The meeting room was packed with committee members sitting in a loose circle. Some leaned back in their chairs, dead tired, while others were still hunched over their notes, scribbling like their lives depended on it. Coffee cups, snack wrappers, and water bottles were scattered across the table—evidence of just how long the past few days had been.
This was the final briefing before the festival kicked off. Everyone looked drained, but no one was slacking. The pressure was real. It felt like everything they'd worked on was leading up to this.
Up front, Alton—student council president and head of the festival—stood tall. His shirt was perfectly tucked, hair as neat as ever. Classic Alton. He glanced at his clipboard, then looked around the room with that serious, all-business expression everyone knew too well.
"This is it," he said, voice steady. "No mistakes from here on out. I'm checking in with each division. Sponsorship team—update?"
Lyra, sitting next to Mei, scanned her notes and gave a firm nod. "All sponsors confirmed. Booths are set up the way they requested. A few of the bigger names are joining the opening ceremony tomorrow."
"Good." Alton nodded. "If anything changes or they complain, tell me right away. I don't want any surprises on D-day."
Lyra nodded again, silently relieved her section was solid.
Then Alton's eyes landed on Robin, who was lounging with one arm draped over his chair, thumbing through his phone like he had all the time in the world.
"Publicity?"
Robin looked up slowly, like he was just now tuning in. "All promo materials went out on schedule. We'll have real-time updates during the event. The team's set for full coverage tomorrow."
"That include behind-the-scenes?" Alton asked, narrowing his eyes.
Robin gave a lazy nod. "Yep. We're capturing all the good stuff. Even…" He shot a look at Lyra, a smirk tugging at his lips, "...someone who's been avoiding our cameras like the plague."
Lyra immediately looked up, alert.
Mei caught on fast, practically bouncing. She nudged Lyra hard, eyes wide with excitement.
"Wait—Robin's doing a special feature on you? Oh my god, this is happening! Finally some footage of you and Robin? That's festival highlight material right there!"
People around them started whispering, trying—and failing—not to laugh.
"Lyra finally getting caught on camera!"
"Not just the camera... maybe Robin too."
"Dude, this is gold."
Lyra glared at both of them, her cheeks clearly flushed—whether from embarrassment or irritation, it was hard to tell.
"You post even one clip of me, and I swear I'll have the main sponsor pull out."
Robin chuckled, totally unfazed. "That's... oddly specific. Noted."
Mei only got more hyped. "Did she just threaten us? Guys, that's a first, right?" She turned to the others, playing it up. "Should we document this too?"
"Absolutely," someone chimed in, and the room burst into laughter again.
Adam, who had been quietly standing next to Alton, sighed. "I'm not getting involved in this."
Eventually, after everyone had their fun teasing Lyra, the meeting moved on. Each division gave their updates—logistics, security, decorations, the works. Still, a few people kept stealing glances at Lyra, grinning like they were holding in more jokes.
She pretended not to notice and went back to her notes, trying to stay focused, even though the tips of her ears were still a little red.
When the last update was done, Alton finally set down his clipboard and exhaled. His eyes moved across the room, landing briefly on each person still hanging in there this late at night.
"I know you're all exhausted," he said, his tone softer now. "These past few weeks have been rough."
A few chuckles slipped out—tired but genuine.
Adam stepped forward, picking up where Alton left off. "But tomorrow's our day. Doesn't matter how stressed or sleep-deprived we are—this festival is the result of everything we've built together. So if something goes wrong, speak up. Don't panic alone. We've got each other's backs. We're a team. And we're gonna make this happen."
"Got it!" everyone responded, voices overlapping in a burst of renewed energy.
The mood lightened after that. People stood, stretched, started chatting about last-minute details. Some stuck around to tie up loose ends, while others finally packed up, the weight of the night slowly lifting.
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After the meeting wrapped up, campus had started to quiet down. Most of the committee had gone home to get some rest, while a few stuck around for last-minute prep. Some of the festival lights had been turned off, leaving only a few street lamps and the glow of laptop screens flickering in the dark.
Lyra sat on a bench near the main stage, her laptop open on her lap. The screen lit up her face, highlighting the intense focus in her eyes as she scrolled through emails and sponsor documents. Her fingers tapped away steadily, only pausing to double-check details, making sure every contract was in place and no last-minute surprises were lurking.
