1 CHAPTER 2: GRADUATION and DECISIONS

ONE YEAR LATER

"Shea, what's taking her so long isn't her graduation today?" Paul asked.

"Uhhh...ha, she is already changing to her room, she'll be down after 5 mins." Shea replied while preparing.

Aye was still trying to figure out what to wear but then found a dress she wore before, lavender in color with different shades. The dress is an inch above the knee and the dress fit her perfectly, it was simple and modest in a way. She found a thin white belt and put it loosely around her waist, she put a light make-up since she doesn't use much (it irritates her skin), then her contact lenses. She pared her dress to a 2 inch high vintage look strapped sandals that she bought with her mother the other day. It was the only expensive thing she wore that day then went down and showed herself.

"Mom, dad, what do you think? I added this belt and necklace you gave me on my 18th birthday." aye asked looking at them.

"You look very pretty in that dress dear, good thing we bought that sandals. What do you say brother?" Shea asked her brother who was coming from the kitchen.

"Of course you are, you can make a simple dress more modern. That's how creative you are." her father said after seeing her.

"Really! thanks mom and dad, even if parents are meant to say that to their child, I'm still happy." Aye replied smiling.

Both her parents laughed at it and all of them left their house before they could be late for the ceremony. After 10 mins. they reached Laurence High School and all students line up for the marching ceremony. Her parents and all the people who came took their sits, the marching began with a strong but solemn music at the background. An opening remarks was done and all graduates were presented by the school president. The names were called one by one for the diploma then came the recognition for all outstanding pupils they have. The valedictorian called to say his speech for less than 3mins. The president gladly presented the top 10 students who pass the exam from Audessus Essai University.

" I would like just to add before I continue for the top 3, that all of them will receive certificates and scholarship award. Now, our top 3 is... Mr. Alex Cronus." an applause was made louder than the last time and waited for it to die down before the next student was said.

"Top 2. Ms. .... Rei Aye Crimean." The president mentioned while they continued to clap.

"And for top 1. who is one point higher the Ms. Crimean:... Mr. Arthur Robles." all names that were called stayed in the stage while the crowed continued to clap. Pictures were taken after the closing remarks that was done by the emcee. Before everyone in the stage could leave the stage they we're asked for more pictures to be taken for the headlines.

"Rei Aye Crimean." Shea called her daughter and Aye, who is with her few friends, she found her parents smiling.

"Congratulations!" both her parents said to her at the same time.

"We are very proud of you that you actually passed the exam... not just pass but rank 2." her father mentioned it.

"How about a small celebration before we go home?_" Shea suggested.

They left the place and create their small celebration.

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..

The next morning the Saturday newspaper were already out and now hanging in the stalls. The paper would always have the same news: robberies, suicides, gossips, political controversies and even murder. Of course, there are some news on unexplained phenomena that would make readers entertained aside from the good news parts of the paper, that rarely has.

The Crimean Residence is already busy that morning. Paul and Shea left before 8 am and went to work. Paul, a graduate of Information Technology works in a company as a team leader of his department. While Shea a graduate of International hospitality and tourism management was recently hired and works at Atterir Hotel as a manager in the evening while in the morning she teach college students. Aye was left to clean and do some laundry at home, after three hours she was done and decided to go to the market and buy some supplies.

She took her lunch at her room after coming from the market. She then sat in front of her computer and surf about the school she planned to go to. She went to the school's home page and tried to see how the university looks and what are other programs they have.

<<<<<<AZALEA MANSION>>>>>>>

Mr. Carl, reading the morning paper, looking for new news but found few. He started to read regarding Laurence High School, the only public school in the area. He continued to read, until he saw a picture of 10 students and read the caption below it. He looked closely and said to himself: "This group looks promising, it would be a wonderful year then."

Carl folded the paper and stood near this window, he watched the wide land he has and its sculptures from different kinds of statues to a single type of flower that surrounds them. He could see the cliff that marks the end of his property. Before he could turn back, he saw his nephew teaching Sera. He always knew that his nephew was bright but it is hard to motivate him to change his mind about college. Mr. Carl felt he needed a bit of break and decided to go down and listen to his nephew teach.

20minutes before...

