Spring Semester Ends

I entered the teacher's office, clutching the brown paper file tightly, as if it contained my heart and soul within it. Mr. Clair sat behind his desk, surrounded by a sea of papers. His desk carried that familiar scent, the comforting aroma of old books, which always seemed to wrap me in a sense of familiarity and calmness. Maybe it's because of the club room. The scents feel the same.

I cleared my throat, attempting to break the silence that seemed to hang heavily in the room. Approaching his desk, I extended the file toward him. "Mr. Clair, I've finally brought what you were waiting for."

His eyes, immersed in paperwork moments ago, lifted from his work to meet mine. His bushy eyebrows danced upward in mild surprise as he accepted the proffered file. "Reol, so you've finally come to submit it. I was beginning to think you might not submit anything at all."

Handing over the brown file, I offered an apologetic smile, feeling like a child having to stand in front of the principal in his office. "I'm truly sorry for the delay, Mr. Clair."

Mr. Clair waved away my apology and gestured to a chair across from his desk. "Take a seat, Reol." I sat down, my palms slightly sweaty.

"Better late than never. Shall I take a look at what you've got here?"

"Ah... don't open it..." I began hesitantly, "Don't read it right now."

"Oh? And why is that?"

I swallowed hard, as my throat suddenly felt dry. "It's just... there's no particular reason. Please, just don't read it in front of me right now."

"Embarrassed, huh?" Mr. Clair regarded me for a moment, then nodded. "Very well. Everyone feels the same when they start out. I'll give it a read later. So, what have you written?"

"It's a poem. I've written the theme and category inside."

"Poem...? Not bad for someone with zero-to-no experience."

"Don't say it like that."

"Like I said, everyone feels the same at first. So, what's the motivation behind this piece?"

"Well, this past semester has been... quite an experience. I've learned a lot about myself and also about the people around me. It's changed my perspective, even if just a little. I think, in a way, I'm starting to see the world differently... I mean, in a good way though."

Really, the spring semester had been a complete whirlwind of experiences... and as I strolled across the campus, the memories of the past few months played like a movie in my mind. It was hard to believe we were already halfway through the term, yet so much had happened, especially in the last few days.

Bryant and I, after all that happened, were getting along quite well now. Our encounters had shifted from tense standoffs to casual conversations. We'd even started having meals together in the bustling cafeteria, our group expanding to include John and a few others.

But what truly stood out from all the other experiences was that I got to know John a little better. He willingly shared a part of his past, revealing a piece of himself, and he even promised me that he'd one day sit down and listen to anything I had to say. It was a promise I intended to hold him to, though I wasn't entirely sure what I wanted to share yet. But the fact that he was willing to listen meant a lot to me.

The club room embraced me warmly, kissed by the soft rays of afternoon sunlight filtering through the windows. Its tranquility was nothing short of enchanting. With each step I took, it was as if the world's burdens were slipping away, like an actor shedding a costume after a captivating performance.

Upon crossing the threshold, I was welcomed by the familiar sight of the club. The shelves held an array of books, neatly arranged, seeming to exhale wisdom in silence. The big table in the center, surrounded by well-worn chairs, seemed to beckon for some calm moments after a tiring day at school.

Like most days, Emma was dozing off, lounged in her customary spot. Her unruly hair spilled over the pages of a random picture book, creating a veil like the starless sky.

On the other hand, Adica finally glanced up from her pages as I finished walking the few steps to my seat. I settled into my usual spot too, gently placing my bag by the chair, allowing myself to melt into it. Right after, her eyes, as blue as a clear summer sky, left the book's embrace for a moment. Her warm smile, a gentle breeze of affection, greeted me. "Reol, when did you arrive? I thought you might not make it today."

I couldn't help but wonder how someone could be so engrossed in a book that they remained oblivious to their surroundings. Then again, after seeing Adica do it every day, it no longer surprised me.

Adica's curiosity, like an eager child, seemed to have gotten the better of her, and she tenderly closed her novel. "Reol," she began, leaning closer, "Mr. Clair asked me to remind you about the spring festival entry deadline. Are you all set?"

