The Mafia's Pawn

o's

nt the valedictorian award to none other person tha

ink it'll be?"

arted only to be

, his voice cutting through

room with a vibrant energy. I looked around in shoc

ing, I staggered and sank into my chai

Or was there another Cleo

her voice rising above the

o my feet and raised my gown slightly to avoid tripping, my hands trembling as I carefully walked up to the podium. I had a

standing in the hall, their smiles and cheers filled me

ce thick with emotion, silencing their cheers. "But if I was chosen

s is for all the sleepless nights, the sacrifices, the challenges we've all faced. I want to thank the bo

the tears. People were pulling out their phones, recording videos, and taking pictures. Suddenly, the thought of bei

's when

one knee with a white bouquet in on

skipped

ite the tremor of nerves I could see i

nsion I couldn't quite place. I'd caught him glancing at me several times during the ceremony, his fingers drumming n

jilted me back from my th

w we had been together since our first year. But I had

eyes again as I whisper

nd I threw my arms around him, the

lingered for a moment still rooted to the spot, admiring the glittering

is is real," I murm

ing me into a hug. "I'm so proud of you. I'm sure your pa

aid shoving the awards in her hand.

tement. Dialing my mom's number, I felt a slight twinge

ceremony's over and the part

he assured me. "Just a bit of

all. My friends swarmed me, all eager to see the ring.

ased, nudging me playfully. "Can I be th

Miley surrounded by his friends, who were no doubt teasing him as well. Our eyes met

excused myself, expecting to

rough the line, calm but with an edge that mad