TO CHERISH AND BE LOVED

"I need to check on the two before they go crazy again. I just want this event to be over," Sophia groaned as she headed toward the clinic where Lucas and Damien were. Upon arriving, she saw Maya, Marco, and Clarence standing nearby.

As she entered, she slapped the guys on their shoulders, pointing at them with a mix of frustration and anger. "What were you two thinking?!" she exclaimed. "I've worked so hard for this event to go smoothly, but no—*you* just had to ruin it. Not just for me, but for everyone else!"

The guys looked at each other, clearly startled by Sophia's sudden outburst. Marco rubbed the back of his neck, while Clarence avoided eye contact, knowing they had both played a part in escalating the situation.

Damien, who was sitting on the clinic bed with a slight frown, looked up at Sophia. "Sophia, it's not like we meant to—"

"Not like you meant to?!" she interrupted, her voice rising. "This is exactly what I was trying to avoid! You two can't keep this up—picking fights every time you see each other. What do you think this looks like to everyone else? You're making a scene when you should be helping, not causing more problems."

Lucas, who had been silent up until now, finally spoke, his tone apologetic. "She's right. I... we should've kept it together. It's just—there's too much going on, and... well, emotions get in the way."

Sophia exhaled sharply, trying to calm herself. "I know emotions are running high, but this isn't about you two. This is about the event and everyone involved. We all need to focus, or else this whole thing will fall apart."

"Look," Marco said, stepping forward. "We get it, Sophia. We're sorry. We'll make sure it doesn't happen again."

Sophia softened slightly, though she was still clearly frustrated. "I hope you do. For everyone's sake."

The others nodded in agreement, and Sophia gave one last, stern look at the group before turning to leave.

"If I see either one of you going at it again, your presence will not matter to me," she said, glaring at them.

The room fell silent as Sophia's words hung in the air. Her glare was sharp, her frustration palpable, and the weight of her statement hit them all hard.

Damien, usually quick with a response, stayed quiet this time, a flicker of understanding crossing his face. Lucas, on the other hand, looked slightly taken aback but nodded in acknowledgment.

"I get it," Damien muttered, finally breaking the silence. "We'll keep it together."

Lucas, his tone more earnest now, added, "Yeah, no more messing around. We'll focus, I promise."

Sophia's gaze softened just a bit, but she didn't let her guard down entirely. "Good. Because I'm done with the drama. This event needs to go smoothly, and I need you two to get your act together. Let's not make this harder than it already is."

With one last look at the group, Sophia turned on her heel and walked out of the clinic, feeling a small sense of relief now that she had laid down the law.

As she left, the three guys exchanged uneasy glances, knowing that they had just received their final warning.

"You heard what Sophia said. Marco and Clarence, take Damien far away from Lucas. And Lucas, you should be on the Harbor side of the event. Shouldn't you be over there instead of being here?" Maya said.

Marco and Clarence nodded in unison, immediately stepping forward to guide Damien away from Lucas. Damien, for once, didn't resist, though his expression was clearly frustrated.

"You heard her, Damien," Marco said, his tone firm but calm. "Let's just go. We don't want to make things worse."

Clarence added, "Come on, no more trouble. We're all here to help, right?"

Damien glanced at Lucas but didn't say anything, allowing Marco and Clarence to lead him away. He shot one last glance at Lucas before he was escorted out of the clinic.

Maya then turned to Lucas with a raised brow. "Well, looks like it's just you now. Shouldn't you be at the Harbor side of the event? You're not doing anyone any favors lingering here."

Lucas, still slightly tense from the earlier confrontation, gave Maya a half-hearted nod. "Yeah, you're right. I'll head over there. Just… don't let things blow up again, okay?" He shot a glance at the now-empty room where Damien had been moments ago.

Maya smirked, her arms crossed. "No promises. But you'll be fine over there. Go before you get roped into more drama."

Lucas gave her a small, appreciative nod before standing up and walking out, heading toward the Harbor side of the event.

As Maya stood there, she couldn't help but feel a small sense of accomplishment. Things were settling down, for now at least, and Sophia's leadership was starting to pay off. But she knew better than to think everything would stay calm for long.

Maya quickly snuck a glance at her phone as she typed the message into the group chat.

