Rule the World

Prologue

Mya's POV
June 3, 2015

"Graduating at the top of her class, Mya Rivers!" The head of NYU said. I smiled and went to collect my diploma. I was officially a bachelor of music. It would've been hell without Charlie, my five year old xxl pit bull. I had managed to get Charlie certified and trained as my service dog. So he was allowed to be at my graduation with me. "Thank you to Mya's service dog, Charlie for helping her find our way to our admissions office. Without the help of that dog, we never would have heard the beautiful voice of Ms Rivers. And, she's turning 22 today!"

I smiled, shook the head's hand and turned to Charlie. "Sit." I said. Charlie sat.

The head crouched down. "Charlie, shake." Charlie gave her his paw. "And you don't get a diploma, but you do get a treat." She gave my dog a large dog biscuit and I smiled widely.

"Thank you." I said and sat down. The rest of the class was announced, given their diplomas and I just smiled and watched.

Charlie sat proudly.

"We always have the student with the best grades, at the top of the class, make the speech. So, Mya Rivers. Please welcome her up."

I walked up to the podium. "Hello class of 2011! Congratulations on completing these past four years!" I started. The crowd, and class, went crazy. "I know most people would make a speech about their past four years in school. But I want to talk about how I got here. How I wound up attending NYU. So, four years ago, in 2011, I had just moved here from LA. I was young, dumb, broke. I didn't realize how hard it would be to graduate, take whatever savings I had, my zero job experience, guitar and phone. It was long, rough, and ugly. But one day, I was lucky enough to stumble upon the kindest of souls, my dog, Charlie. Now, I'm not much for speeches. So, I'm gonna sing." I motioned to my mom who walked up to the stage and handed me my guitar. "Now, I'm still working out the kinks, but I call this song Rule the World."

I began strumming my guitar. In the corner of the auditorium was a drummer who was graduating next year. The 21 year old woman began drumming. I started singing.

"I say I'll rule the world.

"Don't cloud my vision, I'm telling you not today. 'Cause I'm seeing straight, made my decision. Made it through the shades of grey, made it my own way. I materialize the feeling to carry on, to carry on. I know some will say I'm dreaming, but I carry on, I carry on.

"They say no way, oh, I say I'll rule the world. Ain't afraid of the walls, I'm a break 'em down. They stay the same, oh, I'm feelin' high as a bird. Ain't afraid of the ground, I'm a stay up. I say yeah yeah yeah, they say no no no. They say slow slow slow, I say go go go. They say no way, oh, I say I'll rule the world, I say I rule the world.

"I chased illusion, then I watched it fade to black. Throwing me off track, found revolution, found it in a simple fact: I ain't coming back.

"I materialize the feeling to carry on, to carry on. I know some will say I'm dreaming, but I carry on, I carry on.

"They say no way, oh, I say I'll rule the world. Ain't afraid of the walls, I'm a break 'em down. They stay the same, oh, I'm feelin' high as a bird. Ain't afraid of the ground, I'm a stay up. I say yeah yeah yeah, they say no no no. They say slow slow slow, I say go go go. They say no way, oh, I say I'll rule the world, I say I rule the world.

"They say no way, oh, I say I'll rule the world. Ain't afraid of the walls, I'm a break 'em down. They stay the same, oh, I'm feelin' high as a bird. Ain't afraid of the ground, I'm a stay up

"I say yeah yeah yeah, they say no no no. They say slow slow slow, I say go go go. They say no way, oh, I say I'll rule the world, I say I rule the world. I say I rule the world, I say I rule the world, I say I rule the world."

Everyone stood, cheering. I saw my mom, cheering the loudest. "THAT'S MY GIRL!" She shouted.

I smiled as the head of NYU hugged me. She whispered into my ear, "I am so proud of you, Mya."

"Thank you for giving me a chance."

"You are really going to go places." I smiled and the entire graduating class, including me, threw our caps into the air. Mine was the only decorated one, having my song's title, Rule the World, written on it. This would be a glorious new chapter.