#Chapter 36: Same

Rowena & Eric Rowena Taking a deep breath, I walked up to the bulletin board in the lobby, where the ballots were being counted. The afternoon sun was casting a warm golden glow across the room, a view that normally would have been peaceful and relaxing; but instead, I only felt my heart pounding in my chest. I leaned in, counting the tally marks beside my name. And I felt my breath catch in my throat. “Oh my god…” I clamped my hand over my mouth, too shocked to even breathe. I had done it; somehow, I had matched Heather’s votes. And now we were neck-and-neck. Our votes were tied. “That doesn’t mean anything, you know. The count is still weeks away.” I looked up abruptly at the sound of that all-too-familiar voice, and instantly felt my heart sink. Heather stood beside me, wearing her cheerleading uniform with one hand on her hip and the other twirling her blonde ponytail around her finger. Unsure of what to say, I swallowed and tried to pull my shoulders back,