**Maya:** *"0 points for both Lucas and Damien on this one. Too much drama and no progress. Let's keep tabs on them though."*

After sending the message, she slipped her phone back into her pocket and walked out of the clinic, making sure to keep a casual demeanor as she rejoined the others.

The tension from earlier seemed to have died down, but she knew it was only a matter of time before something else happened.

Sophia, already dealing with her responsibilities, would need to stay on top of everything—and Maya would be there to make sure no one got too carried away.

After all, drama was part of the fun, but they couldn't let it ruin the whole event.

Meanwhile, inside the Supreme student council room, the atmosphere was tense. The usual chatter and laughter were replaced with a heavy silence as Sophia's frustration hung in the air.

"I can't believe they would do something like this, especially Damien, who clearly isn't living up to his vice-president role!" Sophia said in frustration while pacing around the student council room. "What will the higher-ups say about this?! I'll be the one to blame for all the shenanigans he's caused!"

Sophia's hands clenched into fists as her mind raced, each thought more overwhelming than the last. She stopped pacing and leaned against the table, her face buried in her hands.

"I need everyone here right now! We need a student council meeting. Maya, please let the representatives know that they'll be the ones handling the event for now," she ordered.

Maya quickly nodded and pulled out her phone to send a message to the other council members. As she typed, she glanced at Sophia, seeing the weight of the situation settling in.

Later, one after the other, the members of the council arrived, each one stepping into the room with a mix of tension and uncertainty. The last to arrive was Damien, his expression unreadable as he entered the council room.

Sophia looked up at him, her gaze sharp and unwavering. She had made up her mind, and there was no turning back now.

"Damien," she started, her voice cold and firm, "you're aware of the consequences of your actions, right?"

Damien shifted uncomfortably under her gaze but remained silent. He knew the atmosphere had changed; there was no playfulness in Sophia's tone anymore. She was serious, and the weight of her words was heavy.

"Sophia, please, I—" Damien began, but she raised a hand, stopping him before he could continue.

"Don't," Sophia interrupted, her voice hardening. "I've had enough of excuses. This event is too important for any of us to act irresponsibly, especially those in leadership positions. Your behavior has affected not just me, but the entire council."

The silence that followed was thick with tension. Damien shifted again, clearly uncomfortable but still trying to muster up the words.

"I understand you're upset," he said, his voice low. "But I can fix this, I'll do better. Just give me a chance."

Sophia's expression didn't soften. "It's too late for that, Damien. Your actions have consequences, and I can't just overlook that. We need someone who is reliable, someone who can be counted on, not someone who causes distractions."

Maya, who had been standing off to the side, exchanged a glance with Jade, both of them silently agreeing with Sophia's words.

Damien's face flushed, and for a moment, he seemed at a loss for words. He had never expected things to go this far.

"I didn't mean for things to get out of hand," he muttered, looking down at his feet. "I just… I was trying to make things right."

Sophia shook her head, her frustration evident. "Making things right means stepping up and owning your mistakes, Damien. Right now, it means stepping down from your position. Effective immediately, you are no longer the vice president of this council."

The room was silent as Sophia's words sank in. There was no anger in her voice, just the cold truth of the situation. Damien stood frozen, not knowing how to respond, the reality of his actions hitting him hard.

Maya stepped forward, her tone softer but still firm. "We'll make sure the transition goes smoothly. We're not doing this to hurt you, but we can't allow the council to fall apart because of poor decisions."

Damien's shoulders slumped as he nodded slowly, the weight of his failure heavy on him. He had no words left, no excuses to make. All he could do now was accept the consequences.

"Damien, I trusted you as our vice president, but as simple as your emotions, you couldn't even control them," Sophia said, her voice unwavering.

Damien flinched at the words, his guilt growing heavier with each passing second. He had always prided himself on being capable and reliable, but now, standing before Sophia, it felt as though his trust had been shattered.

Sophia continued, her gaze piercing through him. "Being in a leadership role means putting aside personal feelings and focusing on what's best for the council, for everyone involved. You couldn't even do that, Damien. This isn't just about what happened between us, this is about the responsibility you failed to uphold."

He looked down, unable to meet her eyes. "I… I didn't mean for things to get this way. I never wanted to cause trouble, Sophia," he said quietly, his voice tinged with regret.

