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Biden stood in front of the school gates, dreaming of his future. “Wow, USA University…dreams really do come true…” He said dreamily. USA University was the most prestigious school for any American. It was where all great Americans came to study, where futures were born. And he was here. His father, Obama, was the head of the democratic party at USA University, so it was always known he’d be coming here. But still, he felt so out of place here. I mean, this was USA University, he didn’t belong here! But regardless, he was here, walking towards his future. See, in USA University, the students were training to be politicians. There were two main sectors here: Democrats and Republicans. Third-party students had to study elsewhere. And there were 3 branches: Judicial, Legislative, and, most prestigious, Executive. However, third-party students had to study elsewhere. Only democrats and republicans walked the halls of USA University. There was a head of each party, and the headmaster of the school, Nancy Pelosi. Students had to list their party and branch on their application, although you could switch later on for a slight fee. Biden, just like his father before him, was a democrat in the executive branch, the hardest branch to be accepted into. However, Biden had big shoes to fill here. See, before he was party head, Biden’s father, Obama, was the president while he was a student. The president was the most prestigious role in USA University. Not only was it the head of the Executive branch, the most prestigious branch of the three, but unlike all other roles, there could only be one president and vice-president. Every other role had multiple openings for both parties, but only one person, no matter their party could be president. Only the absolute best of the best students were eligible to run, and only one person from each party would be chosen by the students of their party as their party’s candidate. Then, the two candidates would have to campaign against each other. Then, on election day, students were permitted to vote, and the numbers would be presented to possibly sway the opinion, but ultimately, the winning candidate was chosen by Headmaster Pelosi. That meant that if someone wanted to be president, they had to win the respect of not only their party, but of Headmaster Pelosi. But the fight was worth it, because the president was the most highly respected person in USA University. Being president guaranteed you respect, fame, honor, and riches. It was the dream role. And oh boy did Biden have big dreams. Because he had a goal in being here in USA University. He was going to become the president.
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Biden took a deep breath, trying to clear his head as he walked through the gates and down the brick walkway leading to the front door of USA University. “This is it…” he thought “This is my moment. From this moment on, I have to make my family proud, make my father proud, make the democrats proud, make my country proud… I have to become the president.” Just then, he reached the door. He looked up, taking in the sight of the large door in front of him. He took one final breath, repeating affirmations in his head, and swung the door open. As he took the first step inside, he suddenly became aware of how loud and crowded the entrance hall was. Men and women, all wearing suits and suit dresses, with a red or blue tie to indicate their party, rushed around him. Some stood in circles, chattering amongst themselves, others sitting on benches shining their shoes or flipping through notebooks, some standing in front of lockers, doing a variety of things, others rushing and hustling around, books in their arms. As he stood, taking in the scene, a voice said “Hey, isn’t that Obama’s kid?” He froze, as all eyes in the room turned to him, one by one. His face went pale and he stumbled out “Yeah.. I’m Biden, Joe Biden..” Then, the voice said “We don’t care who you are. Your pops ruined our country forever! And you’re his boy, which means you’re an Obama democrat, which makes you worse than dirt! Headmaster Pelosi ain’t gonna stand for you, boy! And neither will I!” Then, the bell rang, and everyone in the room gradually dispersed towards their classes, muttering things and shooting him looks. Biden couldn’t believe it. He’d always thought people respected presidents! Especially his father! I mean, he was the head of the democratic party! How could he accomplish that if no one respected him? Then, a girl wearing a purple suit dress, pearl necklace, and a blue tie approached him. She had light chocolate skin, wavy dark cedar hair, and deep brown orbs. “Hey,” She began calmly. She had a