"I'd like to thank the headmaster and the deputy headmaster for giving me the opportunity to lead these children into the light," Harley said into the microphone as we watched her give the farewell speech.
Sofia and I spent the night planning our next move. After many disagreements and arguments about how to do this, we decided to expose Audrey after the prefects have been announced. It wouldn't make any sense if we exposed her right before because for all we know, she could be the future head girl while we're just regular grade 12s. With the plan set in motion and everything ready, Sofia and I decided to solidify our alliance by sticking by each other the whole day. This may not mean much for our shattered friendship, but to me, it feels like we're picking up the pieces again.
The clapping resumed as the head girl finished her speech, and my sister went out to speak next. Kait briefly looked at me before nodding, clearing her throat. "This year has been nothing but amazing. I have had the honor to serve you all as deputy, to learn and to grow here at Salem Riveria boarding school. This place will always remain in my heart, along with the memories and friends I've collected over the 6 years. I've learned how to love, to be patient and learnt how to care for others."
She paused, then glanced at Harley briefly.
"I am grateful for all the opportunities that have passed my way, as well as the opportunities that I have managed to hold with my bare hands. Without this school, I don't think I'd be where I am today. Now that everything is said and done, I just want to make to give some advice to the class of 2026; be yourself. Everything happens at it's own time, all you need to do is to trust the process. Progress is progress, even if it seems so small." Her voice broke at the end, and I could see a tear leave her eye. "I want you to focus on your studies and to stand on what you believe in, even if you're the only one standing. Thank you for allowing me to guide you this year, and with this I say…Adios."
I stood up, clapping for her as everyone else stood as well. If there's anyone I look up to, it's Kait. She's been my biggest inspiration, and hopefully, if not for me, I'll make her proud. She grinned at me, then went back to her seat after handing in her blazer. Her eyes were so watery you could tell that everything she said was sincere. Kait has always been somebody that would look out for me, and now that she's signed out of the school officially, there will be nobody to protect certain students like she used to. By the look on the juniors' faces, we knew that Kait and Harley will be missed. The class of 2025 is arguably one of the best classes to date; they listened, they helped, and most of all they loved us.
And I hope my class lives up to that standard.
Our headmaster stepped on to the stage, a paper in hand; the list. As the Grade 11s stood up to greet him, I couldn't help but hold Sofia's hand, waiting anxiously to hear who the next leaders were going to be. Everything has led us up to this moment, and now that it was finally here, I couldn't help but shed a few tears. Why? I don't know; maybe I'm just an emotional girl.
I hissed as pain shot up my abdomen. I knew it; there's no way I'm this emotional, I'm just on my period.
"Here in my hand I have the list of prefects of 2026." He started, shaking the paper once again. "This race was very close, with each one of our students stepping before us with the best of their abilities and preparing to lead. With this, we have a list of phenomenal students in Grade 11, that we are sure are going to lead you into victory and lead you with pride. From the gentleman's side, the boys that will lead you next year are Tyrell Maximilian, Christian Matthews, Javius Dion, Zion Rayner, Nick Baynes and Darius Green. Our deputy headboy of 2026 will be Jamison Reed, while our headboy of 2026 is…Harry Smith!"
The boys stood on the stage as they were handed their colorful scarf as the students clapped for them. Each year as the prefects step down from their duty, the instated prefects receive a scarf before they receive their cream blazers and striped ties.
"And our female prefects for this upcoming year," he began as the school went dead silent. "Yasmina Thompson, Lynn Lockwood, Joanna Lancaster, Meredith Baynes, Sabrina Maxwell, And Isabella Cortez!"
We looked amongst ourselves, realizing that neither Sofia, Audrey or I had been picked. Hope hasn't been lost yet though, because knowing Principal Dane, he likes to add a touch of drama and flair to important announcements.
And I was right.
"I'm sure you're all itching to figure out who the head girl and deputy are." He winked at us as we all groaned. "This year the race to become head, or 'Golden Girl' as you children like to call it was quite eventful. These girls gave it their all, but ultimately we only had to pick the best of the best. Thank you to all the girls that showed immense enthusiasm and heart throughout this intense race. Without wasting more time, our deputy head girl is…Sofia Allen!"
I shook her vigorously while screaming along with the other kids. Sofia blew me a kiss and walked up to the stage gracefully, accepting her scarf. I was nothing but proud of her because this was everything that she ever wanted, even if she didn't want to admit it.
The hall became quiet again as Audrey glared at me, waiting to hear who the new head girl was. I gulped, fiddling with my fingers; if Meredith and Sabrina can make it, I'm sure I can…right?
"And our head girl is…Kendall Riddick!"
I was right.
Gasping, the gents came at me, chanting our school warcry as they managed to lift me off my feet and carry me to the stage. The rest of the school watched in, clapping as I reached center stage, staring at all the kids before me. The kids that need a leader, and the kids that are trusting me to lead them. The shock was still engraved on my face like a bad tattoo, but when I looked back at Sofia and Yas, seeing the proud grin on their faces, I relaxed, getting ready to prepare my speech.
This is my moment. Actually…no this is our moment. Everyone got what they wanted, and now that we know who the prefects are and who they aren't…the plan to take down García is finally in motion.
But I guess I'll have to think about that a little later.
