Brian and Lily walked up the stage and the DJ's music started to fade out. The lights dimmed and focus on the two on stage.

"And now we're into the latter part of the program and I bet people are excited and curious to know what this awarding is all about," Brian began.

"I know because I am too. We are, in no way, associated with whatever awards will be given tonight." Lily laughed. "We're just requested to host for tonight."

"May we request Ms. Ocampo on stage to present the awards?"

We clapped our hands for Ms. Ocampo as she strutted up the stage with an envelope in her hands.

"Thanks, Brian and Lily. The faculty had a deliberation earlier. We went over the registration papers and your pictures to vote and come up with who wins which awards. Some of the awards were easier and didn't require votes but some were difficult," she explained with a serious face like this was some kind of a reality show.

"What will the awardees get?" Brian asked.

"The awardees will get a sash and a photo op. I really wish we can give plaques and gift cards but we can't and we didn't plan this."

I laughed, remembering how we planned this awarding.

For the first part of the awarding, there was an Early Bird and a Better Late Than Absent award. There was also a Lived Closest to School and a Travelled Farthest To The Reunion award. There was also a Least Surprising Career Choice award and it was given to Jeff.

"For the Mr. Workout Award...the nominees were Jeff, Miguel, and Enzo."

The three guys stood up from their seats.

"Way to go, boys," Bianca cheered for Jeff and Miguel.

The DJ played a drumroll sound before Ms. Ocampo announced the winner.

"You are Mr. Workout, Miguel!"

We gave a round of applause for Miguel and he smiled modestly at us.

"That's what we call glow-up," Bianca teased. "Go, Migs."

Miguel walked up the stage and received his sash and the photographer took photos of him.

There were a few more awards given and Ms. Ocampo couldn't control her chuckle as she read what was next on the card.

"I don't know who came up with this award, but you are good—whoever you are."

"I think I know what that is," Bianca whispered.

I nodded and giggled.

"For this award, there was a unanimous decision. Only one person was nominated for this one. Congratulations. You are Still A Big Flirt After All These Years, Brian."

The loudest applause and cheering erupted and Brian's face changed from confused to ecstatic. He walked to the rostrum and accepted his sash with a huge grin plastered on his face.

"Thank you for this wonderful award," he began, still grinning. "But to set the record straight, I'm not a flirt. I'm just a gentleman everybody loves."

"That's the confidence we aspire to have," Jeff laughed.

"Brian Jake for the win," I responded.

"And for the last award... the Star of the Night. Here are the female nominees—Sophie, Elisa, Kane, and Bianca."

The four of us stood up from our seats.

"The male nominees are Vino, Brian, Noah, and Ken."

The four guys stood up from their seats as wells.

"Our star of the night is... Vino and Kane!"

"Wow," I gasped.

Vino and I exchanged glances and he smiled at me. He offered his hand and we both walked up the stage and received our sash.

"Speech?" Ms. Ocampo asked.

Vino shook his head vehemently. "Just Kane, please."

"No," I declined. "Thank you."

Ms. Ocampo nodded and gestured for us to take the center stage for our photo op. Vino gently placed his hand on my hips and we posed for the camera.

I accidentally glanced at the table where Iris was seated and she was watching us closely. I looked back at the camera and tried to give my best smile.

"You okay?" Vino asked.

"M-hmm," I responded, still smiling.

"I can see you're not okay."

I looked up at him and he was still smiling at the camera. I looked back at the camera and we posed for one more time, then he patted my arm and we walked to the side of the stage.

Lily and Brian congratulated both of us before we walked down the stage.

"I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt," Vino mumbled as he assisted me down the stage.

I nodded.

"But I'm here, if you ever want to talk about whatever's going on in here," he added, patting my head.

My eyes widened and my heartbeat quicker as I realized what he just did, but he didn't seem to realize it. I was frozen for a moment before I went back to my chair.

The photographer requested everyone to go up on stage and he took our class picture. Then he took photos of the faculty and more group photos. We even recreated our prom photo in the junior year—the exact photo in my pink frame.

Looks like I'm gonna need a new picture frame.

After the photo ops, Brian announced that it was time for the royal party and requested the DJ to play some upbeat music. He and Lily walked over to our table as the first party song came on the speakers.

"Come on, let's party!" Lily shouted over the music.

We walked over to the dance floor and I shook my head as Lily prodded me to dance with them.

"Come on," she screamed.

"Fine," I conceded and started dancing and singing along to the music with them. Although it seemed more like we were drunk and screaming the lyrics at the top of our lungs. We were enjoying the night like some high school kids.

After the third song, I decided to take a seat since my feet were already hurting. It worried me that I might get a blister.

I was the only one at our table and I watched everyone as they danced to the music and sang out of tune.

Lily and Bianca were dancing with the other girls. A little later, the boys approached them, Brian, Vino, and Miguel included. Everyone formed a big circle around Brian, Kit, and Claire. They chanted as the three had a dance-off in the middle.

"Still the life of the party," I whispered to myself.

I looked around, realizing Jeff wasn't with them. I spotted him holding a camera and capturing the moment instead of joining in on the fun.

Same old Jeff, I thought, smiling to myself.