Festival Preparations (Part 3)

Building A is the oldest building in the University. That’s where the majority of the students spend their time in the classroom for years. As for the Public Administration majors, that has been their house for a long time. Just by the Building A grounds is where Aka and Trinity are. Fixing and planning their suggested booths with their teammates, it seems they are getting along quite easily.

“Suggestions, anyone?” Trinity asks the group if it’s a perfect plan. One raises its hand.

“How much do we need to pitch in?” That’s Leon Castro, the highest achiever in their class. A very smart man, but, at most points, a stingy character. “I really don’t want to spend too much.”

“Does P2,000 (around $34) sound good for the whole three days?” Everyone thought about it, that Leon had to take out his calculator to calculate the products. Talk about efficiency and saving money. It took a while for them to calculate that he consults the rest before Trinity. Aka, on the other hand, who was sitting on the bench, grabs her by the shoulder. She sits down beside her.

“Aka?”
“I don’t think that money is enough, I guarantee.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Inflation.” 

That sums up everything that has happened around them that even Aka is aware of more than Trinity. She whips out her phone and checks the trusted online grocery she always goes to. It did, in fact, slightly increase the banana prices by 2%. Aka sees this and is absolutely concerned. 

“I think you need to increase the price even though it will hurt our wallets.” 

Trinity stood up and went to their team about to give them a hurtful announcement. All of a sudden, the student council radio is broadcasting.

“Good day, everyone! A short announcement from the student government of Blue International.” Everyone listened to the speakers near them. Anticipation is building inside them since they don’t know what it’s about. The short anthem of the Student Council plays, and Francis was behind the live microphone by the broadcast booth.

“Good day, this is Francis Marabatan, the Student Government President. I am delighted to announce that the festival booth incentives and cash aid will be sent to each booth starting later. Please expect a representative to come to find you in your respective classrooms. Good day to you all!”

Trinity’s group didn’t expect the announcement, but incentives are incentives, as they say. Trinity, with that announcement on her head, can calm herself down with the cash pitch-ins. The same for Aka and the rest. 

“Well, that made things better for us,” Trinity says under her breath. The plan continues for them in the school grounds of Building A.

Somewhere around Building B, Eugenio and Kelly are planning what to sell. The two have created a team as well for their Education block. The plan went smoothly, and everyone seemed to agree on the selling product.

“Beads?” Eugenio questioned the product but thought about it for a moment. “You know what, custom beads and a necklace would be great!”

“See? Not a bad one…” Kelly agrees with what he just said, “All thanks to Vivian!”

“Oh, you’re too kind, Kelly.” 
Vivian Winston, the most reliable and humble classmate Eugenio and Kelly have. A true classmate who relies on everyone’s participation. Born in the United States, she grew up in the Philippines with her grandfather, who thrives on reliance. “I should thank each one of you that you agreed to my suggestion.”

“Aw, Vivian!” Everyone says. They went back to planning, and Eugenio grabbed his bag filled with materials for decorations. Japanese paper, other decorations, and some colored materials were present, and he lightly placed them on the floor. “These are the materials we’ll use to put on the booth.”

“Perfect!” Kelly says with enthusiasm. The plan may as well go their way. Vivian starts getting the papers and cuts them according to the instructions. The rest does the same.

“Wait,” Their groupmate starts to question something that may seem important for them.
“How about the booth size?” They have a point about the size of the booth for the festival. Kelly, however, has a response,

“I can ask my friend from the Student Government.” Truly a perk for having a really close friend in the council. She gets her phone and texts the person about their concern.

Kelly: Gregory?
Gregory: Kelly?
Kelly: Is it all right if you can provide the size of the booth?
Gregory: How big are you guys planning?

Kelly sees this message and relays it to the group, “How big do you guys want it to be?” All thought of it for a while, and one took a peek at the Quadrangle, where the festival will take place.

“Does 1.5 Meters in length sound good?” He suggests that the size, since ⅔ of them will be inside. Kelly messages the size to Gregory.

Kelly: 1.5 meter-ish
Gregory: We could work with that.
Kelly: You’re such a savior!

“‘We could work with that,’ he says.” The group applauded the fast reply Gregory had for Kelly. Truly an advantage when you have that kind of friend.

“Thanks, Tom!”
Tom Trinidad, the most accurate person the group recruited for. He thrives in numbers and calculations, hence, a Mathematics Major in Education.

