SSHS 147 The filing for the request of the fourth year students to be their gift was something that made even the faculty staff scratch their heads, even Dean Malcolm scratched his head while reading the proposal that the Student Council submitted. After some confusion, Dean Malcolm put down the proposal file on his desk and began to laugh. He sounded like Santa Claus from the ‘Rise of the Guardians’ by the way that he laughed. His shoulders shook as he tried to say between his laughs, “Did they really want this? The faculty and I expected for them to request a vacation of some sorts, but an eight hour sleep without interruption? That is oddly specific yet hard to satisfy.” Dean Malcolm pointed at the papers and continued laughing. Damian and Hestia looked at the Dean, watching him laugh and laugh until he stopped. They too would laugh about the matter, but the topic became too common to their ears that it is not funny anymore. “We get told that many times, Dean. even by the thir
SSHS 148 Looking at the posted news on the bulletin boards, it is evident that the graduation is only two days away, the hotel reservations are already done and that the fourth year students may go to L’Auberge de Sedona after the very graduation— it is the best time to relax after all. Another thing that took the bulletin board was the news: since the graduation of the fourth years were to be done by April, they would not be present at the official ending of the school year— May— which is a crucial part of every school year in La Florence Academy. The end of May not only symbolises the end of the school year but also the official transferral of positions from the graduated fourth years and to the person next to them. Therefore, an announcement was made that the fourth years who must perform the transferrals will need to attend the date specified and that to celebrate the transferral and end of school year, a banquet will be held. “Well, that is what is said in the bulletin, it i
SSHS 149 Finally, the day of graduation has arrived. Everyone was excited for it, everyone dressed their best for it. Classes are cancelled for this day, but it does not forbid the younger years to also attend the graduation as spectators— they do deserve to see the fruits of their labours and so see their seniors off with a heartfelt farewell. Following the theme of the graduation: white and gold— all students were wearing white clothes with gold linings to them (all provided by the school) and also their toga which is the traditional black but has white and gold linings. All graduating students were in their best appearance and behaviour for the day of graduation. Some were with their parents and there are others who are just with either their family driver or several servants from their household. Still, everyone is happy to graduate, and everyone is happy to see them graduate. The junior years were silently cheering on the side for the fourth years, they would even shout when
SSHS 150 But there is something that the people present at the grand gymnasium— especially the students of La Florence Academy— there is something they want to know as soon as possible. It can be remembered that before the very day of graduation, they released an announcement that they will have a Guest of Honour who will give an inspirational speech during the graduation. However, the identity of this speaker was not given and remained secret even until now. No one knows who the Guest of Honour is, nor was Dean Malcolm and any other staff present at the stage has yet to give their speeches. The program was different from the usual ones indeed. Guess that is one of the perks of being a prestigious school. Nonetheless, the students were enjoying the graduation day, the food and drinks and the over the top presentation and decoration of the Grand Gymnasium. By the time that the march and the handshakes and diplomas were done, all fourth year students sat down as well as the parents
SSHS 151 It is now the official start of spring. No longer the cold weather and the cold breeze of Monday mornings. The snow was melting and they were letting the green of the grass to be alive and glisten under the sun and glimmer like a new found gold. The birds are back to their cherry self and singing the songs of spring, they are now all hanging around the trees with the new leaves and waiting for the fruits to grow and feast on it. The flowers were painting the walkways and the ground of the La Florence Academy with a vibrant and colourful twist in it that every student walking could only bear a smile. All students welcomed spring like a long awaited day. They all basked in the morning sunlight as they stalled in the open spaces and had a chat amongst each other. That is to say it only lasted— that happiness and contentment only lasted— until someone mentioned the Finals. The spring started at the very end of April and everyone was happy to see the snow melting and the warm
SSHS 152 “Hey Excami?” “I’m in our classroom. Why?” “Nothing, I just want to let you know that we won’t have to do anything for today so, we are free to do whatever we want.'' With that announcement, Excami squealed with an excited glee over the other side of the phone call. “Oh my goodness, really?” “Yes, really. We actually covered all the paperworks needed until the end of the school year so we are good. Unless there are things we need to do urgently and all of a sudden then, I’ll give you guys a call.” Damian said. By the background noise, it was apparent that he was walking through the hallways, probably back from the library borrowing some books. “Okay, copy that brother.” Excami cheerily said as she bid her brother farewell and ended the call. As she put her phone down, she returned to her notes and talked to the student in front of her desk. Apparently, she was using her time to tutor her classmates a little— so that they would be able to navigate the subject on thei
SSHS 153 Far from the range of the students walking by yet close enough to stare at the Student Council Vice President doing her reviewer. Clever position indeed. A clever person too. As the sun went from its glorious peak and down to the horizon, painting the sky a magnificent hues of purple, blues and greens, that also marked the end of the classes for that day. Half of the students went home with a smile on their faces, deeming the day productive and that they deserved a well- earned rest after that rigorous studying and running from one building to another just to obtain some notes or to get tutored. The other half deemed this day not as productive as they thought and so they went home or to their dorms with a downcast face, saying to themselves that they could have done more if not for those other students constantly bothering them for a note or for a tutoring or two. Nonetheless, everyone had their own perspective on this day and made some adjustment of goals in their lis
SSHS 154 Hestia has been perceptive of her surroundings a bit more than usual lately. Even though she has placed all the cameras and listening bugs to all places possible, she still could not catch the person who has been observing her for a long period of time. She reviewed all the clips, all the recordings and even made sure that she knows who is around her at all times and yet, she cannot pinpoint who the person might be. ‘Is it even a person at this point?’ Hestia thought to herself as walked through the pavement and into the familiar office that she goes to whenever she has a thought in need of exploration. But this time, she is not going here to ask for help for exploring her thoughts. This has become something very concerning at this moment. Entering that familiar hallway, exactly seventeen steps then reaching that familiar Narra door with simplistic carvings. Knocking four times, she waited for a response from the person at the other side of the door. “Come in.” Said that