The Drop

"And now," the Principal’s voice boomed over the PA system, echoing through the gym, "please welcome your Student Body President, Julian Thorne!"

Applause erupted. It was a tidal wave of sound.

Julian straightened his tie. He grinned at Chloe. "Showtime."

He stepped away from the road case and moved toward the gap in the curtains that led to the stage stairs. He expected to find Mia there. He always found Mia there.

And she was.

Mia stood in the shadows, the silver dress shimmering faintly. Her face was pale, her expression unreadable.

Relief washed over Julian’s face. "Mia! Thank God. I thought you got lost."

He reached out his hand, palm up. Expectant.

"Do you have the cards? I’m on in ten seconds."

Mia looked at his hand. It was the same hand that had touched her hair last night. The same hand that had placed the rose on her desk.

"Mia?" Julian’s smile faltered. He glanced toward the stage, where the spotlight was waiting. "Come on, Mia. Give them to me."

Mia looked him in the eye.

"It’s strategy," she whispered.

Julian froze. His eyes widened. The color drained from his cheeks as the realization hit him. He knew she had heard.

"Mia," he hissed, his voice dropping to a frantic whisper. "Wait. It’s not—I didn't mean—"

The applause was dying down. The silence of the microphone was growing heavy. The school was waiting.

"I can't do this without those cards," Julian pleaded. The charm was gone, replaced by naked panic. He wasn't the Golden Boy anymore. He was just a boy who hadn't done his homework. "Mia, please. I need you."

Mia looked at the stack of cards. *Unity. Inspiration. Legacy.* Her words. Her soul, typed out on cardstock.

She didn't throw them. She didn't tear them up. That would have been dramatic, and Mia wasn't dramatic. She was efficient.

She simply opened her hand.

The cards fluttered to the floor. They scattered like dead leaves, sliding across the dusty concrete.

Julian stared at the mess on the floor. He looked back at her, mouth open, paralyzed.

"Mia?"

Mia didn't answer. She turned on her heel, the silver dress swirling around her legs, and walked toward the emergency exit.

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