Chapter 228: Ever proved herself 2

''We will all have the time to chat later on. The Principal will now present the awards to the winners'' Miss Sharon announced and the students all settled down and went to stand at their respective places. The Principal, Mr. Asante walked to them and shook their hands.

''I am very proud of all of you for your hard work. The three winners of today's cooking competition will each receive a special cooking lessons from Bergs Baking and a sum of $500 dollars from the academy board. We hope that, this will serve as a motivation for the rest of you. Miss Ever, come forward for your reward''

Ever beamed with joy as she walked forth to take the reward. She never imagined that this moment in her life would open the chapter for her where she would dedicate all her life into making good food that will bring joy and happiness to people's faces.

All in all, everything ended on a good note. Ever was congratulated by most of her colleagues before she turned to go and meet her family whom were waiting for her at a distance. As she walked away, Ann looked at her back view and smiled before turning to look at Jordan. She smiled and also walked away.

Running into her father's arms, Ever snuggled into him as he carried her and swung her around before settling her down.

''My precious girl, congratulations'

''Ever, congratulations, aunt is very proud of you'' August Maijune pulled her into a hug.

''Thanks aunt'' she said and looked around for Jayden, ''where is Jayden?''

''He was here a while ago'' Jade replied as she handed a bouquet of flowers to Ever, 'this is from us, congratulations, Ever''

''Thanks, everyone'' she kept glancing at the door.

''You guys still have school. let's celebrate after school'' Julieta said to Ever.

''Alright. Thanks for coming. I will see you all later, I am going to look for Jayden'' she said and ran off leaving everyone stunned.

''What just happened?'' Amber asked as they all stared at Ever running out with the flowers.

''Did she just abandon us to go look for Jayden?'' Kash turned to look at August Maijune.

''Don't look at me like that. even I don't know what's going on''

''Let's go back to our work. There is nothing here anyways'' Julieta said and shook her head.

''We will leave you now''

''Bye, aunt, bye uncle'' Channing pulled Amber and Jade along as he walked away leaving their parents.

….

Ever ran out to their usual sitting place and didn't see Jayden. She frowned as she watched the students celebrating in the park with their families.

''Where did he go without telling me?'' she sighed and turned to go and saw Miss Sharon at a distance. It looked like she was waiting for her.

''Everest!!'' Miss Sharon called her. Ever walked to her. 'I didn't get the opportunity to congratulate you. Congratulations, you made our class proud''

''Thank you Miss Sharon, for giving me the opportunity to prove myself''

''I must say, for someone who usually doesn't talk much, you certainly know how to blow up at the most awkward times but, it was good for a change. Don't always bottle things up and allow other to treat you badly'' Miss Sharon said and walked to the bench under the tree. Ever followed her and they sat down and chatted.

''I don't know to say bad things about people. I sometimes envy people who say such things. At least, they are able to protect themselves from getting hurt''

''Have you heard this song before?''

''What song?''

''Thoughts', by Sasha Sloan. In that song, she expressed how she is a friend to everyone but can't be a good friend to herself. I think that song perfectly describe you, Ever''

''Why?'' she asked and Miss Sharon smiled.

''Rather than trying to prove to everyone that you are worth it, why don't you seek to prove to yourself what you are capable of? Don't you think it will be much easier if you focused on yourself more and not pay attention to what everyone thinks about you?''

''Won't I be called selfish if I look out for only myself?''

''So what if you look out for yourself? Everyone is looking after themselves anyways. People who feel threatened by you say hurtful things to make you lose confidence in yourself, they are trying to protect themselves from getting hurt by other people's words. I am not saying you should be rude and hateful but, you should learn to put people in their places. Don't allow anyone to fit you in a place you don't belong or want to belong''

''Miss Sharon, did my silence make you frustrated all this while?''

''Yes, I thought that you would fight for yourself but you are always quiet. You should express yourself more, like how you challenged me that day? I was impressed and it made me realised that, somehow I was biased towards you. Who said school was the only way to become successful? We have a lot of people who didn't finish school and yet there are successful. You just need to find your path and follow it. with determination, you will sail through''

''Miss Sharon, thank you''

''I think the one you are looking for is also looking for you, you should go to him'' she said and pointed at Jayden who was at a distance looking at the park.

''Thank you, Miss Sharon''

''See you around, Everest France. I hope you make it one day''

''I will definitely make it, Miss Sharon'' Ever stood up and her and smiled as the woman walked away. She turned and called Jayden.

''Jayden, over here'' she waved at him and he ran over to her.

''Ever, I finally found you''

''Where did you go. I came out to look for you but I found Miss Sharon and we were having a small talk''

''Come with me'' he said and held her hand.

''Wait, I have something to say'' Ever stopped him.

''Me too, let's go'' he didn't wait for a reply and pulled her along towards the library's rooftop. They climbed the stairs to the door and he opened it.

''Let's go in''

''Okay'' Ever followed him in and he closed the door before walking with her towards the corner side of the rooftop.

Once they got there, Ever saw that he had decorated the place with balloons and pink ribbons tied to a big card that he wrote the words 'congratulations Ever' on it.

''You came out to prepare this?'' she asked and turned to look at him.

''En, I was preparing it after our track events. That's why I was late for your competition. I came back to finish it before looking for you. do you like it?''

''Yes, this is beautiful, Jayden'' she said and hugged him. His body stiffened and he blushed as he watched her walk away to the cake.

''I made this myself, it isn't as perfect as the one you would make but it is from my heart'' Jayden said pointing at the clumsy chocolate cake her made.

''Jayden, this is already good enough. You didn't have to go to this extent, but I really love it. everything you did is perfect. Thank you, Jay''

''Sit down and have a taste. We have to hurry before the others arrive. I wanted to hear what you had to say first''

''The others are coming?''

''Yes, they went to buy drinks. We are going to celebrate you today''

''You really did so much for me''

''Yes, tell me. what was it you wanted to tell me if you won? Do you know how hard I prayed for you to win?''

''Well, it isn't anything important. I suddenly don't have the courage to say it'' Ever said and turned her face away.

''What can I do to give you courage? I really want to hear what you have to say''

''We haven't been friends for long but, I feel that you are the one who gets me the most. I am suddenly scared that what I would say might destroy our friendship, Jayden. You have to promise me that, you will not distant yourself away from me after I say it. You don't have to give me an answer now, you can take your time and think about it''

''Is she going to confess to me?' Jayden's eyes widened a bit when the thought crossed his mind. ''isn't it the duty of the man to propose? How do I stop her from saying it? I really want to be the one to do it'' his mind went into a frenzy as the thoughts kept playing in his mind.

''Jayden, I…''

''Ever, the others will be here soon, let's postpone whatever you want to say to after the celebration. I also have something to say to you''

''Huh? But, just now you asked me to tell you?''

''I did, but, you see, the others are going to come. I don't want them to distract us'' Jayden said and pulled a chair for her to sit. ''Sit down first and have some water'' he poured a glass of water for her to drink and nervously, the glass slipped from his hands and poured on her top which was white. His eyes went blank when he saw her blue bra beneath the white top.