Monday November 5th

The air was bitter and clung to Jude’s skin. It managed to crawl its way under his navy tracksuit jacket. As he breathed out the air hung there for a second before disappearing into the gloomy room around him. It was the time of year where pretty much everyone had some kind of extra clothing on be it a coat or a jumper.

Alex Mann stood at the front of the room, only having added a suit jacket to his attire. “So, we have half an hour before the end of the lecture. I guess I could get you guys to decide now. I need you guys to decide who the leader of team is. They’ll basically make decisions for the teams and we’ll pass messages through them. Blue team you guys go out to the main floor area, Red team you stay in here and Yellow you guys go next door.”

It was awkward to try and seat twenty-four people in a decent manner. Jude was sat on a rounded bench with a large back, both of these were a hard material with an orange almost rug covering. He had zipped his tracksuit jacket all the way up enough from him to bury his chin and mouth into.

“Can we get this over and done with?” An aggressive voice asked an impatient question. The long-haired Asian man was leaning back on his chair completely bored. “The quicker we get done the quicker I can go home.”

“How about a vote?” One voice shot up to immediate agreement.

“Yeah, but shouldn’t we see who doesn’t want to be the leader? Surely it’d be unfair to vote for someone who doesn’t want it.” The voice of reason came from the same bench as Jude. Rin had spoken up and suddenly the view of the room had changed, and they were now deciding who wanted to be voted for.

After a showing of hands, the potential leaders had been decided:

Rinion Heleg

Rafe King

Nerissa Zilla

Jude Zairos

Olivia Hyacinth

Jack Lumber

Sahar Najjar

With this many there should not be a tie between them all and thus there could be an elimination process. However, it did not come close with the top three most voted for candidates being:

Rin – 10 votes

Olivia – 7 votes

Rafe – 5 votes

Rin was now the leader of Blue team and as such had to report back to Alex so that the tutor could pass onto the governing body of this tournament.

Jude and Jack decided to wait for him before going home. They sat around the table that was in the middle of the curved bench. Jack had rested his head upon in and let out a big sigh. “So big genius, you got a plan?” He said without looking up.

“I thought we were in this together.”

“Only if you don’t have a plan to begin with.” The silence hung over them, but it was not tense or awkward. In fact, the small exchange had improved both of their moods they just did not want to say it. The warm feeling washed over Jude.

“But seriously you got a plan or not?” Came the voice from the table once again.

“I have an idea, but I need us together as a group first. I want to refine what I came up with for the test but with slightly larger groups.”

“Ooh who am I with?”

“I don’t know yet. That’s why I need everyone together.”

“Just don’t make it someone who’s really boring. Also, Sol, he’s such a dickhead.” Jack’s voice went from joyful to angry.

“Can we get this over and done with?” Jude said in a mocking tone pretending to be Sol. Jack let out a small laugh. “My name is Sol. I am too cool for everyone here. Hur duh durr.”

“Yeah, that’s him alright.” Jack said through a big grin.

“Oh. I didn’t know you guys were still here, I didn’t tell you to wait for me.” Rin said stood up and leaning over the back of the bench. Jack finally raised his head to leave. Jude and Jack grabbed their backpacks and headed for the exit with Rin.

“Oh, by the way Rin, who were the other two leaders?” Jude asked quite curiously.

“Erm… I actually forgot one of their names to be honest. Red had that guy with glasses. The guy you hang out with during weapons.”

“Archie? A leader? Did not expect that.”

“The guys got confidence in himself. You could use a bit of that buddy.” Rin said smirking at Jude. “And just between us lads I’m the guy who voted for you. I reckon you’ll be a great leader someday.”

The three were heading down the stairs and into the main entrance way for the university.

“I still can’t believe Nerissa got no votes.” Jude said.

“I know must hurt to see your girlfriend destroyed like that.” Jude blushed as they exited the building and the cold air engulfed him. His breath of shock immediately visible. Jack’s comment threw him through a loop.

“She’s not my girlfriend.” He defiantly protested.

“But you do have sex on a regular basis, and she doesn’t exactly get on with anyone else.” Rin remarked.

“Yeah, but we’re not dating. And I don’t know where you’ve got your info, but we’ve only had sex twice.”

“Oooh sorry big man.” Jack said in a high tone whilst waving his hands in the air.

“I also don’t think I like her all that much. I don’t know if you’ve guys have noticed but she’s kind of a bitch.”

Both boys recalled and in unison put their hands over their mouths, gasped and said “No.”

“Yeah, we’ve talked before and she says how none of the girl are nice to her. But from what I’ve seen she doesn’t make much of an effort and she doesn’t get jokes. Like a joke to her is an insult.”

“Fit though.” Was all Jack had to add.

“Yeah, you’re right.” Jude had to agree, he didn’t even think it was merely a reaction that left his mouth.

There was no longer a topic, it had run its course and they were still five minutes from home. Not wanting to walk in silence Rin spoke up.

“Sorry lads I forgot to tell you Yellow team’s leader. It was Anna.” Jude and Jack just looked around, trying to remember her. “Anna, you know the girl behind Yellow’s plan. The strongest one?” Still nothing came to them.

“Ah I remember now she was defeated before you guys got there. She’s got this reversal Alteration thing. It can spin you round, send your attack back or something. It was hard to get an idea of before my ass was on the ground.”

“So, look out for her then?” Jack asked very bluntly.

“Yeah, come on Rin. One person can’t be that bad right? It’s not like she’s one of the Sins.” Jude retorted.

“Oh, don’t say that man. You know you can’t talk about The Seven otherwise you’re doomed to be fucked up by one.” Jack warned.

“Oh, right yeah. One of the seven most power people in the world are going to drop by some Uni in the middle of England to mess me up.”

The boys joked and laughed until they arrived back at their accommodation.