Samuel's POV
I was happy today. I mean, who wouldn't be? I got my ex back after our big disagreement. Yeah, I was hurt then, but now — she's back.
Still, as I looked around the school, I realized something: I hadn't seen one particular person all day. Just as I was thinking about her, I caught sight of her trying to slip past me and Elizabeth. Lizzy and Angel probably hated each other right now—I could practically feel the daggers Lizzy was throwing her way. But honestly? That wasn't important at the moment.
I called out, "Hey, where have you been all day? I haven't seen you around."
Angel rolled her eyes, the classic sign she was pissed at me. "Uh, I've been in class—because, newsflash, we are in school. If your eyes aren't working, that's not my fault. I attended all my classes today."
I smirked. She only rolled her eyes like that when she was mad, and she looked adorable doing it. So, naturally, I decided to push her buttons a little more. Why not?
"I know you're in school, 'cause I'm here too, and my eyes work just fine," I teased. She was about to fire back when the teacher interrupted us.
"Angel, Samuel, Elizabeth—care to explain why you're standing and chatting while class is starting?"
Angel apologized quickly and went to her seat. I followed Lizzy to ours. I tried getting Angel's attention with paper planes—classic move—but she wasn't telling me what was wrong. I decided to back off and wait till class ended.
But before I could even call her aside, she sprinted out as soon as the bell rang.
That wasn't like her. I texted her over and over, but no replies. No calls picked up either. Frustrated, I sent Lizzy home since she was clinging to me, refusing to let me chase after Angel.
So, I went to Angel's house to figure out what was up. Her parents welcomed me as usual and told me she was in her room. Upstairs, I knocked, and after a brief silence, I heard her shout, "Come in."
"I was going to enter even if you said not to," I said, glaring playfully.
"Why are you here?" she asked flatly.
"You weren't picking up my calls. Why'd you do that? And you've been avoiding me."
"I wasn't avoiding you..."
"Oh really? Then what were you doing? Playing hide and seek?"
Frustration bubbling, I was getting antsy.
"Why do you even care?"
Confused by her question, I asked, "Why wouldn't I care?"
"Just 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 wouldn't understand. Was that the only reason you came here?"
"So now you're throwing me out of your house?" I snapped, irritation rising.
"No, I wasn't going to do that. I was just asking—and I'm sorry for avoiding you. I had a lot on my mind. I was pissed at you."
"Why?" I asked, curiosity cutting through my frustration.
"Seriously, why? Is that all you're gonna 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 started dating?"
"Stop judging her. You don't know anything."
I shouted, immediately regretting it when I saw tears welling up in her eyes.
"Oh, I don't know anything? Fine. Maybe I don't. But I do know that I was the one who comforted you after she cheated. And if she does it again, I'm never going to be the one to comfort you."
"Angel, I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to—"
"I don't want to hear it. Get out of my house right now—if you don't want to get castrated."
The door flew open, and her mother called out, "Who's getting castrated?"
"Mum... tell him to get out. I don't want to see him," Angel sobbed, hiccupping between words.
"I'm really sorry, Angel. I didn't mean it," I tried to comfort her, but she wouldn't let me touch her.
"Go home first. Come back later when she's calmer," Aunt Blessing advised.
"Okay, ma. Goodnight, Angel."
I went home feeling like absolute crap. I hated it when we fought. It felt like my heart was breaking, pieced back together, only to break again.
---
Next Morning
Feeling like crap was an understatement. I hated fighting with Angel—it tore me apart. I didn't get a wink of sleep last night. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her crying face. It crushed me.
As I got ready for school, I called her mom.
"Hello, Aunt Blessing?"
"Good morning, Samuel. How was your night?" she replied warmly.
"Eh... so-so. Yours?"
"Fine, thank you."
"How's she doing?"
"I won't lie—she's not fine. I don't know everything, but you hurt her yesterday. She cried herself to sleep."
Hearing that made me want to jump off a cliff and end it all. I hated knowing I made her cry. It made my sour mood even worse.
"I want to apologize, but she's not letting me."
"I'd advise leaving her alone for a bit. Let her cool off."
"Alright, ma. Thanks a lot. I really appreciate it."
"You're welcome. Say hi to Suzan and Daniel for me."
"I will. Bye."
I knew she'd avoid me at school today—and honestly, I deserved it. But it still stung, thinking about her avoiding me because of my own stupidity.
---
In School
I scanned the room, looking for Angel but didn't see her anywhere. Instead, my eyes landed on a very disgruntled Lizzy. She came up to me and latched onto my arm.
"What's wrong, babe?" I asked.
"Ugh, I hate this place," she whined.
"Just tell me what happened."
"Isn't it about your best friend?"
"Angel?"
"Who else?"
"Have you seen her today? Where?"
"Hold up. I saw her in our first class today. We had the same class. Could you believe she purposely humiliated me in front of everyone?"
I frowned, thinking it over. Angel would never do that—even if it was someone she hated.
"How did that happen?"
"This morning, I asked her about you. She told me to fuck off—that she hadn't seen you and didn't want to see you. Then she just walked off, leaving me standing like a fool."
"Where did this happen?"
"Around the cafeteria."
"Okay," I said, then took off running—didn't stop even when Lizzy called after me. Aunt Blessing said to give Angel space, but I couldn't wait. I needed to fix this. I needed my best friend back.