"It is our choices… that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." – J.K. Rowling
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✧ ANGELUS ✧
"…and here is the basketball court. The football stadium is over there but I need to get to my homeroom now," he said and sped off.
That had to be one of the most awkward mornings I've ever had. The only word I said to him throughout the whole tour was my name. He tried small talk—twice. I gave him nothing. I just followed him around like a soulless NPC in a bad game. My face: blank.
My energy: non-existent. My mood: don't ask.
Less than a minute after he bolted, the school alarm blared through the empty hallway.
Homeroom time.
Yeah… about that.
I stood there staring at the hallway junctions like I was in a maze. Lee had shown me the homeroom earlier—before the basketball court—but now, every hallway looked like a twisted copy of the other. I tried to retrace my steps in my head, but it was like trying to solve a puzzle with missing pieces.
"I think it's somewhere down there…" I muttered, pointing vaguely toward nowhere. The hallway was dead quiet. Everyone had vanished the moment the bell rang. I was the only one left wandering like a lost ghost.
How could I forget it so fast?
I started to move, hoping I'd find a familiar landmark. Maybe I'd just pick a random room and ask. Better than waiting around looking like an idiot.
"Hey! You there!"
The voice struck like thunder. I turned around to see a guy in a security shirt marching toward me—hall monitor. Great.
"Where's your hall pass?" he barked, eyes narrowing like I was some kind of criminal. Before I could answer, another voice jumped in.
"He's with me," the voice said casually.
I turned and saw a guy walking up with the kind of swagger that could only be born from knowing you're admired. The dude looked my age, just bulkier and more… polished. He had this lazy grin like he owned the hallway.
Brian's expression changed instantly. "Oh—my bad. Didn't see him with you, Mason."
Mason?
Figures. This guy was obviously one of those. Popular, confident, smug. And for some reason, he just bailed me out.
He patted my shoulder. "C'mon, man. Let's go."
I followed. Not because I trusted him. Just because I still didn't know where the hell I was going.
"Hey—do—" I began to ask where the homeroom was.
"Don't thank me yet," he cut in, voice turning slick. "This wasn't free. You owe me now, just so we're clear."
What?
I blinked. "Huh?"
"I said you owe me. You didn't want a detention on your first day, did you?"
I stopped walking. "I don't owe you anything," I said, my voice flat.
He turned back sharply. "What'd you just say?"
"I didn't ask for your help. So I don't owe you anything." I folded my arms, my tone cold enough to freeze the hallway. My heartbeat stayed level.
He ran a hand through his hair like he couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Wow. Okay. You got some balls. Do you even know who I am?"
I didn't answer.
He scanned my face again, eyes narrowing. Then realization dawn on him.
"Wait—you're new, huh? A freshman."
I didn't answer. No reason to feed his ego.
I started walking again, looking for a sign that could point me toward a classroom.
"Yo, don't walk away from me like that!" he barked, loud enough to echo. I turned back.
"Here's the deal," he said, stepping closer like he thought he was intimidating. "I run this place. And kids with attitudes like yours? They don't last. So if I say you owe me, you owe me. And when I come to collect? You'd better be ready."
He pointed a finger at me like I was supposed to be scared.
I almost laughed. But I didn't. I just gave him a blank look. The kind of look that says:
'You don't even know what you just started'.
Then, without another word, he turned and walked into the classroom labeled Grade 12.
´Wait… That's my homeroom'.
Perfect.
I smirked slightly as I stepped toward the door.
He's in the same homeroom?
This is going to be interesting.
I stepped into the homeroom and stood just inside the doorway, catching the teacher's attention. She was writing something on a smartboard—yeah, basically a high-tech blackboard—using one of those fancy digital pens. Mid-to-late twenties, looked like one of those cool teachers you'd see on a Netflix teen show.
"Yes?" she asked, turning to me. "Can I help you?"
I hesitated. Do I need to ask permission to enter? In Nigeria, you ask. "Good morning ma, may I come in?" kind of thing. But here? Do they even care?
Then again, why am I thinking so hard about this? I don't care what anyone here thinks. I'm not trying to impress anybody.
