This is it!!! Our babies are Graduating!!! 😭😭😭😭❤️❤️❤️❤️. I cannur contain my emotions! Someone should give me ice-cream! Ice cream!

****

“𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒖𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝑩𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝑻𝒐 𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝑾𝒉𝒐 𝑩𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆 𝑰𝒏 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑩𝒆𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒚 𝑶𝒇 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝑫𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎𝒔.”
_𝑬𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒏𝒐𝒓 𝑹𝒐𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒕.

𝕁𝔸𝕄𝔸𝕃

"You people should hurry up with that iron, biko! You don't want me to iron my graduation gown ni?" Somadina yelled, popping his head out of the door and looking into the hall way, where most guys were lying up to use Denola's Iron. How Denola was the only one that thought of bringing an iron to school still baffled me, because no other brought apart from him.

It was Graduation morning and the entire boy's Lodge was in a frenzy. Though, probably not as frenzy as it was in the girl's lodge. We were hearing the noise from their lodge all the way down here and mehn, it was crazy loud. It's just Graduation na, abi?

Okay, I take it back.

Graduation is way more than that.

Leaving High School is the highlight of being in high school. It is the highlight of your high school experience

Graduation is very emotional, no matter how hard hearted or strong willed you are.

I was arranging my cloths into my bag, laughing when the guys began to reply Soma with words like chillax or calm down or better don't bother ironing. Soma got back to the hostel pretty late, hours after Prom had ended and everyone had retired to their rooms. Mateo had been awake then and told Somadina to quickly iron his gown but the latter was too tired to even change out of his tux.

"When I asked you to come back to the lodge in time to iron your gown, you decided to stay out with Vanessa doing only God knows what." Mateo fired at Somadina as the latter walked back into the room, looking all grumpy and mumbling incoherent words to himself. Somadina gave Mateo a look, I almost thought he was angry.

Please, not this morning.

"For your information Mateo, Vanessa and I haven't had time to really discuss future plans together and that's what we were doing yesterday. Apologies for not being like you and Skye who have everything figured out."

It probably wasn't supposed to be a jab but it seemed like a jab, especially when Mateo kept mute instead of giving Somadina a witty come back like he usually would have. I wouldn't know because I didn't even know what plans Skye or Mateo had. It just made me realize how I didn't include my twin sister in my plans or vice versa.

"You and Skye have made plans already?" I found myself asking Mateo who looked at me longer than usual before he shrugged. I could sense the tension and the hesitation in his demeanor. I knew immediately that something was up but I didn't know how to get him to speak.

"She wants to school here in Nigeria." He revealed and I stopped folding my cloths, frowning at that revelation.

Skye wants to school in Nigeria?

"I'm surprised." I told him and he let out a humourless chuckle, shaking his head.

"So was I..." He trailed off, shaking his head with a somewhat sad smile playing on his lips. "I honestly didn't know how to take the revelation when she told me. but what more can I do than to support her?" He asked rhetorically.

"Especially when the both of you can't handle long distance relationship." I stated matter of factly. Mateo looked at me, his brows cocked in question. I sighed and settled down beside him on the bed. I didn't want to be a pessimist but I needed to be realistic.

"When you went for your therapy in Europe, both of you didn't really get to talk or see each other and it was obviously affecting you guys. This is very different because you guys are going to be apart for years. If the both of you couldn't handle few months of being apart, how are you going to handle, give or take, five years? Are you going to bre..."

"I love Skye." He said, cutting me off with his gaze intently on mine, trying to show me that he was serious. Not that I ever doubted the genuinty of his feelings for my sister. "Breaking up is not an option for me, neither is it for her. We are going to find a way, I know we will." It seemed like he was trying to assure himself more than he was trying to assure me. I sighed.

"I routing for you both." I told him, with all honesty and he nodded. "She is my sister and you are my best friend. I really want you guys to figure it out." I added and he nodded again, his lips tugged slightly in an appreciative smile.

"Thank you." He muttered and I nodded, taking my hand to pat his shoulder.