“Of course! I’m happy I joined this group!” He says excitedly while cutting the paper. Everyone smiled at that statement as they continued with their preparations. As the excitement for the festival continues for the students, in the student council room, stress and excitement are what play for them in the room.

“Pres, are we ready to distribute the incentives?” Charlie asks Francis about the announcement made earlier. It’s going to be a group effort. Francis nods as he fixes his things. 

“How about the rest?” Everyone nods too. Ready to go out.

“Did you mention anything about which building we’ll go to?” Steve asks him about the unspoken agreement.

“Right. Uh, anyone calling dibs on a building?” Everyone hesitated over which building complex to choose. No one raised his or her hand for the next second. Charlie randomly assigns a building to them.

“Okay, the four of us at A. The rest, B. I’ll message in the group chat on who to go to.” He didn’t waste time as he wanted to get this over with. 

“Alright, let’s go.” 

Everyone goes to their respective buildings. By the entrance at Building A, it was Gregory, Charlie, Francis, and Barbara. While walking to different rooms, they had a casual talk about their futures.

“Francis, do you have anyone who will take over your seat?” Charlie asks about the future of the throne being seated right now. For them, it is a big deal who will take the lead for the next year once Francis graduates.
“Francis?” He was too focused on the task that his ears looked completely shut off, but he fortunately heard it.

“I do… have one in mind, but,” He asks the two second years as they arrive at the first room.
“Will you accept the person?” Francis knocks on the door and provides the incentives to the first group. They walked towards the next assigned room.

“Pres, when you said accept the person, what do you mean?” Charlie asks a thoughtful question because he clearly doesn’t know who the person may be, but is eager to know who it is.

“He may not look like a potential candidate for most, however,” He stands in front of the door, before knocking, he continues,
“I do trust my judgment.” He knocks on the door and provides the incentives. The two looked like they needed to accept fate for whoever it is. Barbara, calm and quiet during the walk, puts each of her hands on the shoulders of the two.

“He talked with me, don't worry, I trust the person, too.” She smiles at the two and gives them a pat on the back. The two didn’t need to worry further. As they approached the next room, in the other building, it was Oliver, Marcus, Steve, and Megan. While the Building A people are natural with each other, these four are awkward. No one has talked since stepping into the building. They have given the incentives to three of the ten booths assigned from Building B. The walk to the next room was slow, and they took their time in the hallway. It got more awkward as they approached the room.

“So,” Oliver initiates the conversation first.
“We’re ready for the… festival, right?” Everyone agrees and nods. Silence followed. Well, that shut down completely. As they finished giving out the next incentives, the walk again was slow.

“Oliver,” Megan calls him out of nowhere, which is kind of unexpected for him, at least.
“Who do you think will replace Francis?” Oliver looked at her, looking a bit down, maybe because she’ll miss him too much.

“I can’t say for sure, but we've got to accept the fact that someone will replace him.” It wasn’t the answer she was hoping for, but it did give some hope to the future of the student council.

“I promise,” Marcus clenched his fists.
“I’m gonna quit the student council if it’s who I think it is.” Oliver and the rest don’t know who Marcus is talking about, but he may have bad blood with the person.

“What are you talking about, Marcus?” Steve asks as the senior of the group. He has seen the ups and downs of the student government so much that he cares for it more than anyone. “You know how hard it is to find a replacement like yours?” 

He took the liberty of pulling out that card. However, even though he is the senior, Marcus didn’t take the words to heart.

“I’m sorry, Steve, but I really have a person that I don’t want seeing as president.” Marcus’ gaze was different. Megan and Oliver took a step behind Steve, so that he could confront Marcus. He takes a step forward, hands at the wall to stop him from his tracks, with nobody around.

“Listen,” His aura was so strong that Oliver didn’t try to separate him from Marcus. Megan, who was terrified, has never seen this kind of action from Steve.
“Francis already told Barbara and me who it is.” Francis relayed the information to his two most trusted officers.
“In fact, I quite like the guy, now, if this is the same person you despise, you're not gonna like me after what will happen to you.” 

The words sent chills down Megan and Oliver’s spines.

“Uh, Steve?” Oliver approaches him, seemingly trying to make him go forward. “The incentives.” Steve snapped back, and his aura was back to normal. Especially the way he speaks. 

“Oh, I apologize, shall we?” 

They continued to walk, and Marcus didn’t talk after. He went dead silent. As for the throne discussion, that will come later. The festival arc will commence in 72 hours.