It was going to be different this time.
In his first term on student council, Angelo had flown more or less by the seat of his pants. He'd written a speech and then tossed it out the window, deciding that speaking from the heart compared to something clinical and pre-written. He'd reached the top, and then he'd taken a step back, plagued by self doubt.
But six months later, Angelo was a different person. He was prepared. He had people who had his back. He had a plan, and a goal, and a time limit. Unless he significantly changed his plans, it simply wasn't going to be plausible for him to be part of the council while speeding through college classes.
So this would be his last term, and he wanted to make it count.
Waiting for his term, Angelo flipped through the photos on his phone. A shot of him and his dad at the opening of La Bussola. The members of the Defiant watching a movie. Him and Alma on a date. Angelo--the other Angelo--eating dinner. A thumbs up in front of a solitary skyline.
He heard someone say his name and tucked his phone away, heading to the stage to start his speech.
"Before anything else, I just wanted to thank everyone who came out to listen to these speeches. I know student council isn't exactly the most glamorous of things, but it shows an interest in politics that I wish every person on the island had.
"So for those who don't know me, I'm Angelo Genovese. I'm currently your Student Council vice president. Last year I had a chance at the presidency, but I took a step back due to stuff happening in my life. I didn't think I was ready back then, but I'm ready for it now. You might also know me from the classes I take at night, or at my job. For those who haven't met me before, I'm, like a lot of you, not originally from Manta Carlos. I'm not from the narrow reality, either. I'm from a parallel dimension, one that's a lot like this place. We didn't have as many people with powers, but we also didn't have a veil, and that meant powers got thrown around all the time, whether you wanted to or not. It was simply a fact of life for us.
"I bring this up because, as I realized lately, it's not a fact of life for a lot of people here. If you're raised in San Fransisco, you expect earthquakes, and you prepare for them. If you're raised in the Philippines, you expect typhoons, and you prepare for them. On Manta Carlos there are thousands of residents still learning to control their powers. Saying they should do a better job practicing doesn't change that accidents happen, and knowing what to do in case of an emergency--in any kind of emergency--is important. It's a major part of our education, and it's something that isn't covered.
"So I want to change that. I'm running on a campaign of disaster preparedness. Of pamphlets and reminders, but also ideally of lessons. I'd like the school to find a place in their curriculum for new students to make sure a student knows what to do if there's a fire. To make sure they know what to do if someone's powers are out of control. To know who to call if they find someone wandering around not sure where they are. All of these things should be rare, but they aren't, and we need to be prepared for them."
Angelo paused for a moment, taking a second to breathe, and then worked on his wrapup. It was important to end on a strong note.
"I hope you'll have me back for council once again, and I look forward to working with all the members of this term's student council."
He gave a small nod of his head, and then stepped away from the podium to let the next person speak.