Still… rules are rules. And I hate starting things wrong.
"Hello?" she said again, brows raised. Crap. I'd spaced out again.
"Uh—yeah. I'm… I'm in this class," I said.
She gave me a polite smile. "Okay. And your name is?"
"Angelus."
I looked around as I spoke, casually scanning the room. Seventeen students total. Seven boys. Ten girls. Mason was in the back row, second to last seat. Kelsey was right next to him, flanked by her two friends—one of whom was giving me the up-and-down like I was some zoo animal.
To Mason's other side, two more guys were cracking jokes, half paying attention.
But yeah… Kelsey. She was in this class. Of course she was.
Just my luck.
She was rubbing her temple like my very existence gave her a headache. The disgust on her face was loud.
"Great. Welcome to the class, Angelus," the teacher said. "Why don't you introduce yourself to everyone?"
I blinked at her.
"I already did," I said flatly.
The whole room waited. Like they expected a speech or something.
You want me to say more? What, Hi, I'm the 17-year-old mystery from Nigeria with emotional baggage and zero desire to be here?
Yeah… not happening.
After an awkward silence, she cleared her throat. "Alright then. Thank you, Angelus. You can take a seat."
There were two open seats—one next to Mason, one directly behind Kelsey.
Seriously? These are my only options?
Mason, the self-proclaimed king of the school, who thinks I owe him something. Or Kelsey, who's apparently allergic to my presence and still hasn't blinked since I walked in.
Satan and his assistant.
Reluctantly, I walked to the seat beside Mason and sat down. Quiet. No eye contact. Just slid into the chair like a ghost and stared at the board.
But from the corner of my eye, I could see Kelsey still glaring at me like I committed a crime just by breathing.
Yeah. I need to switch seats. Immediately.
I've got enough problems. Sitting between the Devil and the Drama Queen isn't on my checklist for the week.
✧ KELSEY ✧
Ugh! Why him? Of all the people they could've dumped in this homeroom, they had to bring Angelus the walking attitude problem?
He pulled out a notebook and started scribbling something. Not even looking at the smartboard or Mrs. Tristan. Wow. So studious. I tilted my head slightly.
Wait… is he drawing?
"Kelsey, focus!" Mrs. Tristan's voice snapped me right back into reality.
Crap.
I straightened up fast like nothing happened. Mason glanced at me from across the room, eyebrows raised like 'what was that about?'
"Sorry, Mrs. Tristan," I muttered and tried to act like I was paying attention to the algebra on the board. Ew. Math. These people around me? All numbers and formulas like it's their love language or something. Nerds.
Then my phone buzzed.
📱💬 Mason: why u starin at this dumbass?
I chuckled quietly. Dumbass is putting it lightly.
📱💬 Me: he's an arrogant, stupid, pathetic lil brat. why tf did they put him in our class??
📱💬 Mason: OH—thought u were crushin on him… my bad
Wait, what? So that was the confused look earlier? He was jealous?
I smiled. Cute.
📱💬 Me: awww 😍😍 u jealous?? don't be lmao i hate him sm
📱💬 Mason: u kno him?
"Kelsey—" Sofia whispered beside me, trying to bring me back to reality again.
"Not now, Sofia. I'm in the middle of something." I hissed, waving her off.
📱💬 Me: yea. idiot lives w us. tell u all abt it l8r.
📱💬 Mason: kk… CYB the dude rlly think he can fight me??
Wait—what?
My eyes narrowed. When did that happen? Angelus doesn't look like the type to pick fights… but knowing Mason, he probably pushed him. And knowing Angelus, he won't take it. He's not exactly the submissive type.
📱💬 Mason: ima show him who i am @ lunch. gon beat the crazy outta him 💀
What the hell, Mason?
No. I mean—yeah, Angelus is annoying, rude, and just… ugh! But something about Mason saying that didn't sit right with me.
I don't know why, but I didn't want him to touch Angelus. Maybe because if Michael finds out, we're both screwed. Mason getting suspended? Not a good look. Me? Grounded for weeks.
Besides… Angelus doesn't seem to be the type to throw the first punch. He's just stubborn.
