It's Kinda Crazy Really [L.S.]

2.4

The 7th of March, 2021

❀

Emma's POV

Halfway through the second semester and everything is going lightning fast. Today they announce who our Valedictorian is and the top students in our grade, including myself, are on the edge of their seats. Taylor and the Greys are all crowded around me with my family on the other end of my phone and Mollie on the other end of Taylor's. I have my laptop open in front of me, waiting for the email that the entire class is sent with who the valedictorian will be. After the fifth time I refresh the page, an email from our principal appears in my inbox. Valedictorian of the class of 2022.

I freeze and just stare at the email. "Well, go on and open it!" Taylor encourages and I shake my head to gain my attention back. I breathe out as I click on the email. I read it while Luke reads it out loud over my shoulder.

"Good evening everyone, blah blah blah. Oh, here it is! I am pleased to announce that the Valedictorian of the graduating class of 2022 is... Emma Styles! Emma, you're valedictorian! You're officially the smartest person in our grade!" Everyone cheers at the revelation and words of congratulations are shared. I still can't believe it, surely this isn't right. I am the valedictorian. Shit, that means I have to write a speech. 

"Yeah, yeah I am," I accept while the celebrations continue around me.  

The 21st of May, 2022

❀

Prom, the one school dance that everyone and their mother looks forward to. Today is that day. Today is the day of the senior prom, the last celebration before graduation. My family should be here any minute now. They're flying in for prom and graduation, which is only a week from today. I've perfected my speech for the ceremony and I'm waiting to put on the perfect dress for prom. It goes perfectly with Taylor's suit. It's a cabernet, long sleeve, lace two-piece dress. Taylor is wearing a maroon pantsuit with a black t-shirt underneath. 

When I hear a knock at my door I call out, "Come in," and keep my eyes on the book in my hands. I hear the door open and I speak up again. "What's up?" I ask. 

"Wow, I thought you'd be more excited to see us, but it's fine we'll be upstairs when you feel like seeing us," chimes in Louis's familiar accent and scratchy voice. My head snaps up from my page and I set the book down before making it to the door in a few strides. I make sure to get all four people in my door frame into the embrace. I just saw them a few months ago for my winter holiday, but this time it's different. This time, they're taking me home with them and I'm staying. In fact, my room is all packed up and most of it is already on its way to London. I'm currently living off of a single suitcase of clothes and my medical essentials. The rest of my wardrobe and belongings are nowhere in sight.

We all pull away from the large hug and I give them all individual hugs. It takes a second for me to realize that Mum hasn't met Julia and Gem hasn't really formally met anyone. I take their hands and tug them up the stairs and to the den where I'm sure Rob is watching his show with Julia sitting next to him pretending to be interested in it. When we make it to the landing, sure enough, I hear the familiar theme of his show so I lead the way in. "Hello!" I announce our presence resulting in the volume being lowered and two pairs of eyes landing on the five of us. "I realized that you haven't formally met my mum and sister. So... this is my mum, Anne, and this is Gemma. Mum, Gemma, this is Rob and Julia. The boys should be upstairs somewhere," I introduce, and they all exchange greetings. My mum thanks Rob and Julia profoundly and then Julia calls the boys down because 'we have guests'.