Chapter 15 - Surprises and reactions (3)

July, 9 years ago, High School Graduation

Two days after the confrontation with his father, with trepidation Matthew entered the school grounds for his graduation ceremony. Yesterday, he had spent time finalising the arrangements with the military to report for his initial training tomorrow. He had moved into the barracks like other recruits.

While there he took the opportunity to explain what had happened when he informed his family, and his instructors provided him with his formal uniform to wear today for his graduation ceremony. It would prevent any scenes as striking him in uniform would result in whoever hit them facing charges in a military court.

It would also protect him from his friends overreacting. They might shun him and verbally confront him, but the uniform had enough respect that none of them would react physically to him. As he headed towards the hall where the ceremony was to happen. From behind him, he heard the principals say "Sir, while we are happy to have members of the military here at our school, the venue you are going to is for those invited to a private function."

As he turned Matthew said "Principal, I was invited to this ceremony."

Hearing the voice and seeing the face, the school principal was shocked. Here was the valedictorian of the graduating class, in a military uniform "Matthew Rong…"

"Yes sir."

"I did not know you had joined."

"Yes Sir, I have. I commence my training tomorrow but have been given permission to come in uniform today. I will head in for the ceremony, and yes as valedictorian I have my speech ready as you had requested of me last week."

Matthew turned and walking into the hall where he found Andrew, Paul, Steven and John surrounded by their families. Andrew spat out "How could you betray all of us and do this. We were all meant to go to university together."

Being in the uniform, Matthew knew that he had to show every person who was angry with him proper respect, as well as the respect Lexi deserved as his girlfriend. "Mister and Madams Yao, Gu, Hou and Nang, Masters Yao Gu Hou and Nang and Misses Yao Gu and Nang it is a pleasure to see all of you again. Master Yao, even if you cannot respect the decision that I have made, please respect the uniform that I wear as this is my choice."

"You b*stard, you have deserted your friends and family," spat Andrew who took a swing at Mathew. Not wanting to have to have Andrew arrested, Matthew stepped backwards and to the side, so his punch hit nothing.

"Master Yao, please be careful. If you had hit me and it was reported to the military, they would see you arrested and all I could do is speak up and say that you were angry at me. That is something I do not want to see happen to people, who even if they do not regard me as their friend presently, I still see as my friend. Now it may be appropriate if I leave you all to talk, so that I do not cause any problems."

Matthew turned and headed away, before feeling a hand being placed on his arm. He looked around and say it was Lexi who quietly asked, "Are you alright?"

"Lexi, I am. I predicted that no one would take this well, and I was right."

"You know I am behind you."

"And I thank you for that. Knowing I have your support makes all this easier. Can you get away tonight and meet me at my Villa?"

"I will. I need to see you before you head in for your initial training. I will message you as soon as I am free."

Matthew quietly responded "Thank you. Now head back to everyone else before this becomes even more of a mess.

Two hours later, the graduation ceremony had finished, and Matthew quietly walked away from the venue. He could not believe that his parents or Phillip had not turned up. While they might be disappointed in his choices, he had hoped that they would come and celebrate his achievements. As he reached his car, he received a message from Lexi that said 'I will meet you at your villa in an hour, Andrew and the others are going to partying, Chester and my parents have the afternoon and dinner planned with the witch and her family. There is no way I want to be there with them.'

Matthew carefully headed home and changed waiting for Lexi to arrive and spend what time they could together before she headed home.