I PROMISE, IT'S NOT ME !

AFTER GRADUATION, WHAT NEXT?

Ken had asked Cole to switch seats with him, he wished to always sit beside me in class, Cole agreed without any argument but I knew that deep down Cole felt sad. I was always with Ken every minute in school, we went everywhere together he sometimes followed me to the restroom, we appeared all lovey dovey in school and now kissed in public, something I never imagined myself doing. We were about to graduate from high school, we were graduating in a month's time, Ken and I had applied to different colleges but our love grew stronger, he had promised to travel to my school every weekend and I felt better when he reassured me of this. We wrote our final exams and I spent most of my nights in his home, I had become a regular there and even his father accepted me. His mom had traveled back to South Africa and he was always home alone with his father, he felt lonely and I would come over so we could read together for exams. We wrote our papers and the two of us had applied to study Business Management in different colleges. I hadn't been speaking to Cole often so I didn't know the school he was applying to, one thing I knew for sure was that he had also applied to study Business Management too, he was an only son thereby making him an automatic heir to his father's company. We usually avoided eye contact in school but exchanged text messages often. I would always check on him during the weekend. I paid a visit to his home with once or twice, I had reduced my frequent visit to his house and his mother was bothered about it,I came over because I didn't want her to suspect anything. The three of us once hung out in Ken's home, his father was away on one of his numerous trips and he was home alone, he invited Cole and I for a sleepover, that night we had fun and acted normal, I recalled the memories I shared with Cole in the past.

Our graduation was fast approaching, Ken bought two tickets for us to see a movie, I was excited at the thought of going to the cinema, it was my first time, I wrote it in my journal as a bucket list and I suspect that Ken has seen it and decided to grant my wish. Our graduation day finally arrived, Ken begged me to wear a matching outfit with him on that day, I agreed being fully excited at the thought. I saw my mum looking so proud of me, her little Cindy was finally leaving high school after all these years, I saw Ken's parents seated together his mum had traveled down to California for his graduation. On the right side, I sighted Cole's parents. I sat in between Ken and Cole, Cole suggested the idea. "Today is our last day" he said . The valedictorian was called upon to give his speech, it was Cole, I watched him climb up the stage charismatically and began his speech.

"Hello everyone, My name is Cole Mayers , I am the valedictorian for this year and this is my speech, first I'd love to acknowledge God for the wonders he has performed, I am glad, I'd love to thank the school for giving me this opportunity, I am really grateful, I started this journey a few years ago, I would have never believed that I would end up as the valedictorian of my set, I was a weak child while growing up, a very academically weak one, but I've grown and stood up this day, mother and father thank you for your time, patience and support. A Shout-out to my amiable tutors, you all are great! To my classmates, I love you all, a special shout-out goes to my best friends Ken and Cindy, you've stood by me all through this journey. And lastly, I want to tell my inner child, I'm proud of you, for remaining consistent and steadfast!" He concluded his speech. The whole school cheered him on , I heard screams of "Scholar!" "Cole Mayers!" "That's my boy!" Everyone was excited and I was so proud of Cole. He came back to his seat and they three of us did a group hug. We were going to college, that's all that matters now.