"Are you guys going to kiss?" Khalil's voice came from the door, his tone filled with humour. It was then I noticed the close proximity between Mateo and I. Mateo noticed it too and immediately, we quickly dashed away from each other, clearing our throats awkwardly while Soma and Khalil laughed out our expense.

Jesus, that was so awkward.

"Why are you just getting out of the bathroom." I queried Khalil, when I noticed his body dripping with water and a towel wrapped around his lower torso. "Grad is in an hour and we are supposed to have been seated before they start." I told him and he shrugged.

"Relax coz. It's not like I'm doing make up or stretching my hair." He teased. Mateo and Soma laughed at his rather lame joke. I felt my lips tug in a small smile as I watched Khalil being witty. He has been that way since the lantern lighting of Tolani at midnight. I felt a more positive aura around him and I was happy.

One of the guys called on to Somadina to come and iron his gown and the latter dashed out of the room. Mateo's phone rang and soon he was on a phone call, possibly with his dad. At that point, my phone made a sound, indicating that someone had sent me a message and I picked it up to check who it was. It was from my mum.

𝑸𝒖𝒆𝒆𝒏👸🏾❤️

𝑾𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒐𝒅𝒈𝒆. 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝑲𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒍, 𝒘𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒂 𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒃𝒐𝒕𝒉 𝒐𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖.

I furrowed my brows as I reread the message again, wondering what surprise my parents had for us.

Only one way to find out anyway.

"Khalil, dad and mum are already here. They want to see us." I informed him and he nodded, but didn't make any move to get up from the bed. "Dude, did you hear me?" I had to confirm and he looked at me.

"Go on, I'll join you. Abi, do you want me to go out naked. I know I have a pretty impressive..."

"Guy!" I yelled, cutting him off by sticking both of my index fingers into my head to stop myself from hearing whatever he was going to say. He laughed, obviously enjoying himself my teasing me nonstop. At least, he was having a swell time, though at my expense, but that was all that mattered.

"Go jhoor." He said, waving his hands dismissively at me.

I left the room and made my way out of the lodge and to the packing lot. Sighting my parent's car just right ahead, i began to walk towards it but stopped when I saw another familiar car right beside it. I didn't have the time to think about it because the owners of the car got down, just about the same time my parents did.

I froze, watching my entire extended family get down from the car.

Everyone, everyone of my family members in Nigeria were present!

"Grandma!" I screamed immediately I sighted her getting down from the car, running towards my maternal grandmother and lunging at her, almost knocking her off her feet. She laughed heartily, successfully catching me before I could knock both of us over.

"Inioluwa!" The excitement in her voice was unmatched, I could literally feel it. "You have grown so big since I last saw you. How are you so tall?!" She asked rhetorically, pulling away from me and keeping at arm's length so that she could have a better look at me. I on the other hand, wouldn't stop grinning from ear to ear.

I hardly saw my grandmum because of how busy she was. After my grandad passed away, she took over his business empire, travelling a lot. Madame Aminah Coker, as she was popularly known, easily became one of the most influential women in the state and even in the country. She made time to check up on us a lot but it was mostly via phone calls or video calls.

Her being here today, meant so much.

Wait till Skye gets down to see her.

"Grandmummy!" Khalil's overly trilled voice came behind me and I looked back to see him walking towards us. When he got closer, he went face flat on the floor, just like he had done when Uncle Hakeem had come to see him few weeks back.

"Olumide, will you stand up from that dirty floor and come here." Grandma beckoned and Khalil stood up, going over to hug our grand mum. I used that opportunity to greet every other person, especially Aunt Aisha and Uncle Hakeem as well the second twins of the family; my cousins and Khalil's elder siblings, Amir and Aminah.

"Uncle Amir." I went over, both of us  trading a bro hug.

"I've told you to stop calling me uncle." Amir stated, feigning annoyance. "I'm not that old." He added and I chuckled, going over to hug Aminah.

"You are twenty seven. I think you are pretty old." Aminah teased her brother who inturn rolled his eyes at her, muttering incoherent nonsense to himself and I laughed.

