Mia showed up to the pep rally with brows on fleek, and everyone noticed. Jay tried to pick up the courage to compliment her, but his friends distracted him by talking about the plug who promised to bring extra snacks for the after-party. The whole gym went wild when the team scored—someone shouted “Pog!” and the bleachers shook from the noise.

By the time the after-party started, the house was already poppin’. Music blasted, kids danced in the living room, and selfies filled the group chat. Someone joked it felt like quarantine and chill was officially over, since the whole school seemed crammed into one space.

Later, a rumor spread that a junior had racked up a huge online shopping bill just for new sneakers. People laughed but demanded receipts to prove it, knowing screenshots don’t lie. Jay, meanwhile, tried to show off his rizz when he finally got a moment with Mia, hoping to make her laugh enough to forget how nervous he was.

The night ended with a reminder that the rona still lingered—teachers posted online the next morning about being careful at big gatherings. Still, for the students, the party was more than hype; it was proof that even after years of setbacks, they could find ways to make memories that lasted.