Mr. Arrogant

Chapter Two

Flashback to high school

"Zara Hamilton!" My school Principal, Mr. Cameron, stood at the other end of the stage with my precious diploma. The final white piece of paper I needed to officially end this traumatic experience. Lights flared and went off as the person in front of me walked off the stage. Cameras took pictures while people clapped and whistled.

In my scratchy dark gray gown and nylon navy cap, I walked across the stage. My parents sat in the front row with tears brimming in their eyes as they saw their only child finally graduate. Slowly, I shook hands with the school attendant, supervisor, and principal. A smile, a picture, and three handshakes later, I'm officially done with high school and seated with my diploma.

Many people look forward to this day from the very beginning of their schooling. The ability to finally go off and live on your own while you pursue a career that interests you is something everyone wants. And don't forget the independence you would gain and the positive of having no parental figure around. But to get to this stage, you had to work hard and keep a laser focus on what you want. I sure know I did that very thing,

High school is THE place where people either find their way or get lost on that journey. I'd seen everything from the most studious kids getting hooked on drugs, the pom-pom squad filling up their time with the football players just to get a shot at popularity. All those things never really interested me. I was that one kid that would rather spend time at the library exploring the depths of Jane Austen instead of partying.

For me, as a freshman, I was granted a full ride to a prestigious school in the Valley. Austen Keter High School is known as one of the most expensive and hardest schools to get in with a scholarship. Which meant I had to work extremely hard to get the grades. I'm no legacy girl or a girl with money, actually, I'm dirt poor, so everything was dependent on that scholarship.

My parents both graduated with a GED and never attended college. They work hard for everything and I worked anywhere I could find a job to help out. But to Mr. Jacob Hamilton and Mrs. Sarah Hamilton, school is more important. They didn't want their only child to have a future like them. In the midst of all their responsibilities, they always made time for me and my school events. My parents gave me the belief that I was special with a gift and they treated me that way. Eventually, all the struggling paid off because I got into our desired school.

Finally noticing the valedictorian of my class was finishing up his speech, I zoned back in for the last few words. "Now, you may throw your caps in the air, congratulations to the latest class of Austen Keter High School!" People all around me screamed, cried and laughed. Hugs and kisses were thrown around among friends and family. Dozens of navy and white caps sailed through the clear blue sky, symbolizing the end of an era for most of us.

I walked across the football field one last time, gladly leaving all the memories I had there. Waiting around the corner of the football field, my parents stood. "Zara, darling. You're done! Oh my, my small girl is all grown up." Mom grabs on to me as she roams her hands all over my face and hair. My silver eyes met her soulful brown ones. Eyes locked, she whispered, "I knew you could make it." Mom wiped away the lone tear streaked down her tanned cheek. Then I was given off to Daddy.

A few hugs and tears later, mom and dad repeated the usual procedure for when they go off to a long job. Make sure the locks are all closed, keep pepper spray with you, be safe at the after party and just try to stay inside for as long as you can. This job was one of the longer ones, they were gone for almost a week. Without much time to spare, mom grabs my hand and lays a kiss on my open palm and dad gives me one more hug.

Smiling, they walked back to their car, a car which should have been replaced in the 1990s. The sides were tinted orange by rust, the doors looked as if it was about to fall off any second and let's not talk about the interior of the car. But my parents loved that thing. They waved once more before pulling into the long line to the exit. Stuck in between luxury cars like BMW's, Lamborghini's, Camaros, Audis, Range Rovers stood our rust bucket.