49 Im courting her friend (1/2)

About thirty minutes later, Xiao Ran's brother walked in. He was a tall young man obviously in his mid twenties. Quite handsome though, and dressed like a lawyer in his six piece suit. Xiao Ran spotted him when he was about to sit down, she finally calmed her nerves.

Liling hadn't seen her mom yet. Although she appeared quite calm, she was really troubled inside.

The Chancellor concluded and called up the HOD for the presentation of results and awards. While the head of departments called the names, the chancellor handed out the awards after a handshake with the student.

The students started murmuring amongst themselves as the names were called from those who had merited a first class downwards.

Each time a name is called, a round of applause would follow, the parents or guardian of the child would also stand and embrace the student happily.

Xin Yong and Richen made first class. When their names were called, Liling and Xiao Ran hugged them both before they walked up the the stage to take their awards.

Xiao Ran had a second class upper. She was also happy, since she wasn't after the first class degree from onset anyways.

Liling became nervous when her name wasn't even called among those with a second class. Her heart beat increased rapidly.

'Did she get a third class?, that was less than a poor result!. How would she stand and walk up to the stage?'

Her friends peeked at her once in a while, each not knowing what to say.

Richen who had made a first class couldn't help smiling. Her happiness wasn't totally from her result, most of it was from the sad luck of Liling.

'So after everything, she couldn't even make a second class?, ha!, what if she didn't even graduate with us. Haha, that must be very sweetsad ending'

She was still rejoicing as she held onto her results and the award presented to her.

The Chancellor had finished calling out the names but Liling's name was not mentioned. Her face became pale, all the joy she had come with evaporated.

'So she wasn't even graduating at all?, how could something like that happen to her? '

”... the best graduating student award of Gahll Poly this year goes to Miss Lee Liling of the Music Department...”

” ”

Liling's eyes widened. She was kicked out of her bitter thoughts that instant, freezing in a place, it wasn't until the Chancellor called her name again and Xin Yong nudged her that she staggered to her feet and walked up to the stage.

Tears stung her eyes, she struggled to keep them in as she received her award and result from the Chancellor. He hugged her amidst applauds from the spectators.

Her happiness suddenly drained as she walked back to her seat, though her face bore a smile, she knew her soul was faraway.

....

After the ceremony, parents came together with their children. Those whose results were excellent couldn't wait to get home to celebrate again. Xiao Ran's brother couldn't wait to leave with her, so she hugged her friends for a while, after shedding some tears they promised to keep in touch and she left with her brother to get her things from the hostel.

Richen took Xin Yong and Liling to meet with her parents, they congratulated both of them and after Richen bade her friends goodbye, she left with her parents.

Xin Yong held Liling's hands as she spotted her parents from afar. She waved at them as she dragged Liling to meet them.

Liling's phone suddenly started ringing, she took it out of her pocket and frowned at the unknown number. She quickly picked it and put it on her ear.