Sunday – The Morning After the Festival
The halls of St. Ivy were quiet again.
No lights. No music. No crowd.
Just the aftermath.
Folded tables. Glitter in the corners. Faded scent of sweets in the air.
We came in early to help clean up, and despite the exhaustion, everyone wore a glow that even four hours of sleep couldn't dim.
Especially when Mr. Brooks walked in holding a silver plaque.
"First place," he said casually, placing it on the chalkboard tray.
Sofia screamed.
Tyler dropped a broom and chest-bumped Noah.
Emma's clipboard actually fell from her hands.
I stood there, blinking. "Wait. We won?"
"Judges loved the concept, execution, and the 'natural charisma of the crown prince,'" Mr. Brooks said, raising one eyebrow at me. "Whatever that means."
Sofia: "It means Jay was so hot, we burned the scoreboard."
Emma: "It means our planning was perfect."
Amaya: "…It means we did it together."
I smiled at that one.
Later – Class 1-A Celebration
We ordered takeout and claimed a corner of the school rooftop like it was a royal banquet hall.
Pizza boxes, soda cans, and a gold plastic crown someone found in the drama club's supply bin.
Tyler shoved it onto my head.
"All hail Prince Jay, saviour of snack sales!"
"I didn't do anything," I protested.
"You breathed and the line outside tripled," Sofia added.
"Your face earned us a trophy," Emma muttered around her straw.
Luna passed me another sketch—this one of the celebrations.
I was surrounded by the others, laughing. Even Miles was in the corner, awkwardly smiling with a slice of pizza.
Emma's Moment
When the others drifted off to mess around, Emma stayed behind to help me toss empty boxes.
She brushed her fingers through her bangs once, then turned to me.
"You're… really something, you know?"
I blinked. "That's vague."
She bit her lip, then laughed softly. "Yeah. Guess it is."
There was a pause.
She looked like she wanted to say more. But instead, she straightened, gave me a proud nod, and said—
"I'd run for president with you."
Then she walked off before I could ask if that was code for anything.
Sofia's Turn
Later, while I was tossing soda cans into a trash bag, Sofia leaned against the wall beside me.
No teasing smile. No sparkly dramatic pose.
Just her. Relaxed. Real.
"You made that whole festival feels like magic, Starboy."
"You mean the class did."
"No," she said, flicking a can into the bin like a basketball shot. "You did."
I looked at her.
She shrugged.
"I'm not gonna fight for something I don't want. But when I do want it—" she paused, letting the sentence dangle in the air between us.
"Then?"
She smiled, soft and sharp at the same time. "You'll know."
And then she left too.
Amaya – The Quiet Ending
We walked home again—just the two of us, like always.
The sunset dipped low, painting gold over the rooftops.
She kept close, her bag swinging gently between us.
"I'm glad it was you," she said quietly.
"What was me?"
"The prince."
I laughed. "You think I pulled that off?"
She nodded.
Then, shyly—
"You're already my prince."
I turned to her.
But she just smiled, squeezed my sleeve, and walked ahead.
Evening – At Home
I flopped onto my bed, crown still in my hand.
It wasn't real gold.
Just painted plastic. Cheap. Wobbly.
But somehow, it felt heavier than it should.
Not because of weight.
Because of everything it meant now.
I set it down gently on my desk beside Luna's sketch.
New Message – Group Chat: 1-A Chaos Club
Tyler: PRIZE MONEY IS OURS
Sofia: beach trip beach trip beach trip
Emma: it's not a vacation fund it's for class supplies
Sofia: you're no fun
Amaya: …but the beach sounds nice
Noah: I VOLUNTEER FOR SANDCASTLE WARFARE
Miles: if Jay wears a tank top, we'll make triple that prize in tips
Tyler: YO FACTS
I laughed until I nearly dropped my phone.
Then… a Notification from School Admin
Upcoming Event Reminder:
3-Day School Trip Announcement Meeting – Next Friday
Destination: To Be Voted
Trip Scheduled: Week Before Midterms
I stared at it for a long second.
A school trip.
Three days away from campus.
One bus.
One hotel.
One chaotic class.
And me?
Caught in the middle again.