sort of professional calmness to her voice, but still a friendly one “Don’t listen to them. They’re republicans, they’ll find any excuse to hate on a democrat. The vast majority of people here don’t hate you. Or your dad. I mean, I can’t speak for everyone, but I actually really look up to him. Being called an “Obama democrat” is a compliment, as far as I’m concerned.” Biden smiled. So people didn’t hate him after all. Phew. “Thank you.” He began, “Oh, and you never introduced yourself.” Her eyes widened slightly as she realized that she in fact hadn’t. “Oh, my bad. I’m Kamala Harris, democrat in the executive branch.” She said, extending her hand for him to shake. He smiled and shook it. “Well it’s nice to meet you, Kamala.” She nodded and leaned back casually against the lockers “So, what’s your end goal here? I mean, everyone here has one goal they’re shooting for by being here, so you must too.” Biden looked away, seeming bashful. Even though his father had been president, he still felt embarrassed saying that he wanted to be president. “I.. want to be president..” Kamala paused for a moment, before smiling and saying “Wow, me too! But, you have a way better shot at it then I do. But either way, if that’s really what you want, then there’s something you should know..” Her expression went dark, worrying Biden. “The republican candidate this year is, well…” Biden interrupted “Wait, what? Neither party has had their convention yet, how is there already a republican candidate?” She continued “Well, it’s not official, but everyone knows he’s going to be the republican candidate. He’s the republican party leader, Elon Musk’s son. He’s just a first year, like us, but he’s already the most popular boy in the republican party. And he’s a tough opponent from what I’ve heard. He’ll go as low as possible to win, and he’ll keep playing dirty even after he wins. If you want to beat him, you’ll have to fight, and fight hard,” Biden gulped. This was gonna be harder than he thought. Just as he was about to respond, a mature, stern male voice cleared its throat. He’d heard that Mitch McConnell was teaching here, but he didn’t expect to meet him like this. The voice spoke again “Harris? Biden? You’re late to class by 7 minutes, and by the looks of it, you were in no rush to get to your next class.” Kamala spoke up hurriedly “Professor McConnell! That’s not it, we were just-” He cut her off “Silence, Harris. This is no behavior for USA University students. Especially not executive branch students. After school detention, two hours in my office.” Biden was too frozen to speak, so Kamala spoke up and said “Yes, Professor McConnell. Sorry, Professor McConnell.” Professor McConnell continued “As you should be, Harris. Now, you both have Ethical Politics class with me right now, and I suppose I’ll have to walk you there to ensure no more dilly-dallying. You both are very lucky that the main office is having technical difficulties on the first day, because in my homeroom class, the penalty for missing Headmaster Pelosi’s morning announcements, and thereby the pledge, is much larger. Now come along.” Professor McConnell began walking, and Biden and Kamala dejectedly followed. “This isn’t how I planned on starting my first semester at USA University..” Biden thought. But he also thought about Kamala’s earlier words. This mystery republican boy both intrigued and intimidated him. How was he ever supposed to face such an opponent? And moreover, who was this republican candidate-to-be?
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Biden and Kamala walked sheepishly behind Professor McConnell, Biden still deeply in his thoughts about Kamala's earlier words. As they arrived in the lecture hall, Professor McConnell shot them a warning glare as he walked over to his desk. Kamala quickly nodded and looked around for a moment before taking Biden's hand and leading him to the only two empty seats near the back. As they sat down, Headmaster Pelosi's voice came on the loudspeaker. "Ahem, ahem, testing, can everyone hear me alright? Welcome students to the new semester at USA University! I hope everyone gives a warm welcome to new students as well as new staff this year. Now, a reminder that the official entrance ceremony will begin at 10:00 o'clock in the debate hall, Be there or be square! Now, please rise and join me in the pledge.” All the students, as well as Professor McConnell, rose and put their right hand across their heart and recited the pledge in unison with Headmaster Pelosi. At USA University, patriotism was very serious. Every morning, every student and staff had to stand with their right hand over their heart, and recite the pledge with Headmaster Pelosi when she came on the loudspeaker. And