at the coffee shop though?"

Confused, Fritzgerald replied "To.. get... Coffee..?(Bloody hell what are these questions?)"

Liora shook her head and palmed her face

Jouce scratched his head "How're we going to get through that..."

Jouce pulled out his phone, typed something out and showed it to Liora and I, "We could use Maki." He typed out

"What do you mean?" I asked

"Uhhh.. What's going on here?" Fritzgerald asked, tensing up

Jouce typed again "In the student council, Maki's the only one who isn't known.. Hell, Even during the election posters they had to use this blurry picture because the teachers couldn't get in touch with her, she's our best bet!"

Liora asked "You want to try?"

"I'm down but Maki gives me the heebie jeebies, I remember on our first ever board meeting she sat in the corner wearing a black face mask staring at us. If anyone planned to start a revolution against us she'd be in my top 10 guess."

I chuckled "Why shouldn't we? Let's show those revolutionaries what happens when you mess with me." standing up

Jouce cheered "Oh yeah!! Oh yeah!!" while Liora looked in confusion

Fritzgerald on the other hand sat in shock "Can I leave now?" Was riddled all over his face

"You can go now if you want" Jouce said after chuckling

Fritzgerald left the room, "I guess that concludes our meeting?" I asked

Jouce stood up first "Yeah I'm out--"

Liora rebutted "Didn't you say you were gonna clean the board room today?"

Jouce sat back down "Right I did say that didn't I?"

I kept quiet, saying "You all felt that didn't you?"

"Felt what?" They both simultaneously asked

"He can't be trusted."

Jouce let out a deep sigh "Whooph, I knew I wasn't the only one, His body his aura his aroma just didn't sit right with me."

Liora added "Me too, He was hesitant on giving out information.. I thought it was normal at first with how we were interrogating him but the actions definitely told signs he was let off less of what he truly knew."

"I don't think we should trust that coffee shop hint now, Every party might be on alert and find new places to hide at, It's best to keep a close eye on Fritzgerald, make sure to add that to Makis things to do Jouce."

"What? Why me!" Jouce added "I already have to clean! This is way above my pay-grade and I'm not even getting paid!"

"Because I told you so Jouce, Do me a favor like how you're cleaning this room."

I stood up, packed my things and walked outside, "Close the lights and bring the key before you lock the door and leave, Okay?" Liora following right behind me

"Riiiiight..."

Jouce was alone but his loneliness kept him company,

"I'm so tired." He thought, Laying back on a wall

"From Bell-Boy all the way to the secretary for the student council, man how I've grown!"

Jouce looked around the empty room and walked towards the bathroom

"Why did I sign up for this." Jouce muttered taking out a pack of Winston Black

After taking a puff, He thought "I have to check in with Maki if she's down to do the Job, Help Maki with the monthly budget sheet too.. Shit."

Jouce held the cigarette in his hand, looking at it deeply, he tightened his hand until the loose part of the cigarette snapped off, "Woops!" He said

A Knock was heard on the council entrance door followed by the door opening

"What the hell?" He thought quickly hiding the pack of cigars in the sink and blowing all the smoke out

He quickly opened the door to find a girl by the door way

"Hello." Jouce said walking closer letting out a friendly smile

Jouce added "So, what part of the enormous sign that says 'Do Not Enter' made you think "Oh, visitors must be welcome."?"

"I was sent for actually... By President Mike?"

Chuckling Jouce replied "The President asked for you, Great" leaning on the door against her "Then why were you out there? and not in here?"

There was a brief moment of silence before she replied with "Let's go ask him together!"

"Hm" I pushed the door slightly towards the exit pushing her slightly away

"Are you finished?" Jouce asked "What could Mike, President of the student council, the smartest kid in the school possible want from you?"

"That's between me and him and if you could--!" She said trying to push the door inside

Jouce chuckled slightly "You don't even know do you?"

"Do you think you could open the door? I was sent to give him these papers.. or at least place it here!"

"No I don't think I will.. I think maybe I'll close this door!"

"No! No no wait you're making a mistake!"

"No, I'm not goodbye." Jouce said pushing the door

She pushed her whole body against the door "Wait! Think how mad Mike will be once he finds out I have this important information! I'm Misa! Look I'm from Class 2-B.. I ran for Grade Representative against you guys in the last election! I'm trust-worthy! Me and him have history!"

Jouce leaned in closer "Election? "The Echo Party"? Our Rivals last Election? Your running for secretary guy nearly beat me by 100 votes."

"I am not... Your Rival.."

Jouce rolled his eyes and opened the door abruptly causing her to fall "I will be the judge of that."

Jouce walked forward, The cold breeze welcomed Misa, "This way Misa from 'The Echo Party'." Jouce said walking forward opposite of her from the table, He added "Now feel free to take in the cold breeze and sit wherever you want this is a rare sight for students.. especially people from the opposite party."

"Thank you... I was sent here to hand over this." She said pulling out an envelope and placing it on the table

Jouce tried reaching his hand out for it but Misa pulled it back "What the hell?" Jouce said

"I think this is for Mikes eyes only.."

"Well... Miss Genius, Mike just went outside not too long ago so I think its best for me to... relay this information?" He said chuckling

Misa pulled the envelope back further "I don't think I can trust that right now.."

"I'm literally part of the student council!" Jouce rebutted his voice getting slightly aggressive

"If you can't trust me that's fine that's cool.. We'll just have to call Mike ourselves!" Jouce said taking out his phone and quickly dialing Mikes phone number