GRADUATION

"We were looking for you and then we came here and saw....." Rita looked at them but did not finish her statement. "You saw nothing," Shelly said. "As you wish," Joan said. "Let's go inside, Shelly said. "Yes we should go, I can see that your boyfriend is....., I don't want to say anything before they say Rita said," Rita said and they all laughed.

"We should have gone back quickly," Joan said. "Yes, at least she would have used her mouth to tell us what happened between them," Rita said. "You two don't know what you are saying," Shelly said. "Leave Shelly and me alone," John said.

"Your boyfriend has finally spoken up," Rita said. "Yes my boyfriend, why don't you focus on John Billion and leave other people's children alone," Shelly said. "Wait did you just call John your boyfriend," Rita asked. "You heard me right" she answered.

"You have finally accepted to be his girlfriend," Joan said. "Yes," she answered. "I won, I won, yes!" Rita shouted as they all laughed and went back inside. John Billion also sang. They did many other things before everyone went home. They were all tired as they left because of excess dancing.

"Hello, Rita" Shelly picked up her call. She had just returned from prom night and wanted to sleep when her call came in. "Hello don't tell me you are tired, Rita said from the other end of the phone.

"Just go straight to the point, why are you calling me," Shelly said. "Okay, it's about what we saw," she said. "Who saw?" she asked. "Joan and I, you and him you know," Rita said. "Oh that, forget about it, we have promised each other that we won't do it again" she answered.

"Yeah, I trust you on that one and how are you preparing for the graduation," she asked. "Preparation is going great, I'm still working on my speech" she answered. "Yeah, it is expected, your parents will be there rig," she asked.

"Of course, why would they miss their only daughter's graduation? All my cousins, my uncle, aunt, my family tree will be there" Shelly said and they laughed. "I feel you, I feel you," Rita said.

"So is that all because I sleep,," Shelly said. "Well one more thing, it's about Billion," Rita said. "What about him?" Shelly asked with all seriousness. "I'll be traveling with him abroad after the graduation," she said. "No way! get out! This is exciting, I'm happy for you but will your parents agree" she asked.

"Why not, didn't I tell you," Rita said. "Tell me what?" she asked. "That I took Billion home," she said. "How was their reaction," she asked curiously. "They didn't believe their eyes and they loved him," she said. "Did they know him?" she asked.

"Of course, who doesn't know John Billion, I mean who doesn't know him? He's the most talented teenage singer did you forget" she said. "Yeah that's right, anytime I remember how he and I met, I would laugh," she said.

"Yeah but don't worry we won't stay there for long," she said. "I'm missing you already, I don't care how long you stay there but you must be back before Christmas," she said. "No, I would be back before September end" she answered. "Better because all of us are spending Christmas together this year at my house, just a low key Christmas party for just our friend group," she said.

"Wow, I can see you've got everything planned out, anyway don't worry as I said, I won't stay there for long," she said. "Okay, take care, I'll see you at graduation next Friday,", she said. "Sure bye, talk to you later," she said and ended the call.

Subsequently, time passed and it was on Friday SS3 graduation day. The grand hall was already filled with students and guests which involve parents and then the principal came up on stage.

"Thank you all but before we proceed to do anything, let be on our feet as the graduating students enter the hall," the principal said everyone stood up and then one by one the graduating students entered the hall.

There was a particular part of the hall that was reserved for them. John Williams was the one in front of the line followed by Shelly Bill before every other person. They walked to their seats and sat down. They were all wearing their graduation gown and cap which made them look uniform.

After that, the opening prayer was done by one of the teachers that was a minister and the proprietor gave a long opening speech and then the occasion was officially opened.

As Shelly was seated, she looked around the big hall but couldn't see her parents anywhere, she was not worried because she knew they would come. Various classes did their presentation starting from the J S S 1 students to the upper class. Dances were presented, drama, debate, talk show, comedy, and different types of activities.

It was time for Shelly and John with some of their classmates to give their speech when the MC drew everyone's attention. Shelly was running her eyes through the crowd when she saw Jessy and Diamond waving at her.

She looked at the entrance of the hall and saw her family relationships and her parents walking in. "So we have received important news that the president and his wife have just arrived, with a standing ovation and hands of applaud help me welcome them as they join the high table," the MC said.

Everyone stood up clapping as they walked to the high table, they shook hands with the proprietor and the principal before they sat down. "Now it's time for the SS3 to give their speech, clap as they come on stage," the MC said and everyone clapped as they went on stage.

John was the first person to speak before Shelly and the rest. When they were done all the SS3 students stood up. Those that were in their seat held each other hands and those that were on stage did the same.

"L. H. A Our school, we will never forget you, for neutering us and bringing us up in the right manner, this is a great citadel of learning which gives us hope. L. H. A!!! the beginning of light and hope" the students shouted in unison and then they went to sit down then everyone cheered and clapped.

The president was called upon to give a speech before awards giving commence. He went and gave a speech that he was very happy about what the school did, that her daughter came out with flying colors in her final exams, he thanked the school, and then he went back to his seat.

Their final exam results came out the previous day. Shelly, John, Rita, Joan, Peter, and many of their classmate came out in flying colors, their results were the best and they all passed.

Awards were given to students, Shelly received most of the awards, she got a lot of them, and so did John. After that, the SS3 students took photos with the staff of L. H. A, the proprietor, and principal with the president and his wife.

The occasion came to an end and the principal gave the closing speech, everyone left the hall with things. The SS3 students went outside, they still had a lot of photos to take but first, they went to meet their parents.

Shelly went to hug her parents and according to her all her family trees. Then she took photos with them. She took photos with her parents alone, then her brother, than her cousins before every other of her relation.

When everyone was done taking pictures with their parents all the SS3 students came together to take photos. When they took photos, everyone went away. Shelly took pictures with John alone, Rita alone, Joan alone, Joan and John together, then with some of her classmates alone.

Shelly, John, Joan, Rita, and Peter came together to take one last photo. Shelly was standing next to John, then they held each other's hand. "The night camp changed my life," Shelly thought as she smiled.

"Now smile for the camera, say cheese and throw your cap, is that clear" the photographer said and they nodded.

"I might be an actual prince" John whispered into Shelly's ear. They smiled, said cheese, and threw their caps and the photos were taken.

********** THE END **********