Second Chances

Graduation

A few months later, everyone stood in the quad area of Atlas Academy; "This brings back memories." Alex shudders.

Nico nods, "Tell me about it..."

"Last time, we were all here was..." Chase's voice faded as he saw the statue of the founder of the school.

"That one fateful day," Gert sighs

"It feels really weird being back..." Karolina admitted, "after everything that happened."

Nico gave a small smile, "This is for Molly..."

"For Molly." they all agreed.

Amy clears her throat, "And our parents, they deserve at least one graduation."

"Sure," Hana nods, "but this is Molly's graduation..."

"Still can't believe she got you to make a speech..." Amy smirked at Hana.

Hana looks at her sister, "Its called being nice."

Molly, with the rest of the graduating class of Atlas Academy, walk by:

Molly waves to the other graduates, "You, people go ahead... I just need to talk to these people."

As the other people walk away, Molly walks towards Hana, "Are they on their way?"

"A chance to see the princess humiliate herself," Guita smirks as she walks towards them, "I'm there..."

"And I am here to protect my girl..." Andre draped his right arm around Hana's shoulders and quickly retracting his arm, as he saw Hana glare at him. "Uh... I..." Andre stuttered, "I meant to say I am the backup of the backup for the woman I love."

"Yeah," Nico nods to her sister's fiance, "Hana's nobody's girl..."

Robert looks at Nico, "Okay?"

"One of the major difference between mother and Hana," Amy explains with a humorous tone, "while mom loves being referred to as dad's girl. Hana will kill you if you try to take ownership."

Tina's eyes widened, making Amy and Nico chuckle in amusement. "Evident by that," Hana points to Tina's neck, "hickey." Tina covered her neck and turned red to everyone's amusement.

"Anyways, I'll see you..." Molly hugs Hana before walking away, "and thank you!"

Hana smiles, "No prob, Mols."

After they all sat down, Ms. Tezuka announced, "For the past decade or so... Atlas Academy had been trying to get three of its most successful students to speak at graduation and today we have been blessed to get all three. Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm thrilled to introduce former CEO and Founder of HM technology, Dr. Hana Minoru; a successful environmental lawyer, Ms. Sampaguita Minoli; and the brilliant general surgeon, Dr. Andre George!"

Hana, Guita, and Andre went on stage, as Tezuka made way handing the microphone to Hana. Hana smiled accepting the microphone and cleared her throat, "Don't be fooled I'm actually not a medical doctor, I just attained my PhD in computer science and business administration. Wow, being back here after so many years things have certainly changed, but the one thing that stayed the same is friendship I've made in this school. Let me tell you, if you went here and find yourself in a pinch call a fellow alumni they'll help you out. This school, their students has had this helping each other down. This school has taught me so much; such as compassion, which is a great transition to my next point... The reason I am the former CEO of HM Tech is because I sold my company to my parents after learning I wasn't able to go back to Japan. So I sold it to them as to not have my employees suffer. For the graduates, never forget where you came from because when the world out there gets too difficult; you'll still have the people here to back you up. Congrats, grads!"

Guita sighs, as she was handed the mic, "As a girl who had been orphaned from a young age and grew up in her grandmother's care in the bad part of LA, I knew my life was about to change the second I stepped into the halls of Atlas; I've met my best friend here. I was a shy 14 year old girl that just so happened to bump into the most popular girl in the audition for Ms. Saigon... we both got understudy but by chance the lead female had backed out so Hana got the part of Kim and the girl who played Ellen had stage fright and couldn't go in to stage, so I got that part. Hana and I became best friends ever since, which was ironic our characters were rivals... I didn't meet my true love that day but I did meet the girl who was to introduce me to him... We would joke around about how Hana and I met for a reason, all I know is that I wouldn't be who I am today without her, so thank you Atlas for the life long friendship you've cultivated."

"When I was younger my parents were killed in a car accident, me and my sister were left to grow up in Compton grandma as caretaker, we thought there was no way out of that place, but because of Atlas Academy, I've met the woman who today is my fiancee and I got my family and I out of poverty. So thank you, Atlas, for the opportunity and thank you; Mr. and Mrs. Minoru for awarding me that scholarship; but most of all, thank you so much Hana, you were my inspiration." Andre delivers.