When Erica found herself missing Angel when they weren't together, she knew things had changed.
It wasn't love—at least, not yet. But it was something.
Something she wasn't afraid of anymore.
Nicole would always be a part of her story.
But maybe she didn't have to be the ending.
Maybe, just maybe, there was room for something new.
Erica was staring at Angel again.
It hit her suddenly—how much she had relied on Angel, how safe she felt with her, how her presence didn't hurt the way Nicole's did.
And for the first time, she wondered—
What if this was the start of something real?
She didn't say anything yet.
She wasn't ready.
But when Angel smiled at her, Erica smiled back—because for the first time, it wasn't forced.
Falling for Angel wasn't like falling for Nicole.
It wasn't all-consuming or painful.
It was soft. Gentle.
And maybe, that was what Erica needed all along.
When Erica saw Nicole one day and didn't feel her chest tighten, she knew she had made it.
Not fully. Not yet.
But she was getting there.
"I think I like you," Erica finally admitted one night.
Angel smiled, not surprised at all. "I know."
And just like that, Erica's story started again.
The school felt different now—not because it had changed, but because Erica had.
For the first time in a long time, walking through the hallways didn't feel like dragging a weight behind her. The air felt lighter, the walls less suffocating. And maybe it wasn't just her—maybe they had all changed.
As Erica stepped into the cafeteria, her eyes naturally searched for her friends. They had always sat at separate tables before, divided by drama and heartbreak. But today was different.
Today, they were all together.
Angel waved her over, smiling as she slid into the seat beside her. Across the table, Nicole and Cloud sat close, their hands nearly touching. Risha leaned against Mary, laughing at something Audrey had just said. Aedrian was beside Audrey, rolling his eyes playfully, while Kim sat next to Rhea lee, nudging her arm in a teasing manner.
And then there were Vinish and Steph, talking about their latest crushes with no concern about whether their feelings were returned. They were happy just as they were.
Erica looked around the table, taking in the faces of the people she had fought with, cried over, and almost lost.
They had all been through so much.
But somehow, against all odds, they had found their way back to each other.
"Feels weird, huh?" Risha said, nudging Erica's arm.
"What does?"
Risha grinned. "Sitting together. Not being at each other's throats for once."
Erica chuckled. "Yeah. But I think I like it."
Angel leaned her head on Erica's shoulder. "Me too."
And just like that, the past didn't seem so important anymore.
Even though things were better now, there were still moments when the past felt like a ghost lingering in the corners.
Like today, when Erica found herself alone in the school library and Nicole sat beside her.
"Hey," Nicole said softly.
"Hey."
A comfortable silence settled between them. Months ago, silence between them would have been unbearable, filled with unsaid words and unhealed wounds. But now? Now it just felt… peaceful.
"I'm glad we're friends again," Nicole admitted, playing with the hem of her sleeve. "I missed you, you know."
Erica smiled. "I missed you too."
And it was the truth.
She would always love Nicole in some way, but it wasn't painful anymore. It wasn't something she was holding onto. It was just… a memory. A beautiful, bittersweet memory.
And that was okay