Angel and Dan sat side by side in the darkened cinema, the flickering light from the screen casting soft shadows on their faces. The movie was good—but for Angel, it wasn't the story unfolding on screen that made her heart flutter. It was the quiet, shared laughter, the way Dan leaned in to whisper a joke, the warmth in his glance when their eyes met.
Afterward, they walked through the softly lit street to a nearby restaurant where they had dinner, talking about everything and nothing. Angel found herself laughing more than she had in weeks, and Dan—usually cold and distant—was surprisingly relaxed and open.
As they stepped out into the cool night air, Dan checked the time and sighed, looking almost disappointed.
"Your dad asked me to bring you back early," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "So... we've gotta head back soon."
Angel smiled at him. "Thanks for tonight. I really needed it."
Dan's face turned slightly red. His hands were in his pockets, and he was clearly working something out in his head. He took a deep breath.
"There's something I've been trying to ask you all day," he said, not quite meeting her eyes. "Would you... go to the End-of-Year Party with me? As my date?"
Angel blinked, caught off guard. Her heart skipped a beat, and color bloomed in her cheeks.
"I—um—yes," she finally said, grinning. "I'd love to."
Dan gave a rare, genuine smile—small but full of relief.
---
The next day, Angel was practically glowing as she sat in the courtyard with Mira and Vicky.
"So tell us everything," Vicky demanded.
Angel giggled. "We watched a movie, had dinner... he was actually sweet. Like, awkward—but in a cute way."
Mira raised an eyebrow. "Dan? Sweet? You sure it wasn't a lookalike?"
Angel playfully smacked her arm. "He's different around me, okay?"
Vicky leaned forward. "So, an important question—what if he asked you to be his girlfriend?"
Angel hesitated, then smiled shyly. "I'd like to say yes, but... My dad has this rule. No boyfriends before college."
Mira groaned. "Classic Dad rule. But I get it."
Angel nodded. "He's just looking out for me."
Meanwhile, across the school, Isabel stood in the hallway, arms crossed, her expression unreadable. She spotted Dan walking past and fell into step beside him.
"Dan," she said smoothly, "I was wondering—are you going to be my date to the party?"
Dan didn't even look at her. "No. I already have someone."
Isabel stopped walking. "Who?"
He paused and turned slightly toward her. "It's none of your business."
Her voice sharpened. "Excuse me? You're still my boyfriend—"
Dan cut her off coldly. "I never agreed to that."
She blinked, stunned.
"We were never together, Isabel. You hung around and I let you because it kept other girls away. That's all."
"You didn't stop me," she hissed.
"I didn't care enough to stop you," he said bluntly. "But I'm done with that now. Clear up the rumors. I don't want people thinking there's something between us."
With that, he walked off, leaving Isabel alone in the hallway, seething.
It's her, she thought bitterly. He's like this because of Angel.
Her jaw clenched.
Fine. If Angel wants to steal my spotlight... she's going to regret it.
---
The night of the End-of-Year Party arrived like a dream. The school auditorium had been transformed with fairy lights, streamers, and a shimmering backdrop that caught the light like falling stars.
Angel stepped into the hall wearing a flowing midnight-blue gown that hugged her shape perfectly. Her hair was pinned with delicate silver clips, and her presence made more than a few heads turn.
Dan, standing by the punch table in a sleek black suit, looked effortlessly cool. Several girls glanced his way, eyes trailing him with admiration, but his attention was fixed on one person—Angel.
He remembered the conversation they had earlier as he smiled faintly to Angel. "You look..." he had said, "...way too good to be real."
Angel blushed. "You clean up pretty nice yourself."
Mira and Vicky swooped in to greet them. After a few moments, the friends excused themselves, leaving Dan and Angel standing alone near the stage.
"You okay?" he asked, sensing her nerves.
"A little," Angel admitted. "They're calling me up soon."
"You'll be amazing."
---
From across the room, Isabel stood with Liz and Carly, her expression cool. But her fingers clenched the hem of her dress.
"There she goes," Carly muttered as Angel ascended the stage.
Isabel didn't speak. Her eyes glittered as she watched Angel take the mic. "Right... about... now."
Unknown to anyone else, Isabel had paid someone—a backstage technician—to sabotage the lighting rig above the stage, making sure it would swing loose just as Angel stood beneath it.
Angel smiled at the audience, her voice confident as she began her speech.
"I never imagined I'd be here tonight. This year hasn't been easy. But I've learned that strength comes when you least expect it..."
Suddenly, Dan's eyes shot upward. The stage light above her was shaking, bolts loosening.
"Angel!" he shouted.
In a blur of motion, he sprinted toward the stage. The light came crashing down, but at the last second, Dan wrapped his arms around Angel and leapt forward, shielding her with his body.
The light smashed into the floor inches away from his leg.
Gasps filled the auditorium.
Angel and Dan were on the floor—her body pressed to his chest, his arms tight around her.
Time stood still as they stared at each other.
Slowly, they sat up. Angel looked around in shock, realizing what had just happened. Her hands trembled.
"Are you okay?" Dan asked, his voice tight.
"I—I think so... you?"
"Fine. Just shaken." He stood and pulled her gently to her feet, still holding her hand.
Teachers and staff rushed to the stage. The principal spoke into the mic, voice firm.
"There will be an investigation. We're very lucky no one was hurt."
Dan didn't wait. He led Angel off the stage and out of the hall.
Isabel watched from the shadows, her face unreadable.
"she's supposed to be injured," she whispered. "Not...get closer to him."
She clenched her fists, eyes red with rage.
"I'll do all it takes to get her out of the picture ."
Once outside, beneath the stars and string lights, he turned to her, breathing hard.
"I was so scared," he said, voice breaking slightly. "Angel... I thought I was going to lose you."
Her eyes filled with tears. "I didn't even see it coming."
Dan's grip on her hands tighten. "I don't want to waste time anymore. I like you. A lot, and I want you to be my girlfriend."
She looked up at him, emotions swirling. "I like you too... but… my dad"
Dan smiled gently. "your dad.?"
She nodded. "He won't allow it. I just can't... not yet."
Dan's expression softened. "That's okay. I'll wait."
They stood there in silence, holding each other as the music from the party echoed faintly behind them