"I know," she replied, her tone softening slightly, but the resolve in her voice remained. "But intentions don't erase the consequences. Actions do."

There was a long pause, and Damien knew the finality of her words meant the end of his role. He had failed, and the consequences were inescapable.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, but it felt like those words were too little, too late.

Sophia nodded, acknowledging his apology but not allowing it to change anything. "We'll figure out the next steps, Damien. For now, I need you to step aside. We can't afford any more distractions."

Damien nodded, still unable to say more, as he slowly walked out of the room, the weight of the moment settling heavily on his shoulders.

Sophia, still standing tall, took a deep breath, knowing that she had done what was necessary—even if it was the hardest thing she'd ever had to do.

"Maya, I know who best fits as the vice-president, but I need everyone's vote on this," Sophia said, her voice steady but firm as she turned to face the rest of the council members.

The room was quiet for a moment as everyone absorbed what Sophia was saying. They knew what it meant—this wasn't just a suggestion; it was a decision that would shape the direction of the council moving forward.

Maya, who had been standing off to the side, nodded in agreement. "I trust your judgment, Sophia. But we need to make sure the entire council is on board with this."

Sophia glanced around the room, making eye contact with each member. "This isn't just about personal preferences. It's about who will truly support this council, who will work alongside me to make sure this event—and the council as a whole—runs smoothly. Who do you think can fill Damien's role without causing any more issues?"

A few moments of silence passed as the council members thought about the situation. Finally, one by one, they began to voice their opinions.

"I think Lucas has the leadership qualities we need," one council member said. "He's always been calm under pressure and knows how to get things done."

Another member spoke up. "I agree. He's level-headed, and he doesn't let his emotions get in the way. He could handle the responsibility well."

Sophia nodded, taking in their thoughts. "Okay. But, Lucas isn't even a student in our school, hence he goes to Harbor Academy, so that's a big no. I was hoping Ethan could do it, since he's been with me the entire time during the event earlier. What do you guys think?" She asked, looking around the room at the members, awaiting their input.

The council members exchanged thoughtful glances, considering her suggestion carefully.

One member, who had been quiet until now, spoke up. "Ethan has been around, and while he's not as experienced as Damien, he seems to understand the responsibilities. I can see him taking this role seriously. I think it could work."

Another council member nodded. "True, he's been involved from the beginning, and he's been handling the event logistics well. I agree with the idea of giving him a chance."

Maya, who had been leaning against the wall, offered a supportive smile. "I think it's a good choice. Ethan's not perfect, but he's reliable, and if he's been by your side during the event, then that speaks volumes. Besides, he's got the right attitude to step up."

Sophia exhaled, grateful for their understanding. "I know it's not going to be easy, but I trust Ethan. He's shown me that he can handle more than just logistics. He's grown a lot, and he deserves this chance."

The council members exchanged nods and murmurs of agreement. After a brief pause, one of them spoke up again. "If everyone's in agreement, I think we can move forward with Ethan as vice-president. Let's put it to a vote."

Sophia looked around the room, her heart a little lighter. She wasn't sure what the future held, but she knew this was the right decision. After a few moments of silence, the vote was unanimous. Ethan was officially appointed as the new vice-president.

Sophia smiled and nodded. "Thank you, everyone. This isn't just about filling a role—it's about rebuilding trust and getting this council back on track. Let's focus on finishing this event strong."

With the decision made, the atmosphere in the room shifted. There was a sense of clarity, and while the challenges ahead would be tough, the team was ready to face them together.

Now, with Ethan stepping into the role, Sophia hoped the student council could finally move forward and make this event a success.

"Okay, that will be all. Meeting dismissed. Everyone go to your stations and help out the representative. And Maya, could you get Ethan and tell him to come to the student council? Thank you," Sophia said, her voice firm but appreciative.

The members of the council nodded in unison and quickly filed out of the room, their steps light but purposeful as they went off to carry out their responsibilities. Maya, always quick to respond, gave a nod and headed out the door to find Ethan.

Sophia stood by the table for a moment, her mind still running through everything that had happened. She could feel the weight of the decision she'd just made, but for the first time in a while, it felt like a step in the right direction.

