The Rise - Chapter 51

It was after school and George was at home watching the NNA broadcast about the school election. He was sitting on the couch wrapped up in the embrace of his mother.

“Hello, good afternoon, this is the NNA, it’s Wednesday April 18th and I’m Jennifer Jordan. Returning to our Unitare Election special segment, we have breaking news that the son of Prime Minister Theodore Tomhawk, George, has been disqualified. Sources state that this was linked to his appearance on the popular PopEight magazine cover, however details of the incident are unknown as of yet.”

George’s mother rubs his shoulder and kisses his head.

“Don’t worry dear, your father fell many times. Look where he is today.” she said comforting him

“On your screen are the latest polls in the election.” said Jennifer

George takes out his phone and looks at all the messages and missed calls from Layla. He puts the phone back into his pocket and returns his attention to the TV.

“George Tomhawk seems to have fallen from the previous polls drastically, and Leon Lapuzi has made a miraculous leap to lead the race factoring in George’s disqualification. Sinclair Vinzent is lagging behind in second place having made no considerable gains from the previous round of the polls. Due to the unexpected resignation of the Minister of Education this morning, we have invited Karl Umpire once again.”

The angle of the cameras switch to show Karl and Jennifer in the same frame.

“Dr. Umpire, do you believe the resignation of the Minister was a coincidence or does it perhaps have a link to the Unitare election?” asked Jennifer

“Let’s call it what it is, Jennifer, it wasn’t a resignation it was a clear firing. The facts are that the Minister of Education directly controls the staff of Unitare High School, there are no superintends that run it, presumably due to it’s political importance. Immediately after the firing of the Minister, the replacement Minister fired the principal of the school. As I said earlier, Hilda Cottonwood is close friends with Elizabeth, and now by some ‘coincidence’, Elizabeth is the principal of the school.” said Karl

“But these are huge allegations, Dr. Umpire, the implications of which mean our Prime Minister is working for a retired politician – Hilda Cottonwood. How can you possibly corroborate such claims.” said Jennifer

“I always believe strongly that people are not ignorant or foolish. It is clear that something suspicious is going on. The firing of the Minister was only a few hours after the disqualification of the Prime Minister’s son, George. Perhaps Hilda used George’s disqualification to get what she wanted. After-all, her grandson is running the election.” said Karl

“But what of the argument that the Prime Minister was not happy that his son was disqualified on the Minister of Education’s watch and so removed her for that reason?” asked Jennifer

“It would mean our Prime Minister is perhaps emotional unstable, and not fit for leadership. I believe this is a fair argument, but highly unlikely, there are greater powers at play.” said Karl

George looks up to his mother with his eyebrows burrowed.

“Do you think it’s true…?” he asked her

Suddenly there was a knock at the door.

George looked at the door with a cautious stare. He slowly got up and went to the window by the door to peak at who was at the front. It was Leon with his head lowered and covering his face with his jacket as paparazzi, who weren’t there earlier, were cascading him with flashes of their cameras and asking him for statements. George opens the door and quickly pulls Leon into the house.

George’s mother turns her head around and notices Leon as he enters the house. She gets up slowly and leaves the living room to go to her room.

“What are you doing here? And you brought the paparazzi to my house?” said George aggressively

“No, they were here when I came” said Leon

George looks at the TV and sighs.

“News travels fast…” said George

“Crap, is that about the disqualification” said Leon looking at the TV

“You would know all about it, apparently your grandmother is running everything around here. You know, when you brought her up in the speeches I thought it was a desperate attempt to give yourself legitimacy. But now everything is adding up, maybe she isn’t just another retired politician.” said George spitefully

“I didn’t come here to talk about politics George.” said Leon

Meanwhile in her room, George’s mother, Ellis, was on the phone with Theodore.

“Honey, you won’t believe who just showed up. Leon Lapuzi.” she said

“Why?” said Theodore

“I’m not sure, but he and George are talking right now. Did you watch the news?” she asked

“Yes” he replied

“Is it true?”

“Might as well be.” said Theodore

“I trust you have everything under control?” she said

“Of course, I’ll do what I need to do to take care of this.” said Theodore.

Ellis hung up the phone and went downstairs to meet Leon.

“Ah, Leon, what a pleasant surprise.” said Ellis interrupting George and Leon’s arguing.

Leon quickly stood up straight and faced Ellis.

“Hello Mrs. Tomhawk, I’m sorry to show up like this unannounced.” he said lowering his head.

“Oh please, it’s fine. Since you’re here, what would you like to drink?” she asked

“There’s no need mother, he’s just about to leave.” said George

“Yes, it’s actually okay – I’ll be brief” said Leon

“Nonsense, I wouldn’t be able to face your mother. Go on George, take our guest to the kitchen and fix him up a drink, whatever he likes” she said smiling with that motherly commanding presence.

There was no more discussion – George had to obey. He reluctantly lead Leon to the kitchen.

“What do you want?” said George looking at the kitchen counter

“Uhm, coffee should be fine-”

“No, not what drink you idiot, what do you want from me?” said George

“You hospitality is unrivaled…” said Leon as he took a seat at the kitchen table.

“It’s about what you said this morning, about your luck with girls.” said Leon

Despite not wanting to, George went on to make Leon his coffee.

“What about it?” said George dismissively

“Are you blaming Layla for what happened?” said Leon

“How is this any of your business?” said George

“I found her in the auditorium, balling her eyes out. You’re not answering her calls or replying to her messages.” said Leon

“Oh, so you were alone with her? Good for you, I think she has a thing for you.” said George bitterly

“What is that supposed to mean?” said Leon

George ignores Leon and stays silent.

“George. Please.” pleaded Leon

“I don’t get you, why are you in my house all of sudden. Is it pity? You think we can be friends now? Didn’t you already say you have no interest in being friends with me?” said George

“Because I may have made a mistake and I’m here to make things right. Tell me, why are you blaming Layla?” demanded Leon

“What mistake?” asked George

“George.” insisted Leon

George sighed and looked away.

“Tasha. She told me that, when she was counting the votes, she saw that Layla voted for you. There, happy?” said George

“You know that can’t be true right? She knows Tasha has a thing for you, and she knows her name is on the polls. If she wanted to double cross you, she would at least be smart enough to wait until it mattered, until that actual elections, rather than just polls that essentially count for nothing” argued Leon.

“I don’t care Leon, I saw Tasha’s eyes. I didn’t want to believe it, but she wasn’t lying. I’ve had this happen to me before. Me and Layla are over, I can’t be toyed with like this again.” said George looking away.

Leon rubs his face and eyes with his hand and sighs deeply. He looks up at George with apologetic eyes. George notices Leon’s peculiar stare, he tilts his head sideways slightly in confusion.

“Tasha wasn’t lying. She did see Layla vote for me….” said Leon taking another deep breath hesitantly preparing to finish his words “But Layla didn’t actually vote for me, because I rigged the polls.”