Pokemon: The Gameboy Effect

"Hello everyone, my name's Laura. I'm excited to be in class with all of you! I love drawing, and my favorite Pokemon is Dedenne. I'm running for the position of publicity committee member, and I hope I can count on your support!"

Laura's introduction was brief but sincere, and a faint blush spread across her face as she nervously spoke. It was one of those moments where the words came out in a rush, but the courage to speak at all was impressive.

John, watching from the back of the room, raised an eyebrow. There was something endearing about her—a shy, artsy girl stepping up with all the bravery she could muster. It was like watching someone tiptoe into a cold pool, only to realize it wasn't so bad after all.

Daisy, sitting front and center, led a round of applause. Her genuine encouragement sparked an even bigger round from the class. It wasn't just Laura's words; it was her honesty and nerve that earned their admiration.

With Laura breaking the ice, more students followed her lead. One by one, they stood to introduce themselves, some with confidence, others more hesitantly, but all eager to join the class committees.

John sat back, observing the spectacle with a detached interest. He couldn't help but notice how familiar this all seemed—the same old committees at every school: the sanitation crew, the cultural committee that only showed up once a year, and now this. It was like a high school movie set in college.

Soon enough, almost every committee seat was filled. There was only one left—the class leader. And suddenly, the room fell silent.

"Let's make it a guy this time," Daisy declared with authority, glancing around the room. "If something big comes up, we'll need someone reliable."

All eyes turned to John and Ricardo, a half-Brazilian student with a redbandana on his head. Even the other guys seemed to acknowledge that only these two had a shot at the position.

John tried to ignore the stares. Joining a committee? Fine. But being the class representative? That was a hassle waiting to happen.

Ricardo, leaning back in his chair with a smirk, didn't seem fazed by the attention. He flicked his gaze away, pretending like none of this was even remotely interesting.

Daisy wasn't one to let anything slide, though. "What, you two are just going to let this go? College is all about stepping up! Push your limits!" Her eyes sparkled mischievously as she looked at the girls. "Alright then, if no one's volunteering, let's vote!"

The girls exchanged glances, the competitive energy building. There was no room for hesitation now, not with Daisy's tone leaving no escape.

"We'll go row by row, starting from the left," she announced, like a game show host.

The first girl stood up, her face red as she stammered, "I vote for Ricardo."

Her shy expression only seemed to stir the competitive spirit of the others. Immediately, another girl shot up, casting her vote for John.

And just like that, the battle was on. The votes piled up, 15 for John, 15 for Ricardo—an even tie. The tension in the room felt like it could be cut with a knife. It was like watching the climax of a reality TV show, except this was real and no one had signed a contract.

Just when the final vote was about to be cast, there was a knock on the door. A senior stepped in, scanning the room like he was looking for a missing person.

"Excuse me, is John here?" he called out.

All eyes turned to John, who was casually absorbed in his Gameboy, the very image of someone who had no idea he was the center of attention.

He glanced up, startled. "Uh, yeah, that's me. What's up?"

The senior took a step forward, glancing at Daisy nervously. "Professor Scarlett is looking for you," he said, his voice a mix of awe and nervousness.

A collective gasp rippled through the room. Professor Scarlett was a renowned Pokemon researcher, famous for her groundbreaking studies and widely respected in academic circles. Being invited to join her research team was an opportunity most could only dream of, especially for a freshman.

Daisy's eyes widened with genuine surprise, her cool demeanor slipping just a bit. "Professor Scarlett? You mean... that Scarlett?"

The senior nodded, confirming what no one could quite believe. "She'd like John to join her team."

The room erupted into murmurs. John barely had time to process the news, let alone bask in it.

Daisy, still recovering, turned to him with a raised eyebrow. "Well, that's an opportunity you shouldn't miss."

"Got it," John said, standing up and sliding his Gameboy into his bag as he made his way to the door.

As John exited, whispers filled the room.

"Who is this John guy? He's barely been here a minute, and now he's joining Professor Scarlett's team?"

"He's gotta be related to her, right? There's no way he's already done something to impress her."

"But Scarlett's team doesn't just take 'related' students…"

Daisy cleared her throat, cutting through the buzz of conversation. The room fell silent, all eyes back on her.

With both John and Ricardo now off the table, the class was left with no choice but to start the vote for class leader all over again. The drama, it seemed, was far from over.