Hi, I'm Angel. I'm nineteen, and honestly, I'm not much for socializing—except with my best friend, Samuel. That doesn't mean I don't have friends; I just don't roll with them much. Samuel and I have been best friends since we were in diapers. I know all his firsts—the first lost tooth, the first fight, his first heartbreak, his first gym day, and his first love.
Samuel's tall, handsome, and definitely every girl's dream—myself included. When we were kids, I thought he was cute. Now? He's more hot than cute. And I can't help falling for him more, even though I know he'll never see me that way. Not even once.
Whenever I see him with other girls, jealousy hits hard. But I've built this silly little fantasy that one day, he'll realize he loves me, leave whoever he's with, and sweep me off my feet. Yeah, I know—stupid fantasy.
I'm finishing secondary school in three weeks. The SSCE exams are done, and graduation is coming up. Honestly, I don't even want to think about the dress and makeup—they're a total burden. I hate dressing girly.
To make things worse, the school insists we come back for extra classes—"to build a better future," they say. Total nonsense. We're done with school, but they still want to hold us hostage. Just thinking about it gives me a headache.
Making my way into my last class of the day, I sigh. There he is—Samuel—and right beside him is the reason for my sleepless nights: his ex-girlfriend, Elizabeth. They're back together, and it's driving me insane.
I've been trying to avoid him, but it's impossible. I'm mad because he took her back after she cheated on him. He was the one dumped, but I was the one losing sleep, consoling him, staying up with him when his parents couldn't. And now? They're lovey-dovey like nothing happened. I might as well run away before I lose it.
"Hey, where have you been all day? Haven't seen you around," Samuel says, smirking as he and Elizabeth glare at me.
"Uh, I've been in class," I snap back. "If your eyes worked properly, you'd know that."
"I'm in class too, and my eyes work just fine," he retorts.
Before I can respond, the teacher cuts in, "Angel, Samuel, Elizabeth, why are you standing and talking while class is starting?"
Shit. I forgot we were in class.
"Sorry, ma'am," I mumble, sinking into my seat.
Just as I start to settle in, a paper plane lands on my desk. I open it, instantly recognizing the handwriting:
What's wrong with you today?
Nothing, I write back.
You have that look.
What look?
The look you get when you're angry at me.
Why wouldn't I be? These two disgust me.
I don't have a look, dummy.
Now I know you're mad. What did I do? Tell me, and I'll apologize.
That's the thing—he cares about me like a friend, and that hurts almost as much as the rest. I don't reply. I crumple the note and shove it under my desk, focusing on the teacher's words while silently begging time to fly.
After class
The moment the bell rang, I practically bolted out of the classroom. I needed to get away before Samuel could corner me again. I only stopped when I reached the school gate, heart pounding, breath uneven.
I pulled out my phone and dialed my dad.
"Hello, Dad, where are you?" I asked.
"I'm at the gate on the other side, dear," he replied.
"Okay, I'm on my way." I hung up and crossed the road to meet him.
"How was school today, darling?" Dad asked as I slid into the car.
"Same as always. Stressful," I yawned, my eyelids heavy.
"Tired?"
"Very."
"You should sleep then. I'll wake you up when we get home."
"Thanks, Dad." I shifted in my seat, already drifting off.
---
Thirty minutes later
"Wake up, we're home," Dad said with a smile.
"When did we get home?" I asked groggily.
"Not long ago."
I smiled back and climbed out of the car.
Walking into the sitting room, the smell of something delicious hit me. Smiling to myself, I headed to the kitchen and gave my mum a quick kiss on the cheek.
"How was school today, dear?" she asked.
"The same as every day."
"Are you hungry? I made your favorite."
"Starving. Can I eat now?" I asked, batting my lashes.
"No, you dirty girl. Go wash up first, then come downstairs."
"Fine," I grumbled.
"I'll be back in a jiffy," I said, rushing upstairs to my room.
---
I peeled off my clothes and grabbed my towel, stepping into the shower. As warm water ran over me, my mind wandered back to the time before Samuel got a girlfriend. We were inseparable then, promising not to let anyone come between us. I guess it was a foolish promise.
My stomach grumbled, pulling me back to the present. I finished quickly, got dressed in my favorite pajamas—a short tank top and shorts—and grabbed my phone.
My eyes widened at the number of missed calls and messages—all from Samuel.
What's going on?
Are you ignoring me now?
Why didn't you pick up?
That's it. I'm coming over.
Be there in thirty.
Wait, what? Why the heck is he coming over? It's not like I killed his girlfriend or anything.
I went downstairs, sat at the dining table, and started eating. The first bite was heavenly.
"Ugh, this is so good, Mum," I moaned.
"Come on, don't talk with your mouth full," she scolded playfully.
After dinner, I went back to my room to text Samuel, telling him not to bother coming—that I was fine and safe. But before I could type a word, there was a knock at my door.
Who could it be? Mum never knocks, and Dad usually just calls.
"Come in!" I called.
"I was going to come in anyway," Samuel said, stepping inside with a glare. He shrugged off his jacket, looking both terrifying and, for some unholy reason, hot. I shook my head, trying to banish the thought.
"Why are you here?" I asked, taking a cautious step back.
"You weren't picking up, and you've been avoiding me," he said.
"I wasn't avoiding you."
"Oh really? Then what were you doing, playing hide and seek?"
"Why do you even care?"
"Why wouldn't I care?"
"Go meet your girlfriend and leave me alone."
"What do you mean?"
"I was busy."
"You were busy? Too busy for me?"
"No, it's just…"
"What's going on with you?"
"You can't understand. Was that the only reason you came here?"
"So now you're throwing me out of your house too?"
"No, I wasn't going to do that. I just… I'm not sorry for avoiding you. I had a lot on my mind, and I'm pissed at you."
"Why?"
"Seriously, why? Is that all you're going to ask? You took Elizabeth back, Sammy. She cheated on you, and you took her back. What if she does it again?"
"She promised she wouldn't."
"Really? She promised? Wasn't that what she said before you guys started dating?"
"Stop judging her. You don't know anything about our relationship," he shouted.
"Oh, I don't know anything? Fine. I know nothing. But I do know I was the one who comforted you after she cheated. And if she does it again, I'm never doing that again." Tears burned my eyes.
"Angel, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to—"
"I don't want to hear it. Get out of my house right now, or I swear—"