The Imperfect Girl

Chp. 30- Unexpected Recognition

(Author's POV)

The college meeting hall buzzed with restless energy as students fidgeted in their seats, waiting for the awards to be handed out.

 Damon leaned back in his chair, casually drumming his fingers on the armrest, while Adeline was forced to sit next to him, every muscle in her body screaming discomfort.

"You look like you're about to get called into the principal's office," Damon said with a smirk.

Adeline huffed, folding her arms. "I just don't like crowds, okay?"

"Sure. Adeline Wright is always Right"

Before she could respond with a scathing comeback, the dean tapped the microphone, commanding the room's attention.

Then he went on and on about how proud he is as the College Dean, about this collaboration between the two majors. 

Classic Dean-Preaching. God- he was even more boring than Cassie talking about her new (weird) catalog-collection

"And now, the award for the Best Marketing Idea goes to... Catherine Reynolds and Jacob Lee!"

The crowd erupted into applause as the winners strutted onto the stage. 

Adeline's shoulders sagged in both relief and maybe.. disappointment.

At least that's over.

"Well, that was fun," Damon said, standing up and stretching. "Guess we can—"

"And while we congratulate our winners," the dean's voice cut through Damon's attempt to escape, "this year, we had another pair whose creativity caught our attention."

Damon froze mid-stretch and he sat down again. "Wait, what?"

Adeline blinked. Oh no.

The dean continued, "Their concept was so unique that we've created a new award category just for them. The Most Creative Idea goes to... Damon Scott and Adeline Wright!"

Adeline's brain went fuzzy as Damon burst out laughing. "Of course, we get the 'special snowflake' award," he said, grabbing her hand and pulling her up.

"Damon, no!" Adeline protested, but he wasn't listening.

"Oh yes! The people demand to see us in all our glory!"

Dragging her onto the stage, Damon waved like he'd just won an Oscar, while Adeline tried her best to blend into the background. Unfortunately for her, Damon made that impossible.

"Smile for the crowd, Addie!" he teased as they accepted the certificate. "This is your moment!"

"My moment?" she muttered through gritted teeth. "If you don't stop pulling this nonsense, it's gonna be your funeral."

Damon flashed her a toothy grin. "So much hostility for someone who just became award-winning."

"Please stop calling us that."

The dean handed them the certificate, and Damon—of course—insisted on holding it up like a trophy. 

The crowd, sensing the spectacle, cheered and whistled even louder, while Adeline wished the ground would open up and swallow her whole.

"You liked it," Damon said once they were off the stage, his voice smug.

"I did not," she said, trying to sound convincing even as her lips betrayed her with the tiniest of smiles.

"You're grinning."

"It's a facial spasm. Totally unrelated."

Damon slung an arm around her shoulder. "Face it, you loved the glory."

She ducked out from under his arm. "I loved getting off that stage without having to make a speech."

"Still counts. You're practically glowing with achievement."

She rolled her eyes. "You're glowing with insufferability."

Damon shrugged. "That's just natural, Addie."

Adeline groaned but couldn't help the small chuckle that slipped through. 

Winning an award with Damon Scott might not have been on her bucket list, but she had to admit—if only to herself—it felt kind of good. 

Even if his giant ego took up all the space.

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