By the time Kingstar entered SHS 2, things were beginning to take shape.
He had built a name for himself in the choir. His grades were steady, and the sting of JHS mistakes had slowly faded.
He was no longer just "the new boy." He had presence. A voice. A reputation.
So when it was time to pick up nomination forms for prefectship, his heart raced with ambition.
This was it. My time to lead.
He had always wanted to be more Dining Hall Prefect, Entertainment Prefect, or even Chapel Prefect. Something that would put him on stage. In front. In charge.
He called home that evening.
His mother picked up.
"Eii Kingstar... prefect? Hmm, that's good. But... things are hard now. If there's any cost involved, I may not be able to help. Can you wait till final year?"
Her voice was calm but he heard the worry beneath.
He didn't argue.
He didn't cry.
He just ended the call and returned to class, the form still in his hand.
By the next day, he hadn't submitted it.
He watched as others pinned their forms on the board names in bold. Smiles wide. Some even started lobbying classmates.
Kingstar sat back quietly, pretending he didn't care.
Weeks passed.
Then, one Tuesday morning, during assembly, the Housemaster called him aside.
"Kingstar, I've watched you. You're responsible. I know you didn't pick any form, but I'm appointing you as House Work Prefect."
It wasn't what he wanted. It wasn't flashy. No microphone. No stage. No notice.
House Work Prefect?
He forced a smile. "Thank you, sir."
But later, while scrubbing floors with the juniors or checking chores at dawn, he started noticing things:
Some students only worked when watched.Others needed encouragement.A few just wanted someone to listen.
He found himself leading from behind quietly building respect.
Soon, even those with "bigger" titles came to him for help. Organizing. Coordinating. Managing.
And every now and then, the Prep Prefect would walk by, glance his way, and frown still bitter that Kingstar, without pushing, had found another way to lead.
Because sometimes, the position you didn't want...
is the exact one that prepares you for the future you never expected