The wait finally ended as we received our A-level results.
To say I was a nervous wreck before they came out would be an understatement. And it wasn't just me. All of us were scared out of our wits.
But when the results were finally out, I realised I needn't have worried that much. I got better than what I expected, and did quite well if I do say so myself. At least, I had a good enough result and resumé to get myself into Trinity College, Oxford. That was my ultimate dream.
Archer as well as my best friends had also done well. Archer had of course done exceptionally, as was expected, and he had a really high chance of getting into the University of Westminster or the Royal College of Art, which were his primary choices.
But as happy as I was with our performance and our university prospects, I felt my heart lurch with a deep sadness everytime I thought of leaving Bloomwood, for good. I hadn't ever prepared myself for this time, but it couldn't be helped. I had to toughen up and open a new door in my life. The Bloomwood chapter was over, I told myself. It was time for new beginnings.
Speaking of new beginnings, Archer and I were finally doing great. Our official relationship was still new, so every moment felt fresh and nostalgic at the same time. But even then, this time I had a sense of security with him, a sixth sense that it would work out. Things would turn out well for us.
I could only hope and pray my instincts were correct.
Today was the final day we would step foot in our school, the day we would bid goodbye to Bloomwood after the graduation ceremony.
I wore my uniforn with special care, since today was the last day I'd be wearing it. I got tears in my eyes thinking about it. Quickly blinking them away, I had breakfast and then got into my car to head towards my second home.
I reached the grounds where the ceremony would take place, and hugged Angie and Kate. Beth was standing nearby and I went and talked to her for some time too, before embracing her. I heard she was planning to attend UCL, to study Physics. I had no doubt she'd get in, she'd always been prodigious. She also told me she'd met this girl on the bus one day, and that they'd started talking and she really liked her. Beth was planning to ask her out sometime soon. I was elated for her, also because she'd finally gathered the courage to come out to her parents, and after a difficult few weeks they'd accepted her at last.
After talking to Beth, I mingled through the crowd of students to talk to my other classmates and Archer's friends, like Jack, Edwin and Freddie. Even Dean was there, hugging Kate and kissing her temple. I swooned seeing them together.
All this while, my eyes had been multitasking and searching the grounds for a certain dark haired, brown eyed boy. But he was nowhere to be found. Just when I was starting to worry, I heard someone run up behind me and cover my eyes with their hands.
I heard his deep voice in my ear, causing me to shiver. "Guess who?"
I grinned. "I don't know, could be James Dean."
He groaned and removed his hands. "That man is dead for god's sake!"
I gasped. "Do not speak ill of the dead."
He rolled his eyes and brought his head down to give me a deep kiss. By this time, we didn't care who saw us and who didn't. Even though I wasn't a big fan of PDA, I couldn't resist this one kiss.
We pulled away after two seconds and soon after, we heard Mr Richards' voice booming through the microphone.
"Everyone, please take a seat as we will begin our ceremony right after."
Everyone hastily sat down. Mr Richards cleared his throat.
"This year, we have seen some exceptional students in sixth form, with exceptional results. All of you have done us proud with not only your exams, but also your conduct and efforts this entire year, and it's needless to say you will be missed.
Just as Bloomwood has given you several values, lessons and friendships over the years, you too have given back to the school, so thank you for that. I must give a special mention to our Head Girl and Boy, Vivian Wentworth and Archer Woods, for their perseverance, efforts and the great responsibilities they've shouldered throughout this year. They have displayed exemplary teamwork, and formed a great partnership which will be missed. Please give a loud applause to Vivian and Archer as we welcome them on stage!"
That was our cue to get up, as all around us, our classmates broke out into thunderous applause. Kate and Angie were cheering madly, while Evelyn let out a whoop from the back. The boys were also cheering and grinning wide at us.
They made me smile.
Both of us walked up to the podium. Archer motioned for me to speak first.
I took a deep breath and positioned the mic in front of me.
