How Things Changed Forever.. PART - II

CH 37: Radiant and Resilient

The auditorium hummed with energy as the Amity Club wrapped up their final rehearsal. The stage lights flickered overhead, casting a golden glow on the floor, where Royson and his band had just finished their last sound check. Their performance? Flawless. The food exhibition? Fully organized. The fundraiser? Set to be a massive success .

And at the center of it all, like the engine keeping everything running, was Hillary.

Tyson leaned against the edge of the stage, watching her with a mix of admiration and something he couldn't quite place. She was everywhere at once—checking last-minute details, giving instructions, keeping the whole thing together with sheer force of will. He had seen her in charge before, but there was something different this time. She wasn't just organizing—she was commanding, leading, owning the moment. 

She stood at the front, clipboard in hand, scanning through the checklist one last time before tucking it under her arm. "Alright, that's a wrap for today! You guys did amazing—seriously, I couldn't ask for a better team."

A round of cheers and applause erupted, and Tyson grinned as he exchanged a high-five with Cassie. The two of them had gone through the full hosting script, nailing their timing and delivery. If he was being honest, Hillary had picked the right people for the job—he and Cassie had good chemistry onstage, balancing energy and composure perfectly.

"We're meeting here at seven a.m. sharp tomorrow," Hillary continued, "The food exhibition starts at nine, but we need everything in place before then. If you're in charge of setting up the stalls, be early. If you're helping with logistics, find me first thing in the morning. And if you're on the performance team—" she turned to Royson and his band, smirking, "—just make sure you get enough sleep. No rockstar all-nighters."

Royson let out a mock gasp. "What, and ruin my artistically chaotic persona?"

A few laughs echoed through the group, but Hillary just rolled her eyes. "Not on my watch."

Tyson watched as she clapped her hands together, eyes scanning the room one last time. There was something about the way she carried herself—confident, steady, always prepared. He had seen Hillary handle pressure before, but this was different. She wasn't just keeping things together; she was thriving in it.

This wasn't just any school event for her. This was something she had built from the ground up, something that reflected all the effort she had put into it. And the best part? It had all come together beautifully.

"Alright, go get some rest," she finally said. "Tomorrow's a big day, and I want to see all of you at your best!"

The group slowly dispersed, chatting amongst themselves, their excitement palpable. Tyson lingered a little longer, watching as Hillary checked her notes one last time before sighing in satisfaction. He should leave, but he didn't. Instead, he watched her, really watched her, the way she straightened up despite the exhaustion, the way her fingers brushed over the pages of her clipboard, the way she seemed to draw strength just from seeing everything in order.

He walked up to her, nudging her shoulder lightly. "You know, I don't think I've ever seen you smile this much during an event."

Hillary scoffed but didn't bother hiding her amusement. "That's because most of the time, I'm too busy making sure everything doesn't fall apart."

Tyson smirked. "And yet, it never does. You're kind of a miracle worker."

She rolled her eyes but didn't argue. Instead, she tilted her head toward the stage. "You and Cassie did great today. The hosting felt natural."

"We're a dream team," Tyson said, puffing his chest out exaggeratedly. "Flawless chemistry."

Hillary arched a brow. "You forgot half your lines in the first run-through."