"Our Mr. and Ms. Fest this year are... Miller Montgomery from star section B and Vanez Arnaez from section 8!" The entire stage bombarded by the loud howls and shierks.
I stilled and my jaw dropped.
"Damn, how is that possible?" I heard Drecco muttered.
I can't still process everything. I left in disbelief, other participants congratulated me and we did handshakes. My mind was still stock between reality and the expectation that this is just a dream.
"Congratulations! I know I did my best and I'm still better than you, but yeah whatever." One of them took my hand for a shake and gave me a nasty grin.
The emcee wrapped the title slash around me and even the trophy! Oh... I didn't expect I'll get such recognition like this, simple yet overwhelming. I couldn't express how grateful I am. So, I just bowed my head while clasping my hands while mumbling 'thank you' to show my gratitude to everyone in front of me.
Thousands of flying claps and cheers, my heart never skipped a beat. So, this is how it feels like, winning from a simple contest surrounded by unwavering support. I feel free, I feel confident enough.
"Presenting our newest Mr. and Ms. Fest!"
The escort from star section B went beside me, holding his own trophy. I noticed he's tall, broad and firm. They gave us a round of applause, I smiled but this time, natural and heartfelt.
I stepped down the stage. Many walked near me to give their praises and to congratulate me.
"Thank you... Thank you so much..." would it be an overdramatic of me if I'm thinking I just won the Miss Universe title?
God, I'm crazy.
"Waaah! Congratulations, Van! You did it well! Never been this proud!" A familiar tiny voice filled my ears and the next thing I knew, Lia was hugging me tightly.
"H-hey, Lia. Chill, you're squeezing me!" I made a short laugh.
She immediately moved away."Sorry, sissy! My emotion have eaten me," she apologized.
I nodded, still smiling.
We're still holding each other's hands though. We smiled, eyes were fixed with the same level of glinting joy.
"We made it! We made it! Yay!" We said in a chorus and burst out a laughter.
My classmates ran towards my direction and they congratulated me, too. My heart was so full. I gave them my never-ending gratitude. Some mentors and professors didn't let me pass by without their greetings.
"It's just sad Drecco didn't make it," Araya, one of my classmates, pouted while holding my pompoms.
Many agreed."Yeah, but atleast, he tried."
"I know by now, he's whining again like a baby, well, everytime he lose." Luke blunted.
Because of their conversation about Drecco, I ended up overthinking. Even so we aren't close, I'm still hoping that he's fine with the result. After all, this is just pure school competition and doesn't really ring a bell to many.
The school event continued but I wasn't able to watch the other next segments because my classmates never leave my side anymore though, I'm not in the mood to watch and standby either.
Rocelia keep on talking with our president, they are planning to throw a celebration because our section have won. I yawned and roamed my eyes but accidentally, I saw Azelyn Aldovar with her friends and classmates. We stared at each other, her brows furrowed and suddenly, her eyes rolled.
I blinked. Okay...
"Hi, guys!" Someone snapped.
I heard my classmates murmurs. Lia went to my side and clung to my arms. She leans to whisper,"He's from star section, right? Montgomery, your dearest partner. Oh my, I can see butterflies..."
"Butterlies my ass. Your eyes are giving me creeps," I shook my head and stepped forward.
The new guy is being crowded by my classmates. He veered to me, he waved his hands dismissively to them.
I was just watching him walking closer."Congratulations! I like your hair, by the way." He commented after, half-grinning.
"Congratulations, too and I don't like your hair." I stared at his black spikey hair. I assume he's spending lots of time fixing it.
His lips parted, his palm trailed his hair backwards.
"Pretty rude, huh. Everybody's liking my hair, so how could you?" He flashed a ghost of smirk.
I noticed the dimples on his both cheeks. At the back of my mind, I'm disappointed because he's like the other guys out there, too---overconfident.
"Well, I'm an exemption, boy." I smirked back.
