Academic lovers

47 | From rivals to lovers

5 months later

"Zhera Thompson," the principal's voice boomed through the speakers, causing a mix of excitement and nervousness to bubble up inside me. Taking a deep breath, I steadied myself and made my way up the grand staircase towards the podium.

As I climbed the stairs, I could feel the anticipation in the air. The crowd was buzzing with energy; their eyes were fixed on me. The sound of applause filled the place, growing louder and louder with each step I took. Amidst the sea of faces, I could pick out my dad's proud smile, his voice ringing out above the rest, cheering me on.

Reaching the podium, I looked out at the sea of familiar faces. Friends, teachers, and students all gathered together to celebrate this moment of graduation. The stage lights cast a warm glow, making me feel exhilarated and a little overwhelmed.

I took a moment to compose myself, my hands gripping the edges of the podium for support. The cheers calmed down, and a hush fell over the room as all eyes were now fixed on me. It was a strange feeling, standing there as the centre of attention.

With a quick glance at my notes, I began to speak, my voice steady. I shared my gratitude for the support of my family, friends, and teachers who had guided me throughout my journey. I expressed my appreciation for the opportunities and challenges that had shaped me into the person I had become.

As I spoke, I could feel the energy in the room building again. Applause erupted, and cheers filled the air, encouraging me to continue. The words flowed effortlessly, as if the crowd's enthusiasm was helping my confidence.

I shared stories of wins and setbacks, highlighting the lessons I had learned along the way. The crowd hung onto my every word. It was a moment of reflection, a chance to celebrate not only my achievements but also the accomplishments of our entire school.

As I came to the end of my speech, I couldn't help but feel pride. The cheers grew even louder, echoing through the place, as the crowd showed their appreciation for my words.

Stepping away from the podium, I felt a mixture of relief. The weight of the moment lifted from my shoulders, replaced by a sense of peace. I made my way back down the stairs, greeted by hugs.

"That was incredible, Zhera!" my friends exclaimed, enveloping me in a tight hug. The overwhelming rush of emotions threatened to spill over, but I tried my best to hold back the tears. It was hard to believe that this was the end of our high school journey, and soon we would all be on different paths.

"Thanks, you guys," I managed to say, my voice trembling slightly. Khelani reached out to wipe away my tears, but her own tears started flowing uncontrollably.

"Aw, don't cry, Z," she sniffled. We were all feeling the weight of this bittersweet moment, the mixture of joy and sadness intertwining in our hearts.

Ciara couldn't help but make a sarcastic remark. "I can't believe I'm surrounded by a bunch of crying babies," she teased, though her own tears betrayed her.

Even in this moment of our lives, she maintained her cool, refusing to let her emotions show. "Oh, come on, Ciara," I chuckled through my tears. She was our rock, always keeping us grounded.

We let go, falling into silence. I can't believe it's done; this is the last time we're all going to be in the same school. Fuck, it does not feel real.