On the sand of time

Epilogue

Convocation day served as a reunion at school for the graduating class as it'd be their first time coming together at school after their final exam. Excited chatter, a symphony of laughter and joy erupted as friends were reunited. Hugs were tighter, smiles wider and conversations flowed effortlessly.

Minji, Hyein and Haerin were the first to reach school then came Hanni and then Eunchae. They sat on the third row and kept a seat for Danielle. As always Danielle runs late.

"Congratulations Haerin. I knew you'd topped the class." Hanni and Eunchae congratulated Haerin giving her a warm tight hug after they exchanged their greetings. Minji and Hyein already congratulated her earlier.

"Thank you, thank you." Haerin responded with a shy smile.

"You're the valedictorian, right? Have you practiced your speech well?" Hanni asked her.

"Yes, but I'm very nervous." Haerin honestly said.

"Why?? It's not like your first time." Hanni said not understanding Haerin's nervousness.

"You were on the stage so many times, haven't you got over your stage fright yet?" Eunchae asked concerned.

Haerin shook her head with a little pout on her lips. Her friends adored her.

"You'll be alright, don't overthink it. What's the worst that can happen, a viral video online?" Hyein playfully teased Haerin.

"You're not helping at all." Haerin nudged Hyein's shoulder.

"Don't worry....  Just imagined everyone here as frogs." Minji said nonchalantly while typing something on her phone.

Hanni croaked and everyone laughed. The croaking reminded Haerin of a certain Aussie girl who's running late. Danielle used to make those sounds to her teasing her for finding frogs cute. It's been 3 months since she last saw or talked to her. She missed her, she missed her so much that some days she felt like she wouldn't be able to breathe without hearing from her.

"Bdw, where's Danielle? Is she coming?" Hanni asked Minji.

"She has just reached the hotel. She said she'll shower, change her dress and come here." Minji said.

"What!? Did she just land here? Why didn't she come earlier?" Eunchae asked.

"She'll fly back today itself!" Hyein announced with a slight irritation in her voice.

A momentary silence engulfed them as they all felt sad over different situations and different reasons. But then they talked about how much they've missed each other and taken turns in updating about their lives. After a while, the principal started giving his speech and the girls typed away on their phones, messaging Danielle.

"Yah, why's Danielle not replying?" Hanni asked Minji.

"She read your message!? Hyein and Eunchae asked Hanni because Danielle hasn't read theirs. Hanni shook her head.

"Will she make it before Haerin's speech?" Hyein asked Minji.

"She must be getting ready.. She said she'll be here in half an hour. Here, see." Minji showed Danielle's last message to the girls.

The auditorium was filled with the voice of their school principal. He was saying something about how proud he is for the success of his students and mentioned Haerin for topping the whole of Seoul and not just Ador high school. He congratulated her specially and congratulated the other students and then thanked the parents and teachers for their different roles in the success of the school and the students.
The girls looked at him and sometimes listened to few sentences but most of the time, whispered and conversed among themselves.