Chapter 20: Trip


    One afternoon, we were called to the School’s Faculty Room.


    “Franco and Saphira, being the top two seniors of this batch, you will be sent to San Francisco to


    represent the school for an Inter State Student’s Conference. It is a good thing that the location is only


    here in California. The school will be providing airfare and amodations. But the amodations


    will be for the hotel only. The allowance for food and other things will be at your personal expense. It


    will be for 4 days and 3 nights.”


    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    “How about shool Mrs. Diaz? Won’t our ranking be affected by the duration of our absence?”


    “Nice question Saphira, both of you will be excused from your sses and homework since you will be


    gone for the school’s sake. Your ranking and grades should not be affected.”


    “What if one of us cannot afford to join the Conference, will that have an impact?”


    “No. Recements will be necessary but that wouldn’t affect your current standing, although this will be


    a good opportunity for you especially if you are aiming to go to Harvard or to Princeton. Most of the


    past delegates were admitted without question partly based on their participation to the Inter school or


    Inter State activities such as this. So, you can just fill up this form and submit to me on Friday so we


    can arrange the details of your trip. You will be leaving a week from now.”


    Being the top students of the school, Franco and I were asked to join this event. I was pondering on


    what would be our arrangements when I noticed that Franco was looking worried.


    “Hey, what’s wrong? Aren’t you excited that we will be doing this together? We can even tour around


    San Fo. I haven’t been there yet and it would be nice to explore it with you.”


    “That’s the thing, I don’t think I can join you.”


    “But. . . but why? The expenses will be covered by the school.”


    “I don’t have the time Saphira, I have work remember? I need to continue working to save for University


    especially if we will be pushing through with Harvard. Its in another state and will require a lot of


    adjustments on my part, financially I mean.”


    “It’s only 4 days. Can’t you file a leave or something?”


    “I can but I won’t get paid if I took a leave. Also, the allowance will not be shouldered by the school.”


    “Don’t worry about the money, I will take care of it. I will loan it to you if you want.”


    “You know I won’t allow you to pay for my meals for four days and three nights, even if it’s on loan.”


    “Franco. . . please do this for me? I won’t befortable being with someone else.”


    “I will try. But I can’t promise you anything. I will discuss this with my mom first. But whatever my


    decision is, please join the conference? You’ve worked hard for this. And I’m sure this conference will


    make your parents proud of you.”


    “I just hope you will join me. I know it won’t be the same without you.”


    “I hope so too.”


    -0-0-0-0-0-


    Franco


    When I told my mother about the Student’s Conference in San Francisco, she was excited. This would


    be my first time to travel away from San Diego and she agreed, no scratch that, she demanded that I


    should attend. She and I were both saving money for my university and she said that spending a part of


    it will not hurt. We can just work harder to rece the money. What was important was to grasp this


    opportunity.


    “Franco, you live only once. Do not limit yourself when opportunities like thise your way. And


    besides, will you be at peace knowing that Saphira is miles away from here without you?”


    Of course, my mother knows which strings to pull and Saphira is my weakness. After some thinking, I


    gave in and submitted the form together with Saphira.


    To say that she was ecstatic was understated. She almost strangled me with happiness and I can’t help


    but be d for my decision.