Aminah and Amir were very much identical, safe for their sex. Just like Khalil, they both took their father's height, all of them very tall but unlike Khalil, who was a carbon copy of his father, the twins looked like Aunt Aisha, complexion and all. Aminah got married three years ago and now she had a kid, a boy. Amir on the other hand was a major Casanova and obviously taught Khalil a thing or two. He was a very successful doctor in Abuja, making six digits every month. Women were bound to flock around him.

"Grandma!" A familiar shriek rang out. I didn't have to be told twice before I knew that it was Skye. After having a small chat with the twins, I walked over to where my parents were leaning against the car, watching the family reunion.

"This was some surprise you guys pulled off." I told them, hugging mum who wouldn't stop smiling.

"Zaria, this boy is calling us guys." Dad began, feigning shock and surprise in his expression like I had just committed an atrocity.

You called your full blooded Nigerian parents "guys". Better start saying your last prayers. My subconscious told me and that was when I realized my error. I cleared my throat awkwardly, flashing my dad a nervous smile.

"That wasn't what I meant, Dad." I told him, trying to dissuade the situation while giving my mum a look that screamed help. Thankfully, she got the memo and gave dad a look.

"Babe, cut your son some slack. He's graduating high school today." She told him and he rolled his eyes comically.

"That's not even why I came here." He said, then stretched forth his hand. "Where are the keys to my Lexus?" He fired immediately and I doubled up in laughter.

"Dad."

"Joel!"

My mum and I chorused simultaneously.

"What! You know how much I don't joke with my babies." He stated matter-of-factly and I saw the way mum's face contorted into a grimace.

"You are not eating any of the goodies we brought today." Mum said, turning away from Dad who had bewildered look on his face. He must have realized his mistakes.

"Babes... I thought we were way past this na." He lamented, following mum who didn't pay him any heed, while I laughed at how dramatic the both of them were. I felt a presence beside me and I looked to see Skye beside me.

"What happened?" She asked and I chuckled, my laughter subsiding.

"Dad called his cars babies in front of mum again." I told her.

"Ahh!" Skye let out a short laugh. "He's definitely not eating today." She stated and I nodded in affirmation.

Dad will never stop learning the hard way.

☆☆☆☆

When it was time for us to be in the hall, three of the school's coaster buses waited for us in front of the lodge to convey us to the big auditorium. The graduating students trooped out of the lodge in groups, mostly the boys any way. Me and the guys decided to wait for the girls to come down before we get into the bus. We weren't the only ones though, most of the guys were waiting for their girls as well.

When the girls started to come out, that was when the rowdiness started. Trojans have always been knows to be noise makers and today wasn't an exception. If anything, our noise increased like never before.

We were all pairing up, taking pictures, making videos and having fun. Somadina suddenly became a picture freak, stretching his selfie stick at different angles to take pictures and make videos. Not that I was complaining any way. Khalil was though but I made sure he joined in the fun.

We need to catch these moments.

"Sorry we took so much time." Skye's voice stopped us from taking any more videos as we turned to look at the girls as they made their way towards us. "Hair problems." She sorta elaborated, patting her now neatly styled curls.

"Y'all be looking fab! Damn!" Mateo commented, punctuating his statement with a whistle that had us laughing. I decided to feed my eyes, agreeing with Mateo immediately.

Our girls looks like they had just dropped from the sun, no exaggerations. They were literally glowing. With top notch makeups glazing their faces, not to talk of their dress, shoes and bags. They each had their baby blue graduation gowns hanging on their arm. My eyes stayed on Elyon, my lips tugging against my lips as I took her in.

God Damn.

"You should take a picture, they last longer." She said as soon as she got to me and I chuckled in response, my arm automatically circling around her middle to pull her closer to me. I leaned in to kiss her but she turned her face, my lips landing on her left cheek instead.

"It's too early to ruin my make up, this boy." She said, slapping her hands against where they were rested on my biceps and I chuckled again.

"You look amazing." I whispered to her, kissing her ear and she giggled.

"You don't look bad yourself." She gave the classic line back and I rolled my eyes at her, the smile still playing on my lips. "You all look amazing, no cap." She said louder now, so that Soma, Mateo and Khalil would hear.

