The night of the awards show finally arrived, and butterflies danced in my stomach as I prepared to attend the after-party. I spent hours getting ready, meticulously selecting my outfit and applying my makeup, wanting to look my best for the glamorous evening ahead.

Dressed in a form-fitting black dress, I stared at my reflection, smoothing out the fabric with trembling hands. I reminded myself to stay grounded and not get too starstruck by the presence of famous NFL players and celebrities.

Just as I gave myself a final once-over in the mirror, the doorbell rang, signaling the arrival of a cab. I took a deep breath to steady my nerves, grabbed my handbag, and stepped out into the night.

The cab ride to the venue was a blur. My thoughts were tangled with a mix of excitement and anxiety, my palms slightly clammy as I kept wiping them on my dress.

As the cab pulled up to the venue, the flash of camera bulbs washed over me like a wave. paparazzi were already present, their cameras poised and ready to capture the star-studded event.

The front of the venue was set up with a red carpet, where celebrities and athletes were pausing for photo opportunities and interviews, their glitzy outfits and charismatic smiles on full display.

As I stepped out of the cab, the flashing cameras and voices of the paparazzi engulfed me. However, in front of me, I caught sight of my brother, Younghoe. He looked suave in his suit, standing confidently on the red carpet. Seeing him gave me a sense of reassurance, knowing I had a familiar face nearby.

As I approached him, he turned and spotted me. A warm smile lit up his face, and he waved me over. "Hey, you made it," he greeted, wrapping an arm around my shoulder.

I smiled back at him, feeling comforted by his presence. We posed for a quick photo together, and then one of the paparazzi shouted, "Hey, can we get a solo shot, beautiful?"

I felt a pang of anxiety, but my brother gently nudged me. "Go on, you've got this," he encouraged in a hushed whisper. I took a deep breath and plastered on a confident smile, facing the cameras.

The cameras flashed, and I went through the motions of posing and smiling, trying to exude the same confidence my brother had. The paparazzi called out suggestions and compliments, and I tried to keep my cool.

Once the photographers had their fill, Younghoe gave me a reassuring pat on the back. "You did great," he whispered as we continued down the red carpet towards the venue entrance.

As we finally arrived inside the venue, the atmosphere was a whirlwind of glitz and glamour. The interior was tastefully decorated, elegant and sophisticated, exuding a sense of extravagance. Athletes and celebrities mingled and socialized, their laughter and conversation filling the air with an energized hum.

I looked around for Avery, and then spotted her, talking excitedly with some other people near the bar. She looked stunning in her white gown, and her face was radiant with anticipation.

I maneuvered through the crowd of people, making my way towards her. She looked up and saw me, a broad smile overtaking her face. "There you are!" she exclaimed, wrapping her arms around me in a tight hug.

I returned the embrace, feeling a sense of comfort in her familiar presence. "This place looks so much better than last years," I whispered to her, taking in the overwhelming atmosphere of the venue.

Avery giggled, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I know, right? I still can't believe it. And wait until you see the food. It's, like, Michelin-star worthy!"

I laughed, feeling my earlier anxiety starting to fade in the face of Avery's infectious enthusiasm. "It does look amazing," I agreed, looking around at the sumptuous display of hors d'œuvres being carried around by waiters.

The room hushed as the lights dimmed, signalling the start of the award ceremony. I settled into my seat, my heart thrumming with anticipation. The host took to the stage, a charismatic smile on his face, and the awards presentation began.

Keegan-Michael Key's voice echoed through the venue as he announced the first award. "Now, for the first award for Ap Most Valuable Player, we have... Josh Allen from the Buffalo Bills!"

The room erupted into applause as Josh Allen accepted the award, a broad smile on his face. The awards kept coming, with accolades for various athletes and coaches. Younghoe sat eagerly beside me, his hands gripping the armrests as he waited anxiously for his award category.

Finally, Keegan-Michael Key returned to the stage, a dramatic pause before announcing the next award. "And now, the moment we've all been waiting for, the award for Rookie of The Year goes to..." he paused for effect.

The room was dead silent as Keegan-Michael Key looked out into the audience, building the tension. Every eye was fixed on him, waiting for the name to be announced.

"Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders!" he declared, and the room erupted into applause.

My heart leapt as Jayden stood up to accept his award, his expression a mixture of humility and excitement. He looked like he couldn't believe he had won such a prestigious award so early on in his career.

The applause continued as Jayden made his way to the stage, his teammates and coaches clapping and cheering him on. He accepted the award, a wide smile on his face, and stepped to the microphone.

As I watched Jayden approach the stage, my heart thumped wildly in my chest. He was even more attractive up close, the light of the stage illuminating his features. His sharp jaw, smoldering eyes, and charming smile made him look like a model rather than a football player.

