The last exam went by swiftly, and suddenly it was graduation day. The air inside the school hall was thick with anticipation, buzzing with the chatter of students and the proud whispers of family members seated in the audience. Banners hung from the ceiling, and the school's emblem gleamed from every corner. A slideshow of class memories flickered dimly on a screen behind the stage.
Everyone was sitting in neat rows, dressed in navy gowns and caps, listening to one long speech after another.
Frances sat with her legs crossed and her arms folded, barely suppressing a yawn.
Everything was boring her to the core.
Her eyes darted toward the nearest exit. She just wanted to leave the place as soon as possible. What was the point? She'd probably get bad grades anyway. But then, her eyes shifted to the boy beside her, the reason she was still seated.
Rain
He was the valedictorian. And soon, he'd be giving a speech.
Frances leaned slightly toward him and reached for his hand, squeezing it tightly. She could feel how clammy it was.
"Babe, don't be nervous. I will go with you."
Rain turned to her, wide-eyed and slightly trembling. "You will?"
"Definitely! Don't give away your honors. It's just a few minutes' talk you shouldn't be afraid. I'm here with you."
A breath of relief escaped his lips. "Thank you, baby!" he said, genuinely grateful, his voice thick with emotion.
Just then, the principal wrapped up his speech and stepped back from the podium. A polite applause echoed through the hall. It was Rain's turn.
He stood up slowly, adjusting his gown, and Frances stood with him.
They moved toward the stage quietly. Frances positioned herself just to the side, where he could see her clearly. Her presence alone grounded him.
Rain adjusted the tassel on his cap, inhaled deeply, and stepped up to the podium.
The crowd hushed.
The microphone gave a soft hum as he leaned in.
His hands were shaky. His knees felt unsteady. But then
A pair of eyes caught his.
Frances stood just off to the side, arms relaxed, her posture calm and confident. Her eyes shimmered with something deeper than pride, devotion, assurance, and awe. Her gentle smile anchored him.
She looked at him as if he were the only person in the world.
He exhaled softly, steadied his grip on the podium, and began.
"Good afternoon, everyone.
Today is the kind of day we've all imagined since the very first time we wore this uniform, some of us, with excitement… and others, reluctantly, dreading the early mornings and the never ending tests.
But we made it.
We're standing at the edge of everything we've known, about to take that first, terrifying step into the unknown. And honestly? I wouldn't have done it alone.
I don't think anyone truly succeeds alone. Not really. Behind every achievement are moments most people don't see, quiet failures, late night tears, near-give-ups… and if you're lucky, someone who shows up exactly when you need it."
He looked over to Frances again. She hadn't blinked.
Her chin lifted slightly, lips parted, silently cheering him on. He saw her hand curled into a soft fist, holding back emotions.
"There were times I didn't feel like I belonged. Times I hid behind books and high scores, not because I wanted to win because I was afraid of losing. Of being seen. But someone taught me that it's okay to be seen… not for what you know, but for who you are. That even the most guarded hearts can be understood, if you're willing to let someone in.
So, to the ones who stood by us, not for our grades or talents but for our quiet, complicated, messy selves… thank you. You made this worth it.
To the teachers who challenged us, the classmates who competed with us, and even the ones who doubted us… thank you. You helped us grow, in your own way.
And to my fellow graduates, whatever the next chapter looks like for you… chase it without apology. Love deeply, fail loudly, get back up, and never, ever let fear keep you small.
We are not just the class of excellence. We are the class of resilience. And we are just getting started.
Congratulations. We made it."
The entire auditorium erupted in applause, thunderous and prolonged. But Rain didn't move right away.
He turned his head slowly.
Frances still hadn't clapped.
She was staring, unmoving, eyes glossy with emotion. And then she mouthed a single word:
"Proud."
And for Rain, no award or title could ever mean more than that.
He stepped down from the stage, his smile trembling with barely contained tears. Frances was already waiting with her hand outstretched. He reached for it, and they walked back to their seats.
She pulled him into a tight hug, nearly knocking his cap askew.
"You did so well, Rain! I'm so, so proud of you."
