Free The iCandidate by Mikael Carlson Page B

revenge, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.”
    And that’s the truth. I am supremely confident I can defend against any attack Kylie Roberts launches on us. It’s like the Untouchables . She puts one of ours in the hospital and we put one of hers in the morgue. I already proved I was capable of that, metaphorically speaking.
    “You say that now.”
    Congressman Beaumont flies through the door in a rage. The man is rarely in a good mood in the morning, but when he is this pissed, it’s going to make for a long day.
    “Do you believe the balls that man has!” he exclaims to no one in particular. Roger trails behind him, shaking his head. “I’ve been to Wisconsin. Good people up there. Why they keep electing that blowhard is beyond me!”
    “Don’t let him get under your skin, sir. You know he is just posturing,” Roger says, trying in vain to tame the beast.
    “Well, we are going to see how effectively he postures when I cut him off at the knees,” the congressman says, disappearing into his inner office, Roger in tow. The door closes, but our boisterous boss can still be heard through the thick wood.
    “Trust me, Madison.” There are far more powerful enemies out there to be concerned about than Kylie.”
     

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-FOURTEEN-
    CHELSEA
     
    Elated. If there was ever a word to describe how I felt over the last few days, that’s it. The school year is finally over, and while I may not enjoy the beach, sports, and hanging out like most of my friends, summer is still my favorite time of year.
    I like school, but this year was long and hard , and I need a break. Dad may have been on my case about studying too much and not having any fun, but the work paid off. Straight A grades, including one from the notoriously difficult Michael Bennit, would bring a smile to any teenager’s face.
    When we got the email explaining the entire class did the impossible, I was stunned. I really didn’t think we could pull it off, because let’s be real, how many teachers would let that happen? Most would have shaved a few points off their least favorite student’s score. I should have known better though. Mister Bennit is no ordinary teacher on any level.
    It is a beautiful Saturday and the parking lot is jammed with cars at the Perfect Buzz. From the number of Millfield High window stickers on them, I can see many of my peers are already here. Mister B called this gathering, but was pretty vague about the reason. Under normal circumstances, when someone who is no longer your teacher asks a class to show up someplace outside of school, the request is wholeheartedly ignored. But apparently I am not the only one who thinks Mister Bennit is no ordinary teacher.
    I park and head inside. There are around seventeen students from my class occupying a whole corner of the café. Emilee, Brian, Peyton, Amanda, Vince, Vanessa and Xavier are all here, armed with various sizes of caffeinated concoctions. There is not enough actual seating for everyone unless we evict the other patrons, so tables, the window sill, and even the floor have all been drafted into duty as seats. A couple of us stand, not liking the other options.
    I get a coffee for myself and join my peers, enjoying the revelry of the moment when I notice Mister Bennit walk in. He appears different dressed in summer clothes than he does in school - still imposing with his military haircut and swagger, but somehow more real. It’s probably taboo to even think this, but he really is a good looking guy. Not the political type though. More like someone you’d expect to toss you out of a nightclub. Next to an army of politicians with their perfectly groomed quaffs, manicured nails, and tailored suits, he would stick out like a sore thumb. This ought to be a fun campaign to watch.
    He walks over to our giddy little crowd from the counter, coffee in hand. Brian hops off the table to make room for our fearless, and now beholden, leader.
    “ Well, you know why you’re here. I hate you