Chapter 1

LILY

Lily's alarm rings loud as she struggles to get out of bed. The life of being a student hasn't been easy on her but she can't give up. Mr Holland has done quite a lot for her by sponsoring her school fees. At least she wouldn't have to deal with school loans after graduation. "Bless that man", she said aloud.

Walking into the bathroom, she took her brush from its holder and pressed the paste, scrubbing her teeth, she couldn't stop smiling. Graduation was in two weeks. She and Justin were finally graduating. 

Her grin continues to widen as her heart beats fast thinking about Justin. Lily has had a crush on her best friend, Justin since she resumed as a freshman. She had met Justin while she was in search of a decent club to join for better grades and their friendship blew up from there. 

Lily's alarm rings once again, guessing it's almost time to leave for school. A quick glimpse she notices she has a few minutes left before her bus arrives, so she proceeds to take a shower.

As she stepped out of her room, the sun hit hard. She should have worn something light instead of the thick clothing she had put on, she had murmured as the bus arrived.

Today was her last day of lecture, her first class was a finance class. Lily's love for business management knew no bounds as her father had been of great inspiration to her before his death. 

Her father took his business so seriously and it had always intrigued her whenever she saw him manage his small restaurant. Sighing hard, she held in her tears, the thoughts hit hard because it was her last finance class before her graduation in business management in two weeks.

It was a very crowded day in college, and the D-day graduation approached. She took a turn to the corner of the classroom, she felt a hand slide on her shoulder, that must be Justin she just knew. She guessed right as Justin's face appeared.

Justin's face had made her become nervous. He had that effect on her.

"Didn't you miss me, meow?", he had asked. 

She had to act like a cat at a drama class for a grade A, since then Justin hadn't let go of the name Meow.

Lily laughed hard knowing they had seen the previous day at the bookstore.

"I saw you yesterday, Justin. You know we are already late for class" she had said.

He gives her a quick peck on her cheek, he drags her to the classroom as a blush covers her cheek. He has that effect on her.

Entering the classroom brought nostalgia to her. This was it, every piece of experience was coming together. 

As she paid attention to her professor she flipped the pages on her notes. Lily discovered a little piece of paper inside, opening it she saw a list of her wants she made last session

Graduate with distinction

Take care of Mama

Take care of her brother, Philip

 Get a well-paying job

 Buy a gift for Mr. Holland

 Go on a trip with Justin

She knew the first on the list wasn't impossible. Even though she was nervous about her upcoming exams, she had been doing pretty well in her studies. Buying a gift for Mr.Holland wasn't hard either, she plans to buy it after her last exam next week.

Her trip with Justin was already planned and she couldn't wait to explore the United States with him. Maybe there was a chance for them. She also had to get a job to take care of her mama and brother the way she wanted. Sighing, she turned her now distracted self to her professor as she listened.

Her last class of the day was officially over. Justin had gone ahead to meet his project supervisor, now she had to deal with loneliness. Aside, from Justin at the college she barely had other friends.

Lily's project had been handled already so she took the free time to take a walk to a restaurant nearby as she was hungry. Fully crowded she takes a turn and decides to take a stroll. 

As she awaits the stop sign she sights Mr Holland's son on the billboard. The Hollands must be doing well as they owned the number one major enterprise in Milan. She knew about him because Mama wouldn't stop talking about the handsome son of his.

Mr Holland had once mentioned that he would like to see her and him work once she graduates, saying they would make a good team. 

The red light was on, she crossed to the next street. Randomly, she picks up her phone to call her Mama for a quick check-up.

After a few rings, her mother picks up, 

"Mama, I miss you. How are you doing? Is work going well and how's Mr.Holland? She had asked.

"My little pumpkin, I'm good. Mr.Holland is good too. He asked after you yesterday. He's looking forward to your graduation. He wants you to work at Holland's Empire". Her Mama had replied.

"Mama, you know how I feel about this. I appreciate his thoughts but I already feel indebted to him. I don't think I would like to increase the feeling, Mama", Lily had responded to her mother's words.

" You know he wants the best for you. Mr Holland sees you as the daughter he never had. He wants the best for you. You should consider it. Okay". Her Mama had said.

Lily knew she couldn't win with her mother, she meant the entire world to her alongside her brother. 

"Okay ma'am, I have heard, I'll consider it. Take care of yourself please and send my regards to Mr. Holland. Oh, tell Philip I'll call him later on too. Love you.", Lily said as the call came to an end.

" I will, baby. Take care. Mama loves you", her mother replied as she hung up.

