"Malik?"
"Locke, did you see—"
"I'm looking at it."
"...I'm sorry!" On the other end of the line, Sam Malik paused, then let out a bitter laugh. "I thought that after I dropped out and gave you my full support, she would have the sense to back off."
Locke's lips curled upward. "Clearly, she lacks sense."
"What do you plan to do?"
"Why? You planning to help me?"
"If I can," Sam Malik said seriously. "Because of my family, it's not convenient for me to get involved in these things publicly. But helping you is the same as helping myself. So, yes, if there's anything I can do, I'll do whatever it takes."
Locke chuckled, unfazed. "Thanks. If I need you, I'll let you know."
"Then you intend to..."
"I'm from the Lone Star State!"
"..."
Strictly speaking, it was the Lone Star Republic. In 1845, it was Texas that accepted the United States into the Republic of Texas, not the other way around.
Again—he was from the Lone Star State. "Discrimination" was practically a standard operating procedure there.
But... this Sam Malik was interesting.
Sam's father was indeed Gideon Malick, and he had a sister named Stephanie. Yes, the Malick family of Hydra fame.
Yet, Sam Malik seemed entirely out of place within Hydra. Like Baron Strucker's son, did Sam have no idea what business his family was actually in?
Locke looked up. Gwen was watching him with a gaze full of unwavering trust.
Locke teased, "I thought I'd see worry on your face."
Gwen shook her head. "No. I believe in you."
Looking at Gwen, who had fully transformed into his fangirl, Locke pointed toward the door. "I'm heading out. A package was delivered to the wrong address; I need to go get it."
"Mhm," Gwen acknowledged. "Remember to check the samples tomorrow."
"I will."
Locke really was going to see Chester, but not to summon the Peerless Assassin for an "off-field" strike. It wasn't time for that yet. The connection between the Assassin and Locke couldn't be deepened. Now that he had a gun permit, the Assassin's actions needed to be completely stripped of any link to Locke unless absolutely necessary.
Besides, watching people court death was a process Locke actually enjoyed. It was like watching a movie where he already knew the ending.
Locke found Clint Chester, asked him for a favor, then checked in on Carrie next door. After a brief chat, he headed back to the Star Tower to sleep.
...
The next day, at a factory in New Jersey.
"Wow."
"Exquisite!"
"Perfect."
"Such a gentleman!"
Cindy and Betty were staring at the bound samples of Locke's photo book, letting out one exclamation after another.
Gwen stood by, her brow twitching. "Hey, hey, that's enough. You two, wipe away the drool. It's not like you don't have boyfriends."
Cindy didn't even look up. "It's your fault for moving so fast. The day Locke transferred, you snatched him up by the afternoon."
Gwen couldn't help but retort, "What do you mean 'snatched'? It was clearly..."
Cindy spun around with an "oh, please" expression. "Before Locke, which transfer student were you ever that proactive with? Honey, 'love at first sight' is just a fancy term for 'liking what you see.' Just admit it."
Gwen opened her mouth to argue, then immediately changed the subject. "Fine. You've seen it. Business—did we settle the campaign sites?"
Once this weekend passed, the fifteen-day Student Council election period would begin. Fifteen days, three speeches, and the results would be announced after the final one. The schedule was tight, and the stakes were high.
Cindy nodded. "Don't worry. The football players have already set up the tables. Tomorrow afternoon, they'll come to the school to post the flyers. Locke's campaign posters will even be plastered all over their training field."
Midtown had many female students who adored the quarterback. Some were quite "broad-minded" in their affections—they'd call Sam Malik their weekday god and Locke their weekend god.
Betty added, "Campus Media is ready too. Next Monday, the front page of the school paper will be Locke's victory interview. The radio will be broadcasting the Grand Slam results all afternoon."
Betty looked at Locke. "Locke, I'm braving a lot of pressure for you. Nina Bell's supporters have been threatening me."
"Threatening you?" Locke asked curiously.
Betty shrugged. It wasn't exactly a threat, but Nina Bell was the Vice President. Seeing that the media outlets were silent after the Knowledge Competition, everyone knew Betty had sided with Locke.
Again, it was a "strategic maneuver." Betty just kept telling them: Layouts are in progress, copy is being written, videos are being edited. She stone-walled them.
She sighed. "For you, I even had to painfully fire one of our beautiful hosts."
Betty had discovered the girl was trying to sabotage things. Upon investigation, she found out the girl's boyfriend was a supporter of Nina Bell. If Nina pushed through "Equity," his poor grades wouldn't stop him from graduating; he wouldn't have to work for credits anymore.
As for the "leaks" on the forum from yesterday, Betty and Cindy didn't even mention them. War was about to break out; talking about that was meaningless. Besides, Locke's calm, "victory in hand" aura made everyone feel at ease.
Locke believed Nina Bell had used these tactics to force Sam Malik out because of Sam's personal baggage and the pressure of public opinion.
But Locke was different. First, he was a Texan. Second, he was a Champion.
Nina Bell could accuse Sam Malik of "discrimination" leading to the team's loss. But she couldn't touch Locke. In the game of competition, "sucking" is the original sin. If you lose, you have no right to argue. But if you win—and win a Grand Slam—it's a completely different story.
...
Monday. Midtown High.
*Vroom!*
Nina Bell, a senior, drove her Ford—obtained through a private settlement after she sued the car company for "discrimination"—into the parking lot with an expectant smile. Today would be the start of her journey to bring "Freedom and Equality" to Midtown.
But as she pulled in, she saw it. A massive banner was being hung up by several football players.
[ Locke Broughton: The Embodiment of Wisdom and Courage! ]
[ Insert: High-Resolution Photo of Locke in a Suit ]
"What?" Nina Bell froze. She slammed her car door and marched over. "What are you doing? Take that down! Damn it, Locke Broughton should have dropped out by now!"
The article she'd had someone write was very clear. If Locke didn't want to be branded a racist, he should have followed Sam Malik's lead and bowed out. If he didn't, her "Discrimination Sledgehammer" would ensure his social death.
But now? The students hanging the banner ignored her. Her face turned dark.
How dare he! Is he crazy?
Nina Bell took a deep breath, fighting the urge to tear the banner down. The cool, crisp voice on the school intercom was already detailing Locke's legendary Grand Slam victory. She marched into the student lounge.
Her campaign manager, a girl of the same complexion, rushed up. "Damn it! Did he not see the article?"
Nina's expression was hideous. "Clearly, he didn't."
In Nina's experience following her parents, the moment they raised the flag of "Discrimination," they were invincible. Locke Broughton was supposed to crumble.
"I'll give you one last chance to beg for mercy!" Nina tossed her bag into her locker and looked at her manager. "Where is Broughton's campaign booth set up?"
***
Read 40 Chapters early on P-atreon.com/Redestro666