chapter three
Beep!
Beep! Beep!
The alarm
clock beeped. It was 7:45 a.m. and it was time for me to get ready. Realizing
that today, I will stand in front of the entire school district, I tried to
relax and calm down. That unfortunately was difficult for my knees were shaking
while butterflies flew throughout my entire body.
Around
8:30 a.m., I came walking down the stairs in a light gray blouse with black suit
pants and a black over jacket. My hair had two clips, one on each side of my
head, as my bangs were curled and dangling in front of my face. I smelled
something coming from the kitchen. It smelled like breakfast. Good breakfast. I
entered the kitchen to see my brother actually cooking.
“What
the hell are you doing?” I said in such a confused tone.
“What
does it look like?” he said sarcastically.
“Oh my
gosh. Are you actually cooking?” I said.
“Well,
something’s gotta keep me occupied while I’m off work. Besides, a guy’s
gotta learn to cook when he’s lives all alone.” He said trying to support
his cooking skills.
“Well,
I have to go now,” I said as I picked up my bag and index cards, which were
lying on the table.
“I’ll
be the one with the big sign saying ‘My sister’s the Valedictorian’”
Erik said without much hesitation.
“Oh
geez.” I said as I shook my head side to side.
“Oh
yeah. Are you done packing your bags? You know we’re leaving Saturday morning.
And ummm … today’s THURSDAY!” he said in a high tone voice.
“Well,
I still have tomorrow, so don’t worry. See ya.” I said walking out the door.
I pulled
out of the driveway and made a right turn. After the third stop sign, I turned
right again and continued driving. As I pulled up into the school parking lot, I
noticed several families walking across the black top to the field where the
chairs were set up for the ceremony.
*ceremony*
I held
my speech in my hand as the principal had a speech of her own. Principal
Stratton walked up to the podium and proceeded to her speech. I fixed my cap and
noticed all the happy parents awaiting for their son or daughter to come upstage
and receive their diploma. Those smiling faces. Those hands in the air waving to
their loved ones brought tears to my eyes. Wondering how I could go much further
without my parents by my side.
“…and
this year’s Valedictorian is Miss Arlene Jacobs” is what saved me as I
drowned in my sorrows onstage. The audience applauded as I got up from my seat
and slowly walked to the podium.
“Ladies
and gentlemen. Staff and students. Family and friends. I am here to honor not
only this year’s senior class, but also 654 students who have achieved so much
during these past four years here in Oak High. All of us have had our rough
times, from getting our first “F” to losing a football game. We all have
much more to live for. I am thankful to be raised in such a loving house with a
more loving family.” After family came out of my mouth, the index cards
suddenly looked blurry to my eyes as more and more tears piled up.
“… I
want to congratulate all of you for your outstanding achievement. Thank you.”
Everyone stood up and clapped their hands as loud as they can as I took my seat
onstage waiting for the diploma ceremony.