"Not really," he replied quickly, forcing a small smile.
But inside, everything felt different.
At that moment, Angela suddenly remembered her friends' voices from the day before.
"Just a gift? I don't believe that. He might want something from you in return…"
The words echoed loudly in her mind, drowning out everything else.
Her expression shifted.
The warmth she felt just moments ago began to fade, replaced by uncertainty… and doubt.
She stood up abruptly.
Chris frowned, noticing the sudden change. "What's wrong?" he asked, studying her carefully.
"Nothing," Angela replied quickly, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I just… have to go."
Before he could say anything else, she turned and walked away, her steps hurried, almost as if she were running from something she couldn't face.
Chris remained seated, watching her leave, confusion settling deep within him.
He didn't understand what had just changed.
But he knew one thing for sure,
Something was wrong.
The session had finally come to an end, and for Angela, it brought a quiet sense of relief.
"It serves Fiona right," she said with a faint smile as she walked beside Elsa. "Too bad she didn't show up throughout the whole term. I still wonder how those girls managed to beat her up that badly."
Elsa let out a soft laugh. "They really did a number on her." She paused, her expression softening. "I'm going to miss you, Angela… but don't worry, I'll visit whenever I can."
"You're always welcome," Angela replied warmly. "I wish you could come every day and keep me busy."
"Of course, I will… whenever I get the chance," Elsa smiled.
Chris, on the other hand, was far from at peace.
For days, he had been searching for the courage to tell Angela how he truly felt, to let her know just how important she had become to him. But every time he thought about it, her words to Jerry echoed in his mind like a painful reminder.
I'm already in love with someone else…
The thought alone was enough to crush his resolve.
"What if she tells me the same thing?" he muttered to himself one restless night. "What if… she rejects me?"
Sleep abandoned him as his thoughts spiralled, leaving him lost in uncertainty as the holiday approached.
At Royal Academy
Students filled the compound, chatting excitedly as they prepared to leave for the three-week holiday. The once lively school was slowly growing quiet, with most students already gone.
Elsa had left earlier, promising to visit Angela soon.
Now, standing alone in the almost empty compound, Angela felt an unfamiliar stillness. It was strange… almost lonely.
Deciding not to linger, she turned to leave, only to spot Chris standing not too far away.
A smile immediately lit up her face.
"I thought you had already left," she said as she walked toward him.
Chris shook his head slightly. "No… I wanted to see you before I go."
Angela blinked in surprise. "Really? Is something wrong?"
He hesitated for a brief moment before reaching into his pocket.
"I… brought this for you," he said, pulling out a small red box and handing it to her.
Angela slowly opened it and gasped softly.
Inside was a bracelet.
It sparkled under the sunlight, delicate yet striking, clearly expensive and carefully chosen.
"For me?" she asked, her voice filled with surprise and something softer… appreciation.
For a moment, her heart warmed at the thought that he cared this much.
"Thank you, Chris… but I can't accept this," she said gently, closing the box. "You've already done so much for me. I don't want to seem ungrateful."
"Please, Angela," he said quickly, his voice almost pleading. "Just accept it… for me."
She shook her head slowly. "Chris, you're my good friend, and I'll miss you during the holiday… but I really can't take this."
"It's just a small token of my appreciation," he added quietly, his tone softer now.
But Angela's thoughts were no longer her own.
Her friends' voices echoed loudly in her mind,
"A gift? Nobody gives something like that for free… he might ask for your body in return…"
Her expression changed instantly.
The warmth she had felt moments ago faded into unease.
"Chris… I have to go," she said quickly, forcing a smile before turning away.
Without waiting for a response, she hurried off.
Chris stood there, frozen, the small box still in his hand.
"Why can't she just… see what's in my heart?" he whispered, his voice filled with quiet frustration and pain.
A few minutes later, as Chris was about to leave, something caught his attention.
He looked up, and there she was.
Angela… walking hand in hand with Jerry.
They looked happy. Comfortable and close.
Chris's chest tightened painfully.
This time, he didn't just feel jealous, he felt lost.
Completely lost.
He didn't know what to do anymore.
The holiday soon began, and for Angela, it was filled with laughter and freedom.
She spent most of her time with her friends, enjoying moments she rarely allowed herself to have.
It felt good, almost like she could forget everything else.
"Angela, you need to do something for us," Karen said one afternoon, her tone playful but expectant.
"Anything for my girls," Angela replied with a bright smile, taking a sip from her wine.
Jane leaned forward, her eyes glinting with interest.
"Then bring us more valuable things," she said casually.
"What do you mean?" Angela asked, her brows furrowing as she tried to understand their words.
Susan leaned back with a smirk, her eyes gleaming with something unsettling. "We mean more money… more clothes, shoes, jewelry, everything. From Chris. We want you to drain him dry."
Angela froze.
"What?!" she snapped, her voice rising with anger. "You girls are unbelievable! Chris is just my friend. And besides, I'm not going to stoop that low. Respect is everything!"
The room fell into a brief silence before Susan casually reached into her bag.
Angela watched, confused, until Susan pulled out small packets of hard drugs.
Her breath caught.
"Let's take something first," Susan said smoothly, as if it were the most normal thing in the world. "It'll help you relax… then we can explain things better."
She extended a small wrap toward Angela. Cocaine.
Angela's eyes widened in shock.
"I guess this suits you," Susan added with a mocking smirk.
Angela stepped back immediately, her heart racing.
"Wait… this is getting out of control," she said, her voice low. "I thought this was just a dance group, not some gang or… something worse. I can't be part of this. I won't involve myself with drugs."
She grabbed her handbag, ready to leave.
But Karen quickly stood up, her expression turning serious.
"We need money, Angela. A lot of money," she said, her tone urgent. "And you're the only one who can make that happen."
Angela said nothing, her grip tightening on her bag.
"Just get Chris to give you money," Karen continued. "It's obvious he can afford it. He already spends on you, doesn't he? I'm sure he likes you… maybe even loves you."
Angela's chest tightened.
"So use that," Karen pressed. "Seduce him if you have to. Do whatever it takes to make him give you more. Not just Chris, any of those rich guys at your school. You have access to them. Don't waste it."
Angela slowly closed her eyes, disappointment washing over her like a heavy wave.
For a moment, she said nothing.
Then she opened them again, this time, filled with resolve.
"Girls… it's better I walk away now before it's too late," she said quietly. "I'm out. I don't want any part of this."
Her voice trembled, but her decision was firm.
Without waiting for a response, she turned and hurried toward the door.
"Come back here, Angela!" Susan shouted sharply. "You can't just walk away like that, or else..."
But Angela didn't stop.
She pushed the door open and rushed out, slamming it behind her.
Her heart pounded as she moved farther away, her steps quick and unsteady.
It felt like something inside her had just broken.
The people she thought were her friends, were never really her friends at all.
And for the first time in a long while Angela felt completely alone.