Chimes of glasses echoed as each seated person raised their glass in unison. Gathered around this table was the tight-knit friend group- Consisting of Kai, Suzie, Aria, and of course, today's glorious champions- Megan and Melvin. The ceremony had finally concluded, with every student of each department receiving their results. Those who were accepted received a campus tour, and were now invited to the dining hall for a celebratory feast. 

 

 Students and parents crowded the dining hall, their lively chatter filling the air along with a classical symphony. Round tables draped in fancy white-cloth occupied the space, gradually being claimed by those eager to indulge themselves in the feast and their personal celebration. 

 Meanwhile, long queues formed at the buffet station, where vibrant delicacies awaited. From meals like Chicharon, Tokwat baboy, and dessert like Halo-Halo, the buffet offered a wide array of Filipino dishes to choose from. 

 Amidst this overall grandeur, and especially given as a reward; it was impossible to find a single person who didn't seize this opportunity to indulge in extravagant meals and have a heartwarming celebration.

 Across every table, the atmosphere of enjoyment was hard to miss, as students were joyous in their victory, while their families wholeheartedly expressed how proud they were. Everyone made good use of this opportunity to celebrate the occassion, and surely, this would be a day they would remember for life.

 A loud voice ensued, 

 

 Kai cheered, his voice equivalent to a deep horn, garnering everyone's attention as it silenced the bustling hall. Applause erupted from all over, as congratulations for the twins for their remarkable achievement. Megan and Melvin stood up from their seats, humbly acknowledging them by smiling and bowing.

 Megan and Melvin sat down, resuming the feast and conversation with their friends.

 "I was captivated paintings of the Top 10's." Suzie remarked, "It seems that we'll be having talented classmates this year."

 "It's really exciting, hopefully I can learn from them!" Aria exclaimed, her passion for painting evident as her eyes sparkled, looking forward to the journey ahead.

 Melvin swallowed a bite, then spoke up, "We're finally students of the elite Guevarra Academy. This only means we must work harder from now on."

 

 His voice remained in the usual monotone, yet it carried a commanding weight. As faces lit up around him, it became clear that his words sparked determination within his friends.

 "Well, look who's finally talkin'!" Kai responded with enthusiasm, "I swear on my life I won't disappoint you, bro! We're classmates too, y'know?!"

 Aria's face reddened, flustered as her crush unexpectedly spoke up.

 She responded with a wink, trying her absolute hardest to be in his favor. Yet, she stammered over her words, looking like a fool in the end. She continued maintaning her composure, mirroring his calm demeanor. Deep down, however, she begun to spiral- desperately hoping he didn't notice how embarassing she acted.

  Suzie nodded in agreement to Melvin's statement, being a hardworking student herself. Megan remained in silence, her attention solely fixed on enjoying her food. She sipped her juice, serenely disregarding the chatter and commotion around her.  

 Although this was supposed to be a celebratory feast, she didn't feel the need to add anything to the conversation. Her victory as the champion, along with all good and bad she has done, left her feeling rather content. However, as she may seem calm and satisfied in the surface, emptiness and boredom lurked from within. Either way, she was now in peace, which is all that would matter to her.

Unfortunately, her peace came to an end as loud footsteps hurried towards her.

 Clang!

 The sharp noise of glass shattering gathered attention, with all eyes turning to that table. Onlookers were astounded, as whispers spread throughout the hall. "What's going on?" "Why would someone fight Megan?" Eyes raised with curiosity and speculation as this new face stood against Megan. 

 Megan's breath caught in her throat, her shocked gazed fixating on the liquid spreading across her dress. Her expression began to darken, as her mind raced with bewildered thoughts— ..How could this happen? How did she get in here?

 The entire hall seemed to have stopped in place, with everyone leaving their meal at a pause to watch the unfolding drama. Grace's statement left everyone speechless, with all ears tuned in on the confrontation.

 Faint laughs and mocks erupted within the onlookers, as most of the people were delighted to see Melvin handle the situation with class. With condescending expressions, they scorned Grace for her improper behavior. To them, she was a merely a crazy lower-class fool, whose frustrations stemmed from her failure to measure up. As they found entertainment in the drama, some couldn't help but pull their phones out to record.

 "You think false accusations?" Grace whispered, pulling out her phone to show Melvin a video. 

 The video showed Melvin and Megan having a private conversation. With them standing closely in frame, it seemed as though they were captured by a hidden camera. Although the volume was lowered down, Melvin could hear what Megan said- which if exposed, would be detrimental.

"Don't worry, kuya." Megan's faint voice murmured on the screen, "Just let me have fun. Father said I will win the entrance submissions anyway."

"Still, I do not agree with your plans." Melvin refuted. "You must start working on your submission, or father will be enraged."

 Melvin continued, "You've spent the whole summer in parties and trips with your friends, without a care for your submission-"

 "Ugh, I get it, alright?!" Megan snapped in annoyance. "But trust me, things will work out."

 "You know how people would do anything for me, right?" Megan continued to dismiss him, "So just... leave me be."

 With that, Megan walked out of frame, and the video ended.

 Melvin could feel his heart drop, as turbulent thoughts began to race through his mind. He stood still in silence, maintaining his composure, yet anger simmed from beneath. With his family and its legacy at stake, the danger of the situation crept further into him...

