In Our Own Time | [ON HOLD] Bee Gees 🎶

Chapter 6: Three Years On, Five Weeks Later...

A/N: I did not realize I made some of you cry on the previous chapter. I'm so sorry... I will make it up to you guys/gals.  (Update: I have to tweak the title cos I realized it too late I typed the wrong number...)

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Margaret

"And the last person to include in our honors' list... Alice Margaret Thompson, with the highest honor received!" 

These were the words echoed throughout the mini gymnasium of our state university in a chilly November afternoon, though it wasn't raining at all. Me, achieving the highest honor for Design and Photography? I couldn't believe it! Maybe this could be my ticket to land a decent job anywhere in the country. Who knows... 

It is a norm, anyway, to pass with flying colours, so you can land a decent job. Or marry at a young age if you don't feel like going to college. But I wanted more though, anyway, at least I could 'give back' to our aunt who gave all her time and energy to James and I. Although she would say, "It's okay! Keep the money to yourself," I felt it was the right thing to do. She did not want me to work while I was studying, but little she knew that I take photography shoots at the sidelines to earn extra for my major school projects.

I felt like I was in cloud 9 at that moment until James had to literally drag me to the stage 'cause I couldn't move my legs. I have never seen my aunt so happy at the bleacher, while I received my diploma and award at the stage with my brother.

Before I left the stage, the school director handed me what seemed to be a post mail. I was about to open it when she said, "Well, you can open it after the ceremony," she smiled, and I nodded in response. 

Soon, the ceremonies were over—fellow batchmates and different classes taking pictures together, posing with the instructors, guardians, and other school officials, and so on. Our gallery of our works was also displayed, so everyone could see. Then I saw my internship adviser approaching our way with a smile. She's one of the sought-after photographers in Australia, but she has been in and out of the country as well, if her assistance is needed. "Margaret! Congratulations!"

"Thank you, Ms. Brown!"

"I told you, just call me Caroline." She made a mock disgusted face.

"Okay, okay," I chuckled. "What brings you here? I thought you're leaving in a few hours?"

"You haven't read the letter, don't you?"

"What do—" I glanced at my hand with the strange letter given to me an hour ago. "Is this what you mean?"

"Yeah, I gave that to the school director. Why don't you read it yourself?" She looked at me, as if she was hiding something from me.

I ripped the envelope, pulled out the letter, and read the content.

I did not expect this at all. 

-*-*-

"Are you sure you're not going with me?" I asked James like the -nth time as we sat at the restaurant table. It was nearly nighttime and our aunt treated us for dinner—through her insistence, since it is my graduation day and all.

I asked him because of what happened this afternoon...

Margaret slowly opened the letter that was given to her, and that certain line caught her sight...