Royal Blood Book one(wattys2016)

Graduation

I couldn't breath, I could feel my stomach in my throat and I was for sure going to throw up on the black laced shoes in front of me. Everything around me became a shushed hum as my heart beat pounded in my ears. Today was the day, the day I have been waiting for, for four years is finally here yet I am so nervous I can barley stand and flashes of black spots dance across my vision. Just when I think about turning around and walking out I hear principle Dunn call my name.

"Now I would like to welcome this years class valedictorian Ms. Natalia Thorn."

The crowd hesitates but erupts in cheers making my legs start to shake uncontrollably. I take a deep breath and slid my written speech into my gown. I've practiced this a hundred times but now I cant even remember the first line. Mr. Dunn looks to the left of the stage ushering me to move. I take a Deep breath and I start to cross the stage.  As I make my way to center stage the last 4 years flash before me. Freshman year was rough I was the new girl and quite, no one made an effort to be my friend. Sophomore year I still didn't really know anyone and threw myself into my studies always keeping a 4.0 grade average. Jr year I met Lizzy in drama class, we were partners and have been inseparable since. Senior year flew by and because of my lack of social skills I never went to parties or participated in any senior activities making it easy for me to focus on college and my grades, landing me to this spot as valedictorian. My teachers loved and understood me in a way my fellow students never did. What seemed like hours I finally reached the podium and cleared my throat. Hear goes nothing I thought. I had no family in the audience and my only friend was seated just a few rows ahead. I tried to focus on her radiant perfect red hair to ease my nerves; she always had a sense of calmness about her. She obviously could tell I was nervous and gave me a reassuring nod. 

"Umm...hello everyone.... My name is Natalia" shit I thought, they already know that, pull it together. Who cares what they think no one really knows you.

"These past 4 years seem to have just flown by, I remember starting off here as the new shy girl freshman year now I stand proud in front of family and friends (lie) as your class valedictorian. I am so proud and honored to speak on behalf of the class of 2016."

At this point I am pretty sure my whole class in laughing inside their heads, and asking who the hell was this girl talking. I talked about what little memories I could make out, I made up some little white lie scenarios to involve the class, I talked about how great and prosperous our futures will be and closed it by thanking all the teachers and staff facility. Lizzy stood up and began to cheer and clap causing the whole audience to follow, dam I loved that girl. My legs began to function more clearly as I walked off and joined the rest of my class in the audience. It was easy to spot my red headed friend, her hair was like a shining orb of fire and stuck out among the boring flat brown and blond hair around her. I made my way to the seat empty beside her.

She was beautiful, her pale skin made her red hair stick out that much more. She was taller than me and with the heels she was wearing today she could barely cross her legs in her seat. She had the perfect amount of freckles to compliment her already perfect face. I still couldn't believe she was my best friend. She was one of the prettiest girls in school and by far the most popular. Everything came easy to her and she succeeded in all aspects of high school. Class president, captain of the cheerleading squad, she even played the lead in all our drama class plays. Every guy wanted to date her and every girl wanted to be her. She took a liking to me, I guess it was because I was different, I didn't try to be her friend out of popularity like most of the fake girls in our class. Our friendship came naturally and she accepted who I was. She never pressured me to go to parties and drink, she never tried to hook me up with one of her many football player friends she respected me and my studies and for that I grew to love her. I supported her and attended all her cheerleading games and she supported me in my studies and came over every Sunday night with homemade flash cards to quiz me. She was literally my only friend but when you have a friendship like ours you don't need many friends, or so I make myself believe. I was nothing like Lizzy. I was shorter and not as skinny. I wasn't fat by no means but I always had to buy pants a size bigger because of my huge ass. My hair is boring; long pitch black perfectly flat hair that just touched the top of my bum. I had bright green eyes that always got noticed and complimented by strangers. "Are those your real eyes?" they would always ask and I would just nod because I was tired of being asked that after 10 years. I was shy, and insecure my confidence only came out in drama class when I could pretend to be someone else for 45 mins. Me and Lizzy were complete opposites, but I guess it's true what they say, opposites attract.  I reach the empty seat and just slouch over the chair, I hung my head down because I can feel people staring at me, and my cheeks are becoming hot.