Chapter 27 — The Stage of the Unsaid

Monday morning, when news of the Drama Club's historic victory spread throughout Dawn School, an atmosphere of joy filled the entire campus. The school board decided to organize an official honor ceremony right during the flag raising period at the beginning of the week, inviting the entire cast to the stage to receive applause and congratulations from thousands of students throughout the school.

"This is the first victory in the eight-year history of our school's Drama Club at the regional festival level," the principal said in front of the whole school, his voice full of pride. "I believe that this achievement will be a great source of inspiration for many future generations of students, not only in art, but also in the admirable spirit of overcoming difficulties and solidarity."

After the ceremony, the festival organizers officially sent a notice confirming the reward accompanying the First Prize - a full scholarship to attend a six-week international screenwriting and acting summer camp, for the entire main production crew of the winning play, including Anh Thu as screenwriter, Kien and the main actors, and key behind-the-scenes team such as Duy Anh and Ngoc Diep.

That news brought another burst of joy to the entire club. "This is truly an unbelievable opportunity," Duy Anh said, his voice filled with excitement as the group gathered to celebrate at a familiar lemon tea shop after school. "Six weeks of learning directly from leading industry experts is an opportunity that not everyone gets."

"I'm still in shock," Anh Thu admitted, his voice filled with emotion. "From a play that started just because I wanted to say things I hadn't told my mother yet, it has led us to a journey that goes beyond any initial imagination."

Kien held her hand, his eyes filled with deep respect. "And I believe, that journey still has many wonderful things waiting ahead," he said.

That afternoon, when Anh Thu returned home, she decided to officially inform her father of her decision to pursue the film screenwriting major, without any hesitation like before. Mr. Duc Thang, after listening to his daughter present the detailed plan - including the upcoming summer camp scholarship - could not hide his proud smile.

"I fully support your decision," he said, his voice sincere. "And I think, maybe, it's time for me to learn to trust more in your own choices, instead of always trying to draw the path in the way I think is safest."

Those words, which marked a complete transformation in the relationship between father and daughter, brought Anh Thu a deep sense of relief and happiness that she had never fully experienced since the day her mother passed away.

Similarly, at Kien's house, his parents also had a serious, understanding conversation about their son's future. "We thought a lot," his mother said, "and we thought, perhaps, you should pursue a major related to the performing arts, instead of Economics like we had wanted. You have proven that this is exactly where your true talent shines."

Kien hugged his parents, his voice choked with emotion at the complete change in their perspective. "Thank you, Mom and Dad, for trusting me," he said.

That evening, when Kien and Anh Thu met at a familiar small park - a place that had witnessed many important moments in their love journey - they both shared the wonderful news from their families, their hearts filled with complete happiness for the promising future that was opening up ahead.

"You know," Anh Thu said, sitting down on the familiar bench, "I think it's time for us to officially announce our relationship, not only to the club, but to both of our families."

Kien smiled and held her hand tightly. "I think, everyone has known for a long time," he replied, smiling slightly. "But I completely agree, it's time we officially admit what we've both felt for a long time."

The two looked up at the starry night sky together, filled with happiness and gratitude for the long and meaningful journey they had gone through together, ready to enter the next chapter of their shared story, with full support from both family and friends around them.

The next day, at the first club meeting after the victory, Anh Thu and Kien stood in front of all members, hand in hand, officially confirming the relationship that everyone had understood for a long time. "We want to officially announce to everyone," Kien said, his voice a bit shy but full of happiness, "that we are dating."

The whole hall burst into laughter, not surprised at all by the "news" that everyone had known for a long time. "Finally, it's been made public!" Ngoc Diep shouted excitedly, making the whole room burst into laughter once again.

Amid that happy atmosphere, Ms. Huong also had another important announcement. "The school has decided," she said, her voice solemn, "to shorten Gia Bach's suspension from extracurricular activities to one month, instead of a full semester as originally decided, based on the significant progress in the psychological counseling process and his sincere repentance."

That news received consensus from most members, especially from Anh Thu and Kien themselves, who have directly witnessed Gia Bach's positive changes over the past time. "I think this is a fair decision," Anh Thu told Ms. Huong after the meeting. "He deserves the opportunity to come back and contribute to the club in a more positive way."

That weekend evening, when Anh Thu received an official email confirming her early admission to the Film Screenwriting major at a prestigious university - thanks to her impressive profile with the first prize at the festival and an emotional self-written play - she couldn't hold back her tears of happiness and immediately called to share the good news with Kien.

"I really passed!" she said, her voice shaking with excitement. "I officially became a student majoring in Film Screenwriting!"

"I always knew you could do it," Kien replied, his voice filled with pride and happiness. "Sincere congratulations, Anh Thu. This is just the beginning of a brilliant career waiting for you ahead."

The conversation continued, the two shared their plans and dreams for the near future, as the high school graduation exam and the international scholarship summer camp trip were approaching, promising to bring many other valuable and memorable experiences to both in the journey of pursuing their passion for art that they had discovered together during the past tumultuous play season.

A few days later, Kien also received the same good news - his application to study Theater Directing at a prestigious arts university was officially approved, with a partial scholarship based on excellent performance at the recent festival. He immediately ran to Anh Thu's house to share the news, unable to contain his excitement.

"We will study in the same city together!" he said, hugging her as soon as she opened the door, his voice filled with bursting happiness. "My school is only about fifteen minutes by bus from yours."

Anh Thu hugged him tightly, tears of happiness once again rolling down his cheeks. "This is truly the most amazing thing," she said, her voice choking up. "I always worried about us being apart when we went to college, but now, that will never happen again."

The two stood there in front of the house, hugging each other tightly, filled with confidence in a bright future that was opening up ahead - not only about the artistic careers that they were both passionate about pursuing, but also about a lasting emotional relationship, built on the solid foundation of understanding, trust and sincere love that they had built together throughout a long and challenging journey.

"We've done so many great things in this senior year," Anh Thu said, looking up at him, her eyes filled with happiness. "I can't imagine, a year ago, I didn't even dare to think about stepping out from behind the scenes, and now, I'm standing here, preparing for a brilliant future that I never dared to dream of."

"And I firmly believe," Kien replied, squeezing her hand, "this is just the beginning of many more wonderful chapters in the book of life that we will continue to write together, page by page, forever."