"Stop complimenting them." Vanessa chided teasingly. "You'll make them feel fly bayii."

No jokes, Everyone looked amazing today. The ladies looked extremely exquisite and the guys didn't even dull, swagging effortlessly. I loved how even after we picked a particular colour scheme, we all stood out in one way or another.

"Oya, let's all take a selfie!" Somadina yelled, stretching his selfie stick again and everyone of us gathered, taking several shots. Even some of our classmates around joined in and the shots increased.

Soon, everyone was down from the lodge and we all entered the bused which move us to the already packed all. Students, parents, teachers and the school board were already settled inside.

"Memories by Maroon 5" began to play as we all got down from the buses and made our way into the hall, cheers and applause ringing out from all corners. There was a slideshow of pictures on the big screen in front of the Hall. Every moment we've had in this year was captured. From the Olympia up to variety night and prom.

I suddenly began to feel nostalgic, emotions washing over me.

This was really it.

The Graduation Ceremony commenced with the chaplain of the school saying the opening prayer and one of the junior students sang the national and school anthem with the school orchestra backing her up. Then, the principal came up to say his opening remark and speech, before the presentation of the Academic Awards began.

This was the moment we've been waiting for.

Somadina catered away most of the academic awards, including best overall in Science class. Skye collected best in four subjects; English Language, Biology, Physics and Garment Making. Chike was the best overall in Technical class, no cap but surprisingly, I came out as best in Further Mathematics.

I hated the subject. How did I get to be the best?

Elyon was the best in three art subjects; Christian Religious Studies, Literature and Government - tying her government score of 90.5% with Esosa. Mateo was the best in Economics, Civic Education, Animal Husbandry and also bagging best overall in Art Class. Khalil ended up with Chemistry, shaming stupid Mr Johnson. He also went out to get Tolani's award for best in Food and Nutrition.

All the Prefects received a conciliatory award of service, in which Skye made a speech for.

When it was time for the Valedictorian Award, everywhere became rowdy, everyone screaming his name already.

"The moment we have all been waiting for..." The Principal trailed off, his smile wide as he brought out the biggest plaque of all from it's case. "The Valedictorian Award goes to..."

Everyone of us were on our feet, still screaming his name, and the idiot just sat there, blushing like a girl.

"Mr Somadina Charles Dike."

The entire hall nearly came collapsing down with the way we all erupted in cheers and screams of excitement as Somadina stood up from his seat and majestically made his way to the podium. His entire family, especially his sisters were on their feet, running over to capture the moment as he collected his award. Soon, the commotion went down and everyone settled down to listen to his valedictorian speech.

I honestly didn't expect the introductory phrase he used.

"Limelight Trojans, where you at!"

He suddenly creamed into the microphone and again, the Trojans began to scream, causing commotion again. Mateo and I doubled up in laughed, shaking our head.

"This guy is crazy fa!" Mateo said between laughter and o nodded in agreement.

"Wow, we're finally graduating!" Somadina stated, the awe in his voice unmistaken. Tejiri shouted yes oo and everyone laughed, followed by a round of applause.

"I want to say thank you to everyone present here," Soma started again, when everywhere became relatively silent, attention on the Star boy in front of us.

"Thank you to everyone who is part of the school. Thank you to our supportive principal. Thank you to our teachers, parents and families and our friends here today to celebrate with us. You all have helped shape us into the people you see today, and I can say in total confidence that without you, we wouldn't have come such a long way. Thank you very much." Another round of applause and cat calls rang through the hall.

"Now to my fellow graduants," He continues. "As students and friends, we have made many memories together, many good and some bad given that we lost two of our class mates along the way, may their souls rest in perfect peace. We have made a lot of memories in the course of our stay in this school, most of which we can now look back upon and laugh!-

We have gone through so much in the past years. We often clashed over what some might call trivial situations and despite the fighting, we would always come back to being one. I consider myself lucky to have met you all and to be part of the strong bond we have created over the years." He paused, casting a brief gaze across the hall with a big smile spreading against his lips. I felt Elyon slip her hand into mine and lace our fingers together and I smiled, caressing the back of her palm with my thumb.

