Epilogue:
Lyric’s P.O.V
“Congratulation on graduation, Mr. David Donovan.” The Principal of Rosewater University shook my hand as he handed me my certificate.
“Thank you.”
I looked towards the front rows of the stadium and found my mom and dad as well as Derek, who had been given a place for his wheelchair. And then there was George, who was no longer the glasses wearing, shaggy haired, baggy clothed nerd, but a man in his own right. All of them had huge smiles on their faces and my parents looked proud of me. I waved at them before heading to the centre of the stage where the microphone was set up.
Since I had topped in class, I had been chosen as the commencement speaker, which was a huge honor for me. Standing in front of hundreds of teachers, students, and their respective parents, I felt insignificant to be giving this speech, but I was ready.
“Good afternoon, respected Principal, guardians and my fellow students and classmates.” I greeted everyone formally and the stadium instantly became quiet. “A lot of you…sorry, almost everyone here might know me as the devil, the bad boy and the Rosewater University bully. And I admit, I was the bully. I was everything that the rumors made me out to be. For a long time, I was a just a boy who was wandering around, unsure of who I was and what I wanted to be. I thought I had my future all planned out…but in reality, it was someone else’s dream.”
“But then, one day, someone very special came into my life and she gave me some of the most important life lessons I could have ever learnt. She taught me that sometimes, you had to be the bigger bully to drive away the other bullies. She also taught what it truly meant to help someone and not let them know about it, after all even batman had kept his identity hidden.”
I smiled as the audience laughed at the stupid joke.
“But most of all,” I continued. “She taught me what it felt like to discover myself. And I hope that after completing four years of college, after getting the opportunity that most of our friends or family members hadn’t been privileged enough to get, we are finally at a stage in our lives where we have it all figured out. We know what we want to be or the changes we want to bring into the society. But if some of us don’t have it figured out, then that’s alright too. This is just the beginning of our lives and we have a bright future ahead. But whatever you chose to be, always remember that a single act of kindness can sometimes save a person’s life. So I’m going to repeat what our parents have taught us since kindergartens, ‘always treat others how you want to be treated.’ Congratulation to everyone and best of luck for the bright future that awaits you.”
Cheers and applauds went up from everyone around me and the students threw their caps up in the air. It was finally done. College was over.
“Well done, son.” My dad came ahead to congratulate me and pulled me in for a hug. “I’m proud of you.”
Those were the words that I had spent most of my life waiting to hear and it brought me immense pleasure to finally hear them. I also received hugs from Derek and my mother.
“So? Ready for your internship?” My mom asked, ruffling my hair.
“Yes.” I grinned, thankful for her to have recommended me to her law firm. I had been interviewed just like any other candidate and had to go through all the same procedures as them, but I had actually managed to get an internship at my mother’s firm and so had George.
I had chosen to become a lawyer instead of joining SEAL and Derek had actually been okay with it. And as for Derek, he would be taking over our father’s hoteliering business and was now working with our father day and night to learn all about the family business. I was happy for him and for the first time in a long while, he seemed happy too. People cared about him, respected him for what he could do and don’t scorn him for what he lacked.
“Hey, Lyric!”
I turned to him George a hug, followed by Avery. She was in her junior year at Rosewater High and she had grown out her hair to her lower back, making her look older than her actual age. I had also heard rumors of her dating the quarterback of the soccer team, which George and I had planned on enquiring soon enough.
“So? Ready for the trip?” George asked with a huge grin on his face.
“Absolutely.” I grinned back.
Forty minutes later, after saying my goodbyes to all my classmates and teachers, I headed back home. Parking my bike outside the apartment, I looked at the opposite side of the road to find the Uber already parked and loaded. In fact, the driver was loading the last of our suitcases.
Getting off, I parked my bike inside the garage and locked it for good before heading upstairs. And as soon as I opened the door, I saw it, that gorgeous, addictive smile that makes my heart race and reminds me of just how lucky I am every single time.
“You’re back!” Lydia got up from the couch and straightened her dress.
She had cut her hair shorter to about shoulder length and dyed it a dark shade of red and was now wearing a floral sundress that reached her knees. The blue flowers in them brought out her gorgeous eyes and the smile on her face turned her into a devastating beauty.
Truly…how had I been so lucky?
“I’m back.” I ran all the way to her and picking her up in my arms, spun her around in circles, only to hear her contagious laughter.
“Stop it! I’m dizzy!” Lydia laughter was carefree, but I took the warning and set her on her feet, holding on to her waist to help her keep her balance.
“Ready to go on vacation?” I asked, planting a small kiss on her nose.
“Hell, yeah!” Lydia pumped her fist in the air. “Hawaii, here we come!”
And that’s when I knew that our adventures together had only just begun.
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