CHAPTER 160: DEMONS FROM THE PAST

One Year Ago,

Eleanora High Assembly Hall

The auditorium was grand and echoing, its vaulted ceiling humming with the low buzz of student voices. Banners bearing the school crest hung from marble pillars, fluttering slightly under the slow whir of ceiling fans. The scent of polished wood and anticipation was thick in the air.

Rows upon rows of students, dressed in matching navy uniforms, filled the seats. Whispers moved like waves across the room. Everyone had been waiting for this...the Student Council Presidential Debate. It was more than just a school tradition. It was the event that defined the social order for the year.

On the stage, three podiums were arranged in a wide arc.

At the left stood Tasha, the stunning brunette with long, silky hair cascading down her back, her eyes soft yet clear, full of conviction. She adjusted the mic with a quiet grace, her fingers trembling just slightly.

In the center was Cassandra, the school’s golden girl. Bold, blonde and beautiful in a way that made others pause mid-sentence. Her smile could charm teachers and silence gossip. She scanned the crowd like she owned it, eyes glinting with amusement.

And at the far right was Megan White.

She didn’t smile. She didn’t need to. Her very presence was enough. Tall and composed, with silver-white hair falling down her back like silk, and sharp glasses framing her piercing gaze, she stood like someone who belonged on a throne, not a stage.

When the moderator.. a boy with a sharp gaze and sleek black hair cleared his throat, the hall fell instantly silent. He was an outgoing senior and the current president of the student council.

"Candidates, welcome.." he began. "We will begin now with your opening statements. Miss Smith, you may go first."

Tasha stepped forward. The mic crackled slightly. She took a breath, grounding herself. Then, with a voice calm and sure, she began.

"Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Natasha Smith, and I’m running to be your student council president.. not because I want to be in charge, but because I want to serve."

A hush swept across the hall. Her voice carried with clarity.

"I know what it feels like to sit at the back of a classroom and feel unheard. I know what it’s like to be part of a school where some voices seem louder than others. But I believe that every voice deserves to echo through these halls."

She paused, letting her words sink in. Then she continued, speaking of reforms, student welfare, and ambitious projects that would elevate Eleanora High’s reputation even further. Her words were passionate, her delivery flawless. Then eventually, she came to a conclusion.

"So if I’m elected, I promise to make real changes. I want better communication between students and faculty. I want a suggestion platform where you can speak and be heard. I want to open doors... not just literally, like keeping the library open late, but metaphorically, for opportunity, for fairness, and for support."

The crowd leaned in, excitement spreading through their bones.

"This school is made up of more than grades and rankings. It’s made of us, our stories, our strengths, our struggles. And I want to represent all of us. I want to represent you... and I hope you will let me. Thank you."

When she finished, there was silence.

Followed by a single clap. Then two. Then the room erupted into thunderous applause. A standing ovation. Even the moderator looked stunned. Teachers nodded in appreciation. Some students whistled. A few wiped their eyes. Tasha stepped back, overwhelmed, blinking away the emotion behind her composed exterior.

The moderator turned to the right.

"Miss White, your statement."

Megan didn’t step forward right away. She stood still, then finally walked to the mic, heels clicking softly against the polished stage. She stared out into the crowd, expression unreadable.

"I won’t be giving a campaign speech."

Confusion rippled through the hall. But Megan wasn’t finished.

"I’m officially stepping down from the race."

Silence. Then gasps of shock and confusion. Megan was the one with the highest chance of winning the election. But she had suddenly quit.

"I was going to run. I had a plan. But something changed. A.. friend of mine suggested I apply for the Global Combat Tournament this year."

"And I did."

The crowd exploded. The GCT—the most important international combat tournament in the world? Whispers filled the room instantly.

"I was accepted into the list of qualifiers. That means I’ll be training harder than ever. I’ll be focusing on something bigger than myself. I can’t serve as president and give it the focus it deserves. And if I can’t do something fully, I won’t do it at all."

She stepped back. But before she did, she made a final statement.

"To those of you who believed in me, thank you. Truly. I hope I’ll still make you proud. Just... in a different arena."

The room erupted again...

"Megan’s going global. Hell yeah!"

"I can’t believe this, someone from our year is actually going for the tournaments."

"Well, if anyone of us dared go for the global tournaments, it’s Megan."

"Good luck, Megan. We’re wishing you all the best."

Praises, cheers, applause, shouting. Even students who had feared her now admired her. Megan stood tall, calm, as if the storm of noise didn’t touch her. She bowed slightly and returned to her podium.

The moderator, though stunned, nodded. "Very well then. Miss Isley, you’re up." he said.

Cassandra took her place, sauntering to the mic with a smile.

The crowd immediately bursting into cheers. Chants of "CASSIE! CASSIE!" echoed through the hall. Boys whistled. Girls waved. Her popularity was unmatched. But when the cheering faded, she too delivered a curveball.

