Student Council President
Vi scowled at the girl sitting from across her in the lab as she took her seat.
Across from her, the student council president, Caitlyn Kiramman glanced briefly at Vi before turning her attention back to her work. It was the first time Vi had seen her. Caitlyn had been away on family business in Vi’s first two weeks at the school.
Standard, Vi thought, sizing her up. Of course the student council president would naturally be the most beautiful girl in school. With perfect grades, an impeccable record, and as the marksman in the school that no one could outshine, Kiramman was certainly the school’s poster girl.
But she pissed Vi off. The grades, the athleticism, the looks — no one could be that perfect. Vi scoffed at the thought of Kiramman ever working for anything in her life. She’d probably had her gold-plated milk bottle handed to her on a silver tray as an infant, too.
Professor Talis’s voice caught Vi’s attention as he read out an announcement. It was about one of the Academy's most prestigious high school scholarships — the Piltover’s Founders’ Grant. It was to be awarded to a student — voted by both the student body and the staff of their respective schools — who excelled in sports but who could also maintain acceptable academic grades.
“I know what everyone’s thinking,” Talis said. “But no, just because the same person wins it every year doesn’t mean it’s completely impossible for anyone else to achieve it.”
The whole class glanced at Caitlyn, and Vi put two and two together.
Add that to the list of things that make her the perfect student, Vi thought. She blew a raspberry at the thought of Kiramman ever failing in anything.
“Anyway,” Professor Talis said, “remember to vote by this afternoon. Voting closes at 4pm. Class dismissed.”
The students began packing up their things to head home. Vi glanced at the clock. Jinx’s engineering class ended in half an hour. Perhaps she could wait for Jinx.
“It’s Vi, right?”
Vi looked up. Standing before her was none other than Caitlyn Kiramman, Piltover High’s star student.
Vi glared at her. “What do you want?”
Caitlyn hesitated for a moment. “Nothing. I just…I’m supposed to show you around the school.”
Vi stood and shouldered her backpack. “Yeah? Maybe you should have done that the first day I was here.”
Caitlyn’s brow furrowed. “I was away for family business. Not that you should care.”
“I’ve got my shit figured out, cupcake. Maybe you should mind your own and leave me alone. I don’t need the straight A kid showing me up.”
“Showing you…” Caitlyn looked stunned, and Vi pushed past her, leaving a surprised Kiramman standing alone in the classroom.
~~~
“Vi! Focus!”
The basketball coach’s voice got Vi’s attention. On the field, the shooters were setting up their targets for practice.
Vi’s basketball practice was about to finish up. She turned her attention back to the weights she was putting back in the gym and realised she was about to put them on the wrong rack.
It had been two months since Vi’s first interaction with Caitlyn. Naturally, the teachers found every opportunity to put the new kid and the student council president together as “buddies”. On the surface, Vi and Caitlyn had friendly exchanges, but both knew that was much more where it came from.
Vi had learned a little more about the House of Kiramman, thanks to the gossip in the hallways and Jinx’s eavesdropping skills. Apparently, they were one of the most influential and rich families in Piltover. Caitlyn’s mother, Cassandra Kiramman was a well-respected member of the Council, while her father, Tobias Kiramman was the Chief of Surgery at Piltover General Hospital, until he retired several years ago.
Now, as Vi was leaving the basketball court, she watched as Caitlyn, once again, fired a shot and hit her target, spot-on. It was undeniable — her aim was legendary. She never seemed to miss, even without proper aiming.
“Vi, come here, please.” The coach beckoned to her.
Uh-oh, Vi thought. I’m in trouble.
Surprisingly, however, the coach seemed very pleased. He motioned for Vi to sit, which she did.
“Vi, I assume you know about the Founder’s Grant.”
Vi nodded. “A full ride to college, for well rounded sportsmen able to maintain grades, with a good attitude, blah, blah, blah. I miss anything?”
Her coach chuckled lightly. “You missed the part where you got the scholarship.”
Vi laughed. “That’s funny. What’s this about, really?”
“Vi, I’m serious,” her coach said. “You got the scholarship.”
Vi frowned. “Kiramman gets it every year. It’s not possible. She’s a much more well rounded student than I am. I don’t…it isn’t mine for the taking.”
Her coach shrugged. “They’re focusing more on the athleticism side this year. You’re a hybrid athlete, Vi. You excel in any sport you touch. Track, basketball, boxing. You name it. Your grades are…nothing special, but your determination and loyalty make up for it. They’ve decided to award you the scholarship. Just take it.”
Vi stared at Caitlyn, who hit another flawless shot. “Does she know?”