Now, it was time to make sure the event went smoothly, to ensure that everything would fall into place and the council could finish what they started. With Ethan taking the role seriously and the team coming together, she had hope that they could still pull everything off.

Her phone buzzed with a message from Freya, giving her an update on the ongoing events. Sophia gave a small sigh of relief. For now, things were moving forward, even if it felt like everything was happening all at once.

As she looked out the window, she couldn't help but wonder if things would calm down after the event was over—or if this was just the beginning of even more changes to come.

Sophia sighed, pushing away the thoughts of what might happen next. She had enough on her plate for now. The event was still in full swing, and there were a thousand things to handle. With Maya off to find Ethan, she decided to take a moment for herself.

She walked over to the window, looking out at the busy school grounds. The sound of students mingling, the hustle of booths being set up, and the faint music playing from the stage in the distance felt oddly calming. Despite everything, she was still proud of how much the council had accomplished. The event was a success so far, even if there had been some bumps along the way.

She could hear footsteps approaching, and soon Maya returned with Ethan, who looked as composed as ever. He gave Sophia a quick smile as he entered the room.

"Sophia, you wanted to see me?" Ethan asked, his calm demeanor in stark contrast to the tension that had been brewing throughout the day.

Sophia nodded, her expression serious but grateful. "Yes. I need you to take over as vice-president. Damien... well, he's no longer able to fulfill the role."

Ethan's eyebrows lifted slightly in surprise, but he didn't hesitate. "Understood. I'll do my best."

Sophia felt a wave of relief wash over her at his response. She knew Ethan was dependable—he'd been there when she needed him the most. As she handed over the responsibility to him, a weight seemed to lift from her shoulders.

"Thank you, Ethan. I know this isn't easy, but I trust you to keep things on track," she said, her voice steady.

Ethan gave a small, reassuring nod. "I won't let you down."

With that, Sophia took a deep breath and looked at Maya, who had been silently watching the exchange. "Maya, could you update everyone else on the changes and make sure we have the final preparations ready for tomorrow's event?"

Maya gave a confident nod, her expression full of determination. "Of course, Sophia. I'll make sure everyone is on the same page. You can count on me."

Sophia felt a sense of relief wash over her. With Maya handling the updates and preparations, she could focus on overseeing the event itself tomorrow. Still, the weight of the responsibility lingered in the back of her mind, but with Ethan stepping up and the team working together, she felt more confident about the challenges ahead.

"Thanks, Maya," she said, her voice softer now, appreciative of her friend's unwavering support. "Let's make sure tomorrow goes off without a hitch."

"Absolutely," Maya replied with a grin, her energy infectious. "We'll make it happen."

As Maya left to carry out her tasks, Sophia took a moment to compose herself. She stared out the window again, watching the students moving across the campus, each lost in their own world. For a brief moment, she allowed herself to be swept away by the normalcy of it all before the reality of the event hit her again.

But now, for the first time in a while, she felt ready. She could handle this. She wouldn't let anything derail the hard work everyone had put in. The event was going to be a success, and she would make sure of it.

"I know it was hard for you to let go of Damien, but hopefully you've made the right decision," Ethan said before leaving, his voice filled with understanding.

Sophia stood there for a moment, her thoughts lingering on his words. Letting go of Damien had been one of the hardest decisions she had to make, but the responsibility of leading the student council and ensuring the success of the event came first. She had to do what was best for everyone, even if it meant making tough choices.

Taking a deep breath, she straightened up and walked to the window, looking out over the campus. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow across the school grounds.

Tomorrow was another day, and despite everything that had happened, she couldn't afford to let her doubts get in the way.

Sophia turned back to the council room, determination settling in her chest. "Tomorrow," she said softly, "everything will go according to plan."

With Ethan by my side as the new vice-president, I'm sure everything will go smoothly.

She then texted Maya asking, *"Operation Lucas holding up?"*

As she waited for a response, Sophia took a moment to reflect. She had made difficult decisions today, and even though it had been hard to step up and take charge, she couldn't deny that it was all for the greater good of the event. Ethan had proven himself reliable, and she trusted him to take on the role of vice-president. Now, she just had to focus on getting through the final stretch and making sure everything was perfect.

