The murmurs of the crowd gradually faded as the lights dimmed, signaling the moment the entire room had been waiting for—the award ceremony. The hosts, a group of eager juniors with the infectious energy of youth, returned to the stage, their voices clear and steady as they welcomed everyone to the prestigious part of the day. There was an undeniable thrill in the air, a buzz of excitement that seemed to vibrate through the hall. The drumroll that followed echoed in anticipation, and as the spotlight shifted, the Dean, a figure of authority and wisdom, took the stage. His presence was commanding, but there was a warmth in his eyes that softened his stature.

“Good evening, everyone,” he began, his voice deep and resonant, carrying effortlessly through the hall. “Today, we don’t just celebrate academic achievements. We celebrate the resilience, the passion, and the perseverance that each one of you has poured into these years. You have all earned this moment, and today, we honor your dedication. Let us begin.”

The applause that followed was thunderous, each clap an acknowledgment of the hard work that had led to this moment. The Dean gestured toward Antonella, who was next to speak, and as she took her place at the podium, the room seemed to settle into a reverent silence. Antonella, always poised and confident, exuded an elegance that could only come from years of mastering both the art of photography and the intricacies of the business world. As she adjusted the microphone, she took a moment to survey the crowd, her gaze steady.

“Graduating class of 2007,” she began, her voice steady and unwavering, “you are the dreamers, the doers, and the trailblazers. Every one of you has faced challenges—some visible, some invisible—but each of you has emerged stronger, ready to carve your path in the world. I stand here today not only as an alumna but as someone deeply inspired by your journeys. Keep pushing boundaries, keep striving for more. And remember, success is not just about reaching the destination—it’s about the path you carve along the way.”

The hall erupted into a wave of applause. Antonella’s words resonated with every soul present, and there was a collective sense of pride that washed over the graduates. She stepped aside gracefully, allowing Jared to take the microphone next. The contrast between them was palpable—Antonella, effortlessly elegant, and Jared, a more reserved figure. He adjusted his glasses, his calm demeanor lending an air of measured wisdom to the moment.

“Success,” Jared said, his voice steady and deliberate, “is not a singular achievement. It’s the sum of the choices you make, the risks you take, and the people who stand by you. Every one of you has worked hard to be here today, and while this is an important milestone, remember that it’s only the beginning. Your next chapter awaits, filled with endless possibilities. Congratulations, everyone—you’ve earned this.”

The applause that followed was no less enthusiastic, and Jared nodded, offering a small, approving smile toward the crowd before stepping aside. The Dean returned to the podium, his smile warm and inviting as he addressed the crowd once again.

“Now, to the heart of the evening—the accolades,” he said, his voice rich with pride. “Each of you has left an indelible mark on this institution, and today, we honor that achievement. Your commitment, your excellence, and your perseverance have shaped not only your own futures but also the future of this university. Let’s take a moment to acknowledge the incredible work you’ve done.”

With a grand gesture, the Dean invited the first set of graduates to the stage. There was a brief shuffle of papers, the gentle hum of movement in the air as each name was read aloud. One by one, graduates stepped forward, their hearts pounding with anticipation, ready to accept their accolades. Chan was called up first—his distinction in leadership and community involvement clearly marked by the honor in his hands. Jennie followed, her distinction in dance leaving a trail of admiration in her wake. Felix and Jay, each bringing their unique gifts to the table, were next to receive their awards, their faces lighting up with pride. Finally, it was time for Y/n and me to step forward, our doctoral degrees awaiting our grasp.

Y/n, always so composed, walked with the grace of someone who had conquered not only academia but also the world beyond it. She took her degree with a quiet sense of pride, her eyes meeting mine in a brief exchange of recognition—a moment that said it all without needing words. As I stepped forward, I felt the weight of the moment settle over me, my doctorate in hand a symbol of all the hours, the sacrifices, the late nights spent in pursuit of knowledge. My parents, my friends, my mentors—they were all here, part of this moment. Yet, in that instant, I couldn’t help but feel a tinge of uncertainty. The degree was in my hands, but the real challenge was what came next.

The Dean offered his congratulations, his smile wide and genuine as he placed a hand on my shoulder. He spoke the same words to Y/n and me that he had spoken to the others, words of encouragement, of recognition, but there was something different in the way he looked at us. Perhaps it was because we were the last to receive our accolades, perhaps because we had walked this journey together. Whatever it was, it felt like an acknowledgment of something more than just academic achievement—it felt like an acknowledgment of the bonds we had forged, the memories we had created, and the lives we had touched along the way.

The applause continued as we returned to our seats, the weight of the moment settling into something bittersweet. The ceremony wasn’t over, of course. There was still the prom and the buffet to look forward to, but for now, in this moment, everything felt full. The future loomed ahead of us, but it was the present—the here and now—that we had earned. And for a brief second, as the crowd’s clapping faded into the background, I realized that, despite the uncertainty of what came next, this was the culmination of everything we had worked for.

