Next Chapter

Prompt: Samuel and the others are about to set and graduate from Las Encinas with some visitors to
congratulate and celebrate with them. Samuel gets to do a speech at the graduation ceremony.

Samuel

Tonight is the eve of our graduation. Finally. But I’m more excited for College. I’m leaving in a few
days. But tonight is a pre-celebration. Considering everyone came out. Even Lu and Nadia. Guzman
and Ander took a pause on their trip too. Everyone is here. Except for one.

Ever since that party during New Year’s eve, things just became clear to me. Whatever it was that I
thought I felt for Ari was nothing but an infatuation. She was there and I was lonely. But while we
were at that dinner table, there was just a wave of realization in front of me. Especially when she told
us that she doesn’t really want to choose between me and Guzman. So I made it easy for her and just
chose to leave on my own accord. Little did I know that Guzman would make a decision to just leave
to. On the bright side, we didn’t end our friendship.

Well after everything that has happened, I just focused on myself more. My studies. My work and
some extra curriculars on the side. It was just fortunate that Benjamin still decided to help me. Not
just get a better job but on ways to make some money without having to wait tables. Investments. I
have to admit that it was to most wisest decision I’ve made. Now I’ve saved up enough money to go
to college. I haven’t made up my mind on what course I should take. I mean with Benjamin’s help, I
got accepted to both Law and Business schools. Though I already decided. I just haven’t told anyone
what I chose to pursue.

Well the next day is obviously the graduation day. I was so nervous because I have to give a speech.
Admittedly I’m not the best in speeches. I’m almost sure that my speech is going to suck. So while
everyone was preparing I was preparing for it. I don’t want to embarrass myself out there.

Hours later, we were in school. Just waiting on the ceremony. While we were all busy taking photos
and celebrating before the actual ceremony, Benjamin dragged me to his office to talk about
somethings after the graduation.

Benjamin: So are you ready for your speech?

Samuel: Not really. Though I’m still not sure why you chose me to do it.

Benjamin: The way you advocated Omar before, somewhere in your words, hit me. You have a lot to
say and the other students might not realize it, but they have to hear it too.

Samuel: Well no pressure for me then.

Benjamin: Have you decided? On college?

Samuel: Yeah, I do.

Benjamin: Do you have a reason for your decision?

Samuel: Of course there is. You want to hear it, don’t you?

Benjamin: Only if you want to tell me.

Benjamin: I’m glad that’s what you think. By the way, this is my gift to you.

Benjamin handed me an envelope and told me to open it. As I took out the papers inside it, I
immediately noticed a different type of paper and something heavy on the bottom.

Samuel: What is all this?

Benjamin: When I started out, this were something that I wish I had to help make my life easier. I
figured that since you’d be starting fresh, you probably need it too. It’s up to you on what to do with
all these. Sell it, use it.

Samuel: This is too much Benjamin.

Benjamin: You earned it. After all, this is one way to get even with the way I accused you of hurting
my daughter before.

Samuel: I’d say you’ve repaid me enough with all the lessons and the help you’ve given me the past
months.

Benjamin: And with that, I wish you all the success in life Samuel. I wish that I’d see you on a magazine
one day. In a positive content of course.

Samuel: I hope that too. Thank you Benjamin.

Benjamin: Congratulations Samuel.

I went back out just in time for the start of the ceremony. With me giving the speech, I was seated at
the stage along with the valedictorian and the other school administrators. As everything was playing
out, I was searching the crowd for familiar faces. Sure enough I saw Lu, Nadia, Guzman and Ander at
the back. Along with a face that I wasn’t sure was even real. Carla. She was seated beside Lu and
Guzman. I kept a straight face as it was also time for my speech before we all get our diploma and
leave this place. I stood on the podium nervous. I looked at Rebe, Lu and Carla. She was wearing a
huge smile on her face and staring at me. I took a deep breath and started to talk.

Samuel: “Fellow batchmates, I know that sounds lame. But let me just keep it short and simple. High
school was the time where we made the most stupid decisions we could ever make. Maybe you have
somethings that you want to forget. I know I do. But for some, this was also the time where we fell in
love. Now there’s only three options if you did. You’re still together, you broke up and went back to
being strangers, or you broke up and remained friends. But if you experienced any of those options,
you’re lucky. Some people never got to experience that.

But now that we’re about to begin another chapter in our lives, let me just remind you on somethings.
Remember to always put yourself first. Remember to always love yourself first. It’s okay to fall down
sometimes. It’s okay to not be okay. But also remember to let it all out sometimes. Keeping it all in
doesn’t help anyone. It’s okay to be selfish sometimes.

Don’t be afraid to trust other people with your problems. Because if they really want to be with you or
beside you, they would stay despite your situation. Sometimes people may act like they don’t care but
in reality they are just waiting for you to open up to them. Speak up because you never know who’s
willing to help or who’s also in need of help if you don’t.
This speech is long enough, so I’ll end it with this. Just always remember to love yourself and to trust
but don’t ever forget to fall in love.”

After the speech, everyone clapped. Maybe they did get something out of it. I looked at the crowd for
a couple more seconds before going back to my seat. Finally we’re reaching the end of the ceremony.
By the time it ended, everyone was also waiting for me outside by the stairs. Carla was standing next
to them and was looking at me when Benjamin stopped me to greet some of his colleagues. Some of
which he referred me to in investments. Yep, I partially own a few of their businesses. Which is why
I’m not exactly a waiter anymore. In fact, with the money I earned, I bought the Lake Club and I’m
letting Omar manage it full time. Just so he doesn’t need to juggle a lot of jobs. At least he has a stable
one. As soon as I finished talking to them I walked to my friends who were all waiting for me still.

Lu: That speech was weird and nice.

Nadia: Lu won’t admit it, but yours had more meaning than the both of us combined last year.

Omar: Well he deserves it. After all the hard work he put in this year.

Guzman: We couldn’t be more proud.

Ander: I never knew Samu could write a speech like that.

Rebeka: Yeah, no shit. I thought he was all actions than words.

Samuel: Say whatever you want Rebe, I’m not going to be hearing your rant for a while.

Lu: Have you decided?

Samuel: Yeah. I’m going to --

Guzman: Woah save it for later. For now, I - we all want you and Carla to talk. So we’ll see you at the
lake club later on.

Lu: Enjoy your talk.

Everyone walked to their cars and I’m assuming they are all going back to my apartment to clean up. I
hope they do. My mother is coming back tomorrow and I’m leaving the place to her. When everyone
wasn’t in sight, me and Carla was left in an awkward silence. As bad as it sounds, I’m also nervous to
be the one to speak out.

Carla: Can we talk? Somewhere private?

Samuel: Yeah sure. My car is parked this way.

Carla: You have a car now?

Samuel: Yeah, not exactly waiting tables anymore.

We drove to a cafe not far from the lake club. It’s a weekday and still early so it’s not that crowded.
We ordered coffee and went up to the veranda.