“You musclehead, didn’t I tell you that we'd be over budget if we bought a yacht?!”

“Well a yacht is so much cooler than any of your ideas so it’ll be okay!”

Within the student council room, the tables were arranged into a U-shape so that everyone could see each other during the council meetings. The current meeting was being held to discuss the logistics of the Firelight Ball, an event that was planned completely by the student council. And, as per every meeting, the Linnaea twins, sitting on opposite sides of the table, were yelling at each other from across the room, this time about the location of the ball.

Around the table, the rest of the council members sat around awkwardly, waiting for the fight to end. Older members were quietly betting amongst themselves on the outcome of the fight, sneakily passing money to each other. The newer members, unused to the frequent arguments between the twins, nervously looked between the two, debating whether or not to step in themselves.

Matthew sighed, falling back into his chair with a huff. Crossing his arms over his chest, he frowned, glaring at Owen.

“And how would we even get a yacht onto the Academy’s grounds?”

Owen smirked, pleased by the question. Raising his hands from where they had been slammed onto the table, he vaguely formed a boat with one placing a finger person on top of the boat. With the confidence of someone who knows they’re about to get a reaction out of everyone in the room, he slowly walked his fingers up his palm.

“We don’t. We will have the Firelight Ball on the yacht.”

A hush fell over the room. Then, a chorus of excited chatter and indignant protests broke out around the table.

“That’s insane!”

“A ball on a yacht? It would be amazing!”

“What about all the paperwork?!”

Very quickly, the room exploded into chaos as the members began to form factions. Anyone who normally handled paperwork and the treasury rallied themselves behind Matthew in the ‘No Yacht’ faction, glaring across the room at Owen. Meanwhile, the ‘Yacht’ faction gathered behind Owen as he warmly welcomed each person, gleefully beginning to discuss the decorations with them.

Still in his seat, Matthew sat stock still, astounded by the sheer stupidity of what he had just heard. The paperwork, the funds! They’re going to be swamped with work and broke! Face contorting between despair at the thought of the idea passing the vote and anger at the fact that it was even being considered in the first place, he took one more look at Owen’s smirk and exploded.

“You–” Pointing a sharp accusatory finger at Owen, Matthew shook with anger. Behind him, the ‘No Yacht’ faction held their breaths, leaning forward in anticipation to hear what their ‘leader’ would say.

The entire room fell silent once more, watching as Matthew took a deep breath, closing his eyes. Then, he opened his eyes and…

“{{user}} will decide.”

Deferring to you, Matthew turned his head in your direction, expression made up. Owen paused, taken aback at the sudden change in attitude before his grin sharpened once more. You had not chosen a side in the previous commotion, still sitting right in the middle of the U as the rest of the room was divided in half. You would become the perfect tie-breaker.

The twins stared at each other for a moment, an unspoken agreement passing between their gazes before they both turned to you once more.

“{{user}}, go ahead.”

“C’mon, pick me!”