Chapter 139 Despite Everything
Mia's POV
Liam wasn't around during practice.
At first, I told myself he was just busy. Maybe something came up. Maybe he had training or something important to handle. But as the hours passed and my messages remained unanswered, a quiet uneasiness began to settle in my chest.
The last message he sent me was still open on my phone. The place where we would meet after the graduation ceremony and where everything would change.
Just thinking about it made my heart race. I was excited, more than I had ever been in my life. But at the same time, fear lingered quietly beneath that excitement. Fear of the unknown. Fear of leaving everything behind. Fear of what might happen once we step into a new life.
But whenever I thought of Liam, all those fears slowly faded. Because as long as I was with him, I felt like I could face anything.
Still, the pain from my mother's words hadn't completely disappeared. They echoed in my mind when things became too quiet, reminding me of everything I tried so hard to forget. I didn't even want to come to the Academy today. I wanted to stay hidden, to avoid everyone, to protect what little strength I had left.
But I couldn't. I am the Class Valedictorian. And whether I liked it or not, I had responsibilities to fulfill.
So I forced myself to show up. To stand there. To rehearse like everything was normal, even when my heart felt anything but.
"Mia, I have something for you." I turned and saw Mrs. Rodriguez walking toward me, her warm smile instantly softening something inside me.
"Here," she said gently, handing me a small package wrapped in elegant paper. I blinked in surprise as I accepted it.
"That's my graduation gift for you, my dear." She added, and for a moment, I couldn't speak. My throat tightened, and my eyes stung with sudden emotion.
"Thank you so much, Mrs. Rodriguez," I managed to say softly. "You didn't have to give me anything. You've already done so much for me. I'm already so grateful for everything." She shook her head, her expression firm but kind.
"That's not true," she said. "You are the valedictorian, Mia. You worked hard for this. I am proud of you."
Her words warmed my heart.
"You did it," she added gently.
Then her voice softened even more. “Your father would be so proud of you."
I lowered my gaze, trying to hold back the emotions threatening to spill over.
"I wanted to give this to you in advance," she continued, "because I know you'll be busy on your graduation day." She paused, then smiled again.
"And don't forget to join us afterward. I'm planning a small party for Daniel. I'm sure he'd be very happy if you came."
My heart skipped a beat. After graduation Liam and I were supposed to leave. I wouldn't be here anymore.
I wouldn't see them again.
"I... I'm not sure if I can make it, Mrs. Rodriguez," I said carefully, forcing a small smile. "But I'll try my best."
"That's alright," she said warmly. "It would be more fun if you come, especially if you bring Liam with you."
My cheeks instantly flushed.
"You're still together, right?" she added with a knowing look. "You don't have to hide it from me. Liam already told me everything." I froze for a second, my heart suddenly beating faster.
We weren't supposed to tell anyone. That was our agreement. And yet, instead of feeling upset, something warm spread through my chest. Liam told her about us. He didn't hide me. And for some reason, that made me happier.
The next day came, and still, there was nothing from Liam. No messages and no phone calls. Not even a simple reply. I told myself not to panic. Maybe he was just busy and he was preparing everything for what would happen after graduation. Everything will be okay after graduation. That was what I kept telling myself.
Still, I couldn’t stop myself from reaching for my phone. I sent him messages throughout the day, asking if he was alright, if something had happened, if he could at least let me know he was fine.
Hours passed, but there was still no reply. By the time night came, I was already lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, my chest tight with worry. My thoughts kept drifting to places I didn’t want to go.
What if something was wrong?
My phone suddenly lit up. It was a message from Liam.
I sat up so fast I almost dropped it, my heart racing as I opened his message.
“I am okay.” That was it. Three simple words. I stared at the screen, waiting. Hoping another message would follow. Something more, but nothing came. The three words stayed there, cold and distant, like they didn’t belong to the Liam I knew. I swallowed hard, trying to ignore the heaviness in my chest.
The next morning, I forced myself to act normal as we lined up for practice. I told myself I needed to stay focused. Graduation was near. I couldn’t let my emotions ruin everything I worked so hard for.
