02 | Sierra
"Okay, Ma'am." I responded through the phone, "I'll be there. Thank you very much--good-bye."
BISM invited me to attend the graduation ceremony this school year. When they found out that I'm already home, they were excited to send me an invitation for this event.
I immediately got myself ready for today's event. I have nothing else running inside my head but I'm happy, to be home. It's been few days since I arrived and I couldn't be more home than ever. Yung may magmamahal sa'yo at may mag-aalaga, kasi nung nasa Massachusetts ako, hindi ko 'yun naranasan.
-;-
I stepped out from the car, the atmosphere gives me that chills. It's been almost two years since I visited the school. Because of it, memories came back from two years ago.
Walking through the lobby, hallways, especially walking pass by the library and finally reaching the auditorium. I stop myself from thinking those great memories I had, especially with Donny. I got in seeing a bunch of familiar faces, they were the Sophomores when I was in my Senior year. I sat at the top portion of the seats, making me witness the full view of the auditorium.
After the speaker gave his inspiring message, the ceremony followed. Two years ago, I wasn't able to attend our graduation ceremony since I already left for college that time. It doesn't feel right though, it hurts when you won't make it to your graduation.
"Sierra?" I look up seeing Ms. Tan and I smiled at her then awcknowledged her existence. "Let's get you up stage, we've been waiting for you."
"Oh, um... it's okay, I can just stay here." I said, "I can speak to the school director after."
"No, Ms. Reyes. You have to be on stage because the school is giving you some recognition."
I didn't say anything because I don't want to argue about it, because it might cause a scene. We don't want that to happen. I stood up and marching behind Ms. Tan, she signaled some faculty saying that 'she's here'.
After the awarding for special awards, the school director went to the podium. "Congratulations to all the graduating students." she stated. "But before we continue, we humbly welcome an alumnus who brought great honor to Brent International School Manila, Sierra Reyes."
"Go," Ms. Tan whispered as I slowly walk up to the stage.
"Two years ago, she was given an opportunity to attend an Ivy League in Massachusetts, Harvard University. She was also given a scholarship and now she's making a name in the university." the audience applaud as she proudly announces it.
I stood there firmly next to the school director. She smiled at me and slowly hugged me, handing me a plaque of recognition and a medal.
"It's nice to see you back, Sierra."
"Thank you, Ma'am."
"Can you give a little speech and message as well for our graduates?" she asked and I nodded walking to the podium with the plaque on my hand and a medal hanging on my neck.
"Good afternoon," I started, "I don't want to make this long but I just want to say thank you to all the faculty and staff of BISM, especially to our school director and to Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Pangilinan. Without them, I wouldn't be where I am right now. Thank you for trusting and believing that I could. I have nothing much to say, thank you and of course, congratulations to our graduates. You made your parents proud. I just want to say to all of you, dream big!"
-;-
"Sierra!" someone called me, I turned around seeing Tita Maricel with Tito Anthony. I smiled and to my surprise, she pulls me into a hug. "How are you doing?"
"I'm good, how about you po?"
"We're good." signaling to her family to come near us.
"I just want to say thank you so much."
"It's nothing. See, you really made it."
"Still half way there, but yes, I guess you can say that." I smiled to her, the rest of her family arrived. It was just Hannah, Solana and Benj. Where's Donny?
"Congrats, Hannah!" I said hugging her, I also approach Solana who is already growing so fast. Ella wasn't around, I heard she's in Italy.
I froze as I saw Donny. It's been so long since the last time I saw him, mixed feelings filled my system. I do feel happy to see him, but the same time, I feel nervous and guilty because maybe, I'm still stuck from two years ago. It hurts when you left someone you love, he might told me that but I can feel it.
"Hey." he greets.
"Um, hi." I return to reality seeing just the two of us, his family went somewhere without me noticing it. Just great.
"You've changed a lot." he said and I smiled. Oh wait, it is a good or a bad thing?
"No, not really." I respond awkwardly. "By the way, congrats to your career."
"Thanks, you too. You did great out there." he smiled and I returned it as well.
"Donny, we're leaving!" Hannah yells from a far.
"We should hang-out sometime," he rubs the back of his neck, "You know, before you leave."
"Uh, yes. Of course, that would be nice."
He hands me his phone leaving my phone number in it, he smiled once again before walking away.
For a first in two years, it's not that bad. It was a little bit awkward but it was nice. Just talking to him and I can see nothing much really changed. Aside from the fact that his glow up was literally the glow up. I thought back in high school, that was all it but it wasn't. He is more handsome than ever.
I got picked up by Tito Ricky's family van, and as I was stuck on traffic I got a text from an unknown number.
• • •
i M E S S A G E
[Unknown Number]
6:05 pm, Friday
Hey, it's Donny. I got bailed
by a friend, I was going to a
concert tomorrow so I had an
extra ticket left, you wanna
come with me?
Yeah, sure. :)
• • •
I guess this is a good start. Right?
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heeey 🌟 update is here!! don't forget to vote and comment (: i hope someone would invite me to a concert too lol :(
