CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND FORTY THREE – STUDENT ELECTIONS

The autumn air crackled with anticipation as Jasmine made her way across the Eastside Art College campus. Colorful posters plastered every available surface, proclaiming the virtues of various student council candidates. But two names dominated the landscape: Tyler Ramirez and Vanessa Sinclair. Jasmine sighed, pulling her jacket tighter around her. The student council elections had seemed like such a distant, innocuous event when the semester began. Now, barely a month in, it felt like the epicenter of a brewing storm. "Ms. Delacroix!" She turned to see Tyler jogging towards her, his blue hair a stark contrast against the golden leaves. His face was flushed, either from the run or the constant campaigning—probably both. "Tyler," she greeted him. "How's the campaign going?" He fell into step beside her. "It's... intense. But I think we've got a real shot at this." "We?" Tyler grinned. "The art club, of course. Speaking of which, we're having a meeting this afternoon. I was hoping