It was a bright, sunny morning. Leslie was sitting on a bin bag in the balcony of her apartment. Though she had a book in her hand, she barely read it. Her gaze was fixed on the clear blue sky, far away. She was lost; lost in her own thoughts.
It was her graduation day. From today, so many things were gonna be changed forever; and a new journey was going to be started soon.
"Les, what are you doing here? why aren't you ready yet!"
Suddenly a voice broke her chain of thoughts. She looked back and saw Shirley, standing behind with her hands on her waist.
Shirley the quirky and charismatic classmate, had become her partner in crime and flat mate, bringing a much-needed spark in their shared apartment. They became friends on the very first day of her university. This bubbly girl of her department was her only friend in the entire university. Shirley moved into his rental apartment a few months after classes started, and they spent the last few years together.
"I was just going to get ready!" Leslie smiled.
"Have you had your breakfast?"
"Yes. Now please, go get ready. Or we'll be late."
She frowned at her.
Leslie stood up and headed to the washroom. They were getting late, indeed.
....
Leslie Scott. The topper of this years graduating batch of Florham University's Economics department.
Leslie didn't know who her biological parents were. They got rid of her on the very first day of her birth. She was rescued by an orphanage from a street, and was living there since then. Her surname was also given to her by the orphanage, the common surname of all the residents living there.
Being grown up in an orphanage was never easy for her. She had endured so many hardships since her childhood. The schools where she studied, became the toughest spots of her life. She was bullied, humiliated. And all this she had to bear alone, because she had no one to share her pain with.
But she never broke down. She never let her struggles get her down. Instead of being weak, she faced everything with courage, she endured every hardship and made her own way. And all these made her stubborn, strong-willed, practical and calculative at a very young age; made her unbreakable.
....
"Perfect."
After applying a coat of her favorite peach nude lipstick, Leslie looked at herself in the mirror.
After much insistence of Shirley, she wore a floral midi dress today. She was always comfortable with jeans, trousers, t-shirts and hoodies; but that girl!
She dressed her today as she wanted.
The dress was a free flowing one, with a lot of flowers printed on the peachy pink fabric. Her hair was loose, with light makeup, narrow eyeliner and peach nude lipstick.
She smiled, all in all, she really liked the look of herself!
"See, you look beautiful!"
She heard Shirley saying from behind.
Leslie smiled. "Let's go."
They both left the apartment. Soon, their giggles mingled with the bustle of the busy city.
....
The campus looked different from the other days. The place was beautifully decorated today, bathed in warm lights, vibrant balloons and streamers adding a pop of color to the usual atmosphere. Students were talking in groups, taking selfies, some were hugging each other and reminiscing. A chapter of their life was about to be finished, and all of them were going to step in their own paths, so they were excited.
Amidst the crowd, Leslie found a less noisy corner and settled. She never really liked crowd and bustles, silence was always her comfort zone. And like all the time, she separated herself and enjoying her own company.
"Hey, Leslie! You look beautiful today!"
She looked back. A little far away from her, Jane was standing. Leslie never disliked Jane, among all the male classmates, Jane was quite different. He was always good to her. She knew Jane liked her, but he kept it secret, never dared to tell her. Actually Leslie had something in her presence that made it difficult for everyone to mingle with her openly.
She gave him a little smile.
"Thanks, Jane."
"Why are you standing alone here? Come, join us."
"Ah, well.. I'm good here."
"Leslie, please. Today is the last day in this university. At least spend some time with us today!"
She nodded, it was indeed her last day in this university, so why not make a good last impression!
"Okay"
Then joined him. They walked forward talking to each other.
The day passed very quickly. Taking the certificate, flying the graduation cap, chatting with everyone for the last time, no one could understand how the time passed.
Leslie also loosened her shell a little today and mingled with everyone. They talked about their future plans, lives, and countless memories in this campus; and she felt quite relaxed while spending time with them.
At the end of the day when she was finally leaving the campus, she looked back once. As dusk fell, the campus lights were all lit up. The illuminated campus was shining like a star in the darkness.
Looking at the campus, she became nostalgic, water glistened in her eyes. This campus had become home, somehow. She had so many memories in this campus. The basketball court, where she won her first tournament; the library, where she used to study for hours; or the cafeteria, which became her brainstorming hub, while sipping a cup of hot coffee.
This campus held so many secrets of hers, which she never told anyone. It witnessed her struggles, her endurance, achievements, her heartbreak... Also her wins.
And today, all her hard works were finally paid off. She was a graduate now, holding the topper's position for four consecutive years.
Shirley went to a nearby club with her classmates for partying, she had to go home alone. Leslie took a good look at the campus for one last time. Then slowly walked away.
As she strolled through the street, a sigh came out of her chest; a chapter of her life ended well, now it was time... To start a new journey.