Graduation Day

As soon as I got home, I quickly finished what I had to do and ran over to Katie's place to share the good news with her. I would have loved to show her the things my dad bought for me but I left them with him at the mini-mart.

"Katie!, where are you? I called out to her as I entered the sitting room.

Her siblings were watching a movie but she wasn't there with them.

"She's in her room." One of the twins who had opened the door for me replied.

"Ooh! Thank you," I said.

I got to Katie's room and found the door open. It seemed as if she heard my voice.

"Katie, guess what?" I asked as soon as I entered her room.

"The entrance exam result is out." She casually replied.

"Naah, try again," I said to her while trying hard to hold my laughter.

"Then what is it?" She asked with confusion ad she sat up on her bed.

I placed my hands on her shoulder and looked at her intently,

"I was given a scholarship!" I said to her in excitement.

It took a while for Katie to digest what I had just told her and when she did she hugged me tightly.

"Aaah!, I am so happy for you." She screamed in excitement.

"Congratulations!"

"Thank you so much," I replied.

"Omg, I'm so happy now. I knew you could make it." She said as she held my hand and hugged me again.

We didn't realize that the twins were at the door, they had heard Katie's scream and rushed to her room.

"Congratulations Elsie," The twins said to me.

"Thank you," I said to the twins.

"Have you told anyone about it?" Katie asked me as soon as the twins left.

"Apart from my family, you are the first person to hear about it. They permitted me to share the news with you."

"Awwwn!" She squealed in delight. "I know you have only me in your heart."

"As if," I sneered.

"Did your parents celebrate it?" She asked me.

"They got me some things. They will be celebrating it alongside my graduation  tomorrow."

"That's great, remember to share some of your gifts and prizes with me tomorrow. I'll be your PA for tomorrow." Katie requested.

"Why should I share mine with you? Won't you also receive prizes?" I countered.

Katie and I talked at length about the ceremony tomorrow. She showed me the dress she is to wear to the ceremony. Her dress was magnificent. It was more of a light yellow with tiny stones. Her aunt who was a fashion designer had made that cloth specially for her.

Mine was a champagne gold pleated dress.

After we had reached an agreement on what time we will be leaving for school tomorrow, I said goodbye to them and went home.

Although I spent a long time at Katie's place, it was not yet time for Dad and Fred to return home. I ate lunch, slept and when I woke up, I brought out my gown and other accessories I was going to wear and arranged them neatly. All I had to do was to wait for the day to break.

                        *********************

As early as 6 am, I was already awake. I said my prayers and went downstairs.

Dad was going through his sales in the sitting room as usual.

"The latest high school student, Hope you slept well?" Dad asked as he smiled at me.

"Good morning, Dad" I greeted him with a smile on my face.

"Good morning my dear,"

"Why are you awake now?" He asked me.

"I can't sleep again."

"Are you excited?"

"Yes, I am."

"Having butterflies in your stomach?"

"Yes, Dad," I said laughing out loud.

"I thought Mom would be back by now," I remarked.

"Hmmm, she will be here in an hour. You just have to help her with some things before she arrives." Dad said as he showed me the text message Mom had sent to him.

"What time is the graduation?" Dad enquired.

"The ceremony will start at noon but we are expected to be there one hour before the time."

"Ok, you can go and start getting ready," Dad said.

Not long after I left for my room, Mom returned home. Fred and I rushed downstairs to greet her, I also helped her with some things in the kitchen before she asked me to go and prepare.

"Once you are done, just call me so that I can help doll you up." Mom said to me.

"Ok, mom."

I got to my room and showered and when I was done. I called Mom to help me. She helped to make my hair. I would have made braids but because of my mood before, I didn't remember it. She had to straighten my hair and coil it.

I wore my shoe and other accessories and I was set to go.

"Waw, you look amazing," Dad said to me as I came downstairs.

"Come,  let me take a picture of you."

He took some pictures of me and when it was time, he drove me to school.

When I got there, a lot of my classmates were already there. Everyone was looking dashing in their attire.

The school hall was decorated and the stage was being set up. Our creative arts teacher and her team really did a good job.

All the graduands assembled in the assembly including the nursery three students.  I looked at them and remembered when I was like them, how time flies.

The proprietress addressed us and then we all took group photographs with our graduation gown and also took another one without the gown.