The taste of Losing

"The character of a person is built not only through winning but how that person handles losing".

I am so excited to watch the election results. It seems that most student votes are between me and the current student body president. It looks like my friends and my hard work is having a good result.

Angel is so anxious looking at the scores and he keeps eating chocnut unaware of his behavior at the moment. Chocnut is a sweet made of chocolate, sugar, and lots of peanuts. It's one of our favorite snacks. I can't watch him stress eating, so I grab it from him and I whisper in his ear, enough of this sugary highly fattening food is not good for you! You almost finished the whole packet! Then Marjorie murmur gives it to me I need the calories and she giggles. Victoria's whimper gives me some, my nerves are killing me. I need sweets to calm me down, the score between you and the current president is so closed. I told them relax you guys! Then one of the teachers beside us said, please be quiet! The votes are being counted. Then I softly said, sorry teacher.

The ballot is being read by the headteacher who teaches in the senior class. She is in charge of the election. The one who tallying on the board is the headteacher of the junior class and the two teachers who are checking the ballot after it was read are the headteacher of the sophomore and the freshmen class. At the moment the highest score is a tie between me and the current president.

This year's election is recorded in the school history for it has the highest number of students who participated to vote. Yes! the excitement inside the stadium is overwhelming.

At the moment the scores are Mary -1001, Mardin-1000, Scott -240, Leslie-200, and Jared- 150. The loud voice of the teacher said, this is the last ballot and it can be a tie or a winner! This vote goes to... Everyone is holding their breath including me. I was praying for a tie in my heart and she announces goes to Mary. Then she gives the paper to the headteacher of the sophomore to check while the freshmen headteacher looks at the ballot as well.

I am not happy with the result at first. It is unbelievable that I lost by just two points only. I keep telling myself if only I work harder in my campaign. I could have won this election. Then I heard Angel voice Mardin this is unimaginable you lost by two votes! Victoria and Marjorie whisper in both in my ears, do you need a hug! I just look them in the eyes and said yes but not here maybe later. Let me congratulate the winner first then I walk to Mary and said congratulations and Mary look at me and smile and replied thank you. It's been an honor for me to win in this very close battle of my second term. I thought I lost to you in the earlier turnout. I replied It's been a good learning experience for me. Although in my heart I want to cry. Then I walk to my friends and said let's go to the house guys I want to cry and eat lots of sugar. They look at me and smile weekly in affirmations.

We walk out from the stadium then from my back someone taps me on my shoulder and I hear a familiar voice that says, Mardin there is still next year. I am sure you're gonna win! I turn me. head and smile at Ben and I said Thank you in my voice that I force to sound cheerful.

Hey Ben we are going to Mardin's house, do you want to come with us? Angel asks Ben. He answers I got a better idea why don't you guys come to my house I had Tiramisu flavor ice cream homemade by mom. It's a bribe for leaving me at home while they are going away for the whole weekend.

Everyone looks at me, begging with their eyes for me to say yes. I hesitate and said if you guys can tolerate seeing me crying why not?

They heartily laugh and say we don't mind. Ben added I know you like Tiramisu and I am sure you're gonna like what my mom made. She got the recipe from your mom. I reply, Cool, I can't wait to try your mom's Tiramisu ice cream.