"Brother since you don't have anything to do, would you please help me in my English report. Plea_____________s." Sera asked.

Akira didn't say a word but nod his head up and down. Sera thinks her brother said yes and decided to sit next to him, put her books and notes down then waited for Akira to move. After a while Sera was getting annoyed and decided to speak but saw something that stopped her. She pulled out the connection or the headset from the player and Akira quickly reached on it and sat up, looked around to see who disturbed him.

"Who the heck ___________?" Akira asked but stopped when he saw Sera.

"Sera, is their anything you need?... Sorry about that." Akira added.

"since you didn't hear me because of that thing, plea..."

" you like me to help you in your literature report, right" Akira suddenly said.

"You heard me?! but why didn't you say ...." Sera replied. she knew now that Akira was playing a joke again. She suddenly stood up and hit him in the head.

" You, you are so mea...n, did you think I would leave you if I didn't hear an answer?' Sera asked with a teary eye.

" Okey! okey!, sorry about that, what was it again you want me to help you on your report? and I promise to help you." That cheer her up.

"Well we were on my English subject and they want me to discuss on beliefs and philosophy of the Greeks. It's a punishment for having a fight with my classmate." she replied smiling.

Akira laughed so hard before saying: " You had a fight? I know I should say 'don't do it again' but I'm impress. Well then we'll leave that for a while, so... what specific belief or philosophy they want you to focus on?" he asked her finally.

"It's about the beliefs of both men and women about their roles." she replied.

" Okey, hmmm... In what way are going to report it anyway."

"They want it to be creative, maybe a drawing would suffice."

" Why don't I draw it then."

"Sure why not." Sera agreed laughing. She knew Akira can't draw because the last time she asked him to draw a face. He just made two circles for the eyes then a stick nose while the mouth was just a thin straight line. Now she was looking at his master piece and started laughing, because she can't even decipher what he was making. Akira became irritated that he asked her to fetch a book at the library that would help. Sera came back after 5 mins. and Akira started browsing on it and found what he was looking for and started reading.

" The time period of 400 BCE, marriages were arranged. Fathers had legal control over their daughters until a suitable match was found for them. Most girls married around the age of fifteen. This seems to be a young age but the average lifespan at that time was around 35-40 years.

Once married, women were ruled by their husbands. Greek men admired women for their roles as wives and mothers, but they frequently thought that women were too emotional. Greek men prided themselves on their reasoning abilities. Men were seen as rational and women were seen as irrational.

The Greek Home

In many Greek homes, the top floors were the domain of the women in the household. Women were not permitted to enter the room where their husbands had dinner with their friends. With the exception of this male-dominated room, the woman of the house had freedom within her household.

If she was married to a man who was wealthy, she had slaves to do the heavy work, and she was able to take time to travel outside her home to visit friends and relatives.

If she was married to a man who didn't have wealth, she might have had to take a job outside the home to make income for the family. She might have worked in a shop or as a servant for a wealthy family. Some women managed inns or learned to make cloth for garments.

Duties of rural women would include work on the farm. They harvested olives and fruits as well as gathered vegetables. Women also went out to attend religious ceremonies and rituals to honor the gods and goddesses. These ceremonies were often held in temples that were designated for women only.

Women in the City-State of Sparta

In Sparta, life was different for girls than it was in other regions of Greece. Girls attended government schools and also played sports, which other Greek girls didn't have the opportunity to do. Sparta needed soldiers so women who gave birth to male children were prized. Most women had slaves to handle the household chores.

Spartan men were so focused on warfare that, compared to other city-states, Spartan women had more freedom and independence. Around 400 BCE, two-fifths of all the land in Sparta was owned by women as compared to other city-states where all inheritances had to go through the male bloodline and only limited property could be owned by women." Akira said while reading the book and made a summary for it. He continued to explain for the next 15 mins.

"I think that's all, just read this then asked me if you need to clarify things." Akira finally said.

"Okey! I got it. I'll just see you later. thanks bro." Sera answered

"Wait! tell me what did you actually do to this classmate of yours?"

"Oh... I just hid one of her favorite and most expensive watch of hers."

"And why did you do that?"

"Well... she told everyone that I was the person spreading everyone's secret. Let's face it I did know everyone's secrets, I mean literally I know, but why would I even tell the entire campus? and the worst part that girlfriend of yours sided with her, making the situation worst."