Beside her, Robin lounged back with his hands behind his head and one leg crossed over the other. Unlike Lyra, who was deep in work mode, he looked like he was just enjoying the breeze, staring up at the stars slowly filling the sky.
After a long silence, he finally spoke. "Hey, I've been wondering…" he said, not bothering to shift positions. "Why do you take this so seriously? Like, you never let yourself chill—ever."
Lyra didn't respond right away, but her shoulders tensed slightly. "It's not that serious," she said, eyes still locked on the screen. "I just want to make sure everything goes smoothly—especially with the sponsors."
Robin glanced at her, then sat up a bit straighter. "Yeah… but it feels like there's more to it than that."
Lyra stopped typing. She shut the laptop with a soft click and looked over at him. Their eyes met briefly before she turned away, her gaze settling on the half-lit stage.
"Maybe I just hate messing up," she said quietly. "Maybe I don't want to make any mistakes. Or maybe… I'm just trying to prove something."
Robin raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Prove it to who?"
She didn't answer right away. For a second, it looked like she was debating with herself. "Maybe to myself," she finally said.
He watched her closely, reading the complicated mix of pride and doubt on her face. Then he let out a short laugh, trying to lighten the mood. "You're way too intense. I swear, one of these days you're gonna snap and throw that laptop."
Lyra gave him a deadpan look. "I'm not that unhinged."
"Yet," he shot back. "But if the day comes, I'll be your witness."
She sighed and shook her head, but the corners of her lips betrayed a small smile.
The night dragged on. The last few committee members started packing up, getting ready to head back to their dorms or apartments. Adam and Mei had already left, leaving Lyra and Robin behind in the empty festival grounds.
Robin checked the time on his phone, then turned to her. "Alright, that's enough work. It's late—let's go."
Lyra was still staring at her screen. "Just a few more minutes."
He frowned. "Your 'few more minutes' usually turns into an hour."
She sighed and finally closed the laptop again. "I just want to make sure there's no surprise requests from sponsors."
"And you can check that again tomorrow morning. You've done enough for one night," Robin insisted. He got up, slung his bag over his shoulder, and glanced down at her. "You really planning on walking home alone at this hour?"
Lyra shrugged. "I've done it before."
Robin let out an annoyed exhale. "Just because you can doesn't mean you should. Come on, I'll walk you."
She started organizing her notes, then glanced up at him, hesitating.
"What? Got something else on your mind?" Robin asked, still not looking at her.
She paused, then shook her head. "No... I just didn't expect us to get to this point."
Robin turned to her, raising an eyebrow. "Getting sentimental now?"
Lyra sighed. "Not exactly... maybe a little."
He chuckled softly, stretching as he stood. "Big day tomorrow. Get some sleep tonight, okay? No more staying up with sponsor reports."
"You too," she replied, finally smiling a bit.
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This morning, campus felt different.
Instead of the usual shuffle of students heading to class, the entire university had been transformed into a vibrant, colorful festival.
Booths lined the walkways, each decorated according to this year's theme. From a distance, the sound of instruments tuning echoed from the main stage—a sign the first performance was about to start. Students wandered around, some with tote bags ready to shop at the bazaar, others stopping to snap pictures with their phones.
The food court area was already buzzing. The air was thick with the smell of grilled chicken, coffee, and fried snacks, each scent competing for attention. Lines were forming at the more popular booths—clear evidence that everyone was ready to dive into the day.
Amid the chaos, Lyra stood at the event coordination post, a walkie-talkie in hand. Her eyes scanned the grounds, making sure each division was on track.
Mei, head of sponsorship, approached with a clipboard.
"All the sponsors are set. Their booths are up, just waiting for the power to come on," she reported, efficient as always.
Lyra gave a quick nod. "Alright, I'll check in with the tech crew."
But before she could move, Adam jogged over, looking a little panicked.
"Lyra! We've got a problem. The sound system on the main stage is down. Something's wrong with the audio mixer."
Lyra frowned. "Didn't they test everything yesterday?"
"They did. But this morning, nothing's turning on," Adam said, frustrated.
A member of the stage crew chimed in, "I just heard from the techs. They think the main cable's shot."
