“Let us welcome this year’s valedictorian with her speech, Miss Allie Garnet.”
Yes, yes. Much to my Mom and Dad’s amazement, I made it. Actually being valedictorian is just a bonus. Graduating is what I am only aiming for. Everyone applauded as I made towards the stage. I, wearing a perfect smile, nodded to them and then silence filled the auditorium.
“Five years ago, I was this little girl looking at both sides with an expression of fear plastered in my face. For others, it is just another day at school. For me, it is another step towards my future. The board of directors, teachers, guests, friends, and of course, fellow graduates, I bid you a pleasant afternoon. The moment I stood on this podium, I know that my time here in this institution is already at its end. But the values I have learned from my alma mater will remain with me and I’m sure with you all as well. We have been through so much, both good and bad. I remembered the time when Claire accidentally broke a test tube in Junior High, when Jonathan’s copper wire sparked when he heated it on the Bunsen burner, when Maria accidentally hit Professor Maxwell’s head with the whiteboard eraser, when Anthony screamed every time the door opened on its own and we thought it was haunted, when we had no choice but to go through the window because the door got jammed and we were all trapped, when people make fun of us and called us the worst batch in history, well everyone, through thick and thin, we are all here. We are all wearing our togas and ready to be given our diplomas. But, I know, the learning doesn’t stop there. We are going to go through a lot and I know that we are to leave our comfort zones. The school has provided us so much that now she is confident that we are ready for a world beyond her care. It has been a pleasure to meet great people under this institution. We made friends and met great mentors that, in time, will be remembered as our second parents. I am truly honoured to be standing in front of you all and delivering this speech for I am not speaking for myself but for the whole batch of 2014. So, on behalf of the batch, cheers to another milestone and cheers to another chapter in life ready to accept us with open arms. Thank you.”
Everyone rose up and clapped so hard my heart started laughing. And I just realized that when you are on stage, you can see EVERYONE. And by everyone, I mean Luke Verhona. There he was, grinning at me like a total idiot. I felt my face turned pale and I felt my hands stiffen at the sight of him. When the ceremony ended, Claire jumped at me and almost everyone gave me their congratulations and hugs me good luck. I was almost to where my parents sat when Luke came to me. I saw him, bouquet in hand, walking towards me.
“Hey Al.”
“Hey.”
“Congratulations, here, this is for you.”
“Thanks.” That’s it Allie, keep it short and simple.
“So… Do you have time? Maybe around ten tomorrow?”
“Are you asking me out?”
“Umm… Sure. Why not?”
This was impossible. My ex-boyfriend did not just ask me out again.
“I don’t know, Luke.”
“I just want to talk, Al. You know, explain a little. And I have something important to tell you.”
“If it’s that important, why not tell me now?”
He looked at the place around him.
“Now is not the time.”
“Tomorrow, Jazz Inn, 2pm. I’m busy in the morning since I’m going to enrol.”
“Why don’t I take you to where you’re going to enrol?”
“Nah. My brother will take me.”
“Okay then. See ya.”
And with that, I left him standing in the middle of the auditorium.
I wonder what he will tell me. Obviously he didn’t want us back… Did he?
YOU ARE READING
Three is a Crowd
Teen FictionHave you ever felt so weak, knowing that the person you love loves someone else? Allie is going through the same dilemma. When her man fell out of love for her and left her. She stayed strong. And much to Luke's amazement, he didn't realize that Al...
