I look over at Michael questioningly. He shrugs. I grab my gear and head for the principal’s office. The secretary nods for me to take a seat and holds up her finger motioning that he’ll be with me in a minute. I search through my bag finding my phone ensuring it’s off. I’ve never been called to the office before. When I look up, I see Scott walking towards me. The secretary motions for him to take a seat next to me. The principal makes the morning announcements and then tells everyone to meet in the auditorium.
The secretary says, “You can go in now.” I point questioningly at me because I was here first, but she says, “Both of you.” I think for sure it’s because of all the school we’ve missed. The same must be for Scott too. We better pull our socks up! Principal Daniel is sitting behind his grand desk. There are two wooden chairs with leather padding in front of him that he motions for Scott and me to take.
He holds his hand out to us and says, “On behalf of the school I want to congratulate both of you on your Olympic gold medal.” He turns to me, “Isabella, it must have been very difficult for you after losing your father, our sincerest condolences. We are so very proud of you and all of your accomplishments. Your father would have been too.”
“As the school’s way of rewarding both of you for your accomplishments we’ve decided to name a bursary in your honor. The first year you and Scott will be the recipients to assist you with your college expenses. You have brought great honor to our school by achieving such high standings in your academia along with your athleticism.”
“Thank you, sir,” I say shaking his hand. Scott also reaches for the principal’s hand, who also thanked him.
“Come with me,” he smiles. Scott and I follow him out of the office. I’m so relieved we aren’t getting in trouble that I’m not paying attention to where he’s taking us. We follow him through a door I’ve never gone through before and then onto a stage. OMG. Now, we are standing in front of the entire school. Our peers break out into a huge standing ovation when they see us. Everyone rises from their seats, clapping, whistling, and calling out our names. I’m taken by surprise, unexpected tears start running down my cheeks, it’s overwhelming.
The principal stands at the podium and adjusts his microphone, “Okay, settle down!” It takes a minute or two but the auditorium quiets down and the lighting dims. “Isabella Moyes and Scott Brandon, on behalf of the school we want to congratulate you for winning the Olympics.” The principal can’t continue because there is a roar of applause and then everyone is back up on their feet screaming and stamping them. The principal waits for a second and motions for everyone to be quiet and sit down again. This time it takes a little longer for that to happen.
“For your excellence in academia and your athleticism, the school awards you a bursary named in your honor.” The principal walks up to us and hands us both an envelope.
“Isabella, there has been an outpouring of students who want to wish you their condolences personally on the loss of your father and I promised them they could do it at this assembly.” He brings a huge bag filled with envelopes to me and then students one by one line up to come on stage offering me flowers and hugs of support. I don’t think there is a dry eye to be found. The staff starts helping me to collect the bouquets so I can take them home.
Finally, when everyone is settled, they replay Scott and my short and long programs, me being carried off the ice by Scott and Coach Tammy, ending with us on the podium. At that point, I’m a sobbing mess, and Scott holding me as everyone applauds one last time before filing out of the auditorium. It’s such an honor.
Mom, Scott’s mom, and Coach Tammy come running from the other side of the stage completely taking us by surprise to squeeze us gushing about how proud they are, their eyes full of tears, shed and unshed. Then they say that they have to go to work because they aren’t the ones who were granted bursaries. They always know how to make us smile.
“Where’s Michael?” I ask.
“He went to the liquor store. I told him I’d take you home.”
“You’re going to have to break that promise; I’m having dinner at Anna’s.” “Can I join you guys? Mom’s cooking fish tonight and if I have another frozen dinner, I think I’m going to puke.” “Don’t ask me,” I direct, “ask Anna.”
Anna looks up, “Sure, the more the merrier!”
Lara looks pleased that Jeremy is coming over early. We walk to the parking lot together. Anna, Lara, and Jo routine is off-kilter since the Olympics, Scott and I both know we have to get back on track sooner rather than later, but it’s nice to have the time off. Final exams are only a few weeks away and I need to study for them, so when I’m not with Michael, I’m spending every possible minute with my face buried in a textbook.
Mom keeps busy making all the arrangements. Her friendship with Scott’s mom blossoms and it’s going to be hard for the two of them to part ways. They promise to visit each other even after the big move to Abuja. I hear through Jeremy that Scott is dating Juliet. I’m dreading the moment I turn a corner and run into them or walk out into the parking lot and see them snogging each other. Juliet turns out to be my high school nemesis. Any guy I have a thing for seems to have one for her.
Jeremy and I have each other’s back. It’s an alliance that grows from betrayals we’ve both suffered. I’m deluded thinking that Scott and I will ever be close enough to be able to confide in each other again. That isn’t the case because he never brings himself to telling me that he is dating Juliet, he’s had so many chances. It’s a blessing that I haven’t bared witness to them in school or at parties yet.
I try to prep myself, knowing it will happen eventually. I tell myself that it won’t bother me, shouldn’t bother me, but who am I kidding? Their relationship won’t be real for me until I see them together with my own two eyes.
Summer Break