“Not yet,” said the coach, following her gaze. “I…fear the toll it will take on her. She’s a high achiever, that one. This time…it may be a blow to her confidence.”
Somehow, as much as Vi detested Kiramman, for a moment she felt no pride. Just…pity, for Caitlyn, and guilt for snatching an award that had always been hers.
~~~
The vase crashed to the ground next to Caitlyn, shattering, just as her heart had when the news reached her.
Caitlyn’s mother, Cassandra Kiramman, was livid to say the least. She had already broken a bottle of Noxian wine and two Ionian plates in her rage. Now, the vase, too, became a victim of her anger.
Caitlyn’s mind was numb. She herself had never felt such shame as when she was told the scholarship went to Vi. No doubt Caitlyn would not be the one to deliver the news to her parents; the teachers always made sure that Councillor Cassandra Kiramman knew about it all before her daughter.
Caitlyn bit the inside of her cheek. Her vision tilted, as it did when she was upset. She felt as though gravity was running in circles all around her, leaving her disoriented and scared.
“Do you have nothing to say for yourself?” her mother demanded.
Caitlyn lowered her head. “I’m sorry, Mother.”
“You are a Councilor’s daughter,” her mother chided. “You’ve always gotten the scholarship. Every single year without fail. What happened this time? All because of some lowlife Zaunite whose grades are far beneath yours? How could you let it slip through your fingers like that?”
Caitlyn’s mind was flooded with a million things she could have said, but she remained mum.
“You are a Kiramman,” her mother said, her breath shallow, voice so soft, Caitlyn could barely hear her. “Don’t let it happen again.”
Caitlyn didn’t lift her head until her mother’s footsteps had fully retreated into her room.
Caitlyn managed to hold in her tears until she had returned to her own room and closed the door behind her. With her back to the door, she touched the line of blood on her face, drawn out when a stray shard of a plate had ricocheted off the wall and sliced through her skin. Her face stung where her mother had slapped her.
Most of all, her heart throbbed. She had let her mother down, let herself down. She couldn’t tell if she was upset at herself for not getting the scholarship, at her mother for hurting her, at Vi for snatching the award from her.
It kept her up at night. Caitlyn’s mind replayed the scene over and over again — the moment she had come home to find her mother staring at her in disapproval. The moment she was told Vi had gotten the scholarship. The moment her heart sank, like a stone swallowed in dark water.
~~~
The following day, Caitlyn could feel all the pairs of eyes fixated on her as she walked through the school gates. She assumed everyone had heard — the straight A student, the school’s poster girl, Caitlyn Kiramman, had failed to get a scholarship she won every year. With a new cut on her face to boot.
Caitlyn could barely focus throughout the day. Her mind drifted off, thinking about the scholarship, her parents, their expectations of her. All of it weighed down on her, pulling her into the depths of her disappointment. She felt nothing but her mother’s accusatory stare on her back. She heard nothing but Principal Heimerdinger’s words as he delivered the news to her.
But out of the many pairs of eyes fixated on her, she felt one burning right through her. She knew Vi’s eyes were glued to her throughout the day. She felt Vi’s occasional glances at her during their lessons, staring at her from across the field in gym class.
Bet she wants to boast, Caitlyn thought. The newbie, usurping Caitlyn Kiramman after just a few months here.
The day crawled by, but eventually the final bell rang. Caitlyn was putting her notes away when a shadow fell over her. She looked up.
Standing before her, in all her pink-haired athletic glory, was none other than Vi.
Caitlyn couldn’t help but scowl. “What? Here to boast about the scholarship? To rub the loss in my face?”
Vi looked surprised, and for a moment Caitlyn thought she resembled a lost abandoned puppy. “What? No! I just…”
“I’ve heard enough from my parents and the professors. I don’t need you rubbing it in my nose, too. Get out of my damn way.” Caitlyn shouldered her bag and stood, face-to-face with Vi.
Vi’s eyes hardened and turned to ice. “And to think I thought you had a soft spot. What’s your problem? Can’t take a little loss, Kiramman? I’d expect no more than that from you. The rich are always the sorest losers after all.”
Caitlyn seethed with rage. “What did you just say to me?”
For a moment, neither said anything. They stood there, alone in the classroom, glaring at each other.
“Girls?” Professor Medarda swept into the classroom, her golden armbands shimmering in the sunlight. “Is there a problem? I need to use the classroom.”
Caitlyn shot Vi one last hateful look before looking at Professor Medarda, her expression carefully neutral. “No problem at all, ma’am. Sorry.”
She walked past Vi and out of the classroom.