The crowd whistled and cheered for them.
After they separated, Beyoncé put the mic back on.
"Don't envy us. You've got your partner right there with you."
The crowd laughed and applauded again.
"For your information, Steph here isn't just the best boyfriend anyone could ask for; he's a successful businessman, a go-getter, and everything I deserve. He even sponsored 80% of this reunion. Unlike those who flaunt fake lives, Stephen is literally the most successful man in the building."
Her friends cheered loudly, though the crowd turned cold at that statement, and a few people exchanged uneasy glances as she carried on.
"And you know," Beyoncé added with a playful tone, "it's funny looking back at high school—remember those awkward phases we all went through? The crushes, the... experiments."
Her gaze briefly flickered to Beauty before she continued, a sly smirk playing on her lips.
"But enough talking! We need to lighten up the room with some fun, and I have the best idea. Each person will share a memory with a classmate that I will choose. Only a few will be selected. Bring the box!"
She called out.
"Is this a reunion or her birthday party?" Nia asked no one in particular. Her husband shrugged.
Beyoncé dipped her hand into the box and took out a piece of paper with a name written on it.
"We found our first lucky name. Fatty! A loud round of applause for her!"
The crowd erupted into loud laughter.
"She has a name!"
Nia shouted.
Bruno made to stand, but Beauty held him back.
"It's okay... you don't need to protect me, Bruno. I can deal with this. It's not new," she whispered.
Nia overheard and looked at her sadly.
Beyoncé's voice grabbed their attention.
"Since Fatty had no friends in high school, maybe her ex-boyfriend can help."
She handed Stephen the microphone and stepped down from the podium. Her friends chuckled and whispered among themselves.
"This is for you, Beauty," Stephen said, his voice dripping with mockery.
He gestured toward the large screen behind them, and as if on cue, a video started playing.
Beauty's stomach dropped instantly.
"Oh no," Nia gasped, knowing this would be too cruel.
"This is a special memory of ours," Stephen began, his tone laced with sarcasm. "It's when we shared our first kiss."
He made air quotes, and the room echoed with soft laughter. "Of course, only after she begged me for it."
The video showed a grainy, zoomed-in clip from their high school days—Beauty and Stephen standing awkwardly by the school lockers. In the video, Stephen leaned in reluctantly while Beauty looked shy and uncertain. The camera caught the moment their lips touched.
Bruno closed his eyes at that point, internally regretting not excusing himself when Beauty asked him to do nothing.
The video showed the moment they parted after the kiss. Stephen's exaggerated reaction played on the screen. He grimaced and pretended to gag, wiping his mouth dramatically.
"I swear, it tasted like a fart! Don't judge me!" he snapped.
The laughter from the crowd was immediate, cruel, and booming.
Beyoncé was doubled over with glee, and her friends were in hysterics.
Stephen continued.
"No joke, I went home sick that day. And this—"
The video cut to a hospital scene, with Stephen lying in a bed, hooked up to IVs.
"—this is when I was hospitalized because of that kiss."
The crowd erupted again, tears of laughter streaming down some faces.
Beauty sat frozen, her entire body trembling. She had been wrong about being able to handle it.
She wanted to run, hide, disappear.
Stephen wasn't finished.
"And she even came to the hospital. Like, bitch, you're the reason I was hospitalized in the first place. I need to breathe!"
The crowd burst into laughter again, though some were starting to feel bad for Beauty.
"But the best part," Stephen chuckled, "the best part is when my lovely mom had to tell her that the doctors said I couldn't have visitors. Saved my life!"
The crowd laughed louder.
"Not exaggerating, I am not proud of that experience."
Stephen commented.
Nia turned to Beauty, who was fighting back tears.
"I'm so sorry about this. Stephen is a jerk. Don't let him get to you," she whispered, trying to comfort her.
Beauty stood up that instant.
Bruno opened his eyes just in time to see her walking out of the party.
"Beauty!" he called out, rushing after her.
She didn't stop; she continued down the hall, her heart racing.