The Rejected Daughter

CHAPTER NINE

The campus strecthed wide and grand, framed by tall buildings and the gentle rustle of trees that lined the walkwaus. Students bustled around with backpack slung over theor shoulders, laughter and chatter filling the air. Jade stepped out of the car, her suitcase wheels clicking softly on the pavement as she looked around, eyes wide and heart pounding. It didn't feel real yet. The college she had always deremed about, cried ov er, now stood in front of her like a doorway into a different life. "I guess this is it", she whispered to herself.

She went over to the admission portal office where she was given her room key. The key had 203 written on it, she went looking for it. When she found the room, it was empty, guess her roomate wasn't around yet. Room 203 had soft sunlight spilling through the half-open blinds. She sat on the edge of her mattress,trying to figure how to start unpacking when the door burst open.

A girl with curly braids entered,her roomates"Hiii" the girl said excitedly "I'm Sophia". She said extending her hands to Jade "Jade" she replied her.

Sophia flopped down on her bed dramatically"So since I got here a day before you, I have to take responsibility over you and make sure you don't get lost on campus or sign up for crazy 8 a.m lectures". Jade could only laugh at her.

The first few months were filled with Jade adjusting to campus life, with her closest friend and roommate, Sophia, Jade quickly found her rhythm. She studied hard, attended classes with sharo focus, and started opening up. Ethan too visited now and then, always teasing. Kevin stayed distant but consistent, sending flowers during exams, gifts on her birthdays and silent encouragement in her lowest moments.

Everything was finally in place for her, she had started interning with a small law firm in country H, with time her trauma no longer defined her, though it still lingered. One particular day when big entrepeneurs of city F came to her college to try and hold a seminar, she caught sight of Kevin. She stood on the stage looking beautiful and confident. She saw him listening intently to what she was saying, she caught him smiling at her with that proud look on his face. After the seminar they had a quick lunch to catch up with each other.

Years passed like that with her learning to be more confident and strong. With graduation in sight, Jade worked harder than ever. She applied to the top law school in city F .

Graduation Day

The campus hall buzzed with energy. Gaduating students clutched their gowns and caps, friends hugged with excitment. The class president had rushed excitedly to stand with her friends at the back of Jade and started to gossip with her, "I had just checked the graduating list and you'll never guess what i saw", she said whispering, but loud enough for jade and sophia to hear"jade's name wasn't on the top student list"

"wait she's not on the list, hows that possible"

"exactly how is she not part, she has been the top student each year"

"she's just book smart, nothing special about her, always walking high and mighty around"

jade stood still, gripping her certificate folder tightly,her smile slowly fading"

sophia nudged her gently"ignore them"

but before shecould respond, the voice of the dean of administrative blared through the speakers

"before we continue, we have a special recongnition today. the top student, not just for this year but5 this person happens to be the top student we have had this entire decade. on the digital screen near the stage, one name appeared in bold.

jade green

there was silence. and then a thunderous applause. the same students who whispered turned pale. some gasped, one clapped akwardly. jade stared, frozen in disbelief.

"miss green", the dean smiled from the stage."please come forward"

jade stepped forward slowly, eyes stinging, heart pounding. as she climbed the stage the crowd rose to its feet. Kevin stood at the back, bouquet in hand, watching her. ethan let out a low whistle and smiled proudly, sophia shouted"go queen!"

and for the first time in along whole jade believed it, that she had truly won.