"No kidding, Andrea! He likes you!" Debbie, a first year also going for position in the Students Committee comments on how Nathan complimented Andrea's answer in their problem solving discussion.
Jane repeatedly nods in agreement to Debbie's statement.
"I just happened to give the right answer, Deb!" Andrea replies as she is shaking her head.
"That wasn't the first time though, remember he complimented your solution for the team management discussion?" Debbie was persistent.
Jane gives Andrea a persuasive look, as if asking her friend to agree with her and Debbie.
Andrea grunts. How can she forget? Nathan was not only complimenting the solution she offered, he also said that if more of the committee officers had a mind like hers, the programs they plan and the solutions they offer to occurring problems would be more effective and efficient.
Andrea is still thinking about her conversation with Debbie and Jane, when the next session starts. During this session, Nathan is only performing as moderator, not the speaker. Andrea feels a little relieved about this, until the time she asks a question to the speaker, who turns out to have less knowledge than Nathan in the particular topic that Andrea asks, so, Nathan finally answers Andrea's question.
"I really admire Andrea, and I suggest all new officers to look up to her. She is not afraid of asking such 'tricky' question to her seniors because she knows she is right. School Committee officers are just human beings. We make mistakes and you will too. The most important thing to do is that you own your mistakes as much as you own your success. You report your mistakes to make sure that the next generation does not make the same mistakes."
Andrea cannot help blushing a little. She pretends to hold her writing pad in slightly upward position to hide her reddened cheeks. Nathan is only stating a fact, why is she feeling personal about it?
After the session, Nathan approaches Andrea, while Jane is still with her.
"You know, Andrea, the matter of club's practice area and admin space is not directly under the committee's responsibility. I know about it because I'm a club captain. Are you continuing your club captain position from Junior High School?"
Andrea nods, "Yes, I am. That was why I asked the question. I was always wondering why in Senior High School the distribution of club space, practice area and schedule always seem to crash one another, while they are meant to be monitored by Students Committee."
Nathan shakes his head, "It is a bit different in Senior High School. Here, clubs have full authority in setting their schedule and membership fees to cover for their needs throughout the year. School, through Students Committee only subsidises the expenses needed when the club is representing our school in external events, like competing in tournaments or attending seminars. That is why there are more clubs in Senior High School than in Junior High School. The large number of clubs makes it hard for proper allocation of space to each club."
"I see.. but I'm still not satisfied with how it is done. It's messy! By the way, how do you know I'm continuing my club captain position from Junior High School?"
Nathan smiles, "You can discuss it with the other officers later about how to improve the club system.. I know about you, of course, from your resume that you submitted when you applied for Students Committee."
Before Andrea can asks him further about it, someone shouted Nathan's name from a distance and Nathan quickly give his thumbs up, signaling that he is coming right up. Then he turns to Andrea for a second, "We'll talk again later! There are a few things I need to do right now. See ya!"
Andrea watches Nathan as he is walking away. In her mind, Andrea is thinking, if only she could see any signs that Nathan's attention was more than just that of a senior to a junior..
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