The three of us walked out backstage to meet our former teachers. There were already a couple of them and they were seated on the middle front tables. Vino stopped at the table where Coach Reyes was seated and Jeff and I approached Ms. Ocampo, our senior year adviser.

"Oh, hi, Kane!" Ms. Ocampo greeted, standing up from her seat. She still had the same slim figure and long hair she used to maintain back in the day.

I quickly shook hands with her. Even her hand still felt soft.

"How are you?" Ms. Ocampo asked. "You look so beautiful. You're still beauty and brain."

I laughed uncomfortably. "I'm doing good."

"Have you taken the NMAT?" she asked.

I gripped my purse tighter as I tried to prepare myself for her possible follow-up question. I gave a sheepish smile before replying, "No."

"Why not? I thought you're going to pursue medicine."

Ms. Sanchez, one of my favorite teachers and the gazette's adviser, arrived and sat at the table with Ms. Ocampo. She greeted both me and Jeff, giving me a short moment to compose myself. She was now stout unlike when we were still in high school.

"I shifted to a new course," I replied in a strained voice.

"Oh..." Ms. Ocampo muttered. "So, are you still in college?"

I nodded. "Yes. I'm taking up journalism."

I noticed Ms. Sanchez perked up on her seat. "Really? That is so nice. I always pictured you as a writer."

"Right. Kane was once the editor-in-chief, right?" Ms. Ocampo asked.

"Yup. One of the best the gazette has ever had."

I glanced up at Jeff, who was smiling at me like a proud dad. I smiled, feeling my heart swell with pride. I felt grateful because it was one of those moments when people appreciate something I genuinely love doing.

I had joined the gazette because I wanted to be a part of it so much and not because I wanted to impress my family or the other people around me. It was something I did for myself. It was something that gave me fulfillment.

"How's journalism?" Ms. Sanchez asked.

"It's fun and challenging."

"Do you stay up late to finish a paper?" she asked with a hint of a smile.

"I'm guilty," I laughed.

"Don't stress yourself too much. Don't forget to enjoy yourself and enjoy college."

"Yeah, once you start working, there will be days you'll wish you're still in college," Ms. Ocampo added.

Mr. Cruz, who was sitting at the next table, coughed and gave us a side-eye.

"But we love our jobs," Ms. Ocampo said, trying to humor the principal. "Teaching is our life."

"Hey, Migs," Jeff called Miguel who was walking towards us.

"Wow, Miguel, Look at you. You look like a CEO," Ms. Ocampo joked. "What are you up to these days?"

Miguel nodded politely and shook the teachers' hands.

"I'm working as an employee relations officer in an international company."

"That's good to hear. You must be very busy."

"I am," he agreed. "But of course, I wouldn't miss this once-in-a-lifetime event."

I took a step away from the table and courteously excused myself as other students formed a circle around it. I swept a look across the room and found Brian alone on the registration table with Bianca.

"Hey," I greeted as soon as they were within arm's reach.

"Damn, girl," Brian muttered, looking up at me. He stood up from his seat to give me a hug. "Gorgeous. And the dress. Wow. You're slaying it."

I put my hands on my hips and posed. "Made with love by Bianca's mom."

"Bianx, your mom is a talented designer."

"Oh, I know," Bianca giggled.

Brian went back to answering his form while Bianca compiled the filled-out forms in an expanded envelope.

"So, Kane, I saw you talking to the teachers a while ago. Why'd you leave?" Bianca asked.

"Too crowded already. Also, I wasn't part of the conversation anymore."

"Did they ask you about school?" she asked, sounding concerned.

I grabbed the vacant chair next to Brian and plopped down on it. "I was asked about the NMAT."

"And?"

"Of course, I told them I didn't take it and I shifted to a new course," I answered, groaning. "Thankfully, I didn't have to explain why because Ms. Sanchez was there and she backed me up."

"And done," Brian spoke, drawing a smiley face on his form. "Who the heck created this form?"

"I was part of it."

"Ah," he murmured as realization dawned on him. "It was my pleasure filling out that form."

Bianca took the form and pen from Brian and kept his with the rest of the filled-out ones.

"But why do we have to indicate our relationship status?" Brian asked. "That's such a tricky and offensive question for a guy like me."

"You're not the only one who's single in our squad. I am too. And so are the others."

"And who said I'm single?"

"You ticked the box that says 'single'," Bianca answered. "We saw it."

Laughter erupted from across the gym and I glanced at the students laughing. They were still talking to the teachers, and now Vino was at Ms. Ocampo's table as well.

"I don't know why but I still feel inferior to most of our classmates," I mumbled as I slumped back on my chair.

"You're not the only one who's still in college. I am too," Brian reminded me. "And I don't give a damn about whatever people have to say about me. Except, if it's my family."

"I don't see how we're similar."

Brian leaned forward, resting his arms on his thighs. "It's my fault I still haven't graduated. I admit that I didn't take college seriously at first. I was like, 'whatever'."

"You know you're set in life."

"That's the thing. I was confident whatever happens to me, I'll get a job and I have a family to depend on. But I realized, I was wasting my privilege. Now, I may still be in college but it's my last semester and I'm working my ass off in my internship so I can finally get my diploma.

"I want to prove to myself that I can finish college and I'm not just some rich, spoiled boy. I also want to show to my family and everyone who dares to judge me that I'm not just a pretty face."

Bianca and I laughed at the same time.

"I was hoping for something more serious and inspirational, but okay," Bianca said, still laughing.

"What?" Brian asked, feigning innocence. "I am being serious. It's tough when you look this good. Nobody takes me seriously."

"I still don't see how we're similar except for the fact we still haven't graduated," I admitted.

"Oh, that's our only similarity," he laughed. "And also, we both look good."

Three more former classmates arrived, prompting me and Brian to leave the registration table.

"But all jokes aside, Kane. I thought you're no longer struggling with that. You've struggled with inferiority all your life. You've always been worried if people would approve or appreciate you."

"I don't know," I murmured. "Most of the time. I'm okay. But maybe I'm just... I'm still scared of people judging me for the decisions I make."

"But it's your life and as long as you're not hurting anyone and you're happy, there's nothing to worry about. And when someone dares to question or judge you, tell them that how you live your life is none of their business. You won't be truly happy if you keep thinking about what other people will say about you."

"How much wisdom did you bring tonight?"

"Three bottles," he quickly replied.

I looked at him weirdly. "Three bottles of wisdom?"

"Oh... I thought you said whiskey."

"But we're not allowed to drink here," I reminded him.

"Who says it's for the reunion? I'm giving the boys one bottle each. Did Lily tell you about the after-party?"

I nodded. "Hey, do you want to go see Lily before the program starts? She has your script."

"Sure."

I glanced around once more and watched our classmates as they come together to greet our teachers. Judging from the number of people inside the gym, we were almost complete and set for the night.

We were about to begin.