Roller Coaster Bliss

CHAPTER 1

Jaime's POV

Jaime!!! I shouted, one of my best friends this high school, Yvonne. I am here today in the school cafeteria and I am waiting for my other best friend Yvonne.

Why? I asked.

Do you have a dress already? For our graduation? She asked.

Not yet. Thanks for the worry. My answer. Thank God that she reminded me about that. I totally forgot about that thing.

Right, I haven't too, Let’s go to the mall!!! She excitedly answered. Maybe it is really a good time to buy a dress for our graduation but we need to wait for Kate.

K. Then. But let's wait for Kate. Yvonne and I are classmates since grade seven, unlike Kate who we only meet this senior high. We are now in our last year in high school.

Oh my! That's how she is. She shouted again.

Yvonne, can you please low than the volume of your voice? You're getting worse. I was getting annoyed with her. I am not exaggerating things but her voice is really loud like I can feel my eardrums throbbing.

Hi, besties!!! Yvonne greeted us. Then Kate screamed again. I stood up from my seat.

Guys let's go. I'm bored and I don’t want to waste our time sitting and watching our schoolmates walk back and forth in front of us.

Where are we going? Kate asked. Yes, she didn't even know that we are going to the Mall. I did not bother to tell her because I thought Yvonne will tell her but she did not.

We're going to the Mall. I answered.

When we got to the gate we had given our gate pass to the guard, so we could get out.

When we got out, Yvonne immediately signaled to stop the Jeep.

Jaime you are going to treat us! Yvonne cheered. We are in a public place for Pete’s sake. I really don’t know what to do with this girl.

Why? I asked her.

You're valedictorian! Yvonne answers me.

Okay. Then. We also have a few days left together, I am moving to Manila and you still don’t have a clear plan if you will migrate or not. I don’t want this conversation to continue, I don't have time for petty things and I usually agree every time. Aside from that, college is coming and we will not have much time to see each other and bond together.

Besh! Don't be sad, every weekend will you come home here to Batangas, right? So there's still time for us to bond. And if ever I will migrate abroad, I will make sure that I will go home on special occasions. Yvonne smiled.

I just smiled at her again. I will study at South East University in Manila. That is where my cousins studied. And that school is quite famous here in the country.

I paid for our fare. This day will be on me. I will treat these two.

I just watched the scenery outside the jeepney. I know that I will miss this view and feeling. This will be changed by tall buildings and large establishments. I will be welcomed by the pollution and not by the fresh air. That will be my life in the next few months.

Hey! We are here! Yvonne and Kate said at the same time.

We are walking when the two shouted. Gosh! I was startled.

Wahhhhhhh!!!!!!

What's wrong? I'm pretty irritated with their response.

Kyle and Daniel oh! Yvonne shouted while pointing in the other direction.

Kyle is a popular basketball player from Batangas Academy and Daniel is one of my co-members of the Batangas Academy Dance troupe. I am not shocked to see them here, we are both from Batangas and we also share the same school. Moreover, we are quite close to each other.

What now? I answer back.

The two made puppy eyes, and I know what that means and I know that they are initiating something.

I called the two men so that I can greet and say hi to them. And of course, for Yvonne and Kate!

They have feelings toward the boys and they are afraid to do the first move. It is uncommon here in the Philippines for girls to do the first move, unlike in the States where you can freely do what you want.

Kyle! Dan! I called the two men and they immediately looked our way.

Oh my! Jaime! Dan said.

I can see the smile of Yvonne and Kate from my peripheral vision. What a happy day for both of them.

Why are you here? Oh hi! Dan asked me and he say hi when she noticed my friends at my side.

Uh, we are going to buy our dresses for our graduation next week. How about you two? Girl hunting at the mall? I joked and laughed but they immediately dismissed the topic.

No, we are just spending our time here. The house is boring. Kyle answered, I just nodded.

Can we just go with you? Dan asked. There is no reason to say no so I just agreed.

.......

We are now outside the gym of Batangas Academy, our graduation will start in a few minutes.

I'm with Mommy and Daddy now. I am an only child that’s why we don’t have any other companies, unlike my other classmates who are with their siblings too.

Jaime!!! I heard Yvonne and Kate shout at me.

Why? I am pretty sad about this occasion. This is my last day in high school. This campus will be missed, along with my memories together with my classmates, friends, org mates, co-officers, co-members of the dance troupe, and together with my colleagues.

