Chapter 2

- B L A I R E -

11.04.16 // 6:45 p.m.

"Good evening everyone and thank you for joining us tonight for this gracious occasion," his voice booms with the use of the microphone. Everyone applause before he speaks again,"tonight we will recognize our youth with prestigious awards. Only the best of the best have been nominated to receive these awards, this is the creme of the crop."

Everyone cheers again, the loud applause bouncing off of the thin walls.

"We have over twenty nominees, all under the age of eighteen, who have been chosen from the renowned Crestwood Preparatory Academy, a school that mainly focuses on academics and visual performing arts. You have to be insanely talented and smart to even be considered getting picked to go to that school and that alone is something to be celebrated," Mr. Rodgers says, raising his glass of champagne high in the air.

Everyone else does the same as Mr. Rodgers as if this is a game of Simon Says. Sutter nudges me in the side with his pointer finger, gaining my attention as Mr. Rodgers begins to ramble about the standards of Crestwood Preparatory Academy.

"I like how he brags so much about the school but he never even went there. I don't even think he has been on the campus before," Sutter whispers in my ear, making me laugh quietly, bowing my head down so no one could see me.

"Don't say that he's a cool guy," I whisper back, making Sutter scoff and roll his eyes before returning his attention back to Mr. Rodgers.

"Now each nominee will receive a nomination award, but that is mainly for a people that didn't win one of the major awards," Mr. Rodgers says as the servers come out with plaques. A young woman hands one to Sutter and I. It's a golden plaque with the words NOMINATION AWARD IS HEREBY PRESENTED TO BLAIRE HAWTHORN.

"The first awards go to kids who have maintained a four point zero GPA this year and who stand out by going above and beyond with their work," Mr. Rodgers opens up a silver envelope and reads the names, "There are four kids: Sutter Canton, Robin Lope, Karen Robles, and Victoria Reynolds." Sutter gets up from beside me and makes his way to the stage as loud applause and whistles erupted from the audience like a volcano.

My best friend, Victoria, who is forced to sit at a different table, also makes her way to the stage. She gives me a thumbs up on the sly before regaining her perfect stance. Her long blonde hair cascades down her back as if she is Rapunzel waiting to be saved from her castle. They receive their golden plaques and medals before taking a seat again.

"This next award goes to one kid who stood out throughout the years she has been at the academy. All her teachers brag about how amazing she is and how much she strives to be the perfect student. For having a four-point three GPA it gives me great honor to give this award to Blaire Hawthorn." Mr. Rodgers points a finger in my direction as I get up from my seat.

"That's my girl," Sutter says, making me smile. I climb the three stairs it takes to get to the stage and receive the plaque and medal.

"Congrats," Mr. Rodgers smiles and shakes my hand. I glance at my Mom who isn't standing up like most of the people but instead is clapping in her chair with a dull look on her face. I wasn't expecting her to do anything, I mean this is what I am supposed to do. I sit back down as Mr. Rodgers reads the Nature and Kindness award. "The winner of the Most Books Read in a Year award goes to Victoria Reynolds." Victoria smiles tightly as she makes her way to the stage for the second time that night.

"Now, moving on from academic awards, it is time for visual and performing arts and sports awards. First, I will read the overall winner of those two awards then read the smaller ones." He opens the silver envelope before continuing,

"Winner of the Sports Award is a guy that has been the captain of the basketball team, football team and swim team. His main sport is baseball and he lead the team to the Division one championships two years in a row. Receiving MVP last season, this award goes to Sutter Canton."

Many people, mainly girls, stand up to cheer on Sutter as he goes to get his plaque. I grin like a foolish idiot as Sutter strides to the stage, his steps long and graceful.

Yes, girls, he's mine.

He smiles proudly at the photographer who snaps a photo of him before coming back.

"The visual and performing arts award goes to a girl who has done over ten VAPA courses this year such as photography, art, music, orchestra and band, theater, and many more. She found her passion for dance three years ago and is now one of the best dancers at the academy, having winning several out-standing dance awards. This award goes to the one and only Blaire Hawthorn." I go up, get the award, and sit back down. That is how it went the rest of the night, all of us know what to do as if we have practiced a thousand times.

When it comes to the final and biggest awards, I am tired and weary, ready for the night to be over so I could go home.

"The final award is the highest honor award you could get here. This award has been chosen by the mayor of the city and the principal at Crestwood Preparatory Academy. There was also a survey handed out at the academy so the students could choose who should get the Golden Prodigy award. To qualify for this award, there are five standards you have to meet; out-standing academics, perfect attendance at school, hard work in some kind of performing arts, some form of community service, and participation in school activities. It gives me great honor to give this award to a child I have known for almost ten years. The winner is none other than Blaire Hawthorn!"

I smile brightly at everyone, even though it didn't surprise me that I won this award. Of course, everyone voted for me, it was inevitable. I slowly make my way up the stage, savoring these final moments before I get to leave.

This plaque is bigger than the other ones and I take it gratefully before going back to my seat.

"That is all for tonight. You are free to leave but we encourage you to stay for dinner and dessert, and a little partying of course," Mr. Rodgers closes before making his way off of the stage, limping slightly due to the fact that he has been standing for almost two hours.

"I'll see you soon, baby. I love you," Sutter tells me before pecking my lips and heading off with his parents. Public Display of Affection is something strictly prohibited in our families.

Mom says her goodbyes to everyone and I earn lots of congratulations before we finally get to leave the Country Club. It is almost eight-thirty and the darkness has now taken over the city. The ride home is long, boring, and silent. Mom doesn't speak once about my accomplishments, but instead scrolls through her emails, squinting to read the words since she didn't have her glasses.

I look out the window at the pitch-black curtain that is draped over the once blue sky and the twisted shapes the stars make against the black veil. The stars twirl and dance across the sky, as if it is a choreographed ballet performance. Something inside me tugs at the corner of my lips, making me grin. The stars burn with a brilliant pallidness of electric light, burning and burning and never going out.

We arrive at home moments later. The ride felt quicker than going there, maybe because I dreaded tonight so much. Luke opens the door for us, as usual, and says goodnight before going home, only to return here early in the morning.

Mom is still staring at her phone, somehow avoiding stepping on the roses that are on our porch. She unlocks the door and leaves it open- a sign that shows she knew I still exist. I sigh and pick up the roses that have a small envelope attached. I remove the tape and stare profoundly at the creme colored envelope. It has a sticker with a single rose on it that kept it closed. I rip it open and pull out a piece of paper with perfect cursive writing on it.

Blaire Hawthorn,

You wore roses today on that pretty little dress of yours at the Country Club.

It reminded me of better times, happier times to be more precise.

You didn't see me there, I was invisible as usual. I was like a ghost

But much like a ghost, just because you can't see it, doesn't mean it isn't there.

I choose you my beautiful one.

For you are the Rose I have searched for

-T

I thought it was some kind of joke then. I didn't believe anything when I first read the letter.

Now I do.