Her face fell, sadness written all over it.
"Come on, Angie," Elsa said gently. "I'm sure he might like you too. I'm just saying, be careful. I don't want to see you get hurt."
Angela gave a small smile. "Thank you, Elsa."
"Dude, there she is," Jerry said, pointing toward Angela.
Chris followed his gaze, his expression darkening.
"She really has guts," he muttered. "First, she fought Fiona, and now she had the guts to slap me?"
Without hesitation, he walked straight toward Angela and Elsa.
Before Angela could react, he stood in front of her, his presence tense and intimidating.
"The next time you try that with me," he said coldly, "I'll make sure you regret it."
He pushed her, while she staggered backward, but Elsa quickly caught her.
"Angela is really something else," Jerry said, glaring at her, while Liam laughed beside him.
"This is just a warning," Chris added, then turned and walked away with his friends.
"Are you okay?" Elsa asked, worried.
"I'm fine," Angela replied quickly, forcing a smile.
Without saying more, she turned and hurried back to class, her heart heavy.
.
Angela finally completed her punishment. It was a huge relief. The past weeks had been exhausting, but she was grateful for Elsa's constant support and kindness.
It was the weekend, and Angela arrived at Elsa's house, ready for their dance rehearsal.
Elsa's mother welcomed her warmly, smiling with appreciation.
"Thank you so much for helping my daughter," she said kindly.
Angela nodded politely. "You're welcome, ma."
The two girls practiced for hours, laughing, correcting each other, and improving step by step.
After practice, they relaxed, played around, and shared stories.
Later in the evening, they had dinner together, enjoying a warm and peaceful moment, when it was time, Angela said her goodbyes and headed home.
The next school day, Angela sat in class, feeling uneasy, she could feel Fiona's eyes on her, the stare was intense, uncomfortable.
"What does that look for?" Angela asked, her voice slightly sharp.
Fiona smirked.
"Oh? Are you talking to me, Angela?" she replied mockingly. "You do know the battle between us has already begun, right?"
Angela let out a small laugh as she stood up.
"Oh… that sounds interesting," she said calmly. "Because I'm ready for it."
With that, she walked out of the class.
"Gosh… this Angela is something else," Lisa muttered, frowning.
Fiona's eyes darkened as she watched Angela leave.
"Don't worry," she said coldly. "I'll deal with her."
"We're going to help you put Angela in her place, Fiona," Lisa said confidently. "So don't worry."
.
Angela woke up early the next morning. Without wasting time, she got dressed and quietly left the house. She walked all the way to the riverside and sat down alone, staring at the calm water, the gentle sound of the flowing river filled the silence around her.
Her thoughts, however, were anything but calm.
What's the point of my life? she wondered. Who am I even doing all this for?
She lowered her gaze.
Even if I succeed someday… who will be there to celebrate me?
Her chest tightened.
Just because I'm an orphan doesn't mean I don't deserve a voice… doesn't mean I don't matter.
She remained there, lost in her thoughts, until reality pulled her back.
School.
She quickly stood up, dusted herself off, and hurried away.
Throughout the day, Angela could barely stay awake in class, she rested her head on the desk several times, her eyes heavy and her mood distant.
"Angela, you don't look okay today," Elsa said. "Are you sick?"
"Sick? No…" Angela replied, slowly sitting up. "I'm just thinking about someone."
"Someone?" Elsa asked. "Is it Fiona?"
"Fiona?" Angela scoffed lightly. "I have more important people to think about than that brat."
She paused, her expression growing more serious.
"I'm just… tired. I don't even understand it. I wake up every day with this strange feeling…" she admitted. "Like I'm a bad person… like everything people say about me is true."
Before Elsa could respond...
"Of course you're a bad person."
The voice cut through sharply.
Fiona.
She had been listening all along.
"Dancing around clubs with useless boys," Fiona continued, crossing her arms. "You're nothing but a prostitute."
The classroom fell quiet. Angela slowly turned to face her, a smirk appeared on her lips.
"Really?" she said calmly. "Then let's see who the real prostitute is, Angela Scott or Fiona Morgan."
Fiona's expression hardened.
"Come on, Elsa," Angela said, turning away. "Let's go."
The two of them walked out, leaving Fiona standing there, momentarily speechless. Angela sat down on a bench, her composure finally breaking, tears gathered in her eyes.