"I'll show you a trick in handling them, want to see it?"

"What? tell me." Sera asked looking at her brother smiling or more of a grin. She knows that when Kira started to have that look, he has the most brilliant way of annoying someone. So she, waited until Akira said something.

"Try telling her to meet me one of this days, then I'll do the rest."

"What are you planning to do?"

"Just make her remember something." He replied still grinning.

" AKIRA ENRICH ROQUE! What do you think your doing? you should know better." his uncle suddenly said showing himself.

"Oh! sorry sir I was only asking for help." Sera interfered.

"That's right, did I do anything wrong? Anyway I'm already 20 yrs old." Akira added annoyed.

"Is that all?" his uncle asked him but Sera answered him.

"Yes sir!" Sera replied.

" Now Akira once your done teaching her, come in library." his uncle replied without looking back at them.

Both continued talking more about her reporting style and Sera didn't try to asked him, that might create a problem. After 10 mins. they were both done, she thanked him and left. Akira took his player and went straight to the library carrying the book he asked Sera to get. He climbed the stairs two at time and went to the second floor, east wing where the library is. He didn't knock and entered , he placed the book back to the shelf and heard pages being flipped and followed it. He saw his uncle sitting near the window and he walk to the nearest chair then sat. His uncle waited for him to sit and didn't say anything until few minutes past. Mr.Roque stood up and gave the morning paper to his nephew and sat opposite him. Akira took the paper and asked:

" What do you want me to read uncle, the paper only contains old news and new gossips, there's nothing good to read at..."

"Turn it on page 9 and read regarding St. Lawrence High." his uncle said interrupting him .

He turned it to page 9 and started to read the article and noticed the pictures on it with captions showing ten students passing the entrance exam for Audessus Essai University. He then continued looking at the other images and noticed the girl in the middle, she looks familiar, and remembered the girl he saw last year but was not sure if it is the same person.

" Are you done reading it? you seem staring at something now."

" I'm not sure, I thought I saw her before. But I think its not her."

"Who?, her name is Rei Aye Crimean. and she is the same girl we bump last years. Of course I still remember her."

"No way!, I mean she's really that good? So, those glasses were not for..." Akira said out loud without showing any irritation, for what, he didn't even know the person.

"Well are you telling me that she's better than you, she's just 18 and she is already beating you in taking college." His uncle said trying to irritate him more.

"Is she really going to enter that university or she has other offers?"

" What I'm sure of is this is the only exam she took and her family is dependent on the scholarship she has" His uncle replies. Akira looks closely to his uncle for any sign of fooling him but saw nothing.

"hmm..., tempting uncle, but the way I see it your using this to put me to college, don't you?"

" I have been telling you to get yourself productive, and I hope this is already tempting enough because I'm tired looking out for you"

"Whatever! it isn't even that tempting all right. Why it has to be that gi... I mean that University. I hate those eye.... island. Akira! better think of an answer..." Akira thought to himself thinking what to say.

"Akira, I'll ask you again, when are you going to start..."

"Alright,! I'll enter college. not because you asked me too but because I think it's time for me to."

"Good as long as you choose to go to college or university." His uncle finally said and left him on his own and was glad that his nephew agreed to enter college.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The sun started to set from the window, it was a breathtaking site at the Azalea mansion. The sun rays as it sets, touched the wall of the mansion, and Sera was watching this until Akira disturbed her.

" Sera! look up here." Akira called her from his window, holding a camera. Just as Sera looked up he took the shot laughing. Sera finally stood after a second from shock and run as fast as she can to Akira's room, she tried to snatch the camera but failed to do so. Akira already throwed his camera at his bed and lock his door.

"Why the hell, where is it?"

"Don't worry I'll be needing it once I go for college. it will be my remembrance of you." Akira replied.

"Why didn't you say so. I would have given you a better picture."

"That's alright, I'll be using it to ward of insects and rodents.." Akira replied jokingly.

" You... are...so.... mean." Sera said while hitting him.

"It was just a joke! Come on it's already dinner we better go down." Akira explained and both started to go down from the stairs while they continue to talk.

