Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism novel Chapter 102

"5, 4, 3 ... "

"Hold on a moment."

Hayden and Liam stepped forward, followed by Nolan.

They also held a few bags, all filled with mineral water bottles.

With only a split second left, they hurriedly set the bags on the table.

"President, what brings you here?"

Nolan grinned warmly, "Just came from the tennis courts."

Today, the film crew paid a visit to Toland University and Nolan, wearing his hat as the student council president, decided to tag along. He bumped into Hayden and Liam at the tennis courts.

Upon inquiry, it was revealed that they had come to the lounge to collect mineral water bottles.

Previously, members of the tennis club had consumed numerous bottles in the lounge, discarding them into the trash bin. The bin was devoid of any other rubbish, primarily filled with bottles.

Upon their reminder, Nolan recalled that the Department of Performing Arts had organised a "trade-in for new" event today.

So, he simply came over with Hayden, each carrying a bag.

No one anticipated their return with bottles. Zoren stepped forward, "You two actually came back! We thought you got lost!"

Liam retorted, "Do you think Hayden and I are as absent-minded as you?"

Jasper exclaimed, "It's good that you're back! Retrieving those bottles truly saved us from a dire situation!"

Upon seeing their arrival, everyone was astonished. They hadn't expected such a miracle to occur.

"Oh my goodness, I nearly forgot! The tennis club has these three."

"They came together with bottles, there must be quite a few in those three bags. Without even counting, they've got more than the dance club for sure."

"A twist within a twist, could there possibly be another twist after this?"

The dance club members, who had thought victory was assured, were now dumbfounded.

Casey stammered, "Th-the ... time's already up! The bottles they brought back don't count!"

Hattie stepped forward to confirm, "Senior, the countdown has ended, hasn't it?"

One of the student council members handed her the stopwatch. "The time hasn't ended, there's still one second left."

Casey murmured, "But how is that possible? The time clearly ran out just now ... "

Feeling challenged, the student council members harboured a sense of discontent towards her.

In truth, if it weren't for the dance club members forcefully setting the pace earlier, the game would have ended much sooner.

Even with an extra five minutes added, they're still clamouring. Must they win for it to be considered fair?

"If you have any doubts about our timing method, our president happens to be right here. You can discuss it with him."

Casey choked on her words.

Violeta gently patted her shoulder and softly uttered, "Nessie, we're all members of the same club. Saying thank you feels out of place."

With the dance club suffering defeat, they had no desire to linger and watch the celebrations. Without a word, they turned and left.

Hattie exchanged a glance with Zelena, then followed the dance club members out, leaving with them.

...

The next day, all the third-year students from the Department of Performing Arts went to the auditorium to audition for roles.

In the morning, as the film crew passed by the Department of Performing Arts building, everyone rushed to the corridor to catch a glimpse, yearning for the days when they would be part of the cast and crew.

During lunchtime in the cafeteria, they encountered the film crew again, along with several professors from their major courses.

Kaylee remarked, "Vio, it's the film crew. I wonder if they've finalised their casting decisions today."

Violeta glanced up and replied in a calm tone, "They should have pretty much finalised their decisions by now."

Zelena and the others sitting behind also noticed the crew.

Hattie suggested, "Lena, let's find a chance to strike up a conversation later. I'll introduce you. I know the assistant director of this film crew and I'm acquainted with Wade Howell, the scriptwriter."

Zelena's face lit up with delight. "Really? Hattie, you're amazing!"

Hattie waved it off casually. "It's nothing, really. Haha."

Gillian and Candy sat at the same table with them, eager to bask in the glory. They couldn't wait to curry favour with them later.