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Chapter: The Big Party Before Graduation
The night was alive with laughter, music, and the energy of anticipation that only a high school graduation party could bring. The gymnasium was decorated with a thousand twinkling lights and colorful streamers hanging from the rafters. The floor was lined with balloons, and the air smelled of snacks, perfume, and excitement. The seniors of HVIS High School had gathered together for one last celebration before they each embarked on their separate futures.
Y/N and her friends had arrived, and the night was already feeling surreal. They stood in a tight-knit group, taking in the buzzing atmosphere as they chatted, laughed, and tried to calm their nerves. It had been a long journey, and now, it was almost over.
"Can you believe it? The last party before graduation?" Keifer said, adjusting his tie and looking around at all the people.
"It feels like we were freshmen just yesterday," Jay said with a laugh. "Time really flies."
Yuri, standing next to Y/N, smiled at the sound of Jay's words. "It's been a crazy ride, huh?" he said softly to Y/N, his gaze lingering on her face.
Y/N smiled back, feeling a mixture of emotions. It was hard to believe the end was near. "Yeah, it really has. I can't believe it’s all almost over."
Their friends joined in, each taking their place in the group. CI-N was bouncing around, as always, full of energy and excitement. “Let’s get this party started! First one to the dance floor is a loser!” he joked, running off toward the stage. Rakki laughed and followed, with Calix, Mica, and Drew trailing behind them.
"Looks like it's game time," Y/N said, turning to Yuri with a playful grin. "Are you ready to embarrass yourself on the dance floor?"
Yuri smirked, raising an eyebrow. "I’m always ready."
The music shifted, and the DJ started a new song, causing the crowd to cheer. The beat was infectious, and soon everyone was on the dance floor, including the group. Y/N and Yuri joined in, with everyone laughing, dancing, and enjoying the freedom of the night. The energy was wild, and the excitement in the air was palpable.
Yuri couldn't help but smile as he watched Y/N, her carefree laughter ringing in his ears. He stepped closer, and the two of them moved in sync, laughing at how ridiculous they both must look, but neither cared. It was a moment of pure joy, of living in the present and letting go of all the stress they had been carrying for years.
As they danced, Keifer and Jay were at the edge of the floor, making their way through the crowd with drinks in hand. They waved to Y/N and Yuri, who waved back with smiles on their faces. The friends were all around, and it felt like nothing could ruin this night.
“I never want this to end,” Y/N said breathlessly, her eyes meeting Yuri’s.
“Same here,” he replied, his voice low. His gaze softened as he looked at her, his hand gently brushing against hers.
Meanwhile, Rakki and CI-N had taken it upon themselves to start a “dance-off,” each trying to outdo the other with ridiculous moves. The group laughed hysterically as Rakki twirled and tried to outpace CI-N’s funky steps. Mica was holding her stomach from laughing so hard, and Calix was trying not to be caught by the embarrassing moves of his friends.
After a while, the group decided to take a break and grab some snacks. They made their way to the tables filled with pizza, chips, and sodas, their stomachs rumbling from all the dancing. Y/N grabbed a plate, piling it high with food before sitting down next to Yuri.
"I think we need to hit the dessert table next," she said, biting into a slice of pizza. "They’ve got churros over there. I’m so getting one."
Yuri chuckled. "I’ll go with you. Let’s see who can eat the most."
"You're on," Y/N said with a grin, tossing a few chips into her mouth. Her eyes sparkled with playful energy, and Yuri couldn’t help but smile at her. Everything felt so right in this moment. They had spent so much time dealing with the drama of high school, and now, this was their time to enjoy themselves.
As the night wore on, the group continued to have fun. The music played, and everyone took their turn on the dance floor, showing off their best moves and having a blast. It was easy to forget about the stresses of the world when they were all together like this.
At one point, the group gathered around a table to have a moment of reflection. They all sat in a loose circle, their drinks in hand, as they shared their favorite memories from their high school years.
“Remember when we all got stuck in detention together?” Keifer asked with a laugh. “That was such a mess.”
“Oh my god, don’t remind me,” Y/N said, holding up her hand in mock horror. “That was the worst day of my life. I thought we were going to get kicked out.”
“But we survived,” Jay said with a grin. “And it made us stronger. Look at us now, about to graduate. We made it.”
“Yeah,” Yuri said, glancing around at the group. “We really did. We’ve come a long way.”
A quiet moment passed before CI-N, always the one to break the silence, stood up and raised his glass. “To us, the class of 2025. We may not know what the future holds, but we’re gonna make it legendary.”
The group cheered, raising their glasses, and for a brief moment, everything felt perfect. There were no worries, no doubts, just the people they cared about and the excitement of the future ahead.
As the night grew late, the lights dimmed and the music slowed, signaling the end of the party. The crowd began to thin, and people started to say their goodbyes. Y/N and Yuri, along with the rest of their friends, lingered by the exit, taking in the last moments of their high school life before it all changed.
“Tomorrow’s the big day,” Y/N said softly, her hand resting in Yuri’s.
“Yeah,” he replied, his voice low. “But we’re ready. We’ve got each other, right?”
“Always,” she said, leaning in to kiss him
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