Lyra ran a hand down her face, trying to stay calm. "Okay. I'll head there now. Adam, check with logistics—see if they've got a spare cable or any gear we can use."
Adam nodded and took off toward the logistics tent.
Just as Lyra turned to leave, a camera lens popped up right in front of her face.
"Smile for day-one documentation!"
She jerked back, nearly dropping her walkie-talkie. "Robin! Not now!"
"What? I'm being serious. People need to see the crew working, not just the end result."
"Pick someone else," she snapped.
Robin raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying himself. "You're part of the sponsor team. You don't get to skip being in the highlight reel."
Lyra rolled her eyes but didn't argue further. "Fine. Just make it quick."
Grinning, Robin recorded a few seconds of her giving instructions to the crew.
"Perfect. Back to the grind," he said, chuckling as he lowered his camera.
Lyra sighed but let it go.
Meanwhile, over at the main stage, the tech team had finally located the issue. One of the main cables had to be replaced. Thanks to Adam's coordination with logistics, they got a new one in just in time.
Other issues were being resolved too. Mei made sure all sponsor booths were fully stocked and open, while Adam double-checked the power supply across the grounds.
"Sponsor booths are good to go. They've already started engaging with visitors," Mei said through the walkie.
"Power's stable. I ran a final check just in case," Adam added.
Lyra finally allowed herself to exhale. "Good. Keep communications open. Let me know the second anything comes up."
She tried to soak it all in—the sights, the sound, the energy—even if her mind was still juggling a dozen things that could go wrong.
Then came a voice she knew too well.
"Sponsor team working hard this morning. Care to do a quick behind-the-scenes interview?"
Lyra turned, visibly tired. "Robin, not now. I need to make sure everything stays on track."
"Oh, come on. A few clips of the crew in action make everything look way more alive on socials."
"Film someone else," she shot back.
But Robin was already recording from a distance. "And here we have the face of the festival's success! Look how focused she is."
Lyra quickly raised her walkie to block her face. "Robin!"
He just laughed and finally turned his camera toward the food booths.
On the other side of campus, the main stage came alive as the host grabbed the mic.
"Good morning, everyone! After nearly three months of prep, Nova Fest is officially open!"
Cheers erupted from the crowd gathered in front of the stage.
Behind the scenes, Alton—student council president and head of the event—stood with his arms crossed, calmly observing. Occasionally, he spoke into his headset, making sure everything was flowing as planned.
The festival had officially begun.
And for Lyra and the rest of the crew, it was going to be a very long day.
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By midday, the sun was high overhead, and the festival crowd had doubled.
Visitors packed the bazaar area, trying out snacks, buying trinkets, and snapping selfies with their friends. Music from the main stage pulsed through the air, adding to the lively chaos.
The food stalls were especially swamped—lines snaked through the walkways as popular vendors dished out meals as fast as they could. The aroma of grilled skewers and spicy street food mingled with the sound of chatter and laughter. Up at the main stage, a campus band was setting up, drawing even more people toward the center of the grounds.
And right in the middle of it all, Lyra was still glued to her walkie-talkie, juggling incoming reports from all directions.
"One of the sponsor banners on the main stage is tilting a bit. I've sent the decor team to fix it," said a crew member through the comms.
"Make sure it's done before the headliner goes on this afternoon," Lyra replied, all business.
A few seconds later, Mei chimed in.
"Lyra, food bazaar's getting slammed. Some of the vendors are running out of stock way faster than we expected. At this rate, they'll be sold out before the evening rush."
Lyra winced. That was bad news. If the food ran out too early, visitors would get annoyed—especially with how packed the grounds were now.
"See if you can work out an alternative," she said quickly. "Talk to the vendors who still have plenty in stock. Maybe they can restock or double up. We can't afford early closures."
"Got it. I'll check with the ones who still have a buffer. Worst case, we redirect some traffic to less busy booths," Mei responded.
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In the middle of the chaos, someone slid up next to Lyra holding a tiny camera.
"Reporting in! Documentation team at your service. I need a shot of someone looking super stressed. And who better than you?" Robin grinned.
Lyra didn't even glance at him. "Robin. Don't."
"Exactly because you're busy, it's the perfect moment. People need to see the blood, sweat, and walkie-talkies behind this whole operation." He raised the lens.
