The next morning, Ann woke up sluggishly as she could feel her tense body.
Cyril had left last night after their long conversation. Her crying last night has taken a toll on her body as she's feeling slightly tired. Despite all that she still dragged herself out from the bed and went inside the bathroom.
.........
Arriving early in the morning, she walked straight to the Principle's Office. She knocked on the door and entered only after she received a response from inside. A few minutes later, she came out heaving a sigh of relief before leaving.
The students voice were heard along the corridor, enthusiasm apparent in their voice. A proud smile appeared on Ann's lips.
She texted her friends something before closing her phone. Instead of walking toward the lake hut, she took a peaceful stride around the school ground. She imprinted the school environment into the back of her mind.
After walking for a while, she could hear a hurried footstep running toward her. 'They are fast' she thought inwardly. Four student are breathing hard as they caught up with her. "What is this all about, President." Rose speak out.
"I wonder what are you talking about?" Ann pretended to be ignorant. Their faces looked like they were about to swallow her whole. "We heard from the Headmaster." Cocoa responded.
"Oh.." her answer triggered them.
"It's not Oh..(mimicking her tone). You need some explaining to do." They demanded.
Their annoyed tone amused her as she laugh out loud and it took her awhile to stop. "It's not a sudden decision nor was it related to the incident yesterday." she explained. "This year is my last year in this school. Sooner or later, someone would be taking my role as the Head Prefect." she turned toward them, facing them directly.
"I have been wanting to appoint you as my successor the moment i laid my eyes on you." that sentence shocked everyone. "Come with me." she said as she led them somewhere. On the centre of the school where all the students are gathering, a small stage has been prepared. Ann could feel a presence in the room behind the stage. A silhouette could be seen, she remembered the first time she met him. He has been persistent as he urged her to call him Grandpa and that day she received the name 'Annie' which only him would call her that way.
A thankful expression cracked on her face and the elderly understand her thought as his face eased slightly and gentle smile appeared on his face.
Underneath her, countless of student are staring at her with confusion. Among the student, the representative also present. The Prefect formed a direct line below standing straight looking listless toward her, which she smiled through.
"This morning, I asked for a favor from the Principle." The hall turned silent. She could see her friends among the crowd.
"I have been through 3 Springs with the fellow 3rd grader, 2 Springs with the 2nd grader and 1 Spring with the 1st grader and i am blessed with your company. Unlike other school, our school are more like a whole big family rather than a school. We enjoyed each other companion, we would sometime fought but the next day we are still friends. I already went 3 Springs in this place and sadly, I won't be there in your next Spring."
Her last sentence hit everyone hard. Some of them turned teary, some female student are already sobbing and the male student cast their head downward. Sorrow filled the hall into the brim. She felt her heart tightened as she continued her speech.
"Thank you for giving me the opportunity to enjoy my school life alongside you all." She said as she presented a graceful bow toward the crowd.
"President!" they shouted accepting her bow with teary eyes and runny nose.
Ann raised her head, stabilizing her voice. " I, Ann Antoine the Head Prefect appoint the Prefect Vice-President, Rose as the new President of Tremes High School. I hereby withdraw as the Head Prefect as I have already completed my duty alongside my companions. As the former Head Prefect, I strongly wished the newly appointed Head Prefect could bring this school into another level surpassing the achievement we left behind."
She gave another bow before exiting the stage. After she left, Rose entered the stage with a calm looks but her red eyes and nose betrayed her expression as she started her speech.
The moment she arrived under the stage, three male student approached her. Their face looked slightly red. She remembered them. "Don't bully the new president too much alright?" she asked gently. The three gangster stiffened.
"Former pres.. for the things you've done for us, thank you very much." said student 1.
"Before all i could do is make my mother cried everyday but after i met you, the first person my mother would brag to her friends is me. Thank you for making me realized the important things in my life." said student 2.
"We owed you too much Former President and words aren't enough to describe them. Thank you for the 2 meaningful years you showed us." said student 3.
"Please don't worry Pres.. we won't let anyone ruin your hard work." student 1 said as he put his clenched fist on his chest. Marking his Promise.
Ann put her right hand on his shoulder, smiling proudly. "I'm counting on you."
Unbeknownst to them, this exact day would mark the revolutionary day for their school as they soar up higher than they had before all because of one person. In order to not make the President everyone loved effort be wasted.
They would be making history in this school and make the school prosper beyond everyone expectation.
Carla, Victoria and Sandra approached their friend. Carla went ahead and hugged her friend followed by Sandra. This person make them so proud.
Cyril couldn't helped but be touched with the reaction coming from the student. He could feel their deep attachment toward her, their unconditional trust and their love to her. A voice were heard again from the stage.