Angela pushed her window open early that morning, allowing the cool breeze to drift into her room. The soft light of dawn filtered through, brushing gently against her face as she stood there for a moment, gathering herself.
Then, with a quiet breath, she turned away and began getting ready for school.
"Oh God… I just hope today turns out better," she murmured under her breath, as though the words alone could shape the day ahead.
She made her way to school on foot, just as she always did. Yet, unlike other mornings, a faint tension lingered within her.
Her thoughts refused to stay still.
Jerry…
Chris…
Fiona…
Each name carried its own weight, pressing heavily on her mind.
At one point, she almost stopped walking altogether, tempted to turn back and hide within the safety of her home. But she shook her head, pushing the thought aside.
No… I have to be strong.
Straightening her shoulders, she continued forward.
"Gosh… I really hope today will be better than yesterday," she whispered to herself, forcing a small, hopeful smile.
During Break…
Angela and Elsa sat together in the cafeteria, their trays untouched for a while as the conversation turned serious.
"So… what about Jerry?" Elsa asked, lifting her drink and taking a slow sip, her eyes fixed on Angela.
Angela exhaled softly, her fingers tracing the edge of the table.
"I honestly don't know… but it feels like I'm hurting him, and I hate that," she admitted quietly.
Elsa leaned forward slightly.
"So what are you going to do?"
Angela shook her head, her gaze distant.
"I wish he could just understand me… that's all I want," she said, her voice laced with helplessness.
Before Elsa could respond, the cafeteria doors swung open abruptly.
Leam rushed in, scanning the room until his eyes landed on Angela.
Relief flashed across his face as he hurried toward her.
"Angela, you need to come right now!" he said urgently.
Angela's heart skipped.
"What happened?"
"It's Jerry… he just collapsed," Leam replied breathlessly.
"What?!"
The words barely left her lips before she sprang to her feet, panic surging through her. Without another second wasted, she rushed out of the cafeteria, Elsa and Leam close behind.
At the school clinic, Chris was already there.
Angela hurried inside, her eyes immediately finding Jerry lying on the bed, still and unresponsive.
"What happened to him?" she asked, her voice filled with worry.
Chris didn't answer right away. Instead, he watched observing the fear in her eyes, the way her entire attention was fixed on Jerry.
She looks so worried… maybe she already loves him, he thought silently.
"He's stable for now," the nurse explained calmly. "It's exhaustion, too much stress and overthinking."
Angela sank into a nearby seat, her heart still racing.
"What…?" she whispered, struggling to process it.
Leaem stepped closer, his expression serious.
"Angela… only you can fix this."
Chris's gaze snapped toward him, a hint of disapproval flickering across his face.
Angela looked up, confused.
"What do you mean?"
Leam didn't hesitate.
"Jerry is heartbroken because you rejected him. Please… just accept him, even if it's temporary. It will help him recover. He needs you now more than ever." His voice softened. "Please… will you do that?"
Angela was taken aback.
"No, Leam," she said gently but firmly. "He's my friend, and I'll take care of him as a friend."
Her eyes shifted to Chris, and for a brief moment, their gazes locked.
"Are you okay with that?" she asked quietly.
Chris nodded after a pause.
"Of course, Angela. He's going through this because of how he feels about you… and I know you'll help him in your own way. He's still my friend too."
A faint smile appeared on Angela's lips.
"Thank you."
Her attention returned to Jerry, who remained unconscious.
They stayed by his side until he finally stirred.
His eyes fluttered open slowly, and the first person he saw was Angela.
A weak smile formed on his lips.
"Angela… please… tell me you love me," he murmured faintly. "I want you in my life…"
Angela swallowed hard, then gently took his hand.
"Jerry… believe me, we're friends. And I'll always be here for you," she said softly, her grip reassuring.
Jerry closed his eyes briefly, a quiet smile lingering on his face.
Later, when school ended, Jerry's driver had already arrived.
Chris and Leam helped him to the car, advising him to get proper rest at home.
Angela watched as the car drove away, her thoughts heavy.
She made her way to the hall for rehearsals, where she greeted her patron, Mrs. Sam, along with a few other teachers.
Only ten contestants remained for the Miss Royal Academy competition, and, of course, Fiona was among them.
They were briefed on the criteria, the expectations, and the structure of the event.
Angela listened carefully, her determination quietly building despite everything happening around her.
By the time rehearsals ended, she glanced at her wristwatch, it was 6:00 p.m.
Startled, she quickly grabbed her bag and hurried toward the school gate.
That was when she saw Chris.
"Hey… how was Jerry before he left?" she asked, slowing her pace.
Chris gave a small smile.
"When he saw you, he felt a lot better. I think he'll recover soon."
Relief softened her expression.
"That's good to hear. Well… I should get going. It's getting late, and it looks like it might rain."
"I'll walk you home," Chris said.
Angela shook her head immediately.
"No, you shouldn't. What if something happens to you?"
Chris let out a quiet chuckle.
"Don't think like that. Nothing's going to happen. Just let me walk with you."
She hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
"Alright…"
They walked side by side, the path unusually quiet. Only a few people passed by, their footsteps echoing faintly in the distance.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
Then suddenly.. Rain. It came without warning.
Chris reached for her hand instinctively, and together they ran, laughter and urgency mixing in the moment as they searched for shelter.
They finally stopped in front of a closed shop, standing beneath its shade as the rain poured heavily around them.
Angela checked her watch again.
7:00 p.m.
The sky had already darkened.
The sound of rain filled the silence between them, wrapping the moment in something soft… something unspoken.
The rain poured relentlessly, drumming against the rooftops and soaking the empty streets. The world around them seemed to fade, leaving only the quiet shelter of the closed shop where Angela and Chris stood.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
Angela wrapped her arms lightly around herself, shivering as a cool breeze slipped in with the rain. Strands of her hair clung to her face, damp from the sudden downpour.
Chris noticed.
Without saying a word, he shrugged off his jacket and gently draped it over her shoulders.
"You're cold," he said quietly.
Angela looked up at him, slightly startled.
"I'm fine…"
But her voice betrayed her.
Chris gave a faint smile.
"You don't have to pretend around me."
Her fingers instinctively held onto the edges of the jacket, warmth slowly replacing the chill.
"Thank you," she whispered.