"We had some of the best teachers, who truly cared about us and taught us with passion and some that, well... It is well." He muttered that last part to himself but because of the microphone, we all heard and we were laughing again. Somadina chuckled softly, clearing the throat to continue.

"Fellow Trojans, I have known you for a long time, and I know that each and every one of you has something special. You all are creative and smart in many different ways, so please promise me that - no matter how cliché this sounds - you will never doubt yourselves.-

I am counting on seeing you conquer life in your own fantastic way. And I know we will keep in touch. Thank you again, and I hope you will hear good things from us in the near future." He concluded then punctuated his entire speech with a scream of,

"CONGRATULATIONS LIMELIGHT TROJANS."

And everyone of us tossed our Graduation caps to the air.

☆☆☆☆

We finished the graduation ceremony about twenty-five minutes ago, which explained why the packing lot was so jam-packed with students, meeting their parents, everyone taking pictures. Some were even crying. It was an emotional rollercoaster for all of us.

Elyon was with her family, their car just few feet away from ours. Skye and Khalil with his family and our grandma. Mateo had gone to meet his Dad who came with his girlfriend. Somadina was having an interview with Channels Television, who came to cover the occasion and Vanessa was busy sharing food and souvenirs that her parents had gotten for the entire class. I was with my parents.

"We have a surprise for you." Dad said, bringing out an envelope from the car. My brows lifted in question, cocking my head to the side as I stared at the brown envelope.

"Another surprise?" I asked and mum chuckled.

"Actually, we wanted to give you this surprise in the morning but we decided to hold off till the end of your graduation." She explained and I nodded.

"What's in the envelope?" I asked and Dad handed it over to me.

"Because you have been busy for past weeks, I didn't get to really talk to you about the feed back my friend, Tyler gave me about the artschool." Dad revealed, immediately causing all my sense to be on high alert.

"We got a feedback?" I asked to confirm what I had just heard and both my parents nodded in affirmation.

"We did, two weeks ago. Then we got an email from an art school in Amsterdam, asking for a portfolio of your works and with the help of your visual art teacher, we compiled your best works and we were able to send the portfolio just in time." Mum stated. My palms suddenly got sweaty and my mouth dry.

"And?" I asked, urging them to continue. They exchanged a look between themselves and laughed, obviously mocking my agitation.

This people wanna give me panic attack.

"You are going to be interviewed in two weeks, but you are as good as admitted because Tyler is a board member in that school." Dad said and I jumped, throwing my fist to th air and shouting "Yes!" then I collected myself immediately,  eyeing them skeptically.

"You guys had better not be be playing with my emotions right now." I tore the brown envelope open, seeing a letter inside and scheming through it. They were not playing with me.

This was real.

"It's fun playing on your emotions, but not in this case. We are being serious." Mum sassed and I laughed, lunging at both of them and gathering them in a tight hug, thanking them over and over again. Soon after, I dashed off, filling the need to spill my guts to Elyon. I was just halfway to where she was when I saw that she was coming over to meet me too.

We met in the middle.

"I have news." I told her, my hands clasping around hers and she laughed.

"I have news too. But you first." She said, urging me on. I took deep calming breaths but I really wasn't able to contain the excitement I was feeling.

"I have kinda gained admission to an Art School in The Netherlands!" I deadpan and her eyes went huge, her mouth gaping.

"It's a lie."

"It's not a lie!" She screamed and lunged at me, hugging me. I laughed heartily, lifting her off the floor and turning around. Our scream of excitement attracted states but we couldn't care less.

"Alright, your turn." I told her after I dropped her. She was all grins and smiles and everything suddenly seemed deep, like she was more excited about me going to Amsterdam than I was excited for myself.

"You know, after we had a discussion about university and school outside Nigeria that night, I applied to five schools. Yes, five." She affirmed, when she saw my shocked expression. "Two in Europe and three in the States. I got into four, the three in the states and..." She trailed off, holding my gaze and I held my breath.