I found myself unable to tear my eyes away from him as he spoke to the audience, thanking his teammates and coaches for their support. His voice was deep and-smooth, carrying through the room and sending a shiver down my spine.

I was so captivated by him that I barely registered the crowd's applause. I felt a twinge of disappointment as Jayden handed the microphone back and began to walk off the stage, my gaze unwillingly following him.

The awards continued, with various athletes and teams being recognized for their achievements. I watched, my mind still reeling from Jayden's performance. But my attention was abruptly pulled back to the ceremony as Keegan-Michael Key returned to the stage.

"And now, for the final award of the evening," he began, a hint of dramatic flair in his voice. "The winner of the Best Kicker award goes too... Younghoe Koo from the Atlanta Falcons!"

Without thinking, I shot up from my seat, my body moving on its own as a wave of elation washed over me. The applause for Younghoe was deafening, but I hardly noticed, my focus solely on my brother accepting his award.

Tears blurred my vision as I watched Younghoe walk up to the stage, a surprised yet proud smile on his face. He took the award from Keegan-Michael Key, his expression a mix of disbelief and joy.

As he stepped up to the microphone to give his acceptance speech, I didn't hear his words. The sight of my brother, standing there with the award in hand, was all I could focus on. The tears spilled over, dripping down my cheeks, and I couldn't help but beam with pride.

Younghoe thanked his coaches, teammates, and family before finishing his speech. The applause echoed through the venue, and he made his way off the stage. I waited until he reached our seats before I threw my arms around him in a tight embrace.

He chuckled, hugging me back. "Whoa, easy there," he said, his voice a mix of surprise and amusement. "You're gonna crush me."

I pulled away, laughing through my tears. "I'm just so proud of you," I managed to say, my voice choked with emotion.

The guests began to filter out of the auditorium, still buzzing with excitement from the awards. I followed the crowd out with Avery, chatting eagerly about the evening's events.

As we arrived at Ja'Marr Chase's house, the party was already in full swing. Music spilled out from the open doors, and the air was filled with animated chatter and laughter. I looked at Avery, both of us feeling a mix of anticipation and nervousness.

We made our way inside, the sound and energy of the crowd washing over us. The house was tastefully decorated, and there was a sense of opulence in the air. We weaved through the guests, scanning the room for familiar faces.

I spotted some athletes and celebrities scattered about, and I felt a flutter of nerves in my stomach. Being around such prominent figures was a bit overwhelming, but I reminded myself to stay calm. Suddenly, a voice sounded behind us. "You made it."

Startled, I spun around to see Ja'Marr standing there, a charming smile on his face. "I'm glad you could come," he said smoothly, his gaze flickering between me and Avery.

I forced a smile, feeling a bit flustered. "Yeah, thanks for having us," I replied, glancing over at Avery, who looked equally nervous.

Ja'Marr chuckled, seemingly amused by our obvious discomfort. "No need to be so nervous," he assured us. "Make yourselves at home. Drinks are over there, and Jayden should be around somewhere."

As Ja'Marr mentioned Jayden's name, my heart fluttered in anticipation. I stole a glance at Avery, who was attempting to feign nonchalance. However, I could see the curiosity in her eyes, the subtle signs that betrayed her interest in Ja'Marr.

Avery tried to act cool, but her interest in Ja'Marr was written all over her face. I, on the other hand, couldn't help but wonder where Jayden was. I hadn't seen him yet, and I felt a pang of disappointment.

As Ja'Marr walked away, laughing to himself as if he found our reactions amusing, I nudged Avery. "You're not being subtle," I teased her in a hushed voice.

She shot me a sidelong glare, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Neither are you," she retorted, a hint of defensiveness in her tone.

I shot her a sly grin, realizing she wasn't as indifferent as she was trying to portray. Before I could tease her further, a commotion nearby captured our attention.

We turned to see a group of footballers, led by Ja'Marr, entering the living room, their boisterous laughter echoing through the room. Following them was Jayden, his easy smile and confident stride adding to his allure. My heart did a little flip as I caught sight of him.

He looked just as handsome in person as he did on the stage, if not more. His dark hair, athletic build, and charming smile were a lethal combination. I couldn't help but admire him from a distance as he joked around with the other footballers.

As soon as Avery spotted Jayden and the other footballers entering the room, Avery grabbed my arm and pulled me towards the nearest bar. "We need drinks, stat," she said urgently, her tone laced with a hint of desperation.

I laughed at her panicked expression but couldn't deny that I felt the same way. My eyes were glued to Jayden, admiring his easy charisma from afar. "You think they'll notice us?" I mused as we approached the table.

"Oh, they definitely will," Avery replied, her voice slightly nervous. "And I don't want to be a blubbering mess when they do. Tequila?"

I chuckled, the thought of Jayden seeing me drunk making me a bit nervous. "Yes please," I say, feeling a mix of excitement and trepidation.