Rather than sort for other restaurants Lily decides to go home. She had plans with Justin tomorrow. She couldn't wait. 

At least she has got today to prepare for their meetup. She calls her brother Philip to confirm his admission process. He was planning to come to Kingston like she had. Ending the call, sleep calls her.

***

The comfy bed had got Lily rolling all over, she stretched out her hand to pick up her phone which had been ringing continuously. Whoever that is must have had serious business to discuss.  

Grumbling as she wipes her face for clarity. It was Justin. He had left her a message.

 " Sorry meow, I won't be able to make it to our meeting today. Trent Enterprise wants to call me in for an internship opportunity today. I'll call you later." she had read.

A sad feeling overtook her, she was looking forward to their date this afternoon, but she couldn't help but be happy he had gotten an opportunity at Trent, it was one big place to start as a financial analyst in Milan. 

She wished getting a job was easier for her too, she had sent multiple applications to different companies for a job even though she had one waiting for her. Waving her thoughts. She concentrated on her day.

Thankfully, it was just the start of her morning so she could use today to volunteer at the orphanage home her friend Clara monitored. She had missed the children.

She hurriedly took a shower and dressed as she had promised Clara her availability in an hour, while she enjoyed the sandwich she made, she felt anxious for the next few days. Today was a Friday, her exams started on Monday. Luckily for her, her projects had been cleared. She would get back to her thoughts soon.

Lily had gotten to the orphanage right on time, the children ran to the door immediately after they saw her, and smiles glittered on their faces. She had taken a little out of her savings to get some snacks and toys as she promised the last time.

She settled in with the kids as she had fun together. "I needed this", she muttered. Clara had walked in thanking her for the gifts. She took turns to talk to the children and teach them. It made her so happy to be able to do this little for the kids. 

Lily understood the feeling of losing a loved one and she couldn't help but feel sad that her favorite children didn't have both.

After a long day of playing and chatting with the kids and Clara, she had to take her leave. Waving goodbye to the children Clara escorted her to the walkway.

As they both moved, Clara asked; 

"Lily, how is the whole finals and graduation situation going?"

Unable to hold back her emotions,

"Clara, I don't know. I'm scared. I'm so unsure. I want to graduate with good grades. I need them to get a good job. I want to take care of Mama, Philip and the children. I want to help but I'm stuck with the fear of my final exams."

" You know, I'm pretty surprised," Clara had said. 

" Lily, you are currently a top student. You will do great with your final exams. You are putting smiles on the faces of the children with everything you are doing too. Thank you so much for that. Don't worry you'll get the job. Okay? I wish you the best in your exams. You'll be fine Lily." She continued.

Tears streamed down her eyes. She needed it. She needed the words. She couldn't help but hug Clara harder as she felt appreciative. Clara had in turn given her a cute card the children had designed for her. Lily's mood was now up.

Saying goodbye with a smile, the return home was pretty smooth as she got a call from Justin explaining his tales at Trent today. They had postponed the date till after Graduation.

The weekend came pretty fast as all Lily had to do was read for her exams all through the weekend. She and Justin had discussed this during her break while she read or ate.

***

The exam week was finally here, Lily thought as she dressed up for her first paper. Her mama had called early to wish her the best in her exams and she was holding on to that.

It is finally here, the exam begins today. After a few hours she had finished her first paper, and anxiety was over. She met Justin at the gate exhausted while they took a walk to the bus stop and hugged themselves goodbye.

***

The exam has been ongoing for a few days and it has been pretty stressful. She had developed a brief cough on her second paper, thankfully she pushed through.

Lily had almost slept off for her third paper and now more than ever today while she was seated in the hall, she felt a little bit of relief that the final paper was officially here. 

Scribbling on her paper, she dumped the contents she had gone over several times in her sheets as she hoped for a great result. She had to make Mama, her brother and Mr Holland proud was all it took to defeat the anxiety that had previously held her.

"Hurray", Lily screamed after rounding up her last papers. Graduation is next week. She screamed inside, she was so excited. Rushing off to give Justin a hug at their meet-up spot. He had pecked her, and she had blushed hard thinking of the potential of her crush and best friend liking her but she waved it off for now she was happy to be finally done.

After a little hangout with friends later that day for a tiny celebration. Lily called her mama but it wasn't going through. A little worried as it was unusual, she told Justin she had to leave, not wanting to disclose the reason for her worry. 

As soon as she got home, her Mama was calling, a little relief flowed through her as she picked up, she heard Mama's strained voice say;

"I have never seen him this way in my years of working with him.

Lily, Mr.Holland might be dying."