Chapter 254 The end of my childhood.

Chapter 254 The end of my childhood.
CHAPTER 254
The end of my childhood.
ROMEO

“Our biggest win was against St. Anglican,” Coach says. “It was a tough day, and all looked bleak, but we pulled through. Riverfield High pulled through, led by Romeo and Jordan …” 

The Banquet should have been held in one of the many country clubs in New York, but when they pulled the rug a few days ago, Principal Beaumont reached out to Dad because of his influence in the real estate world, which is how we found ourselves here – in the ballroom of a luxurious hotel. 

Milly shifts beside me, adjusting her dress. I glance at her, heart warming softly. She looks gorgeous as always. Her cheeks are flushed. Her hair is pinned up and decorated with pearls, to match her dress. Pandora is Kai’s date, and Darcy’s is Jordan. The Banquet isn’t open to students, only the footballers on the team, some teachers, a few cheerleaders and the footballers' families. Kai is my family. My parents are here, but my siblings aren’t. I love them very much, but they’re too much to handle, and I need to focus. 

I was nervous about bringing Milly here because the last event didn’t go so well, but this has been going well. She has her best friends with her, which seems to make all the difference.

Another reason why I was nervous was because of the Promposal happening after this. What if I had done too much and she gets overwhelmed? What if she says no?

We had taken pictures in the lobby with my parents, the principal, and our coach. Now, we have to sit through Coach’s long speech.

“Like every team, we took a hit. Well, multiple hits this past year.” He jokes, and everyone laughs.

“But we found our way back up. I have to admit that I was scared we wouldn’t find our feet again, especially after that dreadful suspension, which was expected. The point is – we have had our toughest loss, injuries and problems, but we pushed through it.” He glances at me, and my heart skips a beat. 

“Romeo and I didn’t always see eye-to-eye. We had our differences. He was a little too cocky for my liking.” He admits,s and once again, everyone laughs.

Mom sends me a smile, and I return it. Dad nods at me, and I swell with pride. 

“But he has grown in the past year, more than I thought was possible. He came in here thinking leadership was all about the ball, and now he is leaving with a deeper understanding. He has shown courage, strength and perseverance. He understands brotherhood, and he cares deeply about doing what is right. He has learnt from all the mistakes he made, and we are very proud of him.” He says earnestly. 

Memories flash in my mind of all the times I thought I wouldn’t make it through, the stifling panic that spread through my entire body when I was failing in school and on the field. I look at Milly and find her looking at me. 

She presses a soft kiss to my cheeks, and my chest unwinds. 

“Jordan Montgomery was the pillar of the team. He held all of us steady, and without him, we would have fallen. He is a good boy. He has always been a good boy. He knows who he is, what he wants, and no one can shake him...” Coach continues, dishing out long-overdue praise. I look at Jordan and smile at him. Without him, the team would have fallen long ago. 

Coach moves on to the rest of the team. 

“Are you alright?” Milly asks me softly, and I nod, grazing my hand over her knuckles.

__

The team slideshow begins, and I smile. Our pictures flash on the screen, from baby pictures, freshman-year photos, training footage, locker-room nonsense, bus rides, victories and losses. It is surreal looking at pictures of myself, of how far I have come. I looked so young, and full of life. There are pictures of myself in the school clinic, of Jordan and Tyler playing pranks, of the cheerleaders. Our names roll in as the credits, and it hits me right in the chest. This is the end of my childhood, and the beginning of the rest of my life. 

Jordan and I look at each other. He understands what I currently feel.

Soon, it is time for the Awards, and no one is surprised when they call my name as Most Valuable Player. 

Mom claps the loudest and Milly cheers for me. 

I get up and walk to the podium. I take the award from Principal Beaumont, and heat spreads through my entire body. 

Jordan joins me on the podium when he is called for Offensive Player of the Year. 

More of us are called to the podium, and we move to Senior Recognition. 

“Romeo Sinclair, Quarterback and Captain.”

Everyone stands up. Milly does too, clapping, smiling and waving for me. 

I am not too excited to speak, but I do. “Thank you, Riverfield High, for this honour. Thank you, Coach. Thank you to my team and the younger players. More importantly, I am grateful for my family.” I pause, looking at my Dad, remembering all the times we fought. “For pushing me into being a better version of myself. Thank you, Jordan, for being an anchor to hold on to, for keeping the team afloat. Thank you, Kai, for calling me to order every time. And to Millicent,”

She flushes, cheeks flushed. 

“Thank you so much, Milly, for reminding me that there is more to me than football, for telling me I am more than the ball I throw, and yet for cheering me on every time. Once again, thank you, Riverfield High.”

We take pictures soon after, and I’m vibrating with nerves.

“I want to show you something,” I whisper to Milly.

The camera flashes, taking pictures of us from every angle. 

“Now?” Her brows knit, and I nod. “Yes, now.”