We approached the table, which was stocked with various alcohol bottles and mixers. Avery snagged two glasses and grabbed a bottle of tequila. With a swift, practiced motion, she poured two cups and handed one to me.

We downed the cup in a few gulps, cringing at the burning sensation as the tequila hit our throats. I immediately reached for the bottle, feeling the need for another pour. But before I could, a voice interrupted me.

"Looks like you ladies are starting the party early," a deep, amused voice said behind us.

I stiffened, recognizing the voice even before I turned around. Spinning around, I saw Jayden standing there, a cocky smile on his face. His eyes flicked between me and Avery, clearly having seen us take shots.

I felt my cheeks heat up, embarrassment washing over me. I hadn't expected to be caught red-handed by the very person I was trying to look cool for. "We, uh, were just–" I started to explain, my voice faltering under his intense gaze.

But before I could finish my sentence, Avery piped up, her voice a little too enthusiastic. "Celebrating your award, obviously!"

I shot her a sidelong look, silently wishing she wouldn't embarrass us further.

Jayden chuckled, looking amused by our attempt at playing it cool. "Is that so?" he asked, his eyes crinkling at the corners in a charming smile. "Mind if I join in?"

I exchanged a quick glance with Avery, silently begging her not to make things more awkward. But she just gave me a sly smile, clearly enjoying the situation. "Of course," she said, gesturing to the bottles. "Help yourself."

Jayden grabbed a glass and poured himself a shot, then turned to us. "Ladies first," he said, raising his glass in a toast.

I hesitantly clinked my glass against his, feeling my heart pound in my chest. We both downed the shot in one gulp, the tequila warming my throat.

Jayden's smile widened as he set down his glass. "Impressive," he remarked, eyeing me with a hint of interest.

I felt a flush of pride at his words, my earlier embarrassment melting away under his gaze. I realized that being a bit tipsy might not be such a bad thing after all.

"Thanks," I managed to say, trying to maintain my composure. "It's the secret to enjoying a good party."

Jayden chuckled, clearly amused by my attempt to act casual. "So you're the party experts, huh?" he asked, leaning against the table. "Do you make it a habit to start drinking this early at every event you attend?"

I shot a quick look at Avery, who was watching our interaction with a mixture of amusement and curiosity. She just shrugged and gave me an encouraging smile.

"Only when the party is extra good," I responded, meeting Jayden's gaze with a hint of flirtation.

Jayden raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying the back-and-forth banter. "And how do you define 'extra good'?" he asked, taking a step closer to me. "Is it the alcohol, the company, or both?"

I felt a shiver run down my spine as he moved closer, his proximity making it hard to think clearly. "Definitely both," I said, my voice slightly breathier than before. "But the company has been the highlight of my evening."

I realized I was veering into dangerous territory, but the alcohol was making me bolder than usual.

Jayden's smile widened at my words, his eyes darkening slightly. "Well, I'm flattered," he replied, his voice dropping an octave lower. "But I have to confess, I wasn't expecting such a... welcoming reception from a fan."

My heart skipped a beat as he used the word "fan", realizing he knew I had been watching him closely from the moment he stepped onto the stage.

Avery, sensing the tension in the air, couldn't resist chiming in. "Oh, you have a big fan here," she said slyly, glancing at me. "Hannah's brother was the one who won the award for the best kicker. Right, Hannah?"

I shot her a sharp glare, silently telling her to keep her mouth shut.

Jayden looked surprised at the revelation, his gaze flickering between me and Avery. "Is that so?" he asked, his eyes locking onto me once again. "You're the sister of Younghoe Koo?"

I felt like smacking Avery, but it was too late now. I took a deep breath, trying to maintain my composure. "Yeah, that's me," I said with a sheepish smile. "His younger, less famous sister."

Jayden chuckled at my self-deprecating comment, clearly amused. "Well, now things make a lot more sense," he said, his eyes raking over me appreciatively. "I can definitely see the family resemblance."

Avery, ever unpredictable, suddenly piped up again. "Wait, is that racist?" she asked bluntly, a hint of defensiveness in her voice. "Are you saying all Asians look alike?"

I facepalmed internally, silently cursing Avery's lack of tact. But to my surprise, Jayden just laughed out loud, clearly not offended by the question.

"No, no," he assured us, his eyes still on me. "It's not like that at all. I just mean that Hannah has her brother's charm and drive. You can tell they're related."

I giggled at Jayden's comment, feeling a pleasant warmth spread through my body. The alcohol was definitely kicking in, making everything feel a little more lighthearted and enjoyable.

Avery, never one to shy away from a conversation, was also beginning to show the signs of intoxication. She draped an arm around my shoulders, her cheeks flushed and her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"I told you we needed those shots," she whispered in my ear, clearly enjoying the effects of the alcohol. I laughed, leaning into her embrace, feeling giddy and carefree.

@hannahkoo: nfl awards 📍
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