There is this great feeling when you are eventually ready to be a high school graduate. Passing through the years of learning, difficulties, challenges, and other unfathomable events which can either make or mar one is something yet extraordinary.
Andrew finally felt the relief he needed when his stepdad was sentenced to life imprisonment with hard labor. Kevin's joy knew no bounds when he was able to get more evidence which reduced his dad's sentence to only 5 years.
Even tho it hurt him to see his father being given -a five-year imprisonment, his aunt made him realize how fortunate it was for his sentence not to be at least 20 years and above, since it was on fraud and embezzlement. Kevin decided to keep praying, hoping to see his father finally free one day.
.........
It was marking the end of Joy and her friend's graduation, and the excitement on their faces was enough to describe how they felt.
Joy was able to get the grip of herself, concentrate on her studies, and ace her exams. Even tho she was not the brilliant type, she still tried and put in her best. She was able to develop self-control and saw Andrew as a friend who is free to be talked to by others.
The day has finally come, and the final year students of Golden Grace High School are graduating. Their graduating gowns, with the decorated grad cap. It was a moment to behold.
Chatterings and happiness filled the hall meant for the graduating students, as well as parents, friends, and well-wishers, who graced the occasion. With about one hundred students graduating from the great Alma mater, there were surely more than enough people to grace the happy occasion.
Smiles were boldly written on the four friends' faces as they entered the hall, each one of them in the attire they deemed fit for the occasion. Andrew and Kevin put on matching attire. Gray collared shirts, black trousers, and suits with matching ties, along with rocking black shoes.
The ladies were not left out as they also put on brown floral gowns, a gold necklace around their neck. Rachael has a brown hair clip attached to her flowing blonde hair, while Joy used a headband, making her look more radiant. They put on light make-up, toning their face a little, as they looked beautiful. They all looked ravishing.
They looked across the hall as students are seen in pairs of two's and three's.
"Wow, I can't believe I am going to be graduating today. It feels like a dream." Joy commented, happiness boldly written on her face.
"Right. It has been a long journey, but we thank God for helping us through. It is not easy. We should take a group selfie, shouldn't we?" Andrew stated as they moved closer to each other.
Pulling out his selfie stick, Andrew took their pictures, and they all smiled happily.
"Can I join the group picture?" They all turned at the voice as they were shocked.
"GRACE, "Joy screamed as she moved closer to hug her.
The others took turns to hug her, as Rachael hugged her the most not wanting to leave her.
"Rachael, you might suffocate me," Rachael giggled as she finally let go.
Rachael was the happiest seeing Grace come for their graduation. It was something she, they least expected.
"Wow, you have grown taller. How are you?" Kevin said.
"Oh yeah. I am doing fine. I am mentally stable. I'm finally free guys. I missed you so much. I regretted my past actions, but I am so happy whenever I think of the beautiful memories we shared. You are truly the best friends in the world," Small drop of tears fell from Grace's eyes, as she talked.
She was almost the same height as Rachael, with brunette hair that reached below her shoulder. She also looked breathtaking, especially with her blue skirt with a yellow blouse and black open-toed wedge to match.
She was once their best friend, but the mistake she made cost her mental health, but it was good news as she let go of her past ready to face the future firmly.
"We are friends after all. So nice to see you again," Rachael hugged her for the umpteenth time.
The slow song from the speaker in the hall interrupted their conversation.
"I will see you guys later since the program is about to start. Congratulations," Grace beamed happily.
"Okay. We still need to make memories and take pictures. Hoping to see more of you today," Kevin said before Grace left to sit in the visitor's area.
"I want to visit the restroom. Do well to leave a space for me, Joy," The three got seated at the area selected for the graduands as Rachael made her way to the restroom.
She finished her business in no time only to meet Zack resting on the door frame outside the restroom.
His face shone as he looked gently at Rachael. He felt his breath hitch for a while seeing the beauty in front of him. He had thought his feelings for her will pass on, but somehow, he still felt stuck by her.
"You look beautiful," He complimented.
"Thank you," she replied as she made to walk past him but felt his hand hold her.

Rachael wore a frown as she turned to face Zack, who was smiling sheepishly tranced by her beauty.
"Can you let go of my hand, or I should do it myself?" Rachael voiced out angrily, as Zack withdrew his hand from hers.
For some reason, Rachael even feels sick being around him. Probably due to the concentrated cologne he had on his body. Even though Zack was the best looking, Rachael find him less attractive. Probably because of her new feeling for Kevin.
"You have not changed Rachy. I keep loving you by the way, and I am not giving up on my feelings for you. Wherever you go, I go. You have fallen for me once, and I promise to make that happen again. See you in College my amore," Rachael felt goosebumps at Zack's words.
"It is the sheer audacity for me. I like your courage, Zack Grande. I look forward to the challenge. I would love to see who wins or loses," Rachael enunciated each word slowly.
Putting on a smiling face, she left Zack who seemed rather dumbfounded. His heart ached slightly as he only gave out a devious smile. He wasn't ready to give up on Rachael. His determination was more or less on a high peak.
It would be unnatural to say Rachael was not scared a bit by Zack's words. After all, the last thing she was wary of was someone being obsessed with her.
She had read novels and watched movies about how obsession can make someone not give up until they have what they wanted. Even if it meant killing off anyone that try to stop them.
Zack simply looked on, smiling sheepishly. His Obsession with Rachael was beginning to reach a high level. He had often climbed her window just to see her sleep during midnight. He had taken drawings of hers and kept fascinating on how they would get married soon.
Whenever he sees Rachael talking with the opposite sex, especially Kevin, he had often felt the urge to fight the person, or probably get rid of that person for good. With Lydia in the picture, he had thought she would be successful enough to cause a rift between the friends but she failed. Now she had developed feelings for Kevin.
"It seems Rachael does not seem to be falling for you anytime soon," Zack knew the voice from a distance.
"Oh yeah. She is playing cat and mouse. I will see to it whether she likes it or not," Zack replied as he turned to look at Lydia.
She had almost the same look as Rachael, not to talk of the fact that Lydia puts on makeup to look almost like her sister. Zack or Kevin never seemed infatuated by her. After all, she was just a carbon copy, photocopy, perhaps a doppelganger and not the real person.
Rachael had distinctive qualities which will make almost every young guy fall for her beauty.
"For someone intelligent like you, you should realize soon enough that she is not going to College immediately after High School," Zack simply smiled.
"And you thought I will make a move soon. Only time will tell Lydia. Rachael will be mine," he began walking away but stopped.
"The graduation is boring, isn't it? I will be going out for a drink in the evening. You are free to join me. Hopefully, you can learn from my plans," Lydia simply nodded.
She had always known Zack to be creepy but never realized his likeness for her stepsister has grown into an Obsession. More like, by fire by force. Not like she cared. What she wanted was to break up Kevin and Rachael. That way, she would have easy access to Kevin.
Taking a last look at the mirror near the restroom door, Lydia adjusted her gown. She looked at her phone screen which has the picture of her pecking Kevin.
Hatred ran through her body remembering the scene again. For some reason, her hatred for Rachael grew more.
She became more determined in her heart, letting her feelings control and blind her.