at every school event or assembly of any kind, one student would be chosen to sing the national anthem, and the crowd must do as they do for reciting the pledge. Stand, place their right hand over their heart, their left behind their back, remove their hat and hold it behind their back in their left hand, and look towards the nearest American flag. Failure to comply with patriotic procedures such as these, as well as other ones, as well as other anti-patriotic actions was considered anti-patriotism. It was considered a major offense at USA University, and the punishment depended on severity of offense and number of offenses. Extreme cases can even receive expulsion, so all students made it a priority to comply with all patriotic procedures. As the students sat down, Headmaster Pelosi came off the loudspeaker, and Professor McConnell began handing out syllabuses to the students. Biden closely read through his, and saw only the usual things you’d expect from a teacher like Professor McConnell. After all the students had syllabuses, Professor McConnell went back to the front of the room and began teaching. It was a rather boring lesson, but Kamala took extensive notes. Biden could’ve sworn he never saw her put her pencil down the whole hour. When the bell rang, signaling the end of class, Kamala and Biden gathered their things and headed out of the lecture hall. As they walked, Kamala looked at her wristwatch and said “It's 10 o'clock. We should head to the debate hall for the entrance ceremony like Headmaster Pelosi said to." Biden nodded and they began walking. Once they reached the debate hall, they took seats near the back of the hall and waited for the ceremony to begin. Suddenly, as the crowds of people filing in stopped, and everyone found seats, the stage lights turned on, and the lights in the crowd dimmed. On the stage, in the very center, in front of the mic, was Headmaster Pelosi. She wore her signature violet suit dress and chunky pearl necklace, and a smile on her aged face. To her right, wearing a simple black suit and red tie, was Elon Musk. And to her left, wearing an identical simple black suit but with a blue tie, was Biden’s father, Obama. Headmaster Pelosi began to speak into the microphone “Good morning, USA University! Today we’re here to discuss some things, and to welcome our incoming students and staff! Unfortunately, our assistant headmaster was unable to make today’s assembly, but all will still go smoothly! Now, before we begin, I’d like to ask you all to stand as we bring up a student to sing the national anthem. This year, for the first time ever, we’ll be having a first-year sing the anthem of the entrance ceremony. I’d like to welcome Miss Hillary Clinton, first year democrat, to the stage, for her rendition of our national anthem!” Then, a girl wearing a gray suit dress, blue tie, chunky necklace, and a blonde bob came onto the stage, stepping in front of the mic as Headmaster Pelosi stepped aside to let her take center stage. All the students and staff stood and placed their right hands over their hearts and looked towards the American flag in the corner of the hall as the opening notes of the national anthem began playing from the speakers. As Hillary began to sing the anthem, she had a lovely voice, even adding extra belts and riffs into the song. Her voice sounded just like if Shakira was a yak. As she finished the anthem, she took a theatrical bow as the crowd applauded her. She then walked back behind the curtain as the applause died down, and Headmaster Pelosi stepped back in front of the mic and began “Thank you to Miss Hillary Clinton for that beautiful rendition of our national anthem!” She continued speaking, but Biden couldn’t hear what she said, as he leaned over to Kamala and whispered “Who was that? On stage before?” Kamala whispered back “Hillary Clinton. She’s Bill Clinton’s daughter. He was the democratic party head before Obama, and I think he’s on the school board now. Needless to say, Hillary’s popular. No idea what she’s actually like though.” Biden, nodding, trying to re-focus on Headmaster Pelosi’s speech. But… he just couldn’t. His mind was still full of questions about this school. His father could only explain the technical aspects of this school, nothing social. He didn’t realize how valuable knowing these things were until he knew only a taste of them. He managed to tune himself back into Headmaster Pelosi’s speech just as it was ending. “Now, lastly, before I dismiss you all, I’d like to say one last thing. Our election season is incoming, so tomorrow morning, all students will be given a list of roles they’re eligible to run for, and you may check any of which you wish to run for. Campaigns will begin shortly after