"I’m withdrawing as well," she said, a playful smile dancing on her lips.

Confusion returned. Then chaos.

"What?! Not you too."

"What the hell is going on? Why is everyone suddenly dropping out?"

"No, Cassandra, you can’t quit too. We were gonna vote for you."

Cassandra’s lips curled into a small, sorry smile.

"I have to admit—I didn’t originally plan to run. I joined the race last-minute, mostly to experience the challenge of an election. I thought it would be thrilling. And it was."

She turned toward Tasha.

"But the truth is... I was never the right choice for president. She was."

A collective gasp.

"I’ve seen how Tasha listens. How she acts. How she cares. She doesn’t just talk about change, she’s already living it. And after hearing her speak today, I knew it. I admire her. I trust her. And you should too."

She turned back to the crowd.

"So I’m dropping out. And I’m asking all of you... if you were going to vote for me, vote for her instead."

A moment of stunned silence. The students were contemplating at first. But then, they realised something...

"Well, if Cassandra and Megan are out of the race, there’s no one else to vote for besides Tasha anyways."

"Yeah, and she’s not so bad. I liked her speech... plus, I think she’s pretty."

"I think she would make a great president."

"Yay! Go Tasha."

And then the wave began.

"Tasha! Tasha! Tasha!"

The chant spread like fire. Some students stood on chairs. Others pounded the floor with their shoes. Teachers tried to quiet them, but failed. It was unanimous. Uncontainable.

From the side of the stage, Tasha watched, stunned. She looked to Megan who gave her a rare nod of approval.

Then her shifted to Cassandra, who gave her a soft, knowing smile.

She was elated. Happy beyond measures. Because now, she didn’t just automatically become president, she also became everyone’s favourite.

Some students spread rumours like Tasha gained victory because Cassandra and Megan had planned it for the start, and that it was some sort of power play. While others considered it to be pure luck.

But one thing was certain... Tasha would win the election unopposed and unrivalled.

Later that day,

The debate hall had long emptied, its once-buzzing energy now a distant echo. Students had dispersed, conversations faded, and footsteps vanished into the hush of the evening.

Tasha made her way down the dim corridor, heading toward her classroom to retrieve her things. The door creaked slightly as she pushed it open, revealing rows of empty desks bathed in the orange glow of the setting sun filtering through the windows.

Her backpack lay slung carelessly over the back of her chair, right where she had left it. She grabbed it and turned to leave, her footsteps soft against the linoleum floor.

As she stepped into the hallway, she stopped short.

Cassandra stood a few meters away, still and silent, as though she’d been waiting there the whole time.

Tasha froze, her breath caught in her chest. But then, slowly, her shoulders relaxed. Her stance shifted, less guarded now, and her gaze softened.

Cassandra offered a wry smile and took a step forward. "Hey, Tasha," she said gently.

Tasha gave a small nod. "Hey, Cassie."

"Congrats on becoming president." Cassandra said.

Tasha chuckled, her voice light but tired. "Well, I’m not exactly president until the election is concluded, but... thanks."

Cassandra nodded. A sullen silence settled between them, thick with all the things left unsaid.

Tasha broke it. "Look... about the other day. I’m really—"

"It’s fine," Cassandra cut in quickly. "I deserved it. I’m just glad that everything worked out in the end."

Tasha smiled wryly. "Yeah, it did."

A small sigh escaped Cassandra. Then, almost hesitantly: "I’m sorry for... betraying you, Tasha." Her voice cracked ever so slightly. "I had to do what I did to ensure your victory, and I promise I’ll explain everything. Please just—"

"It’s okay, Cassie," Tasha interrupted softly. "I’m not mad anymore. I know that you did it for me."

Cassandra’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. Then she exhaled, almost in disbelief. "Jessica told you, didn’t she?"

"She did," Tasha replied. "But I already knew before she did."

Cassandra snickered, the sound dry but warm. "Was that before you lashed out at me or after?" she teased.

Tasha sighed, looking away. "It was after. I overheard your conversation with Jessica. But about the..." She hesitated, her voice catching. "I’m sorry, Cassie. I was just so angry... I felt betrayed."

Cassandra’s smile softened. "It’s okay. I’m not mad. If anything, I should be the one apologizing. But... we’re good now, right?"

Tasha nodded, her smile returning, sincere and steady. "Yeah, we are."

Cassandra let out a long breath, one she’d clearly been holding. "Okay, good. I don’t think I can survive another day without you. I’ve missed you, gurl," she chuckled, nudging the air between them.

Tasha laughed, the tension melting away for a moment.

But then, the laughter faded. Silence fell again, more thoughtful this time.

Tasha looked at her, something still lingering in her expression. "But... I’m just curious about something."

Cassandra raised a brow. "What’s that?" she asked.

Tasha’s eyes narrowed, her gaze turned serious. "Why didn’t you tell me?"