First impression, bad shot. Oh well, what should I expect from the star section? Our perspective barely clicked.
"The new Ms. Fest is feisty," Miller nodded repeatedly."I like that," he held his trophy higher, with a mysterious smile on his lips.
My classmates heard it and they howled. Lia poked my side that irritates me. Miller already left and went back to their section but the people around me continued to tease me with that new annoying guy.
"What if you two were really destined? What if he's your soulmate? Omg!" Here we go again, Lia and her crazy thoughts.
I lazily looked at her."What if I cut our friendship? Omg!" I mimicked.
"Van, I was just joking..." she pouted.
"You and your cringe imagination," I rolled my eyes when she clung to me even more.
After the event...
"Let's go to amusement park, everyone! Let's celebrate our section's victory today!"
"Yay!"
We are heading outside the school, along with other students and mentors who are rushing to go home. At the end, our president and Rocelia decided that the celebration will be held at the park to make it simple but fun. Not all my classmates are joining because some chose to went to their home instead. Above all, I'm happy to celebrate with them. Just this once in a lifetime experience.
"Wait!" When Lia suddenly interrupted.
"Huh? Why?"Joey asked confusingly.
She pointed something behind us---or should I say, someone... okay, some two.
"Can we invite other section?" She asked Castiel.
I followed her point finger, it's Yukenzo and Vencie. Vencie's waving at us, as if we are close. While Yukenzo, ugh, he's emotionless as he gave us a look.
"I don't think that's a good idea..." I can sense Castiel's hesitations.
"Hmm, how about you, Van? Since you're the main reason of this celebration. Can we invite them?" Rocelia asked me this time.
I stared at her for a moment.
"Why should we?" My tone was daring, alright.
She scratched her forehead."Because... because they are still our schoolmate!" She reasoned out.
"But not our classmates," I responded.
"Still!" She said stubbornly.
I pressed my lips together, I can still taste the lipstick she put on it. She's almost begging and I don't know why she's very fond of that two guys.
Nevertheless, I made up a decision.
"Okay, they can join, only if they want, of course."
"Thank you, Van! You're the best!" She ran towards the two guys.
Some of my classmates disagreed but they can't do anything about it, they know. I have no choice but to followed Lia. We walked near the two. Vencie's eyes beamed after seeing me.
"Nice one, V! Congratulations!" I'm surprised when he pulled me for a hug.
Rocelia giggled at the side.
I was struggling to move my body away from him."Thank you! But there's no need for this shit..."
"Oh, my apologies!" He finally loosened off.
I gave him a glare."And what's with the 'V' for a call?" I raised my brow. He smiled shyly.
"Please don't think of lewd things. V stands for Vanez! Of course, the initial of your beautiful name! Isn't it obvious?" His expression is convincing.
I just scoffed. I'm tired of fighting for nonsense things.
"We're here to invite you to our celebration, do you wanna join?" Castiel brought the real intention.
Lia nodded attentively.
"Oh," Vencie glanced at his statue friend."What do you think, man?" This one's seems easy to convince while the other...
"I'm not interested," a damn kill joy.
His worthless reply gained sighs and dismay from my classmates.
"You're being boring again, man. Tss," Vencie tapped his shoulder before he gave us a sad look."My sincere sorry, guys. My friend here don't want a booze. If he won't attend, I won't, too." Oh, best of friends, really.
Everyone grunted.
Lia's voice stoop down."That's so sad... I just thought you'd like to join..." she bowed down her head.
I cleared my throat and held her arms."If they don't want to join then, don't. We can't please everyone." I held my chin up.
Castiel nodded and they started walking again. Lia turned her back and followed them. I followed her. I'm also annoyed, because we put effort and time to consider their presence but in the end, they will just say 'no'?
But before I take another step, Yukenzo's voice made me stop.
"On the second thought, everyone can change their decision..."
My head automatically turned around.
"If not yet too late to to realize it,"