"Thank you, baby! I'm so glad that you're here with me today. It's more than anything I could've asked for."
"Me too, baby! You are so good! Being the top student is crazy."
"I did it for us!"
"Yes! For us!"
They exchanged a knowing smile so full of history and heart then turned their attention back to the stage.
Now it was time for the awards.
Students leaned forward, anticipation rippling across the rows.
One by one, names were called.
"The Valedictorian Award goes to Rain Piper!"
The crowd clapped as Rain stood up again. Frances whooped softly.
"The Overall Academic Achievement in the Graduating Class… Rain Piper!"
"Student of the Year Award for exceptional academics, leadership, and school involvement… Rain Piper!"
"Mathematician of the Year!"
"Honorary School Ambassador!"
"School Leader Award!"
"Principal's Award!"
"Discretionary Award from the School Leader for Outstanding Contribution or Character!"
"Innovator's Medal!"
Rain walked back and forth from the stage, accepting plaques, medals, and certificates. His hands were full, his face flushed.
"Why is Rain getting so many awards?" Evie said a little too loudly from his seat.
Frances burst into laughter.
"He is a genius, what do you expect? Anything lesser would be cheating," she said happily, beaming. "I'm so proud of you baby!!!" she shouted, cupping her hands around her mouth.
The hall exploded with more clapping.
Rain blinked hard, trying to hold it together.
So many sashes, so many medals, so many honors, his arms were heavy, but his heart felt even heavier.
He was overwhelmed.
Just a little while ago, he was just a boy sitting in the back of class, scribbling in notebooks and dreaming about a girl he thought was far out of reach.
But here he was.
And there she was, cheering for him louder than anyone else.
Tears spilled from his eyes as he hugged and shook hands with teachers one by one. The applause didn't die.
Frances rushed forward to help him gather the plaques.
"Oh my goodness! We got so much?" she asked, eyes wide.
"We did, baby!"
"We should go home soon please, I'm stressed out."
"Let's just chill for a while. We will soon leave, okay?"
"Okay, babe."
They returned to their seats. Frances couldn't stop clicking pictures of the awards on her phone, turning each one over and admiring it like treasure. Other students were called next, Morgan, Coco, Mina…
When Mina's name was called, it triggered a thought in Frances.
She remembered the older janitor she once spoke to, the one who had opened up to her and quietly texted Sean to go check on the woman and sort things out.
Suddenly, the next name read out snapped her from her thoughts.
"The Legacy of Kindness Award goes to Frances Holland!"
Her phone slipped right out of her hands and hit the floor with a thud.
"Did he just call my name?" she asked, eyes wide in disbelief.
"Yes, ma'am!"
"Did I deserve any award? The principal didn't squeeze this into the award right?!" she said, laughing at her own joke. The crowd laughed with her.
She stood up, slightly stunned, and walked off to the stage as whispers rose across the room.
"Frances Holland's compassion, generosity, and unwavering support leave a legacy that will outlive the time at school."
"Guardian Award! Frances Holland is a student who fiercely protects and advocates for her peers. She's not just popular, she's protective, driven, and persistent in helping others."
"The Heart of the School Award! Frances Holland is a student who embodies the spirit, compassion, and strength of the student body. Frances is the emotional backbone of the school encouraging others and investing in their future."
Frances blinked hard, surprised but delighted. She leaned into the microphone with a cheeky grin.
"Wow, so many awards! I finally realize that causing trouble in school could get you awarded," she said excitedly, earning loud laughter and more applause.
She collected her plaques and turned to the principal.
"Congratulations, Frances. You are such a sweet soul."
"Thank you, Mr. Johnson!" she said, throwing her arms around him in a tight hug before walking down the stage.
She slumped into her seat with a dramatic sigh.
"I can't believe I got an award too!"
Rain leaned closer, brushing a thumb across her wrist. "Congratulations, my baby. You deserve it all."
"Thank you, boo!"
"Congratulations, my girl!" Evie shouted from across the hall, grinning ear to ear.
Frances waved at him, her smile so wide it nearly reached her ears.
For the first time that day, she didn't want to leave anymore.
She wanted to stay. Just a little longer.