(63) The Greatest Star

Two weeks later

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On a Friday afternoon before school was about to be let out, the principal called Makennah to the office. Having stayed on the straight and narrow, she wasn't expecting to get yelled at but she still felt like she was in trouble.

In the office, Hanna Foster, the writer for the Braxton High Journal, stood in the principal's office smiling from ear to ear. The principal also sported a smiling face and overall happy demeanor.

Together, they informed Makennah that the article that Hanna wrote about Makennah in the school newspaper and submitted to a competition won first place and would thus be published in the city's newspaper, The Braxton Tribune. They loved the article so much that they planned to print it on the front page. Hanna showed Makennah a pre-print of the newspaper that no one else had; and there was a big fat picture of Makennah on the front page with her head titled back, eyes closed in laughter, mouth split wide open in a huge smile, and wisps of hair framing her face that fell out of her braid during a soccer game that Hanna attended and took pictures for. Luckily, the image didn't show the grime, sweat, or grass stains that surely accompanied the entire look. She looked happy and...kind of pretty, in a natural sort of way.

The principal also told Makennah that she proved to be an exemplary student, and so the local coupon magazine that offered discounts to students and families in the district planned to use the image and the story for the front page. The principal said that Makennah's picture would be on one of the banners on the light poles lining the drive to the front of the school where they showed off wonderful examples of hardworking student athletes. Her picture would be first in the line up and consequently the biggest.

As icing on the cake, the athletic award banquet that night would feature a special segment for Makennah, to present her with an award as a player on the soccer team ( but she wasn't sure which one yet because they wanted to keep that a surprise), announce Hanna as the winner of the local competition and give her a trophy and monetary check from the local newspaper, and award Makennah with the Exemplary Student of the Semester Award, which she learned was a very prestigious award within the Braxton community.

When Makennah later relayed this information to Carolynn, she was more thankful for the way it heightened Carolynn's spirits rather than actually receiving the award. Her eyes widened and her face lit up like a match - instantaneous fire and warmth. She hugged Makennah fiercely before she dragged Makennah off for some last minute shopping for a new dress for the banquet.

As a table of eight for the banquet and being that only seven members of the Sinclair family planned to attend, Carolynn extended an invitation to her mother, Elizabeth, to get her out of the house and provide an occasion to wear her pearls and put on makeup since her husband's death. Thankfully, Makennah thought she might be able to redeem herself in her new Grammy's eyes since the literal fall out (of a broom closet) at her late husband's calling hours. Considering the two shared a sort of hidden truth - still unknown to all but Matt - she thought they shared a special bond sown by secrets.

From her seat in the middle of the room with her family at their circular table of eight, adorned with candles, a small bouquet of white roses, and brilliant cutlery shined to mirror reflection quality, she suddenly felt how monumental this moment was for a person like Makennah. If someone asked her ten years ago if she ever thought she would be unofficially adopted by a wealthy family in the suburbs where she became a super star soccer player and overall exemplary student, she would have laughed in their face. On top of that, a fantastic guy saw all of the hidden wounds she harbored deep in her heart and he still asked her to be his girlfriend. And he loved her despite the fact that she didn't love him yet.

But she would.

She kept telling herself she would.

And she knew she would. She talked to Janine about her hesitation to accept this new phase in her life. She learned that she was afraid of being let down or hurt, probably due to the fact her past relationships were disasters. Janine thought that Theo was good for her. Good for getting her out of her shell. Good for understanding her. Good for showing her she was worth something. Good for making her a better person by challenging her. Janine wasn't the only one either; everyone (and she did mean everyone) expressed to Makennah on multiple occasions how happy they were for the new couple and how good they fit together. By the end of her session with Janine, she started to believe it.

"You females get way better food than the football banquet," Matt complained, patting his full belly after finishing off the rest of her leftovers from her own plate.

"Shh!" Carolynn hushed then for the fourteenth time. Makennah giggled and covered her mouth so Carolynn wouldn't see. The two of them had been getting into trouble all night.

Coach Hanes stepped up to the podium in a suit and tie. He looked horribly uncomfortable all buttoned up like that. No one was used to seeing him so put together. The man practically lived in sweatpants and school t-shirts. "Ah-hem," he cleared his throat to gather everyone's attention after taking to the microphone after the principal. "As you all know, every semester we award a student athlete the Stacey M. McMillan Player of the Semester Award. Coaches from every athletic team submit up to two players for consideration to a panel for review. I am most pleased to announce that the winner of this award comes from my soccer team and I have the honor of presenting this young lady with the award. Despite many ups and downs, she proved herself resilient. Coming onto the team as a new player this year," Matt patted Makennah on her knee and her heart began to pound. "I thought she might be a nice addition but I had no idea the spirit she had inside of her for the game of soccer. She proved herself to be an absolute essential asset for bringing home every victory and taking us all the way to state, as well as being a cheerleader and encourager to all of the other members. She was eager to learn and to be coached. She was eager to get along with her peers and create a team atmosphere where everyone feels involved. She worked hard in the gym and at practice to make herself the best she can be. Her hard work payed off on the field as her stats will show. She is ranked in the top three in every category in the state of Colorado for female high school soccer players. And although she doesn't know it, she had received much attention that I know will be rewarding for her in the future when it comes time to take her soccer career to the next level in college. Most of all, I look forward to another year with this young lady, growing a team, furthering her abilities, and taking her skills to the next level. It has been most rewarding to myself as a coach to see her grow. And so I would like to present this prestigious award to Makennah Claire Thomas as the Player of the Semester for Braxton High Academy."

