Festival Preparations

The countdown to the festival felt faster for the student council. Days after the question of whether they can mix with other courses, they have yet to receive an answer. Sir Bobby isn’t the kind of guy who replies instantly.

“Pres,” Gregory went towards him to discuss whether they should follow up with the concern from days ago. “How long was my concern in his question queue?”

“Well,” He seemed hesitant. “It’s been 3 days.”

“Why does he even reply so long?” Gregory couldn’t handle his patience because it was starting to run out. “At this point, I want to oust him as advisor.” The president calmly laughs at that statement. Wraps his arm around his shoulder, like a true comrade.

“Gregory, at this point, why don’t you become president?”

“Hehe, I refuse, Francis.” He outright rejects him for the offer. “You’re more trusted since you’ve been here since freshman year.”

“Oh, don’t be so humble now,” Francis didn’t want to be outhumbled by his friend. “You know I’m graduating this year, right? So I need someone to take my throne.”

“Actually, I have someone in mind.” 

Gregory looks at the one person who can definitely be president. Francis also noticed who it is, and is amazed by his choice, but clearly, he has someone else in mind and plays with him instead. Both looked at each other and nodded. 

“Well?”
“I think he’s great, as long as his humour won’t affect work,” He goes back to work, looking at some documents. Gregory does the same, laughing at the statement. He sits down thinking it's just a normal day until someone barges in the door.

“Everyone!” It was Sir Bobby. Timing couldn’t be any later, but here he is. The most trusted and untrusted Student Council advisor. Simple clothing: polo shirt, slacks, and brown flat shoes. He enters the room, and he looks like in a hurry. “I’ll keep it short, about the mixing of the courses for the booth,” Everyone quietly stood up. “Well, yeah, the higher-ups want it to be course mates only.”

“Well, that sucks.” Oliver is disappointed. Sir Bobby noticed the frowning of Oliver's face. “Did you try to petition, sir?”

“Well, I tried, but…” That look is an obvious one for the student council, which they weren’t surprised by. 

“Sorry, but I know you have friends from other courses, but treat this as something to be closer to your coursemates.” He isn’t wrong after all. He may have a lot of things said behind his back, but he is a very passionate professor for them to hold on to. Oliver didn’t press further. He sits back and nods quietly.

“Alright, everyone, I have to go— oh, actually, before I do,” Sir Bobby didn’t want to forget something. He may be a good professor, but he can sometimes be forgetful. “The student council can join two booths.” 

Everyone didn’t expect that announcement from him. However, there was a catch. “One for all of you, one with your course mates. Alright, have a pleasant day!” He leaves in a hurry; his footsteps can be heard running faintly. The student council was in a mini-commotion with that announcement, but Oliver didn’t join.

“So,” External Vice President Barbara Peña initiates the plan. “Any plans?” Everyone gives their ideas on what to build. Some got big spaces to fill, some a small booth.

“Food stall?” Public Relations Officer Marcus Aguilar pitches in.
“Maybe sell some international food while we’re at it.” Everyone seemed to be agreeing with the suggestion. A food stall can introduce and promote cultural diversity for the university, which it needs.

“I mean, we haven’t done one in a long time, right?” Barbara questions the pitched idea. Everyone seemed to agree. This will be the biggest festival revival in the university. They have to go all out, or it will be all for naught. Oliver and Gregory, however, who are at the back, didn’t bother joining the pitching idea. One was thinking of the offer of Anna and Sam.

“Gregory?”
“Oliver?” Both looked at each other. May have been thinking the same thing. Both nodded and agreed. Something may brew up for their future.

“Oy! Greg and Oli!” Barbara notices them not joining the huddle. Oliver almost fell from his chair, while Gregory almost threw the paper. Both went to the rest and joined the pitched idea. Hours later, lunch time arrived. The same lunch table was used by the six. With Oliver and Gregory relaying the messages to them, they can’t help but express some disdain.

“Eh? Seriously?” Kelly says, while nibbling on her burger. 

“Why didn’t you barge into the higher-ups—”
“Do you want me to get suspended?” Oliver, with a serious tone to Kelly, which everyone hasn’t seen before.
“Sorry, I’m actually stressed.” His elbows rested on the table, his hands cupped his cheeks, and lets out a big sigh. Gregory and Eugenio comfort him. Stroking his back and his head. The girls felt bad for him, especially her. After what happened yesterday, she felt bad that she didn’t notice him. Her hand reached out slightly, but it hesitated.

“Well, it’s alright, we’ll just visit each other’s booth,” Trinity says, which gives hope for them to see and bond with each other. Oliver lets out another sigh, which is very heavy. “Hey, don’t be…”

“Yeah, yeah, you’re right…” He lets go of the disappointment and starts eating his food, way too fast. He doesn’t notice that he was eating fast, so he gagged. Coughing and coughing, the rest calmly pat his back. Aka gave him some water, which he received so quickly. Aka, however, may have thought of the grab differently, but brushed it off. He drank the water slightly, in batches.

“Hey, don’t be too stressed now.” Kelly calms him down. This is the first time they’ve seen Oliver in this state. He calms down after a while. He takes a deep breath.
“Take deep breaths, sir…” He takes the advice and does some breathing. He ultimately calmed down.

“Woo, that’s an adventure.” He laughs at his own mistake, seemingly trying to cover his stress, which isn’t the best solution.
“Alright, I’m gonna be ready for that festival.” His thoughts were on the festival’s success and preparations. Everyone was concerned about his well-being, but they tried to make it light for him and everyone else. They didn’t want their friend to break. Aka, however, is the most concerned for him.

“Should I motivate him? But, I kind of hurt him yesterday, didn’t I?”

“Aka?” Trinity calls her out, to which she immediately answers. “We’re gonna plan the booth, okay?” Aka nods and silently goes back to eating. Trinity notices she’s slipping back to her old self. However, she’ll observe her until the time is right.

“Eugenio, I’m dragging you with me,” Kelly says very proudly and intently.

“Well, there goes my—” She gives him another death stare, so that he didn’t expand his sentences again.
“Boredom because it’s gonna be fun!” She reverted to her jolly self when he said that. Everyone continued their lunch. It was the kind of noise where friends enjoy each other. As they went back to their classes, Oliver and Gregory noticed their two coursemates right outside their room. Both went towards them.

“Heya!” Sam greets them first. “Your decision?”

“Let’s form the group.” Gregory gives them their final decision. Both parties shook hands very firmly. Oliver, however, had a fake smile on his face. “Oliver and I are also in the student council booth, so go easy on us, would you?”

“Of course, we won’t stress you out.”

“Well, I already am,” Oliver says bluntly as Gregory gives him a light elbow. He gave him another stare; his eyes were bigger. Oliver didn’t want to say anything further, so he just made a face that clearly says, “Fine, fine…” As they entered the classroom, Anna had something to say to Oliver.

“Hey, if you need anything, I’m open…” She smiles at her statement to Oliver.

“Mmm.” That was his reply. She expected nothing would follow. Before he enters the classroom, he adds, “Likewise.” He says in a friendly tone, but for Anna, it felt different.

“I told you I can do better…”