HEARTBEAT MONITOR BEEPING...
"What has become of him? I hope he regains consciousness before it becomes too late for him to witness," sighed the elderly janitor, disheartened by the condition of the young man resting in the hospital bed. He distinctly remembered encountering this youth during his visits to the high school.
Nick Gregory barged into the room. "You! You're meddling with us!" His fist connected with the aged janitor. "You're trying to save this man from dying. For what?"
As the day for euthanasia approached, the aged janitor intervened, halting the doctor's actions. Lawrenz's parents rushed into the room. The janitor did everything he could to save the young man.
"You're not the law, you're my son! Why do you choose to be like this?" The aged janitor questioned Nick Gregory, his heart heavy with disappointment.
"I am not your son, you old fool!" Nick pushed the janitor to the ground, his fist stained with blood. "Never interfere with my life again. You're nothing!" He kicked him.
The man in the bed heard it as if in a dream. He sensed it unconsciously but lacked the physical energy to wake himself up.
---
VEHICLE APPROACHED 
The warmth of the sunny day lingered in my memory, a day forever etched in my mind due to a chance encounter that would shape a unique friendship.
In an impulsive act, I found myself saving a lady, grateful for her safety but aware of the assumptions that could arise due to my size. Though my weight might have served as a cushion during her fall, I felt compelled to ensure she was truly okay.
"Are you all right? I apologize for my size," I bowed slightly, adjusting my eyeglasses, acknowledging the potential impact of my actions.
"No worries, you saved me from the accident. By the way, I'm Daisy. What's your name?" Her gratitude was evident, breaking the ice between us.
"I'm Lawrenz. It's nice to meet you!" The prospect of friendship bloomed in my mind, a sentiment I hoped she shared.
Despite being in the 5th grade, we attended different schools, creating a bridge between our separate worlds. Together, we decided to head to a nearby store, our mission: to indulge in inexpensive snacks. Daisy's choice was a classic vanilla ice cream cone.
"You know what, you're so cute!" She playfully pinched my cheeks, and I couldn't help but feel a warmth in her words.
"Because I'm big."
"No, you are healthy."
"No, I'm not," I responded modestly.
Her response was a simple smile, followed by an unexpected hug. "Then, thank you for saving my life. This is my second life, Lawrenz."
As the vehicle approached, I couldn't help but reflect on that sunny day, a turning point that brought together two young souls, breaking barriers and forming a bond that transcended appearances.
---
ENGINES STOP... TIRES SCREECH...
The bus came to a halt at the waiting shed. Daisy's mother fetched her, and I observed as they boarded the bus. She waved, and I reciprocated. My father picked me up from the playground where I sat alone, choosing to wait for him. At home, my mother was preparing dinner.
It felt like home when they weren't working. I was an only child, studying all night because I had no one to talk to. We lived a comfortable life, but my parents worked tirelessly for it.
On mornings without school, I'd often study botany and tend to different plants. "Why are you interested in gardening?" My mother asked.
"Learning keeps me occupied."
"Okay, but your birthday is coming up. Is there anything special you want?"
"Definitely!"
I thought celebrating my birthday would make me feel independent and free. My parents had little time for me, but others seemed to have more time to criticize my body.
"You should exercise. A young body can grow strong," my P.E. teacher advised, but I ended up hospitalized. I lied to my parents, claiming I wanted to build a stronger body.
"Never push yourself too hard or you might endanger your life. I don't want to lose you," my mother's teary eyes softened me.
"I apologize for my actions; it's my fault."
"No, don't pay attention to people's words; they're just words," my father reassured me.
"But aren't those words a reflection of their perception of the world based on appearances?" I smiled faintly. "No, perhaps I've been too preoccupied with them. I'll take care of myself and build the body I desire." I said with determination and self-assurance.
"You truly wish to build an ideal body, huh? Well, I support you, my son." My father embraced me.
Nick Gregory approached my desk. I was working on an assignment as I disliked having homework. "You confuse me!" He yelled at me and dragged me.
"Why?"
"I should be the valedictorian this year. What gave you the idea to accuse me of cheating in the exams?" His rage left me numb.
