The sun had barely climbed above the school gates when the group saw something none of them expected.
Erica walked into campus holding hands with Nicole.
It should've been a sweet sight—a rekindled romance maybe—but something about it was off. Erica's eyes weren't smiling. Her shoulders drooped. Her grip on Nicole's hand was limp, more like an obligation than affection.
Kim noticed first. He stopped mid-step, his mouth falling open.
"Okay... what the hell is going on?" he asked, pointing.
Audrey squinted. "Is that—Nicole? Didn't she disappear after that rooftop drama?"
"She's back," Steph muttered. "And with Erica. But Erica looks like she's walking to her own funeral."
Angel appeared from the hallway just in time to see the scene unfold. She froze. Her hands clenched by her side.
Kim turned to her. "Angel, what is happening?"
Angel shrugged, blinking quickly. "I—I don't know. She didn't tell me anything."
She walked away without another word.
The group stared at one another. Then Kim slammed a hand on the wall dramatically.
"Okay team," he said. "Time to activate Plan Spy-a-lot."
Vinish grinned. "Are we seriously doing this again?"
"Always," Steph said, already pulling out sunglasses from her bag like a secret agent. "We're splitting up. Me, Vinish, and Audrey will follow Angel. You and Risha are on Nicole and Erica. Let's figure out what the hell is going on."
They high-fived and scattered.
---
All day, Kim and Risha kept eyes on Nicole and Erica. They saw the way Erica kept her eyes downcast, the way she didn't speak much, how she flinched slightly whenever Nicole leaned close.
Meanwhile, Vinish, Audrey, and Steph followed Angel like shadows. She was quieter than usual, forcing smiles, staring out the windows of the café where they all usually ate. She didn't touch her food either.
"Something's wrong," Audrey said.
"Something's really wrong," Vinish echoed.
By afternoon, the groups regrouped behind the gym. Tired, confused, frustrated.
"We got nothing solid," Kim grunted, flopping onto the grass. "Just Erica being... miserable."
"And Angel's clearly heartbroken," Steph added. "But why won't Erica say anything? What changed?"
Then, as if summoned by the intensity of their loyalty and concern, a miracle happened.
Erica spotted them.
She looked exhausted. Her eyes were sunken, her lips dry. When she saw the group trying to duck behind a tree, she gave the faintest of smirks.
Nicole was on a call, distracted.
Erica walked toward the group quickly. "Follow me. Now."
They hurried after her, up the stairs, to the rooftop where it had all begun weeks ago. Once the door closed behind them, Kim burst out first.
"Erica, what the hell is going on?!"
"You look like a prisoner," Risha said, her arms crossed tightly.
"We've been worried sick," Audrey added. "We thought you—"
"Guys, stop—let her speak," Steph cut in gently.
The wind tugged at Erica's hair as she stepped to the edge of the rooftop, gripping the rail. She looked out, silent for a long beat.
"Nicole... is blackmailing me," she said finally.
Gasps erupted.
"WHAT?!" Risha shouted.
"With what?" Kim asked, stepping forward.
Erica swallowed. "The video. Of me and Angel. That time in the storage room. She took a video. She said if I didn't leave Angel... if I didn't come back to her... she'd post it everywhere."
Everyone fell silent.
Steph clenched her fists. "That... manipulative... witch."
"She's disgusting," Audrey added.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner," Erica said, eyes glassy. "I didn't know what to do. I thought maybe if I played along... I could buy time. I didn't want to risk Angel's reputation."
Kim grabbed her hand. "You're not alone in this. We'll fix it. We'll stop her."
"You can't let Nicole know I told you," Erica said quickly. "Promise me. Please."
Risha nodded. "You have our word."
---
Later that evening, the group huddled in an empty classroom.
Angel was there. She looked up as they entered.
Erica wasn't with them.
Risha sat beside her. "We know everything."
Angel blinked. "What?"
Audrey nodded. "Nicole's blackmailing Erica. That's why she's been distant."
Angel's eyes filled with emotion. Her voice cracked. "She was protecting me... the whole time."
Kim placed a hand on her shoulder. "And we're going to get her back."
They began to plan.
The room buzzed with whispered strategies and notebook scribbles until suddenly—a knock.
Everyone fell silent.
Kim opened the door.
A tall boy stood there, hoodie halfway zipped, dark bags under his eyes like he hadn't slept in a week.
"Yo," he said.
Kim grinned. "Guys, meet Ken. My cousin. Tech genius. Hacker extraordinaire."
Ken gave a lazy salute. "Heard you need help wrecking someone's digital life. I'm in."
---
That night at Nicole's house, Erica barely touched her food.
Nicole raised an eyebrow. "You're not eating. Is this about Angel again?"
Erica stared at her with eyes that had cried too many nights.
"I'm not hungry."
Nicole stood. "I'm trying here, Erica. I gave you everything. Why can't you just forget her?"
Erica stood too. "Because I love her. And you'll never be her."
She walked away, heading to her room, slamming the door shut behind her. She collapsed on her bed and stared at the ceiling.
What if Angel had moved on? What if it was too late?
But she believed in her friends. She believed in Angel.
---
Graduation Day.
The stadium was packed.
Erica stood at the podium, delivering a moving speech as the class valedictorian. Her voice was strong, but her heart pounded. Her eyes searched the crowd.
Angel stood near the back, hidden behind the others.
Then, as the applause thundered, Nicole walked on stage. She wrapped her arms around Erica.
Erica froze.
"I'm proud of you," Nicole whispered.
"Don't be."
Suddenly, the group surrounded them. Kim bumped into Nicole deliberately. "Oops. Sorry."
Vinish stepped in. "Picture time!"
As Nicole turned to pose, Risha tossed Angel her car keys.
Angel darted forward, grabbed Erica's wrist, and pulled her down the stairs.
"Wait—Angel?!"
Erica didn't resist.
They bolted into the parking lot, jumped into Risha's car. Angel floored the gas.
"Where are we going?" Erica shouted over the wind.
"Somewhere she can't follow."
The car screeched to a stop at a secluded overlook.
Angel turned to Erica, breathless. "Did she try to kiss you again?"
Erica opened her mouth to respond, but Angel leaned forward and kissed her.
Soft.
Slow.
Real.
When they broke apart, Angel whispered, "I don't care what she did. You're mine. You've always been mine."
Tears pooled in Erica's eyes. "I missed you. So much."
Angel brushed hair from Erica's face. "We're going to be okay. I promise."
---
Back at school, Nicole opened her phone in front of the group.
"You think you've won? I'll post it. I'll destroy her."
She tapped her gallery.
The video wasn't there.
"What—what the hell?"
She searched every folder. Nothing.
Risha smirked. "Oops. Looks like someone hacked your little toy."
"You're bluffing."
Ken appeared behind them, grinning, holding up a USB.
"Try me."
Nicole's face turned white.
Kim stepped forward. "You lost. Walk away. Don't you ever come near Erica again."
Nicole said nothing.
She turned—and disappeared into the crowd.
---
Later that night, Erica and Angel sat on the rooftop. Just the two of them.
"Everything's over," Erica said softly. "Finally."
Angel took her hand. "No more secrets. No more hiding. Just us."
Erica smiled, leaning in.
And this time, when she kissed her, it wasn't stolen or forced or hidden.
It was hers.
Free.
Real.
Forever.