Empire High School - Season 1 - Episode 107

4 years ago

Empire High School - Season 1 - Episode 107

Katherine’s POV

Finally, the day was here! Empire High
School Valedictory Service held on the 27th
of July. Everyone seemed to be having a
great time. All my friends were all happy
about the party! I was unhappy because I
was leaving today.

And eversince dad broke the news to me, I
made sure that I spent each passing day
with Jeffrey. I visited his store up until
yesterday but I didn’t tell him I was leaving
thinking I would have the chance to explain
later.

The Guests present at the Valedictory
Service sat in Empire High School Grand
Hall. The Grand Hall was different from the
Hall which Elena, Temi and I had the
discussion about her finding her secret
admirer. It was the Mini Hall which was
beautifully decorated for EHS students to
have fun today without the presences of
Teachers or Parents. Special location for
Students Only!

We were all seated in the Mini Hall waiting
for the principal to call us into the Grand
Hall which was few block away from the
Mini hall.

“Its time!” Elena said from the entrance
We stood up and walked out of the Hall.
“You’re leaving right after the party?” Elena
whispered beside me. She was the only one
aware that I was leaving the country
tonight. I told her a week ago and pleaded
with her not to tell anyone about it. And
I’m glad she didn’t tell anybody..even Temi.

“Yes, probably before the party ends. My
flight leaves at nine tonight” I muttered
Everyone hurried to enter the Grand hall
except me and Elena. Though I didn’t see
Jeffrey go in with the rest of the team.
“I still insist you talk to Jeffrey about it”
she said squeezing my hands gently.
“I know but I’m not really big on
goodbyes” I admitted

I was already feeling a little lump in my
throat at the thought of saying goodbye to
Jeffrey.

I moistened my lips as Elena tucked a
strand of hair behind my ear.
“Why are you outside?”
I heard Jeffrey’s voice behind us. We both
turned to face him.
“We..we were just talking” I said
He had a plastic coke in his hand. Elena
excused herself and walked into the hall.
“I went to get Coke at the tuck shop” he
said

Jeffrey wore a beautiful Tailored Dark suit
just like the other boys. That was the dress
code for the male graduands. And for the
girls we were made to wear a Red dress
and Silver shoe. Luckily for me, I had one
floaty sleeveless Red Dress which mom
bought for me the last time she traveled to
Dubai.

“Having a good time” Jeffrey said casually
“Yes..And you?”
“Yes its a nice party and I can’t wait to spin
around the dance floor with you” he said
giving me the brightest of all smiles.
Even though I owe him an explanation, I
still managed to smile back at him.
“Would you like me to hold that for you?”
“What?”
He pointed to my hand. I looked down and
found my lipgloss in it.
Oh! I forgot to drop it in my bag after
Angella and Lizzy used it in the Mini Hall.
“That would be great..thanks”
I touched a little on my lips before
dropping it into Jeffrey’s hidden inside
pocket. He should hold it since my purse
was with Temi.

“I’ll retrieve it after the party”
“I’ll only trade it back in exchange for a
kiss” Jeffrey said lightly.
And I laughed softly.
There was a good chance I would never see
him again after today. So let me make the
best memory out of today’s party. He
offered his arm and I slipped my arm
around it as we stepped into the Hall.
Jeffrey went to the Male section while I
settled with the girls.

Mr Joel was making his speech on stage. He
spoke about the History of Empire High
School. He addressed the owner of the
school who was an old woman..probably in
her 70’s. He appreciated our parents for
turning up for the event monetarily.

Mr Joel said nice things about our set. He
admitted that our set was the Best set
since the inception of the school. He wasn’t
flattering us, he mentioned the medals and
Prizes the EHS old students won during
Sports and Academic Competitions. He also
said our results was going to be the best in
the State!

“I’m proud of you all!” He said loudly
beaming at all of us.

Everyone clapped as he stepped down the
stage.

Junior Students came on stage for Cultural
Performance.

Everyone was indeed having a good time in
the mini hall. We all left the Grand Hall
after receiving our prizes. Virtually
everyone on the team received a prize.

I won the overall best students in Ss3. My
Grade was high. Even higher than I had
expected and I got prizes in Literature and
English.

Joseph was the second best student and he
won prizes in Physics and Mathematics.
Elena was the third best student and she
won a prize in Chemistry.

Lawal won a prize in Technical Drawing.
Angella won a prize in Government.
Temi won a prize in Economics.

Jamal won a prize in Geography.

And Adesewa was the Best Student in her
class.

I was aware of passing time, I kept an eye
on my watch while mixing and mingling
with the Junior Students. I took pictures
with them, especially students in Nora and
Cora’s class.

Everytime I spotted Jeffrey, he was
surrounded by Junior Students taking
pictures.

My phone beeped and I glanced down. A
message from my mom.
“Time to leave, I’m waiting in the garage”

My mom was present at the party but my
dad couldn’t make it because he went on a
business trip. I typed on my phone and
sent her a text.
“I’ll be there soon”
Suddenly saying farewell to my friends was
hard and leaving without saying anything
to Jeffrey was more than I could handle.
I hadn’t been kidding when I said I wasn’t a
fan of goodbyes! But I needed to atleast
tell Elena that I was leaving!

So I crossed the room to where Elena stood
chatting with some Junior Students. I gave
them an apologetic smile and drew Elena
aside.

