Prom and graduation

"Instructions ends in the schoolroom, but education ends only with life."

-Frederick W. Robinson.

"It is absolutely still possible to make a difference."

-Michelle Obama.

"Prom is an exciting time for teenagers. The perfect dress is any dress that they feel beautiful and confident wearing."

-Christy Austin.

Hey, amazing readers of mine, How is your weekend fairing because mine is going well.

If you are the horror chick and have a passion for mystery-thriller books then I think you should try my other book titled "Fangs and wands." I promise you that the book is lit.

This chapter is dedicated to these bunch of amazing writers and to all the wonderful readers who will leave a vote on this chapter.

Wattpad ieeshalee1 itzkimlee favor_pearl Tejiri2002 cecilcess RuthieBalo phaylen ObssiveFangirl99

The song suggestion for this chapter is "Breakaway," by Kelly Clarkson

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Only the one I love so much could be my assassin. It takes an inside job to attack one so resilient to emotional injury.

Saying I'm heartbroken will be the biggest understatement of the year. No word can quantify the heartache I have experienced these past few days. Oxford should step up their game by adding a new synonym to heartbreak. It should be recorded as Ralph break in the dictionary.

A week has finally passed after I discovered Ralph had been playing with my emotions all along. He had been trying repeatedly to talk to me while I also tried my best to avoid him. I stopped picking his calls, blacklisted his numbers, whenever I spotted him I ensured to turn towards the opposite direction and that is how pathetic it is. I even stopped going to the cafe to eat because I knew our eyes would definitely connect while other people become blurry to our sight. In his brown eyes, I can feel an emotion swirling around his orbs, the need to apologize, but unfortunately, it is too late to say sorry now.

Jessica on the other hand kept on mentioning dresses for prom and how we were supposed to go shopping so as to appear as the most beautiful girls on that day. She had been freaking out on how she had no date to go with her for prom and has been sulking all week until Brady knelt on one knee at the school cafe and asked her to be his prom date, two days to prom.

She willingly and excitedly accepted as everyone in the cafe cooed at their sweetness. She came to my house on Thursday evening to come shop with her for prom. I went with her but bought nothing for myself because I still suffered from heartbreak and I had no prom date. She kept tossing different beautiful gowns at me which I resisted. She later got tired of trying to convince me and we ended up buying her a dress alone.

I later got a text message from a strange number. But from the content of the message, I knew it was Ralph.

The message came in much later in the night where he apologized and asked me to be his prom date.

"Please find it in your heart to forgive me. Let's make tomorrow special. Please agree to be my prom date so I can finally have the chance to talk to you. I'm deeply and sincerely sorry. Please forgive me, mi Amor."

Thu 10:37 pm.

I simply deleted the message and raised my blankets over my head to sleep but unfortunately, I couldn't. My heart wanted me to pick up my phone and text him back. It wanted me to scream 'we are okay now and I forgive you for shattering my heart because you were entitled to it.'

My brain on the other hand told me to close my eyes and forget about the devil in human clothing. The devil that messed with me just for a game. My mind went back and forth till I eventually fell asleep later in the morning.

By the time I woke up in the morning, the first thing that graced my eyesight was a mini pink cute box with black ribbon on it, right in front of my dressing mirror that was opposite my king-sized bed.

I wondered who must have forgotten or dropped a parcel for me. I yawned and stretched tiredly as I continuously blinked my eyes trying to ensure I wasn't hallucinating or in a trance.

I stood up lazily and sauntered towards the box. I opened it and saw a beautiful caramel dress with black stiletto beside it and a note.

I picked up the note and smiled at the handwriting.

"All of these shall pass too. Cheer up because no daughter of mine shall sit her pancake ass down when a party is brewing at school. Stay calm and resolve it like an adult that you are becoming. But if you refuse to still go, then it's fine. I guess you will have to taste my mouthwatering delicacy today."

Dearest mom.

With that information, I instantly started dressing up because I'm not ready to sit my ass down and taste another poisonous sample from Mom.

How she could catch up to what was happening amazed me. Was I that readable? I thought I was doing a good job by hiding my pains. And to think she can threaten me with food. Food that was supposed to be a source of happiness became a source of terror and fright in the house.

After freshening up, I changed into the beautiful caramel V neck, with a single strap, flowing dress that also has a low neckline. The dress has two long slits that end just at the lower thighs as they showed off my freshly waxed legs which I moisturized. My hair was done half up and half down with a parting at the middle. A maid helped with eyelining my eyes and applying mascara with nude lipstick. In all, I looked like I just stepped out of a fashion magazine for a celebrity shoot.