The evening, with all its pomp and circumstance, had finally arrived. We had made it. And now, we would see what the world had in store for us.

The night had finally arrived, bringing with it all the glitter and grandeur we’d imagined. It felt surreal—we’d actually made it. All those years of late nights and impossible deadlines had led to this moment. Now, the world stretched out before us, waiting to see what we’d do next.

Jay leaned back in his chair, looking far too smug for someone who’d barely scraped through finals. "So," he said, dragging out the word, "how does it feel to be called doctors?"

Bam didn’t miss a beat, throwing his arms out dramatically. "Overwhelming," he said with a wide grin.

Lisa snorted, crossing her legs under her chair. "Overwhelming? That’s boring. It’s more like squishing raspberries with your bare hands and watching all the juice ooze out. That’s how it feels."

Felix raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "That’s… oddly specific. But I like it."

Bam clapped his hands, practically bouncing in his seat. "Alright, folks, there’s still time before the ball and dinner. Who’s up for a game?"

A loud, collective cheer answered him.

"Let’s play Never Have I Ever!" Lisa suggested, already grabbing a bottle of soju. Her mischievous grin was dangerous, but no one objected. Jennie was roped into starting, as the oldest, and Felix was assigned the last turn because, well, he was the baby of the group.

"One, two, three—start!" we yelled together, raising our glasses.

Jennie sat up straighter, her expression cool and confident. "Never have I ever gone blonde."

We all exchanged looks, shaking our heads. No one moved to drink.

"Easy start," Chan said. He tapped his chin, already thinking of his turn. "Okay, never have I ever faked being sick."

Silence. Then, guilty glances flew across the group. One by one, we all picked up our glasses—except for Chan. Laughter broke out as we took our shots.

"You’re kidding," Chan said, looking genuinely shocked. "Every single one of you?"

"Of course!" Bam grinned. "How else do you get out of a boring lecture?"

Lisa, clearly feeling bold, smirked. "Alright, my turn. Never have I ever slept with someone."

The room went silent. I felt Y/n’s glance before I reached for my shot, and to everyone’s surprise, Jennie and Chan took one too. Bam’s jaw practically hit the floor.

"Wait—hold on. Are you two dating?" Bam blurted.

"No!" Jennie laughed, shaking her head. "But I am in a relationship. And before you ask, yes, it’s serious. I’m planning to move to LA, start a dance school, and settle down."

"Wait, what?" Lisa gasped. "Why am I hearing this now?"

Jay rolled his eyes. "Oh, come on. I’ve known for ages. She’s always sneaking off late at night for phone calls."

"It’s usually my mom," Jennie said with a shrug, though her smirk said otherwise.

"And you, Chan?" I asked, still processing the news. "Who are you seeing?"

Chan smiled, looking a little sheepish. "Elena Kim. We’ve been together since high school. I’ve definitely mentioned her before."

I blinked, confused. "Wait—Elena? I thought she was your sister."

Chan groaned, covering his face. "No! My sister’s Hana. Why would I be Bang and my sister be Kim?"

The group dissolved into laughter, and Y/n tried to jump in, but Jay waved her off dramatically. "Wait your turn!" he said, wagging a finger. She pouted, scrunching her nose in a way that made my heart do flips. She was way too cute for her own good.

"Never have I ever smoked," Bam announced next, bringing the game back on track. Most of us took a shot, but Jay hesitated, looking awkward.

"Does that include pot?" he asked.

"Wait—you’ve done drugs?" Chan squeaked, nearly spilling his drink.

Jay rolled his eyes. "Relax. I tried it once in DC during high school. Didn’t suit me. End of story."

That earned him a round of groans and playful shoves. By now, the vodka shots were hitting hard, and everything felt a little hazy around the edges. I barely registered my own turn, fumbling through something about never having committed a felony. The group groaned again, and someone—probably Lisa—called me boring.

"Never have I ever fallen in love," Jay said with a deadpan expression, taking another shot.

"You sad, loveless human being," Bam teased. "I feel sorry for you."

I laughed along with the others but downed my drink anyway. They were definitely going to knock me out at this rate.

By the time Felix’s turn came around, I was too far gone to keep track of the game. Someone asked if we’d cross-dressed before, and I vaguely remember nodding, though I couldn’t tell you why. The rest of the night blurred into a mix of laughter, slurred confessions, and way too many drinks. 

When I finally woke up at 2 a.m with a pounding headache, one thing was clear—we were officially out. Out of school, out of excuses, and out in the real world. And if this was how we were starting, I could only imagine what came next.

"In the name of life!"