Kate just waved her camera in response.

I turned to them with a smile and happily run toward them.

We were having a blast when someone suddenly shouted...

Jaime!!!!! Daniel and Kyle called me and they are both smiling. So this is what graduation feels like? Mixed emotions, you can be happy because finally you finished high school and sad at the same time because you and your friends are taking different paths.

Why? I asked Smiling.

Let’s take a picture together! Kyle's answer.

All right!

We took pictures together, many pictures to be exact. This will be my most memorable experience in high school.

The ceremony will start in a few minutes now. The emcee announced. I am a bit nervous because I am delivering my final speech later. A speech that will tell my journey in Batangas Academy, together with my struggles and memories inside the four corners of this school.

We are told to fall in line and arrange in order.

The ceremony started and all the graduates along with their parents started to walk on the red carpet.

We stopped for a moment to pose for a photo.

Smile! The photographer shouted. This moment will be forever cherished.

I smiled.

The program has begun.

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen! We are here for the graduation of grade 12 students S.Y. 2007-2008 of Batangas Academy. Give them a big round of applause!!! And the emcee opened the program with oozing energy and confidence. I really do not know what to feel.

Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!

Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!

Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!

After conducting the usuals, and after the significant happenings in graduation, it is my time to shine.

People are already clapping inside the gymnasium after much has been said and now it's time for me, to deliver my valedictory speech or valedictory address.

May we call on stage, Miss Jaime Faith B. Allado for her valedictory speech! The emcee joyfully called me. This memory will be on my mind and heart, definitely.

Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!

Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!

Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!

I climbed the stage.

Parents, teachers, administrators, and students, good afternoon! We are all happy here because we, students that will graduate today finish half of our milestone. Most of us are joyful because we have received many awards, medals, certificates, and trophies but it's not the award that will you receive it's what you've learned and experienced during your years in high school. My tears started to form around the corner of my eyes. I did not expect this to happen.

Mommy & Daddy thank you for always being there for me and thank you for the support. I love you both. Thank you and I love you is not enough for the sacrifices you did for me. You saw my struggles, ranging from breaking down and not sleeping for a couple of days just to accomplish my responsibilities as a student, as a dance troupe member, as a friend, and as a member of the student council. My tears were dripping. I am hoping that I will finish this speech, I am already feeling a lump in my throat.

Many say that high school years are the happiest years of a student, and I have proven that. I can say that my six years in high school, those are the happiest years of my life. I know that nothing is permanent in this lifetime. We may lose friends on our way here, we may lose time with our family, we may lose our closeness and bond with other people who are dearest to us, and we all undergo a lot of changes and sacrifices. It is heartbreaking but it is all part of life. My tears are falling nonstop. I did not expect that I will cry this hard.

My high school life is not just a high school life, it is a journey and it is a journey that I will cherish forever. All of my friends, colleagues, acquaintances, teachers, officers, and schoolmates, I want to extend my gratitude to all of you. You have a huge place in my heart and in my mind.

Our mornings and afternoons will not be the same as before. I know that you will miss the long lines in the cafeteria, the long lines at the entrance and exit of the campus, the noisy classrooms and hallways, and of course your classroom set-ups, as well as your seatmates and classmates.

I want to congratulate each and everyone that is here today, not only the graduates but also their parents and teachers. You all did well! The sleepless nights, the hell weeks, the stressed days, the rushed trips, and the hectic schedules, your hard work really paid off. Teachers, thank you for all your efforts and sacrifices. Your students are now moving on to the next level of their lives, college life. Thank you for the lessons and wisdom you imparted to us. I am sure that it will be helpful for us in conquering our first months, and years in college.

I want to wish everyone a stroke of good luck on the new path that you will take. I know that we will all meet hindrances and hard times but always remember that you can do it. Always believe in yourself and do not give up. I know that you will all be successful in your chosen fields. Let's see each other in the future, future engineers, doctors, nurses, architects, teachers, policemen, attorneys, prosecutors, accountants, pilots, and business owners. Good luck on your journey! Padayon!

Thank you very much!!! I ended my speech with my eyes a little puffy.

I was welcomed by my parents and friends with warm embraces and hugs. This day will be memorable, definitely. It may not stick with my mind forever, but I know that my heart will always remember this moment.

That I was once a great achiever and I enjoyed my life a lot. That despite the heartaches, there will always be a rainbow after the rain.

I will miss them all.