I stood in front of the entire school as I accepted my scarf and a bouquet of flowers. "Wow…this is something I was certainly not sure was going to happen but I am absolutely floored at the amount of support and encouragement you've shown me already. I would like to thank everybody that got me this far, including Kaitlyn and Harley, who taught me to follow my dreams and to never give up. There's always a solution to every problem."
Kaitlyn gave me a little bow, with Harley throwing up the peace sign. " I would also like to thank Sofia, my deputy, for helping me in building character and heart. There was no way that I could have done all of this without her because the saying is true; iron sharpens iron, and I'm grateful that we have sharpened each other. Now that we have assisted each other in every way possible, we'll be able to help you all. To the departing prefects, I'd like to say thank you for everything you've done for us, as well as taught us. Class of 2025, we salute you for paving the way, and we can't wait to make you proud. Class of 2026; let's do this!"
Christian initiated the school warcry once again, throwing his scarf in the air. The rest of the boys did the same as us girls removed the scarf and started waving them through the air. It's our time now.
It's our time.
***
After dinner, Sofie and I managed to gather all the Grade 11s into the devotions room just before everyone else could start prep. I asked Kait to cover prep today so that we could talk to Audrey and try to get her to stop this unnecessary hatred. Yes, that was our plan; to talk to her.
Audrey was the first to arrive. Once she saw Sofia and I standing in front of the piano, she tried to turn back but it was too late; Joanna and the rest were behind her, pushing her to the front. They all sat in front of us, with Audrey purposely taking out her phone once Sofia took out hers.
"So Audrey," she began. "Remember when you tried to take everything that I worked for this year? How does it feel to be regular?"
"Sofia," I warned her. "That's not what we agreed on, remember?"
Sofia scoffed. "I need her to feel my pain, Kendall. My pain." She pointed at Audrey. "We promised to make it together, Audrey…together. Why would you do this to me? Why would you stab me in the back?"
Audrey shrugged.
"And for once I thought you wanted us to be the Golden Girls."
"It would make so much sense since you're both blonde–"
"Shut up Meredith," we chorused.
"You know that there's only one Golden Girl, Sofia. And unfortunately for you, it's Kendall; the one girl you were keen on taking down." Audrey smirked at Sofia. "I wonder what that feels like."
"Actually, Sofia is The Golden Girl," I said, Sofia's expression changing from cold to confused in an instant. "I didn't fight for Golden Girl; I just fought to be on the prefects board, of which I am. Sofia is that girl, I'm just the head girl; there's a difference. The Golden Girl does not have to be the head girl; it just means that you have to be the people's person, and without you I'm sure the kids will rally behind her because she truly is of the people." I held Sofia's hand. "She deserves that title more than I do."
"You really think so?" Sofia smiled at me warmly.
I nodded, grinning back. "I do."
Yasmina stood up, clearing her throat. "Alright, this is all heartwarming or whatever, but we need to address the real reason you're in here, Audrey."
"Exactly," I said. "We want you to admit everything that you tried to do to separate us as a stream. The lies, the rumors…everything."
"And why would I do that?"
"Because you know that everyone's going to find out one way or the other," Sofia explained. "It's better to save face and come clean than to let the others find out for themselves. Unlike you, we actually care about your terrible reputation."
"I hate to say it, but Sofia's got a point," Liliana agreed surprisingly. "It's just better to come clean than to be publicly exiled. Remember what happened to–"
"You know you look much prettier with your mouth shut." I rolled my eyes. "Audrey, admit it or you'll be the first person I give free punishments to next year."
"Fine. You want me to admit it? I will." Audrey snatched Sofia's phone out of her hand, pressing record. "Hey guys, I'm Audrey Garcia and I am the one that caused most of the turmoil this year. I'm sorry to everyone I affected by my actions, and I accept full responsibility for whatever comes next. To Yasmina, Sofia and Kendall, I apologize for creating nasty rumors about you and wish you an amazing run. Thank you guys for listening." She stopped the video and threw the phone back at Sofia. "Congratulations blondie, you've won. And Kendall…this isn't over." She then stormed out, the rest of us clapping and cheering this final victory.
"Now that's over…are we allowed to leave now, Head Girl?" Isabella winked at me.
"Don't do that, you know you can leave," I laughed as they each stood up, giving Sofia and I a hug each.
"And you…" Joanna pointed at Sofia. "Be good, child. We're all rooting for you."
"Don't even worry about it," she reassured Jo as they left one by one. Soon enough, Sofia and I were all alone. She looked at me, smiling warmly. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For standing up for me," Sofia stated. "You didn't have to, especially after everything…"
"Hey." I touched her shoulder. "No hard feelings, okay Sofia? It's all in the past, let's just worry about the future right now."
Sofia nodded slowly. "You have a good heart."
"And so do you, Sofia. It's just that we failed to understand each other before, but now I will try to be there for you as much as possible, and try to talk to you more, okay?"
"And I'll try to be more open with you. Next year is going to be better than this one, I promise you that." She winked.
"Well, I'll only believe you if you give me a hug," I suggested, wriggling my eyebrows as she sighed. "Come on, you know you want to."
She came in for a hug, squeezing me a little as I swayed her a bit. "Thank you, Kennie."
"No problem," I whispered. "Just glad to have you back."