The gentle breeze of January carried the lingering warmth of the holidays, but at the university, excitement brewed for another reason. In just two weeks, Ellie and her friends would be graduating from their fourth year in college. Their dreams were finally within reach. Job offers had started rolling in, interviews were turning into contracts, and there was finally time to breathe to laugh, to love, and to spend time with each other and their families.
The school, however, had one last request: the graduating class needed to perform a dance for the opening ceremony of the graduation week. And naturally, Tisha was appointed as the dance leader, her passion and talent for dancing making her the perfect choice.
"Alright, team!" Tisha clapped her hands, gathering everyone on the school rooftop for practice. "Let's make this performance unforgettable!"
"I'm not saying I'm a pro," Tisha announced with a grin, standing in front of the group on the rooftop, "but I expect you all to try. No slacking!"
"We know, dance queen," Anastasia teased, flicking Risha's braid.
"Let her have her moment," Irene added, giggling.
The sun dipped lower as practice continued. Laughter mixed with occasional groans of exhaustion, but everyone stayed upbeat. Around late afternoon, Cassandra called out, "Let's go grab some food at the cafeteria. I swear I'm about to eat my own shoe."
"Good idea," Tisha said. "Ellie, you coming?"
But when they turned to look, Ellie was already fast asleep, curled up on the rooftop bench, her arms hugging her backpack like a pillow.
"Let her rest," Kyla whispered, smiling softly. "She was up all night editing our presentation video."
The group nodded and quietly left her behind.
Cheers of agreement followed, and the group descended the stairs, leaving behind the rooftop's warmth. Unbeknownst to them, Ellie had dozed off in a shaded corner, lulled by the gentle breeze and exhaustion.
Minutes passed.
Ellie stirred slightly, then jolted awake. The sky was now painted with soft oranges and purples. For a second, she thought she was alone until she noticed a figure nearby.
Astrid.
She stood a few feet away, arms folded, eyes filled with something between regret and hope. Ellie blinked, unsure if she was dreaming.
Moments later, a soft rustle stirred Ellie from her slumber. Blinking against the fading light, she found herself face-to-face with Astrid.
"Astrid?" Ellie's voice was laced with disbelief. "What are you doing here?"
Astrid's eyes shimmered with a mix of hope and sorrow. "I needed to see you," she whispered. "I can't stop thinking about us."
Ellie stood abruptly, putting distance between them. "Astrid, you left. You chose Claude over me. I've moved on."
"I made a mistake," Astrid pleaded. "But I still love you."
"I'm with Kyla now," Ellie's voice trembled with emotion. "She stood by me when you didn't."
Footsteps echoed as the group returned, laughter fading as they sensed the tension. Astrid, eyes brimming with tears, turned and fled, leaving behind a silence thick with unspoken words.
"What is she doing here," Cassandra look at everyone confused.
"Do you really have to question it Cassandra?", Irene glance at her. "Isn't it obvious, Ellie was here so that's it."
"Guys stop Kyla was getting furious," Tisha tease Kyla, going around her. "Guys I can see a smoke coming out of her head."
They all giggled as Kyla was looking at her girlfriend eye to eye. No blinking.
"Okay, enough. Kyla you're scaring her,"
"Shut up Anastasia!! She deserved it."
In the days that followed, Astrid's presence lingered like a shadow. Kyla noticed her frequent glances, the way her eyes lingered on Ellie. Unable to bear it any longer, Kyla approached Astrid during a break.
"Astrid, what do you want?" Kyla's tone was firm.
"Ellie," Astrid replied simply. "She was mine first."
"She's not a possession," Kyla retorted. "She chose me."
Astrid's eyes narrowed. "We'll see."
Later that day, Ellie found Kyla in the storage room, her face etched with worry.
"Kyla, are you okay?" Ellie asked, concern evident.
Kyla looked up, tears threatening to spill. "What if she wins you back?"
Ellie stepped closer, cupping Kyla's face. "That won't happen. You're my present and future."
Their lips met in a kiss, tender and reassuring, As Ellie moved her hand Kyla stopped her and whispered.
"Not there Ellie,"
"Ohh, why not?"
"Where at school, you can do it later, but not in here."
Their embrace deepened, neither noticed the faint click of a camera shutter from the slightly open door. Astrid stood outside, a wicked smile playing on her lips as she reviewed the photo.
"What a nice video Ellie, lets see if you really won't come back with me if you saw this." Astrid whispers then laugh. She was sure that she can now can get Ellie back.
Three days had past Nicole saw Erica sitting alone in the beanch,she tooks the chance to sits beside Erica,and as she was about to walk away Nicole grabs her hand looked at her with a wicked smirk before giving Erica her phone. She watched the video of her kissing Angel in the storage room.
Erica was furious she looked at Nicole wanting to sue her anytime.
"Erica won't you mind if I post this video of you".She looks at the video before looking back at Erica,her eyes says that she already win."Now Erica can you say again that you won't come back to me?".
"What do you want Nicole!!?"
"Simple. Leave Angel and come back to me".She looked at her with a serious face.
Erica talk back furiously "I won't do that,and I will never."
"Is that your answer?,then let's see how long would it takes to get this video viral".
Before she can post the video Erica stopped her and say that she will do anything she wants but she have to leave Angel.
Nicole just smirk then leave Erica.Erica was still in froze she didn't know what to do she didn't want to be with Nicole but she also didn't want Angel to be in trouble, but she still have to decide what is best to do.
Later that night when she arrives at her condo she saw Angel watching some movies,she walked towards her and lay on Angel's lap. When she looked at her— Angel barely noticed that Erica was problematic, even though she know that Erica won't tell her anything she still ask her what is happening to her.
"Erica is there any problem?". She glance at her holding her hands."You know that you can tell me anything, I will listen".
Erica didn't say a word she just give Angel a kiss and Angel—she know that something was really different.That kiss was different from other kissed that they have. It was like a good bye kissed. She was worried that maybe Erica was going somewhere and she was scared that maybe Erica will leave her.
Then...
Erica stopped se froze for a second looking down then she looked at Angel with tears dropping in her eyes. Angel whipped her tears then hugged her.
"Erica I know that you have a problem,so please tell me. I want to help you".
"Angel can I ask you something?". She looked at her while whipping her tears.
"Of course"
"Angel You know that I really love you and I will always do even in the afterlife I will always choose to love you. Can you promise me that you will always trust me and don't be upset with me for the things I have to do".
Angel was shocked for a while tears were dropping in her eyes."Erica why are you saying this?".
Ellie hold her face whipping her tears."Kyla, don't worry I love you just have to trust me". She smiles at her then a soft kiss touch Kyla's cheek.
Ellie went to Astrid's house and rang the doorbell. When Astrid openeds the gate she hugged Ellie.
"I don't want to ruin Kyla's reputation, so I don't have a chance but to let Astrid do whatever she wants..... until graduation." Ellie whispered on her mind.