LEONA

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　　"And our Valedictorian for this year 2019 goes to..

　　Everyone waited in anticipation with hearts in the pit of their stomachs for the best student to be announced especially those who really worked hard towards it.

　　It was the day of graduation and I am just as excited as everyone here. After years of schooling, I am finally completing.

　　Rhoda and I said silent prayers and smiled hopefully at each other.

　　I and my friend Rhoda, has always wished for this title and we've always worked hard towards it.

　　Though I am glad to be a first class student, my family will be much happier if my name should be mentioned.

　　I am Leona Grande the second child and the only daughter my mom gave birth to aside my brother before passing on. My dad got remarried to Tasha and they had three kids, all girls.

　　So in all, we are a family of seven. Four girls and one boy.

　　I'm from a lower class family, not rich at all.

　　My dad is a fashion designer but his business is not doing all too well since all the money was invested into my education.

　　Having a jobless step mum made it worse because the burden was on dad alone.

　　The other three girls dropped out of elementary school while my eldest brother, Raymond only completed highschool.

　　So you can imagine, I was an investment to my family since all the earnings went into my education. My family are being forced to live a moderate and simple lifestyle all because of my education.

　　And for that, I'll always be indebted to them.

　　I'm not the normal teenage girl who chats and gossip about boys all the time. I don't even fancy that.

　　My life is totally different which is, mentally, psychologically, physically and emotionally.

　　My red platinum hair is overgrown because I had no time to trim it at the salon and it's almost below my butt anytime I lose it. Other than that, it's always wrapped on my head.

　　I'm under the 'no boyfriend' policy and my dad always make sure that I wasn't seen around any of them even though I was 19 years.

　　I had no time to apply makeups or wear beautiful clothes. I'm always cladded in faded denim trousers with faded hoodies.

　　Well, let's say all the few clothes I had are all faded because of excess use.

　　Being a future breadwinner or should I say, caretaker or heir? Which ever way, it wasn't an easy task.

　　I am always the serious type, always locked up indoors with my books. All I do is read, read and read.

　　My mates call me a first class nerd only that I don't make use of those ugly spectacles.

　　I only come out to eat and go back.

　　Throughout my highschool I had no friend.

　　I always walk alone, low key. Despite that, my grades kept me popular since I am always awarded the best student.

　　It was in college that I met Rhoda. Unlike me, she is from an extremely wealthy family and I don't know why she would befriend a church mouse like me.

　　Anyways, I'm still glad she's my friend and I like her a lot.

　　After graduation, I have to look for a good work with a handsome pay so that I can take over responsibility and repay my dad, send my half sister's back to school and also help my brother to college.

　　But it wouldn't have been me if my brother had done well in highschool. But I am glad that he always support me anyway possible he could.

　　My step mom, Tasha is quite a headache and her three girls are also something else. Especially the eldest who's called Elsie.

　　But I don't blame either of them.

　　All the same, I'm glad my half sister's made it to my graduation.

　　My dad and Tasha couldn't come because they prefer watching it on the TV.

　　I looked around and admired the beautiful academic gowns we were wearing.

　　I can't wait to throw my cap out into the air...

　　"And the Valedictorian goes to none other than our very own miss Leona Grande."

　　The MCs voice brought me back from the thinking I was doing.

　　The whole graduants cheered and chanted my name wildly.

　　I couldn't believe it. Well, I know I worked for this and it wouldn't be a surprise to a lot of people but still. I'm shocked as hell.

　　I looked over at Rhoda and she smiled and nodded proudly at me, happiness visible in her beautiful eyes that was welling up already.

　　My own eyes darted to the gold medal and I just teared up.

　　Oh Lord! I made it!

　　The cheering was so loud that I can imagine my father doing a victory dance back home.

　　With this award, I don't need to go searching for work because the government is going to employ me instantly and I can finally cater for my family, repay them.

　　I jumped up happily and muttered a YES!

　　"Kindly come forward miss Grande." The MC said.

　　I began walking to the stage through the wild crowd but as I walked, I suddenly felt dizzy. I'm not sure if it's the amount of people cheering me on or the loud noises. My steps stagger and my hands went up to support my head.

　　I tried to keep my eyes open to walk and it was difficult but I somehow managed to the stage.

　　Upon getting there, I didn't know what happened and everything suddenly went blank.

　　The gasps of my lectures and my colleagues were the last thing I heard.

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