⌗ 40
third person ✎ᝰ
_______________

A wave of nervousness strikes Mason like Cupid's bow and arrow. The stage is much bigger than she anticipated. She could hear her heart boom like thunder on a stormy night. The crowds were cheering like masses at a football match—her name rolling off tongues of people she had never spoken to. She could feel the heat of the sun pressed against her back, like a sizzling skillet draped underneath her Academic regalia.

Her ears were drumming with each clap and stomp provided by the endless rows of students in front of her. "Let's go, Mason!" A distant yell from the middle row had garnered her attention. Mara was stood up amongst the cohort, a warm smile painted across her lips as she waved her arms in the air like a tube man advertising her premise to passing vehicles. "I'm proud of you!"

The Principal hushes the crowds and turns to Mason with a warm smile. "Are you ready?"

Mason was grateful for Mrs. Abernathy. The woman was always gentle and understanding with her despite Mason's hermit like personality. They had known each other since the first interview prior to her commencing year. Mason's countless academic achievements had called her on stage more times than she could count with her bare hands. She always felt like Mrs. Abernathy was a distant relative—someone she could rely on at school that wasn't her friends.

The met several times during school functions. Sometimes they'd run into each other at the grocery store on a random occasion. It was never awkward or embarrassing. It was always nice to see someone familiar. Grace was also her support system when Mason felt like she couldn't open up to anyone around her. There were many fond memories that she shared with the latter. She was happy to be standing on the same stage with her one last time. Another memory to keep.

The crowd falls silent and Grace starts off with a warm smile. "Welcome. Today we gather as one to celebrate the graduating class of 2023!"

The football field roars. "I would like to take a brief moment to thank you all for all you've done. I have never seen such a bright bunch in my years teaching. It'll feel quite forlorn to see such a beautiful cohort move forward. I'm so honoured however, to be standing here before you, and to send you off before your journey into the newest chapter of your lives. And with that, I'd like to introduce to you all, this beautiful girl I'm sharing this stage with—Mason Kang. I have seen this young lady blossom into who she is today. She has been incredibly hard working and her hard work has paid off. Ladies and gentlemen may I present to you your Valedictorian!"

The crowd was explosive. Their cheers seemed endless as Mason watched them carefully. She scanned the rows that sat before her as she swallowed the dryness in her throat. This was really happening. And this was now her reality.

Mason takes a deep breath and takes one big step towards the mic in front of her. "Hey." A wide grin forms on her lips as she waves to her fellow peers. "If you don't know me, I'm Mason." She watched people throw their fists up in their air as they cheered and called her name. "Some of you may know me as that shy sit alone girl that always has her head in the books." People chuckle. "Some of you may know me as that girl who probably tutors your siblings." Mason makes herself laugh. "And some of you may not know me at all—but that's ok." She feels the nervousness drift away slowly like the parachute of a dandelion dancing in the wind.

"I was never the people type. I would constantly have my nose between the books. It was studying or nothing at all. My best friend would tell me that a Goldfish had more of a social life than I do." Mara smiles widely amongst the people. "I used to blame my need for academic validation or that I just preferred to be studying. Turns out I'm just not built to be around people. So maybe Mara is right—maybe a goldfish has a better social life than I do. But fish aside, I realised that studying isn't always everything. I learnt that awfully late." Mason scans the rows like a menu item on a LED screen. "I met a wonderful group of people. And yes, I mean you guys...Mara, Mavis and of course Ellie. You may not be graduating with us today but heck I can see your bedazzled denim jacket from up there." She points up to the grandstands that house parents, friends and other attendees. "I have never once admitted this to their faces. To be honest I'm quite surprised that I'm saying this right here right now but..." She could feel her heart swell.

"There's a version of me I discovered. I realised that I have the need to be around people too. My life had gone from endless flipping of pages and writing till I had dents in my fingers to wishing they'd invite me out on a spontaneous adventure that I'd pretend I didn't want to join....I forever adore those late night spontaneous adventures and having to somehow get Mavis out through her bedroom window without breaking any of her bones." The crowd looks up at her adoringly. "The moments I've shared with them have made me realise that it's ok to not be working so hard all the time. That we all deserve Krispy Kreme runs at ungodly hours with a designated driver and a whiny passenger princess. Sometimes you just need to be rolling down hills with your friends like little kids or learning choreography like you're the next KPOP group...the moments I've shared with these girls have forever altered my perception of life and maybe even my brain chemistry. But God I love them. So much. And I'm admitting that to you all for the first time. Life isn't just about school and the endless workloads. Life is sometimes those spontaneous adventures with your friends on a shared brain cell. Life is sometimes those moments where you find yourself falling in love for the first time."

Mason's gaze falls onto the wavy haired girl in the middle row of the right hand section. "I entered my senior year with one goal: pass. I had no intention of getting myself behind on anything. It was just a constant cycle of trying to find the right work life balance while still doing those spontaneous little adventures...it was the first week of senior year. I'll be honest." She chuckled. "I had been racking my brain trying to figure out how I could properly set my time aside to do certain things at certain times on certain days. It was crazy, I'll admit that. I felt like my soul was being sucked dry on the first day and yet...I felt my worries evaporate into thin air the moment I met her eyes for the very first time."

The crowd cooed at her remark. "The sun hit them perfectly that morning. It looked like honey. You had this awe striking accent that I couldn't comprehend at first. But you had this vibe and energy to you that I couldn't get enough of. I found out that same day that I'd be your tutor. I also found it quite silly despite your grades. But now that I think of it...I'm glad that I had the honour of being your tutor. All those late night tutoring sessions had become such a fundamental part of my life. The mere thought of you and your presence had washed over me. I felt awakened almost...all I ever wanted was to see you. I would always wake up excited every morning knowing I'd get to see you around. What first started as a silly, yet happy crush, had turned into my first (and greatest) love. It has proved to me that life can be more than just school and having to meet expectations and social norms. Life is meant to surprise you."

Mason finds her parents in the crowd. Riley's own are sitting next to them. Mark is holding a box of tissues. "Friendship and love. Two things I cherish greatly. This past year has showed me that friends will be there for you. And I thank my golden trio for helping me understand myself better. Thank you for all the spontaneous adventures while keeping me in one piece. Thank you to my teachers and Mrs. Abernathy for guiding me when I find myself astray. Thank you to my parents for supporting me in every way possible and to my Riley, for you have showed me how colourful life can really be. Thank you for showing me what unconditional love is. Thank you for being patient. For all the times we share and will continue to—thank you for being the girl I can call my own. And thank you to all of you who sit before me for being part of my life these past few years. Whether or not you know me, now you know. Life is meant to be enjoyed to the absolute fullest. Take care of yourself, say yes to those spontaneous adventures, give love a shot...I know I did. Thank you to everyone who has seen my worth and thank you for providing me with such a high honour. I think now is the part where we graduate... that's absolutely crazy."

A standing ovation greets Mason as she takes a bow. The cheers and claps bring a smile that never falters. She walks towards the side stage and makes her way back to her seat.

Her heart raced endlessly. She held her hand over her heart as she looked out into the distance. Riley gives her a small wave. "I'm proud of you." She mouths. "I love you so much."

Mason smiles wider and claps her hands quietly as Mrs Abernathy resumes her place on stage. "I love you too, Marshmallow." She mouthed back.

Riley made a heart with her hands and sent her a kiss. "You'll get a proper one later." She smiled.

Mason nodded and turned her head to face Mrs Abernathy to finally commence the ceremony. For the first time in forever, she was proud.

Mason was proud of herself. That alone made her feel like she was on top of the world.