"For fifteen years, Bloomwood has been a place of security, learning and comfort for me. I've spent almost my whole life here, and that's why today, it's even harder to say goodbye. But all good things must come to an end, and so, as we look back with love and fondness, we should also look forward with hope and excitement.
I've formed some unforgettable friends, memories and much more here, and I know we all have. And I also know this, that we'll always treasure them and keep them safely stored in a special part of our hearts, for years to come. Thank you to everyone present here, for teaching me something along the way, helping me fall so I could pick myself up and giving me lovely memories in the process."
I turned to Archer. "Archer, thanks for being an amazing partner...in more ways than one." He cracked a smile at that, as everyone laughed and snickered.
"Lastly, thank you Bloomwood, for being my safe place, my happy place. Here's to an unforgettable school life!"
Everyone clapped and cheered as I made way for Archer. Now it was his time to begin.
"I won't go into much of an emotional speech because Vivian's already done the job for me," he began, as everyone laughed, "But I'll keep it short and sweet. Bloomwood, thanks for telling ten-year-old Archer he had potential, so he could go and brag about it to his parents. Thanks for giving me friends who don't hesitate to kick my ar--my butt when I'm being daft, and thanks for teaching me that life is short, we should never let a moment slip away. Like they say, you only regret the chances you didn't take, and I'm just glad I took mine," he gave me a smile, "Lastly, Vivian, you're awesome and you take my breath away. Thank you."
I blushed so deep that I was sure even Mr Richards could see it from the other end. Archer gave me a cheeky grin as we got off the stage.
Finally it was time for the real ceremony to take place. As our names were called one by one, we went up on stage and received our certificates of honour. I cheered myself hoarse for Angie, Kate, Beth and and the girls from the football team. Even the boys. Archer was no different.
As the ceremony came to an end and it was time to leave, our entire batch took lots of pictures together before calling it a day. I walked down the corridors of Bloomwood one last time, standing inside my dorm, our common room and sitting at the desks in some of my classrooms.
I walked down the long, empty corridor until I reached a shorter one, which led to our study. The place with so many memories, the place where Archer and I spent so much time together, the place without which we wouldn't have been what we were today.
I had tears in my eyes as I opened the door quietly and stepped inside.
I stopped when I saw Archer was already there, standing in front of his desk.
I walked up to him and rested my head on his shoulder. "Guess this really is goodbye, huh?"
He nodded slowly. "Guess it really is."
I suddenly had an idea. "You know what we should do? Though we'd be breaking a rule."
He smiled. "I think we've broken quite a few rules in the past without anybody finding out."
I grinned. "So I was thinking maybe we could carve our names into the desk. Just a tiny thing in the corner. I know it's stupid, but--"
"We'd be leaving a piece of ourselves here," he finished for me. "Let's do it."
In any other case, I'd never have imagined vandalising school property (though Archer and I had spray painted the toolshed before, but that was irrelevant). But this time things were different. We carved our names into the corner of the desk in tiny font, just to leave a remnant at the school.
Vi & Arch.
As I finished carving with my Head Girl's badge, Archer smiled sadly at me, "It's time to go now, Vi. Our cars are waiting."
I nodded and sighed. "Yeah, come on."
We took one last look at our study before closing the door behind us.
As we walked down the stairs holding hands, a wave of memories came rushing back to me. Us walking down the stairs and sneaking around to kiss when we were a couple the first time, us walking down with a painful distance during the Annual Ball, us running up and down the stairs pinning up notices, giving announcements...
I shook my head and kept on walking. Walking, walking, walking, until I was out of the stone building, out of the lawns, out of the looming black gates.
Goodbye, Bloomwood.
a/n: i almost cried a bit while writing this chapter, and you guys might think that's ridiculous, but this is my last year of school too and it's coming to an end. and just like vivian I've spent my whole life here, all 15 years of school life in the same place. so it's gonna be tough to say goodbye when we graduate.