I responded with a shrug, attempting to downplay it. "Yeah, I swung by the teacher's office just for that. Don't worry."

"So," she pressed on, her hands resting on the table as she leaned toward me, "have you submitted your piece?"

I replied with a simple "Hm."

"And what did you end up writing?"

"Not much, really," I admitted with a casual tone. "Just a poem."

"A poem?" Adica's asked, a playful lilt dancing in her voice as a soft chuckle adorned her lips. "I'd really love to read it. As for me, I've written a short story. Well, to be precise, quite a few of them."

For some reason, every time I see her smile or just the way she would laugh sometimes, my heart seemed to do a somersault within my chest. It was something I really couldn't describe in simple words, even though trying for so long. This emotion, especially during those moments when it was just the two of us – whether we were strolling to the library or making the trek back home – had become a cherished and familiar presence in my life.

In a hurried attempt to hide the oncoming blush my cheeks, I grabbed a book from the table, pretending to hop into its pages. "It's didn't really come out that good though... unlike how I was expecting it to." Despite my ruse, Adica's warm gaze, like a comforting ray of sunshine, seemed to pierce through my facade. "I'm sure your poem is better than you think, Reol. Let's both just hope for the best, Reol!"

The relief of finally shedding the burden of the final semester exams has finally arrived, mingling with the sighs of contentment from all of us. It was as if the atmosphere shimmered with newfound lightness, and for me, it was like witnessing the first blossoms of spring after a long, harsh winter. And the added bonus of my grades turning out surprisingly well this semester only added to that too.

Even my mother couldn't hide her astonishment when she saw my report card this semester, and honestly, I couldn't blame her. Even I would've been surprised if someone showed me that result card with my name on it out of nowhere. I guess all those hours spent in the library had finally paid off.

Even though the exams had drawn to a close, our classes persisted for another week or so. During this time, our focus shifted towards preparations for the upcoming spring cultural event and the distribution of our answer sheets and grades. The impending arrival of the spring cultural event injected a dose of festivity into our otherwise boring routine.

Unlike my previous school, where the spring event was a grand, school-wide event, here, it was organized on a club-by-club basis, which meant that each club would set up its own booth and showcase its activities. Given that our literature club was still in its infancy, we hadn't prepared for any significant projects for the festival. Consequently, we were granted the opportunity to leisurely explore the campus and enjoy the festivities as spectators. 

Walking through the campus, you would find pathways lined with stalls, each one offering mouthwatering snacks and beautifully crafted items. Everywhere I looked, I could hear laughter and lively conversations as students from different clubs proudly displayed their creations.

Our first stop was the art club booth. Though we didn't stop there for that long, as none of us had quite the knack to get anything from all those canvas's except for seeing them as a puddle of colors. Well, that's art too...! Next, we made our way to the music club booth, where a group of students was performing a lively melody on various instruments. You could even see Emma tapping her foot to the beat. Adica, on the other side of the page, was really tempting to play the piano. 

We didn't stop there. We explored the science club's experiments, though you could clearly point out stuff they'd made and stuff they'd brought from somewhere. And then we even tried our hand at a few games at the gaming club booth. Each club had its unique charm, and it was fascinating to see the diverse interests of our fellow students.  I wonder what our literature club could do in the coming year. With some new members on our team, we might embark on an exciting project ahead of schedule too. I can't wait till then!

The event reached its peak with a breathtaking performance in the grand school auditorium. The music club, dance troupe, and drama club took center stage, captivating the audience, while the movie club showcased one of their latest creations. Each club gave their all, leaving the audience utterly mesmerized. Additionally, some seniors had joined forces for special performances, delivering spirited renditions of well-loved songs.

When the curtains fell in the quiet auditorium, we were left with a treasure trove of beautiful memories from the day.

We had finally arrived at the last class of the semester. As the final bell of the last period rang out, signaling the end of the semester, it was like freedom crashing over us in waves as big as tsunamis. We were now free to embrace the long-awaited summer holiday that lay ahead. Conversations buzzed with plans for trips, get-togethers, and relaxing days as we exited the school premises.