"My dearest brother, you'll be having a problem once you start or I mean once you Leave."

"And what problems would those be?" Akira asked

"Well... no one would wake you up, no one would play with you who is as good as me, most specially no one to tutor me. I'll be bored staying here in the mansion."Sera enumerated.

"You're right no one would wake me up but how is it the other three becomes my problem?" Akira inquired.

"Because I'm your sister and you are responsible of my skill in tennis or I'll become a weak opponent. That's how it became your problem.

Akira just laughed hard and Sera joined him after a few seconds until the reached the dinning area. Mr. Carl was already at the table and both took their sit after Sera was asked to join them. The food started to be served from a corn soup appetizer until the roasted duck with sweet potatoes as main course followed.

"Sir Carl, where would Akira be going for college?" Sera asked starting a conversation.

" It would be Audessus Essai University, He'll be taking the exam tomorrow."

"That's great! You'll be entering that university? I've heard they have advance technology and complete facilities." Sera said excitingly loud.

"I'll be looking forward to it but I'll have to take the exam first."

"Of course!, but I'm sure you'll pass it anyway, you just lack on some things or someone."

"You are perfectly right, Sera." he told Sera laughing and added to Akira:

"See even she knows it."

Akira didn't say anything but grin on both of them. The conversation went on but Akira never joined in, he just listened and enjoyed eating the meal. He kept thinking what he would do once he entered the university and meet her.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The next day Akira reached the examination room 15 minutes early and for the first time he wasn't late. He took the exam together with other students who were late in applying for the exam. It took him 3 hrs. and it started 1 in the afternoon. He finished the exam earlier than the rest and pass his paper then left the campus. He drove to a nearest coffee shop and bought himself something to eat. After 15 minutes he decided to drive straight to a private school and waited where he usually wait. The yard beside the open court is wide and spacious to park. It was also the best place to stay where you'll notice people coming in and out from the school building. He saw Sera then Bianca just behind here, Sera didn't saw him but Bianca did.

"Hey! your finally here, come! will find a more quite place." Bianca said and pulled him to the direction of the garden to find a place to sit.

"Now, what did you want to tell me? you even asked the brat to tell me." Bianca confronted.

"Her name is Sera, and I'll be leaving for college by next month. I came here to tell you personally." Akira said without stopping.

" What! are you playing me for? You told me we are going together for college. Now you came here to tell me that your leaving." Bianca said surprised and shout every words.

"Their is a simple solution to that, you either take an exam or not? if you pass then we are in the same school."

"You already know that I didn't pass, and I can't take it again. So the person who decides here is you, me or that school?" Bianca threatened.

" Or what? we break-up? that is actually a better idea. I don't have to listen to your nagging voice everytime we fight." Akira mentioned calmly then continued.

" Anyway I already decided and once I pass the exam to Audessus, I'll leave. so you don't need to ask me again. You should be happy, your more freer to do what you want now. I'm leaving now, have a nice day Bianca." Akira said while walking away. He didn't look back and went directly at his car. Sera was already there waiting for him, she likes to hear the good news. But before Akira could open his car he hearted Sera shout:

"Brother! .... down, Now!" Sera shouted but was to late. Akira was hit, Sera went directly to him while the crowed were watching. Sera helped him up to his car and Bianca left after hitting him, went straight to a 4- wheel truck and sat beside someone.

" Aha....haha..., ouch!" Sera reacted at him.

"Ouch! this hurts a lot. Come on let's go home."

"Yes! that two legged reptile is done for. Good job bro."

"You really looked satisfied, and what did she used to hit me?" Akira asked while driving with the pain.

"Of course I am, that reptile. She was the reason who put me a lot of trouble and FYI, she's the reason I have to report countless of times. and oh! she used someone else's book to hit you."

"Now that's why it hurts, but did you start a fight again?"

"Well..., this time it wasn't her, it's another person and this time it's a guy. Ahahaha..." Sera answered laughing.

The ride took them 20 minutes to reach the mansion. It can be seen far away, the view was eye catching. Flowers surround the mansion and different statues are seen too.

"Akira why does the mansion has one type of flower but the statues are different?" Sera asked.

"I only thing I know is that it was named after uncles wife, Azalea, for the statues I'm not sure." Akira answered.