all slips are received. Thank you for your time, and you may now be dismissed.” The students began to stand up and file out of the room and away to their next class. Biden and Kamala were no different, and headed to their next class, Retirement, with Chuck Grassley. They went through the rest of their day like that, going from lecture to lecture until it was the end of the day, and time for their detention with Professor McConnell. As they arrived into the empty classroom, Professor McConnell was sitting behind his desk. Kamala and Biden took seats in the front. Professor McConnell got up from his desk and placed a sheet of lined paper in front of each of them. “Biden, Harris, you are each to write ‘I will arrive on time to class’ on this sheet of paper as many times as you can. If it is any less than 200, you will have a second detention tomorrow. Am I clear?” he said sternly. “Yes, Professor McConnell.” Kamala said politely. She then quickly began writing the sentences in swooping cursive with her feather pen. Professor McConnell shot Biden an expectant look, and Biden quickly followed suit. Kamala wrote much faster than Biden, even turning over the paper before Biden was even halfway through his first side. The detention was slow and grueling, dragging on endlessly. Biden couldn’t tell if it was because of the writing, the detention itself, or Professor McConnell. Maybe all of the above. Either way, once the two hours had passed, Kamala and Biden got up and handed Professor McConnell their papers and walked out. It was about 5:30 PM now, and the sun was setting. “Phew,” Kamala said “I thought that was gonna last until it was dark. Well, I gotta get home. It was nice meeting you, Biden. I’ll see you tomorrow, though!” She smiled and began walking away. Biden walked over to his locker to grab his bag, when he received a text from his mother, Michelle Obama. “Honey, we’re out of eggs and flour, can you pick up more from the store on your way home?” Biden replied “Sure, I’ll bring some home.” Biden grabbed his bag from his locker and walked out of the school, towards the supermarket. Once he reached the store, he went to the food aisle and grabbed a bag of flour and a carton of eggs for his mother. He walked over to the front and waited in a line for the checkout. While he waited, he looked at the political magazines. One had the face of Elon Musk on it. He picked it up and flipped to a random page. It said “Tech billionaire Elon Musk becomes the first non-politician to be chosen as a party head at USA University. Due to the Tesla founder’s active role in US politics, despite not being a politician, USA University Headmaster, Nancy Pelosi, said ‘Mr. Musk has shown his value to our nation, be it through technical advancements, or otherwise. There is no one I know more fitting to fill the role of Republican party head in the retirement of our former Republican party head, George W. Bush.’ However, some claim a non-politician shouldn’t be permitted to head a political party at the nation’s best political university. Sources say his son is currently enrolled in USA University as a Republican in the executive branch, and is attempting to run for president there. His identity, policies, and approval among his party are currently unknown, but critics of Musk question if he retains his father’s questionable, some would say corrupt, business and political practices.” He set the magazine down. Was this the same guy Kamala told him about? Seeing him talked about again brought back the questions Biden had tried to push out of his mind during the school day. Biden’s thoughts were cut off when he realized the person in front of him had walked away, and it was now his turn to check out. He placed his bag of flour and carton of eggs on the conveyor, and the cashier scanned them and asked “Cash or card?” Biden wordlessly swiped his fathers black card in the machine, and paid for the items. He grabbed his receipt, took the bag, and began walking out. He was deep in thought about what he’d read in that magazine, and what Kamala had told him. He barely paid attention to his surroundings as he walked out of the store and down the street. Suddenly, he crashed into someone, and fell to the floor. As he looked up, he saw who he walked into. He saw a guy with bright orange skin, deep blue orbs, and fine blonde hair in a comb-over. But more importantly, he wore a suit with a red tie. Identical to one a USA University Republican student would wear. Biden’s face flushed, although he couldn’t quite tell why. “Watch where you’re going, Liberal.” The guy said, before walking away, leaving Biden sitting on the sidewalk, his groceries scattered around him. Only one thought filled Biden’s mind:“Who was that?”