Chapter 9
At the café
Angeline took a deep breath, steadying herself as she walked toward Kai's table.
He was seated with Felix and Chris, casually eating while talking.
"Hi, Kai," she said, trying to sound confident.
Kai looked up at her, slightly surprised.
"Hey. What's up?"
Angeline hesitated for a second, then forced the words out.
"I was wondering… if you'd like to go out with me sometime."
The table went quiet.
Chris glanced between them, already sensing drama.
Kai leaned back in his chair, studying her.
"Go out with you?" he repeated calmly. "Why?"
Angeline's confidence wavered.
"I just thought it would be… nice."
Kai didn't smile this time.
Instead, his expression turned neutral.
"Angeline," he said plainly, "I'm not interested."
The words landed harder than expected.
She froze.
"I don't think we'd work," he continued. "So no."
There was no mockery in his voice.
No softness either.
Just… final.
Angeline felt heat rush to her face.
Her chest tightened as the reality hit her.
She had just been rejected.
In front of everyone.
Without another word, she turned and walked away, her pride barely holding together.
Behind her, the table remained silent.
Chris leaned closer to Kai.
"Man… you didn't have to be that cold."
Kai shrugged slightly.
"I wasn't cold. I was clear."
Girls' bathroom
The door slammed open.
Angeline rushed in, tears already streaming down her face.
She locked herself in a stall, covering her mouth as her sobs escaped.
Aubrey followed shortly after.
"Angeline…"
She walked over and gently knocked.
"Hey… open up."
No response.
Aubrey sighed and leaned against the stall.
"I told you not to go after him," she said softly.
The door suddenly unlocked.
Angeline stepped out, eyes red, face wet with tears.
"I can't believe you're saying that now," she snapped. "You should've supported me."
Aubrey frowned.
"I was trying to protect you."
"Protect me?" Angeline laughed bitterly. "Look at me, Aubrey. I just embarrassed myself in front of the whole school."
"I didn't want that to happen," Aubrey said quietly.
"But it did!" Angeline's voice shook. "And now I'm the joke."
Aubrey stepped closer.
"You're not a joke. He's just not worth it."
"Stop saying that!" Angeline shouted.
Aubrey paused.
Angeline wiped her tears angrily.
"You didn't help me. You just stood there waiting for me to fail."
"That's not true."
"Then what is?" Angeline snapped. "Because right now, it feels like I'm alone in this."
Aubrey's expression softened, hurt.
"I'm still here."
Angeline shook her head.
"I can't deal with this right now."
She brushed past Aubrey and stormed out of the bathroom.
Aubrey stood there, watching her leave.
Guilt settled heavily in her chest.
"I just didn't want you to get hurt…" she whispered.