Reality Check

It's been a few years since Catherina rejoined her friends in middle school. Time had flown quickly with Catherina easily reestablishing herself as a school idol. The time had finally come for their middle school graduation.

An hour before the ceremony would begin, Catherina and Helen stood close to the auditorium's gates waiting for their families to arrive. "Will your brother be coming?" Helen asked with a blush on her face as she pictured Samuel's perfect form in her mind.

"You better not", Catherina interrupted her reverie. "Why…what do you mean?" Helen asked. "He already has a really cool girlfriend that he's known for years and adores her very much. If I wasn't his sister, he'd probably never pay attention to me", Catherina replied with a snicker.

"He only knows your name because you are my friend. If you have any inclination of feelings for him, you'd better dash them before they fester. You'll only be hurt in the end", Catherina advised.

Helen pouted as she held her head down in denial. Noticing her look, Catherina could only sigh in exasperation. "If you'll not take my word for it, you only need to wait a few minutes. She'll be coming as well. You'll understand when you see her for yourself", Catherina said to her. Helen raised her head, having hope that Catherina was overestimating the girlfriend of her crush.

A few minutes later, a convoy of five Mercedes with tinted windows came through the gates of the high school, driving along the drive way and reaching the assigned parking lot. Half a dozen men dressed in black suits came out of the first and last cars and surrounded the center three cars.

Attention fell on them from everyone around the current environment. The observers were in awe as the doors of the cars were opened by the guards and multiple well-dressed individuals exited them.

Samuel and Elizabeth alighted from their car that was second in the convoy driven by Alfred while his parents and Helena's parents; Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, alighted from the second car. Coming out of the third car were Sylvester, Sylvia and Delgato who came to support Catherina on her big day, surprising her greatly.

They came together and walked towards the auditorium's gates. "Sly, Sylvie, Del! This is such a wonderful surprise; I'm so glad to see you all!" Catherina shouted as she run up to them and hugged them. Helen couldn't help but stand there dumbfounded, looking at the caliber of persons that moved with her crush.

Each of them appeared to be in a league of their own, and even though she was pretty in her own right, she knew herself and was sure she may never reach a level close to them in her lifetime. When her eyes fell upon Elizabeth, her whole world came crashing down. Catherina's description of her was a complete understatement. She had just received the worst reality check of her life.

Standing next to Samuel, with a hand around his, was the most beautiful girl she had ever seen. She had an aura of elegance surrounding her that could not be matched. Helen sighed as she instantly lost all hope in ever getting her crush to notice her. With a broken heart, she run into her parents' arms who were confused with a crestfallen look.

"What's wrong dear?" Helen's mother asked after she noticed the downtrodden look on her daughter's face. "She must be anxious about the ceremony", her father interjected before she could reply.

"I'm fine Mom. I'm just a little nervous but I'll be okay", Helen replied as she hugged her parents. "Don't worry dear. We're here for you. We've got your back all the way", her mother said as she hugged her tighter.

Soon, a neatly dressed female guide appeared out of the gates to escort them to their seats. She froze after laying eyes on her charges. She had never come across a group of people so in a world of their own that it makes the rest of the world seem redundant in her vision. She stayed that way for a few seconds until Bernard got her attention.

She apologized and showed them the way in, escorting them to their seats in the VIP section of the auditorium. After they took their seats, she apologized once again and excused herself. Catherina and Helen excused themselves as they left to join their classmates and prepare for the ceremony.

Half an hour later, there was no empty seat in the auditorium. The graduating class had entered and taken their seats, Catherina and Helen taking the first and third spots respectively. The graduation ceremony went on smoothly and after a couple of hours, it was all over. The families of the graduands celebrated with their children under the canopies set up on the large field adjacent to the auditorium.

After hours of celebration, the field was cleared out as families returned to their vehicles parked on the large parking lot. The Griffon security detail welcomed them back and congratulated Catherina on graduating from Middle school. Catherina thanked them with a happy smile.

The doors were opened and the group each entered their assigned cars, Catherina and Helen joining Samuel and Elizabeth in their car. The convoy started and exited through the school's gates with numerous pairs of eyes gazing intensely at them with envy.

Helen and her family were dropped off at their home in the city. "We'll meet at the station early tomorrow morning for our day out", Catherina said as she waved goodbye to her friend. "See you!!" Helen shouted back as the convoy of cars sped away.

After a few minutes on the road, Samuel's car split off from the convoy, heading in the direction of Elizabeth's family estate as the rest headed for the Griffin Manor. "Be back in time for dinner", Vivian requested through the wireless intercom installed in all the Griffin vehicles. "Sure thing, Mom. I'll be back early", Samuel replied and closed the line.

They soon reached Elizabeth's family estate. The Mercedes drove up the driveway and stopped in front of the mansion. Alfred opened the door and Samuel escorted Elizabeth up the stairs of her home. Upon reaching the top stair, he turned towards her and held her hands.

"I know there is more time to ask this but I need to get it off my chest", he said as he gazed into his eyes. "Will you go to prom with me?" he asked her.

"Of course I will silly, who else will I go with besides you?" she asked as smiled and threw her arms around his neck. "I'm glad", Samuel said as he smiled and leaned in for a kiss.