Chapter 28 — Elections and Hearts

The end of the school year ceremony combined with the coming of age ceremony for grade 12 took place on an evening at the end of May, in the same large hall that witnessed so many important moments during Ngoc and Khang's tenure. Unlike the usual formal ceremonies, this year the school decided to hold it in a more cozy, intimate style - the space is decorated with hundreds of small lanterns and colorful ribbons, creating a romantic, nostalgic scene.

Ngoc stood in front of the mirror in the dressing room, wearing a light navy blue evening gown that Mrs. Lan had personally sewn for her, adding a few delicate lace details at the collar.

"You are very beautiful," Mrs. Lan said, adjusting a small fold on the hem of her dress. Her eyes could not hide her pride and emotion as she watched her daughter prepare to enter an important milestone in her life.

"Thank you mom for making me such a beautiful dress," Ngoc said, hugging her mother tightly. "I will always remember this night forever."

In the hall, a bustling atmosphere filled the space as each group of 12th grade students appeared in their most formal outfits, taking souvenir photos in elaborately prepared decorative corners.

Khang found Ngoc as soon as she entered the hall, unable to hide his admiring eyes at her radiant beauty in an evening gown. "You're so beautiful, Ngoc," he said, his voice a rare hint of confusion.

"You're equally handsome," Ngoc smiled, looking at Khang in his elegant black suit. "Who would have thought that the guy who used to be indifferent about the election would now become this mature."

They both laughed, walking hand in hand into the brightly lit space, joining the stream of friends who were eagerly enjoying their last moments together before each person went their separate ways.

Around the hall, large photos recording memorable moments of the entire course are solemnly hung - from the bewildered opening day of 10th grade, to exciting extracurricular activities, and even recent photos recording the inauguration of the Creative Space. Many students stopped in front of each photo, pointed, laughed, and reviewed past memories.

"Look at this photo," a group of classmates called Ngoc over, pointing to a photo of her standing on stage giving her first candidacy speech, her face still showing signs of tension. "You looked so scared at the time, looking back now it's funny."

"That's right," Ngoc smiled, remembering her own feeling of trepidation but determination at that time. "But that moment opened up a whole journey that I never regret."

The ceremony officially began with a speech from Principal Duc, reviewing the memorable moments of the whole course, especially emphasizing the positive changes that Ngoc and Khang's Student Council term has brought to the entire school.

Before entering the prom, a special ceremony is held - each 12th grade student is invited to write a letter to themselves five years from now, put it in a time capsule that will be kept by the school and sent back at the traditional class reunion.

Ngoc sat down at the writing desk arranged separately in the corner of the hall, held the pen and thought for a long time before starting to write the first lines. Miss writing about her dreams, plans for the future, about the Companion Scholarship Fund that she hopes will grow, and about Khang - who she hopes will still be by her side five years later.

"What did you write?" Khang asked, sitting at the next table, also attentively writing his own words.

"Secret," Ngoc laughed, quickly covering the letter. "This is a letter sent to myself. It cannot be revealed in advance."

"Okay," Khang smiled, raising his hands in surrender, although his eyes were still curious.

After completing, both of them folded their letter carefully and put it in a large time box along with hundreds of other letters from 12th grade students, marking a promise to themselves about what they wanted to achieve in the future.

After the solemn ceremony, the atmosphere changed to a lighter evening, with melodious music echoing throughout the hall. Each couple and each group of friends started going to the dance floor, enjoying the last tunes of their school days.

"Do you want to dance a song?" Khang asked, extending his hand to invite Ngoc with a mischievous smile.

"I'm not very good at dancing," Ngoc smiled, hesitating a bit before placing her hand in his.

"It's okay, me too," Khang replied, leading her to the middle of the dance floor.

The two slowly swayed to the melodious melody, sometimes clumsily stepping on each other's feet, making both of them unable to hold back their giggles. Around them, Trang and Phuc were also chatting away, while Huy stood next to a group of new friends from the scholarship fund's board of directors, holding a glass of water, his face beaming with a satisfied smile.

In the middle of the slow music, Khang suddenly stopped walking, looked deeply into Ngoc's eyes, and his voice became unusually serious. "Jade, I want to tell you something, before we officially enter a new chapter of life."

"What do you want to say?" Ngoc asked, her heart beating faster at those eyes filled with affection.

"I know, soon we will study at two different universities, and maybe we won't see each other every day like now," Khang said, his voice sincere. "But I want you to know, no matter how far the geographical distance is, my feelings for you will never change. I am willing to work with you to nurture this relationship, regardless of the challenges ahead."

Ngoc smiled, her eyes filled with tears of emotion at that sincere promise. "Me too, Khang. We have overcome many difficulties together to get together. I believe that geographical distance will not be able to separate what we have built."

Khang gently lifted her hand, placing a light kiss on the back of her hand in a romantic, sincere gesture. "Then, let's promise to always try our best, no matter where we are, okay?"

"We can plan to video call every week, and try to arrange to visit each other on vacation," Ngoc added, her voice matter-of-fact but still filled with optimism. "I believe, if both try hard, the distance will not be too big of an obstacle."

"Agreed," Khang nodded firmly. "Besides, our two schools are not too far apart, I believe there will be many opportunities to meet."

"I promise," Ngoc replied, her voice filled with determination, holding Khang's hand tightly in overwhelming happiness, her eyes shining with absolute trust in what the two of them had built together. promises to continue to build.

The music continued to sound, the whole hall was immersed in the warm, romantic atmosphere of the last night of the prom.

At the end of the party, the whole group of close friends - Ngoc, Khang, Trang, Phuc and Huy - gathered to take a commemorative photo, standing in front of the sparkling background of lights specially prepared by the school for this important occasion.

"Smile!" Trang urged, holding her phone and preparing to take a photo, while the group hugged each other closely, bright smiles appearing on each face.

After taking the photo, the whole group stood back to look at the photo they had just taken, each person was silent for a moment before that precious moment.

"I'll print this photo out, frame it and hang it in my room," Phuc said, his voice a little choked, rarely seen in him. "So that every time I remember my high school years, I will always remember everyone."

"Me too," Trang nodded, her eyes slightly red. "Even though we each go to a different school and in a different city, I hope our friendship will never fade."

Huy stood quietly looking at the group, his heart filled with gratitude when thinking about the journey that brought him here - from a lonely person, full of guilt, to now becoming an indispensable part of a beautiful friendship that he never dared to dream of.

"Thank you everyone," Huy said softly, his voice choked. "For giving me the opportunity to be a part of all of this."

The group turned to hug Huy in a warm group hug, no one said another word, but that silence held more meaning than any words could describe, a moment that they would all remember for the rest of their lives.

Marking the complete end of a meaningful youth journey, at the same time opening a new chapter full of promise for everyone standing here, ready to continue writing their own stories on different paths but still always connected by the precious memories we have experienced together.