Thomas Harris of Lexington always thought he would win the $4 million top prize in the Supreme 7s scratch-off game and over the weekend he did exactly that.

“I always said, ‘One day I’m going to get that $4 million,’” he said.

Still, he had trouble comprehending it when it actually happened.

“I kept wondering if it could be real,” Harris recalled. “I had to go back and ask the owner to scan it for me.”

Harris bought his winning $30 Supreme 7s scratch-off on Saturday from Tommy’s Mini Mart on West Center Street in Mebane.

When he arrived at lottery headquarters Monday to collect his prize, he had a decision to make. Harris could choose to receive the prize as an annuity of $200,000 over 20 years or a lump sum of $2.4 million. He chose the lump sum of $2.4 million and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $1,716,009.

Harris said he plans to use his winnings to pay bills, invest, and fix up his cars.

The Supreme 7s game debuted in July with four $4 million top prizes and 10 $100,000 prizes. Two $4 million prizes and eight $100,000 prizes remain to be claimed.

For details on how $9.7 million raised by the lottery made a difference for education programs in Davidson County last year, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.