The silence that descended upon the arena was deafening, a vacuum before the storm. The seven of you were seated in a row, a collective nervous energy vibrating between you. Beside you, Lara sat with a stillness that was utterly unlike her, her eyes fixed on the presenter, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. The moment felt impossibly long, every second stretched thin.

Then, the name echoed through the speakers, a clear, triumphant announcement: "Katseye!"

The sound was like a key turning in a lock. A joyous, disbelieving gasp escaped the seven of you, and in a heartbeat, the arena erupted into a tidal wave of cheers. You turned to Lara, who met your gaze with wide, watery eyes, and an immediate, tight hug was exchanged. There were no words, only the sheer, overflowing emotion of the victory. The others were already on their feet, a blur of tears and laughter, pulling you all into a frantic, celebratory embrace. As you made your way to the stage, navigating the blinding camera flashes, you felt Lara's arm link with yours, a solid, reassuring weight.