Chapter 1

• 👩‍🎓LEONA 👩‍🎓
• [ Yes! I made it! ]
• "And our Valedictorian for this year 2021 goes to..
• Everyone waited in anticipation for the best student to be announced.
• A valedictorian is the student with the highest rank of the entire graduating class.
• The honor is traditionally based on grade point average and credits taken.
• A person with the highest grades in all the subjects is considered as a Valedictorian.
• It was the day of graduation and am just excited as everyone here. After years of schooling, am finally completing.
• Rhoda and I said silent prayers and smiled hopefully at each other.
• I and my friend, Rhoda, has always wished for that title and we've always worked hard for it.
• Though am glad to be a First Class student, my family will be much happier if my name should be mentioned.
• Am Leona Grande, the second child and the only daughter my mom gave birth to before passing on. My dad got remarried to Tasha and they had three children, all girls.
• So in all, we are a family of seven. Four girls and one boy.
• I'm from a lower class family, not rich at all.
• My dad is a fashion designer but his business was not doing all too well since all the money was invested into my education.
• Having a jobless step mum made it worse because the burden was on dad alone.
• The other three girls dropped out of elementary school while my eldest brother, Raymond, only completed highschool.
• So you can imagine, I was an investment to my family since all the earnings went into my education. My family is being forced to live a moderate and simple lifestyle all because of my education.
• For that, I'll always be indebted to all members.
• I'm not the normal teenage girl who chats and gossips about boys all the time.
• My life was totally different: that is, mentally, psychologically, physically and emotionally.
• My red platinum hair was overgrown because I had no time to trim it at the salon and it was almost below my butt anytime I lose it. Other than that, it was always wrapped on my head.
• I was under the "no boyfriend" policy and my dad always make sure that I wasn't seen around any of them, even though I was 19 years.
• I had no time to apply makeups or wear beautiful clothes. I was always cladded in faded denim trousers with faded hoodies.
• Well, let's say all the few clothes I had were all faded because of excessive use.
• Being a future breadwinner or should I say, caretaker or heir, which ever way, it wasn't an easy task.
• I was always the serious type, always locked up indoors with my books. All I do is read, read and read.
• I was a First Class nerd, only that I don't make use of those ugly spectacles.
• I only come out to eat and go back.
• Throughout my highschool I had no friend.
• I always walk alone despite that, my grades kept me popular since I was always awarded the best student.
• It was in college that I met Rhoda. She was from an extremely wealthy family and I don't know why she would befriend a church mouse like me.
• Anyways, I'm still glad she's my friend and I like her a lot.
• After graduation, I have to look for a good work with a handsome pay so that I can take over responsibility and repay my dad, send my half sisters back to school and also help my brother to college.
• It wouldn't have been me if my brother had done well in highschool. Am glad that he always supports me in anyway he could.
• My step mom, Tasha, was quite a headache and her three girls are also something else, especially the eldest who's called Elsie.
• I don't blame either of them.
• All the same, I'm glad my half sisters made it to my graduation.
• My dad and Tasha couldn't come because they prefer watching it on the TV.
• I looked around and admired the beautiful academic gowns we were wearing.
• I can't wait to throw my cap out into the air...
• "And the Valedictorian goes to none other than our very own, Miss Leona Grande."
• The MC's voice brought me back from the thinking I was doing.
• The whole graduands cheered and chanted my name wildly.
• I couldn't believe it. I looked over at Rhoda and she smiled and nodded.
• My eyes darted to the gold medal and I just teared up.
• Oh Lord! I made it!
• The cheering was so loud that I can imagine my father doing a victory dance back home.
• With this award, I don't need to go searching for work because the government is gonna employ me instantly.
• I jumped up happily and muttered a 'YES'!
• "Kindly come forward Miss Grande" the MC said.
• I began walking to the stage but as I walked, I suddenly felt dizzy.
• I tried to keep my eyes open to walk but it was difficult but I somehow managed to the stage.
• Upon getting there, I didn't know what happened and everything suddenly went blank.
• The gasps of my lectures and my colleagues were the last thing I heard.
• What are we expecting to see in this story? How will the storyline look like? Keep following.
• *Watch out for next episode*
• if you want me to continue like and comment