Page 15 of Boards & Betrayal

He paused, looking out at the sea of faces before him. I took another picture, framing his determined expression against the backdrop of admiring peers.

"I couldn't have done this without my team," Levi continued. "Their support means everything to me."

The room responded with more applause, a testament to their respect for him not just as an athlete but as a teammate.

Levi’s gaze flickered to Minka again, and for a brief moment, his stoic facade softened. "And to Minka," he added, his voice dropping slightly. "Your belief in me kept me going when things got tough."

I captured that moment too—the sincerity in his eyes, Minka’s proud smile—and felt a pang of envy. This was what I used to dream about—supportive relationships built on mutual respect and love.

But those dreams felt distant now. Tonight wasn’t about me; it was about them—their achievements and their stories. And through my lens, I’d tell those stories as best I could.

With another click of my camera, I refocused on Levi as he accepted his award and posed for pictures. The ceremony continued around me—a whirlwind of accolades and emotions—but I stayed grounded by the rhythm of my work.

This was where I belonged tonight—behind the camera, capturing these fleeting moments before they slipped away into memory.

A few more awards went on, each winner greeted with applause and admiration. I kept snapping photos, capturing the fleeting moments of joy and pride that danced across their faces. The room was alive with energy, each award adding to the celebratory atmosphere.

The announcer's voice echoed through the hall again, bringing the room to a hush. "And now, the award for Goalie of the Year goes to... Liam Wolfe!"

The crowd erupted into cheers as Liam stood up. He was tall and lean, his silver hair spiked in a way that gave him an air of effortless cool. A mask of calm intensity covered his face. His sharp eyes scanned the room with a mixture of detachment and focus, as if he was both present and miles away at the same time.

Before he could take a step toward the stage, Ivy pulled him into a passionate kiss. The sudden display of affection caught me off guard, and I felt my cheeks warm as I grinned and blushed at the same time. The room seemed to hold its breath for a moment before breaking into even louder applause and whistles.

I quickly raised my camera and captured the kiss—their intertwined forms against the backdrop of cheering teammates and flashing lights. It was a moment that perfectly encapsulated the highs and lows of this world—the triumphs, the love, the passion.

Liam finally made his way to the podium, his movements smooth and almost lazy, like he had all the time in the world. He adjusted the microphone slightly, his expression still that cool mask of indifference.

"Thanks," he said simply, his voice steady but unembellished.

Then he stepped away from the podium as quickly as he'd approached it, leaving behind a sea of admiring faces. It was such a brief moment, yet it left an impact—a testament to his understated confidence and undeniable presence.

I captured every second of it through my lens, feeling a strange sense of satisfaction in documenting these fragments of other people's lives. The ceremony continued around me, but for those few moments, everything seemed to slow down—focusingon Liam Wolfe's quiet but powerful acknowledgment of his achievement.

I lowered my camera for just a second, allowing myself to savor the atmosphere before diving back into my work. This was what I did best—finding beauty in fleeting moments and preserving them forever.

More awards went by in a blur. I focused on my job, capturing the elation and pride of each recipient. My camera felt like an extension of myself, a shield between me and the emotions that threatened to surface. Each click was a beat in the rhythm that kept me grounded, kept me moving forward.

I barely noticed when Coach DeVries returned to the stage. It wasn't until his voice filled the room again that I looked up, my camera ready.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he began, his voice rich with emotion. "The next award is one that's close to my heart—the Lifetime Achievement Award."

I adjusted my lens, zooming in on DeVries' expressive face as he spoke. He paused for a moment, letting the anticipation build.

"This coach has not only led his team to victory but has also inspired them to be better athletes and better people. His dedication to the sport is unparalleled, and his passion is evident in every practice, every game."

The crowd was silent, hanging on every word. I snapped a few more shots, capturing the intensity in DeVries's eyes.

"He’s faced challenges that would have broken lesser men," DeVries continued, his voice growing more impassioned. "But he’s persevered with grace and strength, always putting his team first."

A knot formed in my stomach as I listened, but I forced myself to keep shooting, hiding behind my camera.

"This coach has molded young athletes into champions," DeVries said, "and has done so with a level of commitment and excellence that sets him apart."

He paused again, letting the weight of his words settle over the room. My hands trembled slightly as I adjusted my focus.

"Congratulations to the recipient of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award," DeVries finally announced, "Thomas Morgan."

The room erupted into applause and cheers. My breath caught in my throat as I watched Thomas stand up from his table.

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