YANA: A Chapter Closes (Part 2)

My heart was still thumping when I stepped down the stage. I knew it wasn’t much, but I hoped Rin would know how much thought I had put in that ending. “Congratulations, Class of 2009!” a voice boomed from the speakers, and my vision blurred as white caps came flying to the sky.

I felt woozy trying to make sense of movements and cheers, faces, smiles and tears altogether. And then there was Rin whom I recognized, coming towards me.

She held both of my cheeks and looked into my eyes, and that’s when I snapped out of my daze. I thought she was going to kiss me–my lips parting instinctively–but she just pulled me into a hug.

“That last part of your speech. It’s for me, isn’t it?” she said to my ear, and I could tell she was smiling.

“Yes. Did you like it?” I said, smiling back.

“It wasn’t part of the final draft, so you surprised me there.”