Jess dressed in a maroon coloured off-shoulder gown that brought out the soft glowing texture of her beautiful brown skin and of course, not without her signatory red lipstick. She had her face thoroughly beaten by a professional makeup artist. She claimed she ordered for one at the dying minute to do her makeover because Brady replaced her make up kits with dyes and paints, and she ended up looking like a flustered ghost that was high on weed.

I will say prom went well for the others but not for me because I didn't hesitate to punch Ralph's face when he came near me. So I didn't dance nor get any title.

Jess got the title of the best-dressed student while Ralph got the title of the best-dressed male student.

The popular couple in Royal academy high school got the title of the prom king and prom queen. Candace Cynes and Stephen McLachlan.

Dad wanted to be my chaperone but I told him it was no use so he backed off. After the whole prom, another after-party was hosted at a popular kid's house. Kennedy McLean. Most students went from prom to the party as most students from my set partied hard claiming it was their time to celebrate. It felt pathetic that others were in such a festive mood while I was in a bitter mood. Even Jess and the boys jumped at the idea of a party so I was the only one left. I was left alone to prepare for tomorrow.

Wait a minute, you must be wondering what is happening tomorrow right? Well, tomorrow is our graduation where we finally get our certificates and kiss a final goodbye to highschool for life. Well, maybe not for life to those that will be coming back to teach if they took a career in Education.

____

I tried to manoeuvre my way through the hall. I waved at a smiling Jessica and high-fived the guys as I sat beside them joining the long row of students in graduation attire and hats. The school graduation gown is black and the theme colour is blue. Anyone could see the proud look on our faces as we smiled like objects on display for every passing eye.

Everyone's parents except mine, of course, sat in another section opposite the graduating students.

I felt so sad since Dad promised he was going to be here today as soon as he finishes his business deal. The time is currently 9 am and the program starts at 9:30 am on the dot. Yet my parents are nowhere to be found.

"Why bother, I knew they wouldn't come on my special day," my brain said in a sing-song voice while I grumbled under my breath, squeezing my face and resting it under the fist of my right hand.

"Oh no, your parents will never ditch you and you know it. They are probably just caught up in traffic so cheer up and give me that cute smile of yours." Ian whispered in my ears and ruffled my ponytail hair.

"Try it one more time and you will be very sorry," I threatened, stepping on his shoe while he grumbled an "Ow." I smiled evilly at him before sticking my tongue at him.

"You are such a bully and you know it," Ian whined, rolling his eyes as he tried to clean up my shoe print on his shoe, making it a sparkling black again.

Everyone was busy making small talks and incessant chatters here and there as we waited for principal Tyler to grace the occasion. Jessica was busy teasing the other guys. While Ralph and the other guys sat behind having their little talks. As annoying as this is but I will have to admit he looked pretty hot and cute in his checkered shirt and graduation outfit. I don't know why something looks different about him today. Our eyes met and I quickly faced my front, ignoring the pleadings in his eyes.

We watched as principal Tyler mounted the podium. Her skirt was well-tailored and ironed to perfection. Her dirty blonde hair was cut into a bob. She flashed everyone her dazzling and eye-blinding smile with her yellow-brown sparkling teeth. Note the sarcasm.

"Welcome parents, students, workers and everyone present in this hall today." She began as every noise quieted down to listen to her speech.

Everyone's chatter died down from the hall but not the noise and chatter in my mind that kept mumbling why my parents didn't show up."

"Hats off to the latest graduates. Congratulations on your well-deserved success. I hope you will always find yourselves as happy and full of the big crazy dreams as you are today!" She shifted her glances between us and adjusted her lenses to sit perfectly on her nose.

"I'm sure today will be only the first of many proud and successful moments for you gorgeous and handsome lads and ladies of the 2019/2020 sets. I send my warmest congratulations today wishing you all the best at your desired colleges in the fall!" She smiled at us and dabbed a sweater that tickled on her forehead.

"I want you all to know that life has even more wonderful things in store for you. So go out there and unleash your full potentials without holding back, why?" She advised as people started wolf-whistling at her amazing speech.

"Somebody ask me why!?" She hollered, her voice got louder and more powerful each passing seconds.

"Why?" Student chorused as they anticipated her response.