Sophia's phone buzzed with Maya's reply. *"Lucas is fine. He's in the booth as planned. No issues there. But you might want to keep an eye on Damien—he's not taking the changes too well."*

Sophia sighed but typed back, *"Thanks, Maya. I'll handle Damien if necessary. Just make sure everything else runs smoothly."*

With that, she felt a little more at ease. The next few days would be a challenge, but she was ready. She had a responsibility to everyone, and she would see it through.

"I can't wait for this event to be over. Only two days left before the event is over. I just have to get through all of this and Operation Lucas will be gone," Sophia said to herself as she left the council room and headed out to find Ethan.

Her mind was still racing with everything that had happened, but she knew she couldn't afford to let her stress show. The event was nearly over, and she needed to stay focused. It wasn't just about the event anymore—it was about making sure everything went off without a hitch, especially now with Ethan stepping into the vice-president role.

As she walked down the hall, she spotted Ethan at the end of the corridor, talking to a couple of council members. He noticed her approaching and smiled, his usual calm demeanor reassuring Sophia, even if she still felt a little uncertain.

"Hey, Sophia," Ethan greeted her as she neared, his tone warm and easy. "You wanted to see me?"

Sophia nodded, trying to push aside the lingering doubts. "Yeah, we need to go over some last-minute details for tomorrow. Make sure everything's in place. We're almost there, but I want to make sure nothing goes wrong."

Ethan gave a reassuring smile, his confidence in her leadership clear. "Don't worry, you've got this. I'll make sure everything runs smoothly."

Sophia exhaled slowly, feeling a little lighter. "Thanks, Ethan. I really appreciate it."

With that, they both turned and walked together toward the preparation area. There was still work to be done, but with Ethan by her side, Sophia felt a little more certain that everything would turn out okay. Two more days, and then the chaos would be over.

As Sophia and Ethan reached the preparation area, the buzz of activity around them was unmistakable. Council members and volunteers hurried about, setting up decorations, adjusting seating arrangements, and triple-checking schedules. Despite the chaotic energy, there was an undercurrent of excitement—it was the final stretch.

Ethan glanced at Sophia, noting the slight furrow in her brow as she observed the scene. "You know," he began, nudging her lightly, "you should probably take a breather. You've been running yourself ragged these past few days."

Sophia gave a tired but determined smile. "I'll rest when the event's over. Right now, I just want to make sure everything is perfect. This is our school's reputation on the line, after all."

Ethan nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Fair enough. But don't forget you've got a team here to support you. You don't have to carry everything on your own."

Sophia paused, his words hitting her more deeply than she expected. She had been so focused on managing everything, on fixing the problems caused by Damien and keeping Lucas and Damien apart, that she hadn't stopped to appreciate the help she did have.

"Thanks, Ethan," she said softly, her gaze meeting his. "I'll try to remember that."

"Good," he replied with a small smile. "Now, what's next on the agenda?"

Sophia pulled out her clipboard, scanning the tasks for the day. "We need to finalize the layout for tomorrow's booths and double-check the logistics for the talent showcase. After that, I want to review the budget report one last time."

"Sounds like a plan," Ethan said, rolling up his sleeves. "Let's tackle it together."

The two of them dove into the work, coordinating with the rest of the team and making sure every detail was accounted for. Hours passed in a blur of tasks and problem-solving, and as the sun began to set, the preparation area started to clear out.

Maya approached them, her phone in hand. "Operation Lucas is holding steady. He's staying put at the Harbor side booth. No drama—yet."

Sophia let out a relieved sigh. "Good. Let's keep it that way. Two more days, and then we can all finally breathe."

Maya smirked. "I'll hold you to that. By the way, Jade wanted me to let you know that Damien's been unusually quiet. Might want to keep an eye on him."

Sophia's expression darkened slightly, but she quickly pushed the thought aside. "Noted. Thanks, Maya."

As Maya walked away, Ethan turned to Sophia. "Do you think Damien's planning something?"

Sophia shrugged, her exhaustion creeping back into her voice. "At this point, I wouldn't be surprised. But whatever it is, we'll deal with it. Right now, I just want to focus on finishing this event without any more surprises."

Ethan nodded, his quiet support a steady presence beside her. Together, they headed back to the council room to prepare for the final two days, determination driving them forward despite the challenges still ahead.