"I never said that. Please, be cautious with your accusations; they damage my reputation and dignity." I attempted to free myself, but he was strong.
He delivered an uppercut. "You deserve this punch."
But someone intervened to stop the physical bullying. "If you truly want to become the valedictorian, Mr. Nick, let's have a retake exam," our teacher proposed.
He resisted. "No, I want a fair competition with him."
"Then let's compete tomorrow," I strongly suggested.
"Oh, are you going to retake, Mr. Lawrenz?" Our teacher was shocked.
"I want everyone to witness that we are truly focused on the exam and not other test paper." I adjusted my eyeglasses.
That night, I poured over my books, preparing for the unexpected competition proposed by Nick. The weight of his accusations lingered in my mind, adding to the burden of school and my personal struggles.
As I flipped through my textbooks, I couldn't shake off the encounter with Daisy earlier that day. Her kindness lingered in my thoughts, providing a fleeting sense of solace amidst the chaos.
The following morning arrived with the tension of an impending challenge. Nick stood with an air of confidence, while I tried to hide the nervousness beneath a facade of determination.
The competition commenced, and the classroom buzzed with anticipation. The teacher posed complex questions, and Nick and I engaged in a mental duel, exchanging answers with fervor. It was a battle not just for the valedictorian title but for a shred of dignity and respect.
Despite Nick's initial brashness, he displayed remarkable intellect, making the contest fierce and intense. Each correct answer felt like a small victory, restoring a fragment of my confidence.
As the competition progressed, I noticed a subtle change in Nick's demeanor. The initial hostility seemed to fade, replaced by a mutual drive to prove our capabilities.
In the end, the teacher tallied the scores and announced the result. The classroom fell silent in anticipation.
"And the winner is..." the teacher paused for dramatic effect, "Lawrenz Tybalt!"
The room erupted into murmurs and whispers. Nick appeared stunned, his pride slightly wounded but showing a surprising glint of respect in his eyes.
"Let's start the written exam," Nick Gregory uttered.
We started taking the exam. Everyone watched purposefully to know who was better.
"Okay, let's have the Nick Gregory exam; I will check it."
As we delved into the written exam, the atmosphere in the room became charged with anticipation. The previous confrontation had set the stage for a showdown that extended beyond verbal clashes.
Nick Gregory, determined to redeem himself, approached the written exam with focused intensity. The scratch of pencils on paper filled the room as we navigated through the challenging questions. The stakes were high, not just for the valedictorian title but for the validation of our respective abilities.
The teacher, overseeing the proceedings, maintained a vigilant eye, ensuring the fairness and integrity of the competition. As the minutes ticked away, the tension in the room heightened, creating an environment akin to a battle of intellect.
Upon completing the exam, we handed our papers to the teacher for evaluation. The room held its collective breath, awaiting the verdict that would determine the ultimate winner.
The teacher carefully reviewed the responses, comparing each answer against the rigorous standards of academic excellence. The weight of the moment hung in the air, and my mind revisited the journey that had led to this point – from accusations of cheating to a physical confrontation, and now, a head-to-head academic challenge.
Finally, the teacher broke the silence, "The results are in. Both candidates performed exceptionally well, showcasing commendable knowledge and understanding."
The room buzzed with murmurs as the teacher continued, "But there can only be one valedictorian."
The tension reached its peak as the teacher unfolded the announcement. "The valedictorian for this year is Lawrenz Tybalt."
A mix of reactions filled the room – surprise, disappointment, and, surprisingly, a subtle nod of acknowledgment from Nick Gregory. The acknowledgment might have been begrudging, but it signified a grudging acceptance of the results.
The victory was not just about securing the title but a triumph over adversity, prejudices, and the personal struggles that had accompanied my academic journey. As I stood there, the weight of the accolade felt both exhilarating and humbling.
The teacher concluded the proceedings, reminding us of the responsibility that came with being a valedictorian – to inspire, lead, and embody the principles of academic excellence.
As the classroom emptied, Nick Gregory approached me with an unexpected sincerity. "You earned it," he admitted, a rare display of humility breaking through his previous animosity.