Silence returned, but this time, it felt different, heavier and closer.
Angela's gaze drifted outward, watching the rain fall endlessly. Yet her thoughts were far from calm.
"Chris…" she began hesitantly.
He turned to her.
"Hmm?"
She paused, unsure if she should continue. But something about the moment, the rain, the quiet, his presence made it hard to hold back.
"Did I do something wrong?" she finally asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "You've been… distant."
Chris's expression shifted slightly, caught off guard by her question.
For a moment, he didn't respond.
Instead, he looked away, his jaw tightening as though he was struggling with something unspoken.
"It's nothing," he said at last.
Angela lowered her gaze, a flicker of hurt crossing her face.
"You said that before too."
That made him look back at her.
Their eyes met.
This time, he didn't look away immediately.
"It's just…" he started, then stopped, exhaling slowly. "There are things you don't understand, Angela."
"Then help me understand," she replied sharply.
The sincerity in her voice lingered between them.
Chris studied her face, the honesty in her eyes, the quiet vulnerability she wasn't even trying to hide.
And for a brief second, his guard slipped.
"You care too much," he said.
Angela blinked.
"What?"
"You worry about everyone… Jerry, your friends, even me," he continued. "But you don't think about yourself."
A faint, bittersweet smile touched her lips.
"Maybe that's just who I am."
Chris stepped a little closer, his voice lowering.
"And that's exactly why it's dangerous."
Her breath caught slightly.
"Why?" she asked.
He hesitated again… then spoke, more quietly this time.
"Because people like you get hurt the most."
The words settled deep within her.
For a moment, the only sound was the rain.
Angela looked down, her fingers tightening slightly around his jacket.
"I'm already used to that," she admitted.
Something in her voice made Chris's expression soften.
Without thinking, he reached out, his hand gently brushing against hers.
The contact was brief…
But enough to make her heart skip.
She looked up at him again, their closeness suddenly impossible to ignore.
"Chris…" she whispered.
He didn't respond immediately.
Instead, his gaze lingered on her face, on the uncertainty in her eyes, the softness in her expression.
For a fleeting moment, it felt like he might say something… or do something neither of them could take back.
But then, he pulled his hand away.
The distance returned just as quickly as it had disappeared.
"The rain is slowing down," he said, his voice steady again.
Angela nodded slowly, though her heart was still racing.
"Yes…"
They stepped out together, continuing the walk in silence.
Angela stood at the doorway of her house, turning to Chris with a small, grateful smile.
"Thank you for bringing me home," she said. "But… What about you? How will you get back alone?"
Chris shook his head lightly, his expression calm.
"Don't worry about me. I'll be fine."
Angela hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
"Thank you… really."
She stepped inside and placed her school bag on the table, glancing back once more as he turned to leave.
"Alright then, I should get going. See you tomorrow," he said.
"Okay… thanks again," she replied, her smile lingering as she watched him walk away.
Once the door closed, Angela leaned against it briefly, her heart strangely light.
A soft smile curved her lips.
Chris has a way of making me feel… special, she thought, her cheeks warming slightly at the realization.
The next morning, Jerry was already waiting when Angela arrived at school. The moment he saw her, his face lit up with excitement.
"Angela!" he called, walking toward her with a bright smile.
"Good morning," she replied.
"Thank you… for yesterday," he said sincerely, handing her a single red rose.
Angela looked at it in surprise.
"What's this for?"
"It's just a small token," he said. "To show how much I appreciate you. And… how much you mean to me."
Angela inhaled softly, catching the strong fragrance of the flower.
"Thank you," she said, though her voice carried a hint of uncertainty.
Jerry hesitated before speaking again.
"There's a party tonight… I'd like you to come with me."
Angela's expression shifted immediately.
"A party? Jerry… I don't think that's a good idea. I don't even attend parties anymore."
"Please," he insisted gently. "You don't have to dance or do anything. I just… want you there with me. We won't stay long."
Angela frowned slightly.
"But what about your health? You just collapsed yesterday. You're not fully recovered."
"I'm fine now," he assured her quickly. "Much better. Please… don't say no."
He looked at her with quiet intensity, waiting.
That evening, the party was already in full swing.
The place was beautifully decorated, glowing with colorful lights that flickered across the room. Music filled the air, loud and vibrant, blending with laughter and chatter from every corner.
Angela stepped in beside Jerry, her eyes scanning the crowd in quiet amazement.
This place… everything here screams wealth, she thought.
Then suddenly, her gaze caught something familiar.
Her dancing team.
Susan and the others.
They were laughing, dancing, completely absorbed in the moment, unaware of her presence.