“Girls, you can’t believe this. Liam and I will be together after graduation. His father already made the arrangement, and I honestly can’t wait.” Stacy’s voice was loud enough for everyone to hear, filled with excitement and pride.
My fingers tightened around my bag, and for a moment, a sharp pain twisted in my chest. But I refused to look at her. I didn’t react. Because I knew Stacy loved attention. She loved making things look perfect, even when they weren’t.
She was probably lying. Or maybe Liam let her believe that. Maybe he said those things just to please his father. To make it seem like everything was under control. To make sure no one would suspect that he and I were still planning something after graduation.
That thought made my chest ache even deeper. She was claiming a future with him so easily, while I stood there, gripping onto promises that felt like they were already slipping through my fingers.
And for a moment, guilt crept in. Because Liam and I had our own plans. A life we were supposed to start together. Something real that belonged only to us.
But then I remembered the way Stacy and my old friends treated me like I was nothing. Slowly, I lifted my chin. I straightened my back. And I stood there, silent but unshaken, refusing to let any of them see the storm inside me.
Because no matter what they said or what they believed, I was certain of one thing. Liam and I would be together in the end, and neither Stacy nor his parents had the power to stand in our way.
That was what I believed until graduation day finally came. Liam never showed up for the rest of the rehearsals, and with every passing day, the worry inside me grew heavier. I kept telling myself he would come. He had to come. This was our day.
When the processional began, my heart leapt at the sight of him. Relief rushed through me so suddenly it almost made me dizzy. Liam actually came. For a moment, everything felt right again, like all the worry, all the silence, all the unanswered messages didn’t matter anymore.
I almost smiled, but then, my breath caught for he wasn’t alone. He was walking beside his parents, composed and distant, like he always did when he was around them. And right next to them was Stacy. Her arm lightly linked with his, her smile bright and confident as if she had every right to be there.
And just like that, the relief inside me shattered. The warmth I felt only seconds ago turned into something painful, twisting deep in my chest.I forced myself to look away, my fingers tightening at my side.
It’s fine, I told myself. He can’t act any differently. Not with his parents watching his every move. He’s just pretending. He has to.I held onto that thought, even as it hurt. Because it was the only thing keeping me from falling apart right there.
I stood there, silently hoping he would glance around, even just for a second. That he would look for me the way I was desperately looking for him. But he didn’t, not even once. Even when the ceremony officially began, even when I knew he could have looked.
And slowly, the excitement I once felt for this day faded. All the awards, all the recognition, everything I worked so hard for none of it mattered anymore. All I cared about was seeing him after this. Being with him.
Leaving everything behind like we planned.
I had already packed my bags. Last night, I even sat down with Josh, and we talked for hours. We both cried. It hurt to say goodbye, but he told me he was happy for me, that I deserved a fresh start.
I held onto that. I held onto us.
Until the awarding of honors began. My heart started racing as names were called, my fingers trembling at my side. This was it.
“And the Salutatorian… Mia Villaruiz.” For a moment, I didn’t move. The title echoed in my ears, but it didn’t feel real. Not in the way I imagined it would be.
I slowly stepped forward, forcing my legs to move even as confusion and disbelief swirled inside me. This wasn’t supposed to be mine.
I accepted the medal with a polite smile, aware of the applause around me, but everything felt distant… like I was watching someone else take my place.
When I returned to my seat, Josh immediately looked at me, his brows furrowed in confusion. I could only shake my head. I didn’t understand it either.
“Class Valedictorian… Liam Alcaraz,” the Master of Ceremony called, and this time, the words crashed into me, heavier than I was prepared for. I turned my head as Liam stood up, calm and composed, like everything was exactly where it should be. Like nothing had been taken away from me. My chest ached as I watched him walk toward the stage.
And even if it hurt, even if I felt like something inside me had quietly shattered, I still smiled. I still clapped my hands and cheered for bim Because he was Liam.
And I loved him. And despite everything, I was still proud of him.