The hall was glowing literally. Neon lights bounced across every surface, casting a golden shimmer on the beautifully decorated tables. The ceiling was laced with floating LED stars, and the DJ booth beamed with soft purple hues. The air was thick with energy and anticipation.
Bella and Kathy sat close to the stage, still catching their breaths after walking the red carpet. The flash of cameras hadn't stopped since they entered. Every eye turned when they walked in flawless in their glittering gowns. Their hair and makeup were perfection, their nails sparkled with rhinestones, and even their heels clicked like they were runway models.
"I feel like we're at the Oscars," Bella whispered, wide-eyed, leaning closer to Kathy.
Kathy smirked. "Babe, scratch that. We ARE the Oscars."
They giggled, sipping their drinks as the crowd settled down. Then, the music dipped and the lights dimmed.
On stage, the spotlight shifted and a voice echoed through the hall. The host walked up dressed in a silver suit that matched the glowing theme microphone in hand and confidence oozing.
"Good evening, Lifetime University!" the host boomed.
Cheers exploded around the hall.
"Welcome to the official 2025 Lifetime Freshman Party!"
More cheering. Whistling. A couple of students even stood up.
"The theme for tonight is none other than Glitz and Afterglow because tonight, we don't just sparkle when the lights are on… we leave a trail of shine behind us even after the night is over!"
Justin and John had just taken their seats, after walking the red carpet. Justin looked calm but undeniably attractive, his tailored black suit fit like a glove, his earring glinting under the lights. His hair was neatly trimmed from the fresh cut he got the day before, and his confident walk had girls turning heads.
John nudged him. "Dude, I swear, if I hear one more person whisper your name like you're in a K-drama, I'm leaving."
Justin chuckled. "Relax. You're hot too, you know."
John laughed and adjusted his beige blazer. "No lies detected."
Back on stage, the host continued:
"You all have come from different cities, backgrounds, and lives, but tonight, you are one thing: part of the Legacy. You made it into Lifetime University. And that, my friends, is no small feat."
The applause that followed was louder. A few people even banged on tables.
"So tonight, forget the stress, forget the lectures waiting next week… For now, take it all in. The music, the dancing, the drinks, the vibes, this is your moment."
Bella leaned over to Kathy again. "This is wild… I feel like we're in a movie."
Kathy grinned. "And baby, we're the main characters."
Across the room, Justin shook his head. "Honestly, I didn't expect this much… effort."
John sipped his drink and shrugged. "First impressions, man. Lifetime goes all out."
The host raised a hand for silence one last time.
"I want you all to sit back, relax, laugh, flirt if you want. because tonight is going to be one for the books. Let go of all your fears. This is your home now. This is where memories begin. This is your afterglow."
As the final words echoed, the room burst into wild applause. Confetti dropped lightly from the ceiling, and the DJ cranked the volume back up. The dance floor began to pulse with bass, and the real fun began.
Bella grabbed Kathy's hand. "Come on, let's dance."
John stood up, pulling Justin. "Let's see what this 'afterglow' is all about."
And just like that, the night began, not just as a party, but as the first of many unforgettable moments at Lifetime University.
John rolled his eyes and grabbed Justin by the wrist. "You wore that fine suit and got that clean fade for nothing? Come on!"
Eventually, Justin gave in, and they made their way to the dance floor. At first, he stayed a bit stiff, nodding his head and moving slightly. But John pulled him into the rhythm, and soon enough, they were both dancing, goofy at first, then smoother with every beat.
Justin cracked a rare smile. "Okay, okay… this isn't bad."
John laughed. "Told you!"
Meanwhile, Bella paused and leaned over to Kathy. "Hey, I need to use the restroom."
Kathy looked around, slightly concerned. "I'll come with"
"No," Bella cut in. "I'm fine. Just watch my purse. I'll be back in five."
"Alright, don't get kidnapped or anything," Kathy joked, already back to dancing.
Bella made her way through the crowd, heels clicking softly on the tiled floor as she walked toward the backstage exit that led to the restroom. The area was a little quieter back there, the music muffled behind thick velvet curtains.
She stopped at a mirror outside the restroom, adjusting the strap of her dress, checking her hair. She was glowing. Even alone, she looked red-carpet ready.
As she turned to leave, distracted by her phone's screen, she bumped into someone hard.
"oh my God! I'm so sorry," Bella gasped, placing a hand on the stranger's chest for balance.
He was tall. Broad shoulders. Clean-cut fade.
