Chapter 261 CHAPTER 261

Chapter 261 CHAPTER 261

ARIA’S POV

A WEEK AFTER

The moment the bell rang, I Picked up my Pen and turned the first page of my examination paper.
My eyes moved quickly across the questions and for a few Seconds, I Simply Stared at them.

This was it, the final paper of my exam was finally in front of me.
My heart beat faster as I remembered every late night I had Spent Studying.
I Placed one hand beneath the desk and took a deep breath, trying to Calm myself.
“Okay Aria, you Can do this.” I whispered under my breath.

I Started writing almost immediately, refusing to waste even a Single Second.
The first few questions were easy and that gave me a little Confidence.
My pen moved quickly across the paper as answers I had memorized Came back to me.

I Could hear the faint sound of other Students writing around me but I barely noticed anyone.
My entire focus was on the paper in front of me and the life waiting for me after graduation.

A few minutes later, I reached a question that made me pause.
I Stared at it, reading the question again and again while my Confidence Slowly faded.
My fingers tightened around my pen as my mind Suddenly went blank.

I Closed my eyes for a moment and took a Slow breath, trying not to panic.
Then I remembered Cassian's voice from that morning telling me to take everything one at a time.
I opened my eyes, Picked up my pen again and Started writing.

The answer Slowly Came back to me, and I felt a wave of Relief.
I Continued moving through the paper, refusing to let one difficult question ruin my rhythm.
My Stomach felt heavy beneath my uniform, reminding me that I wasn't doing this alone anymore.

I lowered my eyes briefly toward my bump before looking back at the paper.
“Your mama will be a graduate soon.”
I whispered, barely loud enough for myself to hear.

Time moved faster and Soon I was already halfway through the paper.
My wrist was beginning to ache and my body felt tired but I didn't Stop.
Every time exhaustion threatened to Slow me down, I thought about everything I had Survived to reach this moment.

There had been fear, tears, humiliation, and moments when I thought I Couldn't Continue.
But I had Continued anyway, and now the final paper was Slowly disappearing beneath my handwriting.
I couldn't help but Smile when I realized how Close I was to the end.

Across the building, Cassian was writing his own final examination with Alex and David.
I imagined him Sitting there with that Serious expression he always wore whenever he was Concentrating.

Mila was probably working through her paper too, probably Checking the Clock every few minutes like She always did.
The thought of all of us finishing together gave me another burst of energy.

We had Started this School journey as Students but we were about to walk away from it as something Completely different.
We were leaving behind one chapter of our lives and Stepping into another.

I turned another page and Continued writing without looking up.
My heartbeat was racing now because I Could finally see the last few questions ahead.
My fingers were beginning to hurt but I ignored the discomfort and kept my pen moving.

A Small wave of emotion Suddenly hit me when I realized I would never sit in this Classroom like this again.
These desks had held my books, my tears, my laughter and countless moments I would never be able to repeat.
I swallowed hard and forced myself to Stay focused.
Then I reached the final question.

For a few Seconds, I just Stared at it.
This was the final question of my final examination, and answering it meant my high-School journey was officially over.
I Slowly read the question, then read it again before finally writing my answer.

My hand trembled, but I didn't Stop until the last word was Completed.
Then I added the final punctuation mark and Placed my pen down.

I leaned back in my Seat and Stared at the paper.
That was it.
I had actually done it.
A Strange pressure Suddenly built inside my Chest, and my eyes began filling with tears.

I looked down at my hands, remembering the girl I had been when I first walked into this School.
She had been younger, more uncertain, bold and Completely unaware of everything life was about to throw at her.

Now I was Sitting here Pregnant, exhausted, emotional and somehow Stronger than I had ever been.
The invigilator suddenly looked at the Clock.
“Time is up… Stop writing.” He said.
The entire room immediately became Silent.

Students began Placing their pens down as the invigilator walked between the desks, Collecting the examination Papers.
I watched my paper leave my desk, and something inside me seemed to Shift.

I had imagined this exact moment but I never imagined it would feel this emotional.
My eyes filled with tears again as I looked around the Classroom one last time.
My fingers rested over my Stomach as I took a Slow breath.

“We did it,” I whispered to my baby, feeling a tear finally roll down my cheek.
“We actually did it.”
I lowered my head and let myself Cry for a few Seconds.

The invigilator left with the Papers, and Students immediately Started talking.
Some were laughing, Some were Complaining about difficult questions, while others were already discussing their answers.

I remained Sitting quietly, unable to move for a few Seconds.
Mila Suddenly appeared beside my desk.
“Aria!” She called, her face glowing with excitement.
I looked up at her, and the moment I Saw her face, I Started Crying again

I'm certain now that this pregnancy has made me a cry baby.
She immediately wrapped her arms around me.
“We're done!” She shouted happily.
I laughed through my tears and hugged her back tightly.

“We're finally done.” I whispered.
Mila Pulled away and wiped beneath my eyes with her fingers.
“Why are you Crying? You're going to make me Cry too.”

I laughed again, but more tears escaped as I looked around the Classroom.
“I just Can't believe it's over,” I admitted.
Mila's expression Softened, and She Squeezed my hand.

“We've been waiting for this day since forever.”
“I know, but it feels Strange now that it’s finally in front of us.”
She nodded Slowly, understanding exactly what I meant.

“It does.”
We finally Stood up and walked toward the Classroom door together.
I took one last look behind me before Stepping into the hallway.
My heart felt heavy and light at the same time.

Every Step away from that Classroom felt like another piece of my childhood disappearing behind me.
Then I heard familiar footsteps approaching quickly from the other end of the hallway.

I turned around and Saw Cassian walking toward me.
The moment our eyes met, he Smiled.
I Couldn't Stop myself.
I ran toward him.
He opened his arms immediately, and I crashed into his Chest, laughing and Crying at the same time.
“Good bye to high school.” He whispered against my hair.

I nodded against his Chest. “We're finally done.”
For a moment, I Simply Stayed there, letting myself feel everything I had been holding inside.
Then Cassian Pulled back and looked into my eyes.
“Ready for what Comes next?”
I Smiled through my tears and nodded.