"Because you are the smartest, beautiful, and greatest of them all. Cheers to your great day," she screamed and fist-pumped the air.

A random person clapped, another joined and another before the whole hall jammed their hands together screaming.

We heard a loud screech of car outside as people peeped to know who did that. Soon my parents stormed the hall. Dad walking boldly like a hero scene from fast and furious, and mom walked like she was on a fashion spree. I simply facepalmed at their dramatic performance. Jess and Ian gave me the "I told you they will come" look.

They walked towards the podium. Little mutters became a lousy tornado, as everyone turned to ask their partner who the celebrities were and if they came to perform.

Mom blew me a kiss and everyone attention was on me. I ducked my head and tried to crouch down a little. 'Great, just great, now everyone knows they are my parents!'

Dad mounted the stage and helped mom up as they pecked each other's cheek. I died, I said I died from embarrassment fellas.

Principal Tyler handed over the microphone to dad while he gave her a wink.

"We apologize for being fashionably late before gracing this event, this definitely won't be the last time I get to brag about you. Congrats Anna, it means so much to be a part of your graduation. And congrats to all the graduants of course. Now let me tell you all something. When they hand you your diploma, keep moving just in case they try to take it back." Dad started as everyone began laughing. Some parent wiped some tears that stained their cheeks.

"Every year, many many stupid people graduate from college and if they could do it, so can you." Mom preached and everyone began clapping.

"My dear terrified graduates, you are about to enter the most uncertain and thrilling period of your lives. Struggling to decide what to do after graduation is and always will be a sort of passage to the next phase of your lives so brace up." Dad finished off blowing kisses at everyone.

"Dearest graduates, let me spill a quick secret. Your families are extremely proud of you. You can't imagine the sense of relief they are experiencing." Mother started fanning herself and her husband with her hand.

Then she put her hand beside her mouth to whisper in the microphone.

"This, would be a most opportune time to ask for money." She finished off. Everyone gave them a standing ovation, clapping, whistling, and laughing happily.

"Well, I'm not usually one for speech, so goodbye." She concluded and laughed her way out of the podium with her sweetheart.

People began praising them and telling me my parents are hot and cool.

It is finally here. The moment of truth, the stepping stone to the real world. This is what they have been preparing us for. After multiple years, through the good, bad, idiotic, fun, and change. It was finally here. Time to step out into the bright light, shake the hand of an administrator and grab my ticket to freedom. The piece of paper that would remind me forever that I have accomplished something. Most of it all, it's time-- the perfect timing to look out among all my fellow classmates, stick up two fingers, and say 'fuck you all' and see you in the future, doing much more better than now with a whole list of success accomplished.

We were all called to get our certificates, the valedictorian, who happened to be Amelia, gave a wonderful speech. Ian couldn't stop tearing up and screaming 'that's my girlfriend, she is so smart and beautiful. I'm so lucky!'

After Lia was done delivering her beautiful speech, she left the podium with confidence as her beautiful business casual off shouldered blue gown rested on her soft curves and made her melanin skin glow even brighter.

"You were amazing!" Jess stood up to hug Lia.

"Thanks, honey, you look gorgeous as always," Lia said, checking Jess out.

"That was amazing!" Eric and Mike chorused in unison.

"Thanks, cuties!" She winked at them.

I saw Ralph stand up and walk towards me. He took long strides confidently and smiled at me and it was at that moment I detected it. He has a new hair cut and his bangs were gone. His brown hair looked shorter and tousled, but he still looked cute as always.

"Congrats guys, we should take a picture now!" I stood up abruptly when Ralph got to my presence.

"Look who is glowing, it is Anna," Lia said as she checked me out.

"Can we do this later please," I eyed Ralph and spoke to Lia in a pleading tone.

"Oh!" Jess rolled her eyes.

"Sure!" Lia's eyes widened as she stared at Ralph.

I dragged Lia along with me and the others followed quickly.

"You know you can't continue this way, right?" Mike held my shoulders.

"I haven't healed yet!" I replied harshly.

"Uhm!" Mike scratched his head, "I'm sorry for not minding my business."

"Awn! C'mon," everyone said to Mike at the same time and we eventually settled it all.

"We are still graduating guys, let's do what graduates do," Jess squealed excitedly all of a sudden and she brought out a selfie stick.

Eric brought out a digital camera and we joined the crowd of graduates, tapping from the energetic flow of pride and happiness. We all took pictures and videos before finally throwing our hats in the air.