I walk slowly up the bright stage, filled with golden lights shining around you as my cherry red, long and flowy dress drags gently on the floor behind me. My heart beats every time I get closer to the atmosphere, one step closer to the crowd, one step closer to leaving this place. The place I have been for 5 years. It’s seen me laugh, cry, panic and scream. This is the place where everything has happened, all the breakups, the crushes, the drama and the life. My whole life will end here, it’s like a rollercoaster ride ending but this isn’t temporary, it’s forever. My blonde curls bounce as I take each step and before I know it, I am in front of a large, bustling audience. I clear my throat and begin my speech. “Hello everybody! Thank you for being here today! I just wanted to say how much we have all grown after 5 whole years of knowing you and I will miss you all so, so much! You are so brave, sensible, crazy, kind, empathetic and amazing and it’ll be so weird in college without you all. I really hope you know how loved you are and how blessed I am to have been on this excellent journey together because without you all, I would hate it. Thank you to the teachers who have worked tirelessly to help and support us through our first exams to our GCSE’s, without you guys, I wouldn’t have pushed myself to my true potential. I am so grateful for all of you being here today! Goodbye and farewell!” A small tear rolls down my cheek as I finish my speech, this time I didn’t even worry about my makeup - I’m leaving school and it’s way more important. The whole crowd got up and clapped and there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. My eyes roamed to my best friend in the audience, her brunette waves and deep blue eyes glimpsed at me and smiled. A smile so bright, it lightened up the room. My boyfriend was close by her, with his ocean eyes and messy hair which always looked effortlessly tamed. He also smiled, with a tear in his eye and I ran down to them both. They have me a bear hug and I cried a pool of tears. I cannot believe my life will end with them, how will I move on? Leaving primary school was bad, I thought and here we are. How were we going to dance through prom now without crying? I wanted to make the most of it because once it hits midnight, we are out.

I’m now going into college in September and I cannot believe it. My new life starts here!! I am so excited but so terrified at the same time. It’s crazy how fast life goes on but I’m living my life as much as I possibly can because nothing will ever last forever. Goodbye and goodnight.