"Don't you dare," Lyra shot back, holding up her hand to block her face. "For the last time, go film someone else."
"C'mon. Just five seconds. I swear it'll look badass," he coaxed.
"I said no. And I mean it."
Robin paused, then shrugged with a cheeky smile. "Alright, alright. I won't force it…"
Lyra exhaled, thankful for once that he'd listened.
Click.
"Robin!" she barked, spinning toward him.
He laughed under his breath. "Didn't record. Just a photo. You look cool when you're all intense like that."
He held out his phone. In the photo, Lyra stood with her walkie raised, eyes locked in focus, framed by the blur of the bustling festival around her.
She stared at it, then groaned. "Delete it."
"Nope," he said, grinning. "Personal keepsake."
"Robin—!"
But he was already walking away, still chuckling to himself while Lyra stood there fuming.
As noon approached, the entire crew began prepping for one of the festival's most anticipated acts—a performance from a well-known campus alum.
Backstage, Adam and Mei made sure the main sponsor's campaign was running smoothly.
"VIP guests already got their souvenir packs. Sponsor logos are up on the main screen, and I confirmed everything's in place for the giveaway," Mei reported.
"Stage banners are solid. I just double-checked with the decor crew," added Adam.
Elsewhere, Alton stood just offstage, coordinating with the MC through his headset to keep the schedule tight.
The festival still had a long way to go. So far, everything was holding together—but every member of the crew knew that the second they let their guard down, things could spiral.
For Lyra, Adam, Mei, Robin, and the rest of the team, this wasn't just about throwing a good party. It was about months of hard work all leading to one moment.
And this? This was only halfway through the day.
There was still plenty left to do.
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This festival wasn't just about fun—it was a call to action.A stage for students to unleash their creativity, explore their passions, and showcase the very best of what they had to offer. Every element of the event had been carefully crafted to deliver something memorable for both participants and visitors.
Across the campus, the main stage stood tall and proud—its energy drawing attention like a magnet. Acoustic bands, dance crews, solo performers—all took turns lighting up the space with music, movement, and raw enthusiasm. Cheers and applause followed each act, the crowd growing louder with every beat.
But Nova Fest wasn't just about music and markets.
Several indoor spaces had been transformed into hubs of inspiration—workshops and exhibitions where students could deepen their skills, try something new, or simply feed their curiosity.
In one room, an art professor led a watercolor workshop. Students leaned over their canvases, completely absorbed. Some asked questions about color blending, others quietly focused as they guided their brushes across the paper.
"Try using a bit more water here," the professor said, gently pointing to a section of someone's work. "It'll give you a softer gradient."The student nodded, adjusting their technique with care.
Meanwhile, down the hall, a photography workshop was underway. A student-led session on using natural light had drawn a full house.
"What matters most is understanding your light source," the speaker explained. "If it's too harsh, reposition your subject or bounce it with a reflector."He tapped his laptop, showing side-by-side comparisons of well-lit and blown-out shots.
Just a few steps away, a design and illustration exhibit was buzzing with visitors. Every wall was covered in prints, posters, and digital art created by student artists. Conversations broke out in front of certain pieces—some admiring the color play, others dissecting line work and technique.
"Dude, this one's awesome," one student whispered to a friend. "I love how they used contrasting palettes."
Outside the classrooms, even more interactive activities were pulling people in. There was a culture-themed quiz that had students huddled around a booth, laughing as they tried to guess obscure facts. Not far from that, a giant sketch wall challenged visitors to draw something in under a minute—crowded with scribbles, jokes, and the occasional surprisingly detailed portrait.
And through it all, Lyra remained locked in with her walkie-talkie, keeping tabs on everything related to the sponsors. Her eyes scanned schedules, her voice delivered updates, and her mind never strayed far from what still had to be done.
Even in her nonstop pace, she couldn't help but absorb it: the energy, the diversity, the pride. This wasn't just another event—it was a living, breathing celebration of student life, and everyone was a part of it.
This wasn't just a one-day festival. It was a testament to months of dedication and teamwork. To every brainstormed idea, every late-night meeting, every "what if" that finally became "let's do it." And now, with every inch of campus filled with laughter, music, and motion.
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*** TO BE CONTINUE ***