Erica walked into school the next day, expecting things to be the same.
She'd flirt with Tristan, Angel would get jealous, and she'd win again.
But the second she stepped into the hallway, she knew something was off.
Because Angel was smiling.
And not just a normal smile.
A smirk.
And standing right next to them?
Vince.
The moment Angel saw Erica, they leaned into Vince, laughing at something he said.
Erica's stomach twisted.
She ignored it.
This was just a coincidence.
…Right?
Then, Angel caught her staring.
And they winked.
Erica felt her heart skip.
Oh, hell no.
By lunchtime, it was clear—Angel and Vince were teaming up.
Everywhere Erica went, she saw them.
At the cafeteria? Angel was laughing at something Vince whispered in their ear.
In the hallways? Angel was fixing Vince's tie, standing way too close.
During free period? Angel was sitting next to Vince, resting their head on his shoulder.
And the worst part?
They weren't even looking at Erica.
Like she wasn't even there.
Like she didn't matter.
She clenched her jaw.
Fine.
If they wanted to play dirty…
Then so would she.
Erica found Tristan after school and grabbed his hand.
"Baby," she said sweetly, "walk me home?"
Tristan blinked. "Uh—sure?"
Erica smirked. Good.
But just as they turned the corner, she froze.
Because standing right there…
Was Angel.
With Vince.
Holding hands.
Erica's heart dropped.
Angel met her gaze, tilting their head.
"Oh," they said innocently, "I didn't see you there, Erica."
Erica forced a smile. "Neither did I."
Angel leaned into Vince slightly. "We were just about to go out. Right, Vince?"
Vince grinned. "Yep. Just the two of us."
Erica hated the way her chest tightened.
Angel smirked. "See you around, Erica."
Then they walked away.
And for the first time since this game started…
Erica felt like she was losing.
For the next few days, it only got worse.
Angel and Vince were everywhere.
And Erica?
She couldn't do anything about it.
She tried to flirt with Tristan—nothing.
She tried to act like she didn't care—failed.
And when she finally confronted Angel about it?
Angel just smirked and said, "Oh? You jealous, baby?"
And Erica hated it.
Because the truth was…
She was.
By Friday, Erica had had enough.
She found Angel leaning against the lockers, scrolling on their phone.
She took a deep breath. "Angel."
Angel looked up, raising an eyebrow. "Yes?"
"*Stop it.**"
Angel blinked. "Stop what?"
Erica clenched her fists. "You know what."
Angel smirked. "I don't think I do. Why don't you explain it to me, baby?"
Erica's heart pounded. "You're messing with me."
Angel tilted their head. "Am I?"
"Yes!" Erica snapped. "You and Vince! You're— you're…"
She trailed off.
Because she realized something.
Angel wasn't jealous anymore.
But she was.
And Angel knew it.
Angel leaned in slightly, lowering their voice.
"Looks like I won, huh?"
Erica's breath caught.
Because they were right.
Angel had flipped the script.
And now?
Erica was the one losing the game.
Erica didn't show up to school the next day.
Or the day after that.
For the first time, she didn't feel like playing games.
She just felt tired.
Because Angel had won.
And Erica didn't know how to handle it.
By the third day, Risha, Audrey, Kim, and Steph showed up at Erica's house.
Kim knocked loudly. "Open up, loser."
"Go away," Erica groaned from under her blanket.
"*Nope.**"
Risha pushed open the door, arms crossed. "Alright, spill. What's wrong with you?"
Erica buried her face in her pillow. "Nothing."
"Liar," Steph muttered.
Audrey sat on the bed, poking Erica's arm. "It's about Angel, isn't it?"
Erica tensed. "No."
"Oh my god, it totally is." Kim grinned. "Erica, are you in loooove?"
"Shut up."
But they all saw the way her face burned.
"Ohhh, she is," Audrey teased. "You fell for your own game, huh?"
Erica groaned. "I hate you all."
"No, you hate that you lost," Risha corrected. "And now, we're gonna fix it."
The plan was simple—distract Erica from Angel.
And they went all in.
Movie nights, late-night drives, spontaneous road trips—anything to keep Erica's mind off Angel.
And for a while, it worked.
Until Angel texted her.
Angel: Hey, stranger. Miss me?
Erica stared at her phone.
Her heart did that stupid thing again.
She threw her phone across the bed.
"I hate them," she muttered.
"You love them," Kim corrected.
Erica groaned. "Shut up."
Erica sat by the river, skipping rocks with Risha.
"So," Risha said, "what are you gonna do about Angel?"
"Forget them," Erica muttered.
Risha raised an eyebrow. "And how's that going?"
Erica clenched her jaw.
Not great.
Because no matter how hard she tried to push Angel away…
She always came back to them.
And that scared her.
Because for the first time in a long time…
She was falling for real.
It happened at school.
Erica was walking past Angel's classroom when she heard their laugh.
And it hit her.
Like a punch to the gut.
She didn't just like Angel.
She loved them.
And that?
That was terrifying.
On the next day she finally made up her mind after all the things that happened she just realised now that she has to confess her true feelings for Angel before anything got worse.
[Hey Angel,we need to talk!!!,]
[ERICA WAS CALLING]
[hey freakk!!,pick up your phone I need to talk to you!!!]
Angel had wake up because of the nonstop noise from her phone.It was Erica.Sending her lots of messages.
In the call:
Angel:[Erica what's wrong with you??]
Erica:[Angel we need to talk?]
Angel:[talk about what?]
Erica:[just meet me at the cafe this is very important]
In the afternoon they meet at the cafe.Angel saw Erica looking at the window,it looks like something was bothering her,her face looks confused with a mixed of emotions.
Angel approach her.
"Erica are you alright??"Angel hold her hands looking at her confused."is there any problems? you know you can tell me,".
"Angel something was bothering me, I kept it for a long time but now I don't think I can keep it anymore,"Erica was looking at her with a serious face.
Erica grabs her hands then kneels on the floor."Angel I don't know what's happening to me,I don't know where and when it starts.I just feel different.....so different that I changed.....I changed myself,".
"Erica what are you doing??,"
"Angel I won't make it difficult for you anymore.Angel I like you.....No!!!...I-I love you."
Angel don't know how to react.She feels relieved that Erica already admit her true feelings for her.She wants to say something to Erica but someting was forcing her to stop.
Erica stood up and looked at her."Angel will you be my girlfriend?,"Erica granbs her hand and hugged her.
Angel didn't say anything she just give her a nod for the answer.
And just like that a new chapter was unlocked,but this time Angel and Erica was the main character.
In a new chapter of the story...they own it.