inkspresso

prologue

Zach takes a deep breath as he clutches the paper with his speech in his hands.

"And now we have a speech from this year's valedictorian, Zachary Dean Herron."

He goes up on stage as everyone claps for him. He swallows in dryly and clears his throat.

"Hello all," he starts, "I have been under the radar all this time, so I understand if major part of you doesn't recognise me. Like our principal said, I'm Zach, and I'm the valedictorian. But because life isn't just studying, I'd like to tell you all a bit more about myself. I like reading, and I like analogies, so allow me to make a few throughout my speech. We've reached the end of a chapter in our lives. Most of us have a chapter already in our heads waiting to be written." He looks up. "That was analogy number one."

The crowd chuckles, and he continues. "We'll venture into our own lives with the memories we've made along these four years. Every joke you have with your friends, every crazy rumour made up to make going to school interesting, it'll be carried in you for as long as you remember. No matter how exciting the future may be, the past holds something we all find precious—nostalgia, that is."

Zach continues speaking.

"Man, this speech is really good." A guy mumbles. He fixes his curly hair.

"Yeah, whatever." The other guy rolls his eyes. "It's not like we'll ever see this dude ever again, Jack."

"I think I bumped into him like a while back." He mumbles.

"How do you still remember that?" Another guy scoffs.

"It's called having a good memory. You should try it, Dani." He shakes his head.

"Shhh!" Their friend hushes them and points at Zach.

"That was analogy number two." The crowd chuckles again. "So yes, while high school may be over, the rest of our lives have just begun. I can only wish you success, love, and friendship. Isn't it what life is all about? Having someone who pushes us to be better, who loves us and believes in our success? The rest will follow suit, eventually. Love and befriend many people. Be kind to one another because you'll never know when you'll need someone's help."

"This is starting to sound like some gospel bullshit."

"Shut up, Corbyn!" Daniel hushes him.

"Did I lie?"

Jack hits the back of his head and returns his attention to Zach.

"May you one day look back and be proud of the life you took to get you where you are. I will not wish for you all to find success, but rather to find love. Love is the propeller of everything. Propel yourselves into the best version of you, and take pride in who you are. May life treat you well. Thank you."

Jack stands up and claps for him. He whistles at the fantastic speech.

Little does he know what he has in store for him.