Sorry for the late update dear readers.
The day of the presentation arrived, and the auditorium was packed with students, teachers, and even some parents. The energy in the room was electric, but Ella felt like she was about to pass out.
Noah noticed her fidgeting and nudged her. "Breathe, genius. We've got this."
Maya gave her an encouraging nod. "No matter what happens, we told real stories. That's what matters."
As the lights dimmed, the screen lit up with the opening images—haunting, raw, and deeply emotional. The first voiceover played, altered just enough to hide the speaker's identity.
"Some days, I wake up feeling like I can't breathe. Like the weight of the world is pressing down on me, and no one even notices."
The room fell silent, every eye glued to the screen.
As the presentation continued, murmurs spread through the audience. Some students exchanged glances, clearly resonating with the words being spoken. Teachers sat still, their expressions unreadable.
Ella's heartbeat pounded in her ears. Would they get shut down? Would the school punish them?
Then, as the final segment played—a montage of images symbolizing hope and resilience—something unexpected happened.
A soft sound echoed through the room. Applause.
It started slow but quickly grew louder, spreading through the crowd. Students stood up, clapping. Some wiped their eyes. Even the principal, who had initially hesitated to approve their project, gave them a respectful nod.
Ella let out a shaky breath. They had done it.
After the presentation, they were flooded with praise. People came up to thank them, some even sharing their own experiences.
"I never thought anyone else felt this way," one student admitted, voice thick with emotion.
Noah grinned, shaking hands and patting people on the back. Maya blushed from all the attention. Ella, however, couldn't focus—her mind was stuck on one thing.
Noah.
She had been pushing away the thought for weeks, but it was undeniable now. He wasn't just her project partner. He was the one who had helped her believe in herself, the one who made her laugh when she was overwhelmed, the one who saw her in a way no one else did.
And she liked him.
A lot.
She decided she would tell him. Tonight.
But before she could, something unexpected happened.