Fate

Graduation Perils

Chapter 3: Graduation Perils

My head is pounding. My heart is racing. Majestic red curtains grace the stage for which I am standing on. I am this years valedictorian which caught me by surprise. That is why I prepared "Slipping Through My Fingers". Instead of saying a boring, long speech, I decided to preform. Anyway, I am better at performing than public speaking. I kind of get tongue tied. It is bad.

I can hear the principle walking in front of the curtains to the podium. I listen with anticipation when someone comes up from behind me.

They whisper in my ear, " I'm sorry to inform you but the speaker system is out of order."

"What?" I say intensely.

"They are out of order. You can only use the piano." They say softly.

I sigh upset and a little more scared. "Okay."

CRAP!!! WHAT AM I GOING TO DO!?! That song doesn't sound perfect without the music played over the speakers. Ugh! Think. Think. What am I going to do!?! 

Then I hear something I was dreading.

"Now, introducing our Valedictorian for this year. Please welcome Prince Green of Eindoak. Due to some technical difficulties, the song in the playbill is out of date and has been changed. " The principle says enthusiastically.

Shit!!! The curtain open and the piano is now visible on stage. The stage director comes from behind and whispers to me to go on. I slowly walk out to the piano and take a seat on the bench facing the audience. I pick up the microphone and turn it on. I take a deep breath.

"Good evening. Fellow students and families. I am Green and the valedictorian." I turn to the piano and put my fingers on the keys.

No sound comes out of the piano because I don't know what to play. Then suddenly... it hit me. I lift my hands a little then start to play.

"I'm limited.

Just look at me,

I'm limited.

And just look at you, you can do all I couldn't do.

 So now it's up to you,

For both of us.

Now it's up to you."

I sigh and take a breath.

"I've heard it said,

That people come into our lives for a reason.

Bringing something we must learn.

And we are led,

To those who help us most to grow

If we let them.

And we help them in return.

Well, I don't know if I believe that's true.

But I know I'm who I am today,

Because I knew you...

Like a comet pulled from orbit,

As it passes a sun.

Like a stream that meets a boulder,

Halfway through the wood.

Who can say if I've been changed for the better?

But because I knew you,

I have been changed for good."

I start to tear up but I keep myself together.

"It well may be,

That we will never meet again.