"And?"

"Berlin, Germany. I got into a college in Germany." She answered, her eyes still fixated on mine as she picked her words carefully, like she was trying to send me a message. And with my heart beating at a rapid pace, I got the message loud and clear, my eyes widening in realization.

"Amsterdam is just a forty seven minutes flight to Berlin." I muttered and Elyon chuckled softly, shrugging good-naturedly.

"I guess, I already know which university I'm picking." She said, her lips in a wide smile. I sighed, gathering her in my arms again. No screams of excitements this time, no words whatsoever. Nothing could explain the way I was feeling, the happiness bustling inside me. Holding her was enough to express it. Holding this beautiful angel was more than enough.

We were already making this work.

We were really doing this.

"I love you." I muttered softly, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. She responded but it came out muffled because her face was pressed to my chest.

I sighted Skye and Mateo just few feet away, talking and I took my time to watch them. They were in a deep conversation, nothing heated, at least not with the way Mateo was holding my sisters hands and looking into her eyes like he was star gazing. Elyon moved in my arms and I loosened my hold on her, so she could turn and see them too.

"Seems like they are resolving it." I said and felt Elyon nod.

"Skye told me this morning that she was probably going to compromise." Elyon informed me and I hummed at the revelation, nodding. "I don't know why she thought of schooling in Nigeria anyway, no offence to this country."

"Trust me, I was shocked when Mateo told me too. Not like my parents would have let her though. I can't be in Europe and she'll be Africa. That's miles apart."

"I'm just glad they have been able to figure things out." She said as we kept watching them, smiling when Mateo leaned in a pressed a kiss to Skye's forehead.

"This dude as mind o. My dad is just few feet away." I lamented and Elyon laughed.

"Better calm down. Your dad isn't looking."

"But I am." I argued.

"Jamal!" She chided, slapping her hand to my chest.

"Yo guys!" Somadina's loud voice called our attention as he moved to where we were, Vanessa trailing behind him. Skye and Mateo stopped talking and walked towards us while Khalil took excuse from his parents and came to us too.

"What's up?" Khalil asked.

"Channels TV want to take a cover picture for the magazine they want to publish about this school and for the news, so they asked me to get few of my mates. You game?" He asked.

"Of course! We are going to be on TV." Skye shrieked in excitement. Together, we rushed over to where the crew members were and we positioned ourselves to take the picture.

"How are we going to do this?" Vanessa asked.

"We jump." I said, clasping Elyon's hand to my right and Khalil's hand to my left and everyone grinned back at me, liking the idea.

"On Three." Elyon echoed, joining hands with the next and the next until everyone hand their hands locked with each other.

"One..."

"Two..."

"Three!" We jumped.

Click!

THE END!

A/N

It is a Wrap!

God! Someone is cutting onions here! Who is the person cutting onions fa 😭😭. Why are you torturing me with onions, now this people will think someone is a softie and that I'm crying. I'm not crying, you are crying!

The end of the BTS FAMILY SERIES. Wow! It has been such a ride. From 2018 all the way to 2021. I don't regret anything. I don't regret my dedication to this series. The characters in this series will have a special place in my heart. Especially, pioneer characters and the concluding characters.

Jamal: My Beautiful Boy. So vulnerable, he doesn't fail to hide it.

Elyon: The Anchor to Everyone. She was basically the one that held the entire team together.

Khalil: My Prince Charming. Strong, Resilient, Mature.

Skye: My Baby Girl. No matter the mistakes she made, don't forget that all her intentions, all the decisions she made were never selfish.

Mateo: The Espanic Casanova turned Hopeless Romantic.

Somadina: Our very own Albert Einstein.

Vanessa: The Action Mama.

Tolani: Our Beautiful Angel.

I'll miss them all😭.

Don't worry, I'm still going to publish the Epilogue by the beginning of next week and it's going to completely be a wrap. You can still ask your questions though, I'd be answering all of them after the Epilogue.

Now, lemme go and cut more onions 😭😭