She asked the school to mention Felix during the ceremony, display his photograph, or let her carry his picture across the stage. Principal William refused each request, insisting that graduation was only for students receiving diplomas.
So Emma made Felix a life-size cardboard cutout.
When we entered the gym, students stared and laughed.
“Is that her cardboard boyfriend?” someone joked.
“That’s so creepy!” another girl said, recording her on a phone.
Principal William approached immediately.
“Emma, remove that thing. This is a graduation ceremony, not a joke.”
“It’s not a joke, sir. I just want him to walk across the stage with me.”
“Put it away, or you won’t graduate.”
Emma reluctantly placed the cutout beside the gym doors.
The ceremony continued, but I couldn’t stop looking at Felix’s smiling face.
When William called Emma’s name, she picked up the cutout and walked toward the stage.