“You’re leaving already?” she asked
“Yes, I’m heading out” I replied
Elena shook her head in protest
“Can’t you stay a little longer?”
“No, my mom is waiting in the garage”
“Okay but aleast talk to Jeffrey”
“I can’t..Say me well to him after party”
She bit her lower lip
“You and I will definitely have a long chat
when you get to UK”
Elena gave me a fierce hug
“Okay” I mumbled
“Thanks you so much for everything. I’m
glad you were able to touch our lives. And
you changed some certain things about us.
You are indeed an Angel who God sent to
EHS to make things right. I hope to see you
again” Elena said

“Same here”
“I’m really going to miss you. And Katie, I
love you”

“Love you too Elena” I said
Elena took a step back, blinking hastily
against the tears that threatened to streak
her makeup.
I glanced around the large room, Jeffrey
stood among the other boys, one hand on
Jamal’s shoulder as they all laughed at
something one of them had said.
“Be happy okay?” Elena mumbled
“I will..I am”

After squeezing my hand, I turned towards
the door. And I glanced over my shoulder
for the last time before leaving.
I motioned towards an empty class to clear
my head and relax a little before getting to
the garage where my mom was waiting.
It had been fun to be with everyone!
I close my eyes for a moment to blink back
tears.

“Don’t cry Kate” I chanted with a faint sigh.
I opened my eyes and turned to the door
only to find Jeffrey in front of me, his arms
crossed over his chest, a look of
disappointment on his face. I blinked a few
times in surprise at seeing him. I really
wasn’t expecting Jeffrey to follow me
when I slipped out of the Hall.
“I thought you’d left already” he said
I glanced automatically towards the door.
When did he come in?
Jeffrey mouth twisted.

“I can’t believe you were planning on
leaving without telling me anything”
I looked at him
Is he aware?

Perhaps did Elena inform him that I was
leaving?
No she already promised to keep it a
secret!
My heart beats faster
Jeffrey rubbed his hand over his face. And
he sighed
“I know you are traveling out tonight”
My head snapped up immediately.
How did he find out?!

“Wh..who.who told you?” I asked before i
could stop myself.
Jeffrey eyebrows rose.
“That doesn’t matter! The fact remains that
you never wanted me to know about it!”
His response was blunt and I could see the
anger in his expression.

“I’m sorry” I whispered
He held up his hand
“You should have informed me! Do you
even know how foolish I felt when Elena
asked me to look for you before it’s too
late?! Two weeks Kate, it was enough for
you to discuss with me. And we met every
single day but you didn’t talk about it!”
Elena eventually told him.
Should I be mad at her?

Or
Grateful for telling Jeffrey?
“I would have understand it if you had
explained to me. I was really a fool to not
suspect anything!” He added
“You don’t..Understand” I muttered
shakily.

“I was willing to take any risk for us. I
never hid anything from you. But I was so
dumb for thinking that our love was
leading us somewhere into the Future.
Whereas It never meant anything you”
My heart broke at his words
I sensed him withdrew even more into
himself.

“You can leave. Goodbye”
He took a step backward, his expression
shuttered.
“Jeffrey..”
I grabbed his upper arm but he stepped
away.
“Let me explain”

Tears burned down my cheeks
“You had two weeks to explain but you
didn’t -”
He turned to leave. No! He can’t leave!
I don’t want us to end on this note!
“Jeffrey please listen to me. I’m so sorry”
I sobbed blocking his pathway towards the
door.

“I’m sorry just listen to me this once” I
pleaded fearfully.
He stepped backward, putting a distance
between us.
“I couldn’t -” I paused
Trying to control my tears.
“You are not dumb for thinking our love
was leading us into a place in the future..
I’ve thought about it too. And if it were left
to me, I’d stay here with you” I cried
“I wanted you to be happy that’s why i
didn’t tell you. And I don’t want to break
with you because I still want to be with
you. I had placed your feelings above mine.
Jeffrey, I meant it when I said no matter
where you are I will always carry you in my
heart because I love you” I sobbed loudly
Tears flowing uncontrollably.

Then Jeffrey leaned forward and hugged
me.

“I’m..so.. Sorry” I said
“Its okay. And I’m sorry for
misunderstanding you” Jeffrey muttered
I embraced him tightly
“Katherine I will never say goodbye to you
because I will love you forever. You wanna
know why? It’s because I have been able to
face every difficulty in my life with you by
my side. And I will be able to face difficulty
of tomorrow if you remain in my life. The
happiness you brought to my soul
compares to nothing in the world. Even
money can’t buy the happiness in my heart
when I see your face” Jeffrey said
He pulled away from me and I saw unshed
tears in his eyes. But he was holding back.
Jeffrey reached out to trace my lowerlips
with one of his fingertips. He looped a
hand behind my neck and his lips
descended on mine. I slipped my tongue
into his mouth and met him eagerly. His
other hand gripped onto my waist. He
deepened the kiss and kept me in place.
It was a long kiss. The most intense kiss I
had ever shared with him.

Jeffrey broke the kiss, I never wanted it to
end but I have to leave.

He pushed my hair behind my ears as he
looked in my eyes. Then I realized that
those tears he held back had slipped down
his cheeks. I reached out to wipe his tears
and he did the same to me.

“I’d like to hear from you sometime..And
always” he said when he released me and
stepped away.

He’d my number but I doubted if I would
be able to use it in UK.
“Send a message to me, with your UK line
when you get there” he added
A thought crossed my mind.
We wouidnt stay in contact for long once
both of us get back to the routines of
studying in our respective universities and
working on our dreams. It was likely that
we would be too busy to keep up a long
distance relationship even with the ease of
Internet.