The pounding in her heart heightened as she stood to her feet along with every other patron in the room who rose to applaud Makennah for the reviving of this award. Her cheeks tightened in a nervous-happy smile.

She awkwardly stumbled out of her chair and walked on high heels to the stage where the principal helped up into the bright blinding lights to receive the award. She hugged Coach Hanes and accepted the plaque which hung on the walls of the school and now sported her name printed on a gold rectangle. Her name, Makennah Claire Thomas, now hung on a plaque amongst the greatest stars of Braxton High. These facts pummeled her brain into overdrive. The lights practically blinded her.

But somewhere in the distance she saw hands clapping, heard the sound roaring from her supporters. She maintained her smile and looked down at her feet to hide her emotions.

She had never won an award like this. Or really, an award at all. If her mother could see her now. If her grandmother could see her now. If the distant family that shunned her could see her now. If her ex-friends and ex-boyfriends could see her now.

Before she knew what was happening, Coach Hanes left the stage and Hanna Foster took his place while a mid-twenties redhead with black framed glasses and tall black heels stood behind her with a pretty engaging smile meant for the public. "Hello, my name is Hanna Foster. I'm a journalist for the Braxton High Academy news journal. Many of you may know that I wrote a piece about Makennah as a rising star on the soccer team. In case you missed it, I talked about how much Makennah both amazed me and scared me." The crowd laughed. Makennah realized Hanna was meant for this lifestyle. "I submitted that piece to the local newspaper for a competition. And I am very excited to announce that I won." The crowd clapped and cheered for a second while Hanna smiled and soaked it all in. "Thank you. Thank you." They quieted down. "I stand here now to present Makennah with another award and items of recognition for her hard work. The picture you saw on the front page of the news journal was turned into a banner to be hung outside showing examples of dedicated student Athletes. Tonight will be the first showing of that banner." The principal motioned for two students to come on stage and hang the banner for everyone to see. Makennah just stood there with a tight smile, attempting to take this all in and how everyone was looking at her and admiring her. "Additionally, I have the honor of awarding Makennah with another award. Makennah is a wonderful soccer player but she's also an amazing student. Although this is her first year here, she showed herself to be dedicated to her studies in addition to her athletic responsibilities. I am pleased to tell you all that Makennah is ranked first place in her class with three other individuals who tie her for that position. The giving of this reward is meant to spur students to engage with class, their teachers, and their peers in an intelligent manner that reflects their own personal morals as well as engaging with students of other cultures and lifestyles to further their intellectual and spiritual mindedness of others. When asked of the teachers who this individual should be, Makennah's name was at the forefront of the list by every single teacher who has had her in class or interacted with her in any capacity. And that is why Makennah Claire Thomas is this year's Exemplary Student of the Semester this fall." At the conclusion of her speech, once again, every person in the crowd stood to cheer and applause Makennah for her hard work. Another plaque was carried on stage with showed her name. Hanna hugged Makennah while the yearbook crew snapped pictures.

She smiled into the crowd as big as possible while fighting back tears. She was so afraid that the lights illuminated every emotion that fluttered across her face from disbelief, awe, and surprise.

To distract herself, she turned to the person holding the other plaque for the student of the semester and found Theo holding the plaque and smiling at her like he couldn't be any prouder. Finding his eyes in the distance, she smiled genuinely, finding that warmth spread all throughout her intestines at his genuine care for her.

The principal took the stage again and went on to talk about Hanna. Makennah tried to leave but Hanna insisted she stay. Then the other lady came up and introduced herself as the editor for the city newspaper. After a short blurb about Hanna, her colleague walked on stage with a giant fake check for $1,000 which was awarded to Hanna for winning the contest.

Finally, it was all over. After the pictures and the smiling and the congratulating. She gave the plaques back to the students and exited the stage on wobbly legs. Her heart hammered in her chest and adrenaline surged through her veins. Again, the crowd cheered for her as she found her way back to her seat and back to her family.

They all stood and crowded around her. Carolynn drew her into her arms and hugged her while crying. Tears wetted her shoulder, signs of Carolynn's happiness.

Will was behind her, hand on her shoulder, smiling joyfully at Makennah. Yesterday he took to the papers to the judge. And they were signed, signifying her lawful right to live, breathe, and love this family with her entire heart.

"We love you, sweetheart. And we are so proud!" Carolynn exclaimed over the applause. Her cheeks framed Makennah's face.

"Great job, Mack!" Nick cheered.

"You did it!" Jonah yelled.

"They should just rename it the Makennah Thomas award show!" Josh joked which made them all burst out laughing. Tears gathered in her eyes as she laughed and tried to keep them at bay.

She looked around at all of them. Her family. The people that chose her. They wanted her. They decided to make her their family. This...this was so much better than blood connection.

Makennah reached out to Will and laid her hand on his arm while Carolynn held her. "I love you all. With all my heart."

Carolynn started crying again. Matt ruffled her curly hair. Josh jutted in and wrapped his arms around her. Jonah inserted himself in the middle and smiled up at her with all the love in the world.

These were her people. This was her family.

Forevermore.

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