He blinked, momentarily stunned as his eyes met hers. "It's fine," he said calmly, his voice deep and soft.
His eyes lingered. Her eyes were big, almond-shaped with curled lashes that blinked fast from the surprise. Her lips were glossy. Her scent was soft like vanilla and something sweet.
Bella noticed how he was still staring and quickly stepped back, adjusting her dress.
Justin stepped aside, unsure of what else to say.
Bella gave a polite smile. "Thanks… sorry again," she said and walked past him, heels tapping away.
Justin's eyes followed her as she passed through the curtain back into the hall, moving gracefully back to the dance floor.
John was mid-spin when Justin tapped him.
John turned around, still dancing. "Yo?"
Justin nodded his head in Bella's direction. "That girl. The one in the gold dress."
John glanced, then raised an eyebrow. "Ouuuu, okay? What about her?"
"I just bumped into her by the backstage. She looked…" He paused. "Really pretty."
John smirked instantly. "That's your type?"
"I didn't say that," Justin said, his lips twitching.
"Sure," John teased, nudging him with his elbow. "You're talking about her like you saw an angel. What happened, she sprinkled glitter on you too?"
Justin gave him a look. "Shut up."
"You're smiling, bro. That's rare. You sure you don't wanna go say hi again?"
Justin shook his head, eyes still casually tracking Bella as she sat beside Kathy, both girls now giggling at something on Kathy's phone.
He said nothing else, but something about her lingered in his mind.
And maybe… the night wasn't just about glitz and afterglow anymore.
Bella and Kathy were finally seated after dancing their hearts out. The lights in the hall dimmed a little, giving the space a soft golden glow. Music still buzzed in the background, and the excitement of the night lingered in the air like glitter.
Bella leaned closer to Kathy, her voice just above a whisper.
"Kath... I forgot to tell you," she started, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. "You remember when I went to the restroom and passed the backstage?"
Kathy turned to her with a raised brow. "Yeah?"
"I literally bumped into a guy on my way back," Bella said, her eyes wide. "Like, full-on bump."
Kathy gasped. "Oopsss , And you didn't call me for gist?? Who was it?"
Bella scanned the crowd for a second, her heart racing slightly as her eyes settled on Justin, seated across the hall, talking and laughing with John. She discreetly pointed with her chin.
"Him," she whispered.
As fate would have it, Justin looked up at that exact moment and caught Bella pointing in his direction. Their eyes met. Bella froze.
"Oh my God," she muttered, jerking her hand down. "Kathy, he saw me. I swear he saw me."
She dared a quick glance in Justin's direction, only to catch him looking again
Their eyes locked for a split second before Justin awkwardly looked away, pretending to adjust his jacket.
Bella turned back to Kathy, wide-eyed.
"Kathy. Did you see that??"
"Oh, I saw it." Kathy chuckled. "Girl, you've made an impression. Wait… his face looks really familiar."
Bella raised an eyebrow, curious. "Familiar how?"
Kathy leaned closer, whispering with a sly smile, "I think… that's the guy who found your phone at Amor's restaurant."
Bella's jaw dropped. "No way! Are you serious?"
Kathy nodded, grinning. "Yeah! Remember when you lost your phone and I ran back to the restaurant? A guy was holding it for me. That has to be him."
Bella stared at Justin, who was now casually sipping his drink, unaware of their conversation.
Bella quickly glanced at Justin again, and just at that moment, their eyes met. A sudden jolt shot through her as she quickly looked away, heart pounding.
"Why is he staring like that?" Bella whispered.
"Because you're hot, Bella. And you bumped into him looking like a literal angel. I'd be staring too."
Bella playfully shoved her. "You're crazy."
Kathy shrugged, her eyes sparkling. "Maybe. But now I'm invested. This mystery boy might just be your main character moment."
Bella laughed. "You've been watching too many teen dramas."
"And you're living one," Kathy replied, biting into her glossed lip to suppress another giggle. "Now the real question is, are you gonna talk to him again, or just keep exchanging awkward stares?"
Bella rolled her eyes but smiled, peeking once more in Justin's direction.
Justin was already looking.
Their eyes met again, and this time, he didn't look away immediately.
Bella's breath caught for a second before she turned back to Kathy.
"He saw me again."
Kathy let out another laugh. "Oh, he's so gone. Should we go say hi or wait for fate to do its thing?"
Bella just smiled softly, her heart unexpectedly light.
Maybe the night had more surprises in store after all.