 "So many people are looking right now, Melvin." Grace provoked lightly, "They're wondering what's in here..." She tapped on her phone, lowering it slightly. "And that's not the only one I've got... Someone's tipped me for a while."

 "What are you talking about, Grace?!" Aria interrupted, rushing to Melvin's side. "Your jealousy is going way too far! Enough is enough!"

 "You're only proving that you're a bully!" She defended passionately, her tears bursting on the behalf of her dear friends. 

 Gasps erupted everywhere as a result, and a collective agreement ensued throughout. With Megan sitting lowly and quietly, her once pristine dress which was sabotaged, her friends standing up for her... It became obvious to them whose side they should take.

 Grace looked at Aria in the eyes, a disappointed glare.

 "How ironic..." Grace muttered.

 Melvin tapped lightly on Aria's shoulder, his nod gesturing her to sit down. She walked back, still in tears, trusting him to handle the crazed bully.

 "So... " Grace's voice wavered, the pain of all she had been through evident in her reddened eyes. "..Still won't admit to it?"

 With each second the conflict persisted, Melvin felt its dangers looming closer— If this video were to be exposed, even to the smallest amounts of people, the damages would be difficult to repair, and the spread of it would grow steadily. Regardless of his family's security, reputation and influence— He knew this had to be stopped.

 Security guards bust into the dining hall, their incoming footsteps and sudden appearance startling all in the room. They rushed towards Grace—

 Grace protested, struggling to talk it out as they began apprehending her with surprising force. Her resistance quickly turned futile as she they restrained her in handcuffs.

 "We've found the trespasser." One of the guards reported to their walkie-talkie, "She will now be escorted out of school grounds."

 Crowds, especially those who were recording, swarmed around the guards. They surrounded them, all eager to capture a clear recording of Grace's apprehension, which would serve as a conclusion to the unfolded drama. As people began to push and stumble, the increasing crowd quickly became out of hand.

 "Step aside!" A guard commanded, giving way for the other guards to escort Grace.

 Struggling to keep up with the guards, and move within the crowd— Grace's grip faltered, her phone dropping from her hand. It tumbled on the floor, where it was inevitably stepped on by a few.

 However, even before it had dropped, Melvin had kept his eyes locked onto it. And as it fell over, he was prepared to take action—

 He swiftly moved into the crowd, navigating it through as he rushed towards the fallen phone. But just as his hand was about to grab it...

 Swoosh... !

 It was kicked by an unsuspecting member of the crowd, sliding the device across the floor out of his reach. And soon enough, his field of view became completely blocked by the increasing crowd, where he fully lost sight of the phone.

...

 "Where's Megan?" He asked his friends, returning to the table.

 "She's cleaning herself in the nearest restroom." Suzie replied, "Aria's with her too."

 Mentally worn from current events, Melvin couldn't help but sigh—

"I'll be at the principal's office." He stated. "If she has returned, inform her to meet me there. It's a family matter."

 "Ow!"

 I've arrived at the gates of Guevarra Academy, where I was escorted out by guards. They removed the handcuffs, setting my hands free. Yet, they remained in place, all standing ominously. It seems this isn't over yet...

 "You have been apprehended for trespassing. It should be known that those who failed to make it in must leave the school." One of the guards informed me sternly. "Yet, you were still in there 3 hours after the ceremony."

 "Yes, po. I understand." I replied, handing them my I.D. from my bag. They began to scan my bag as well, even going to inspect its contents, probably due to safety measures.

"Wait, I also lost my phone!" I explained in a rush, "It happened when I was being apprehended at the dining hall."

 "Remain here as we look for it." One of the guards instructed as they began to walk away, though I could barely feel their rush and urgency.

 Ugh... I lost my phone, can't they move a little faster?!

 ...

 I descended a few steps and sat myself on the stairs, its warm surface providing me comfort. As I sat there alone with my thoughts, the weight of today's events came crashing down on me, and I couldn't hold my emotions any longer.

 "W-When... will it all end?" I sobbed.

 Tears began to stream down my cheeks, and I watched them drip endlessly onto my lap. My body trembled the more I tried to contain myself. But in the end, as overwhelming feelings of frustration, disappointment and uncertainty flooded my senses— I fully surrendered myself to the pain of it all.

 I was surrounded by serene afternoon scenery- vibrant greenery flourished with gentle leaves rustling through the breeze, and the sun's warmth crept over me with humming birds filling the air. Yet, despite the peace it brought, I felt an overwhelming pain stinging in my chest. It hurt so much— as if I was about to die right there.

 I looked for my Brielle everywhere in that school, but she was no where to be found. I would've never imagined she would just leave me like this— It's not just of her presence, she left me in all those hours without a call or text back. I couldn't help but start to resent her, yet I knew doing that would hurt me even further.

 Even if she were to find me at this moment, I would probably push her away— I wouldn't want her to see me in such a mess, and I wouldn't dare take all my emotions out on her. It felt as things would be doomed... hurtful whether we met again or not. Yet, the feeling of wanting to see her... talk to her again still lingered. I just wanted my best friend back.

 "Looking for something?" A voice called out to me.

 Slowly, I turned my head around and found a well-dressed, blonde boy staring down at me...