📱💬 Me: nah just ignore him, he's a pathetic idiot. not worth it.
📱💬 Mason: he better get it in his head i run this school lol
Ugh.
📱💬 Mason: so bae… makeout spot after class? i miss those sweet lips 😘
My cheeks flamed instantly.
God. This boy.
My heart fluttered a little, I can't lie. I did miss his kisses. His lips. The way he touches me—ugh, it's enough to make my stomach flip.
I'd thought about going all the way with him. More than once.
But I kept pushing it off.
He's been begging me to let him sleep with me. For weeks. Always saying, "Come on, babe, we're way past just kissing," or "You said you'd give it up when you were ready, and it's been forever."
But the truth? I was scared.
Sofia told me it hurts. Like… bad. She said the first time? Terrible. Second? Worse. Cherry too. She said it's not what it looks like in movies, all slow and romantic. Nah—it's awkward and painful.
So I kept delaying. Promising "next week," or "soon."
And now… next week's the week I said I'd finally do it.
Why am I feeling nervous again?
Kelsey! Cherry's elbow jabbed into me, hard.
I blinked and looked up. Oh no.
The whole class was staring. Even Angelus looked confused.
"Where were you just now?" Cherry whispered, leaning close. "Mrs. Tristan's been calling your name."
And sure enough, here comes Mrs. Tristan herself, heels clicking toward my seat like doom itself.
Oh my God! I've been sitting here staring at my phone daydreaming… I snapped out of it and quickly locked the phone before she could see the text.
"Put the phone in your bag now," she said real calm, staring me down like I'm five or something.
"Mrs. Tristan, look I was just—"
"Put it away, Kelsey," she repeated, same calm tone but her brows went up. Not a good sign. I hesitated, then shoved the phone into my bag like it was on fire.
"That's two-week detention for you."
WHAT???
My brain short-circuited. "What? Detention? You're joking, right?" I stood up, voice rising with panic. My hands were shaking—okay, more like trembling from rage.
I HATE detention. Like seriously, it's worse than death. All those weirdos in there, acting creepy, the nasty boring chores they make you do—and they take our phones! No Snap, no TikTok, no texting, no nothing. Just pain.
"Okay. How about three weeks?"
OH MY GOD THIS WOMAN IS CRAZY.
"Mrs. Tristan, don't be—"
"Three weeks it is!" she said, still calm like she was handing out candy instead of a death sentence.
I dropped back into my seat, steaming. I looked over at Mason—he was literally shaking with laughter. REALLY?? You're supposed to be my boyfriend, dude. You're lucky I love you, fr tho.
I side-eyed Angelus—still not a flicker of emotion from that guy. Just drawing in his stupid book like the world outside doesn't exist. Sofia was scribbling like a nerd as usual, probably already on question five or something.
"Sorry, Kelsey. I'll be with you throughout detention, okay?" Cherry whispered beside me, then went back to her work like nothing happened.
"You better start doing the class work before you get yourself into more trouble," Sofia said, not even looking at me.
Oh hell no. She did not just talk to me like that.
I shot her a nasty glare and grabbed my book from my bag, flipping it open with as much attitude as possible.
Wait… she said class work? When did we get class work?? I glanced around—everyone's busy writing and solving stuff and I'm just here sitting like an idiot. Ugh.
I looked back at Mason. That jerk was still smiling at his paper. He had better help me. I swear. He turned to Joel, one of his new fanboys, who slid him a paper and he immediately started copying it. He had better pass that paper when he's done.
"Hey! Give me that when you're done." I whispered to Mason. He smirked, then turned toward me.
"For a kiss?" he said, all smug.
Boy, please.
"My lips are always yours. And soon, this," I said, glancing down there for extra emphasis, "will also be yours."
I know how to play dirty too, even if I'm still a virgin. Don't underestimate me.
"Can't wait," he said with that flirty wink and that cute little smirk that makes me wanna melt… okay, I'll admit—he's hot.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Tristan had already started checking our work row by row. My luck? I'm in the back, so she's coming for me soon. Crap.
"Hurry up! Mrs. Tristan is almost done—" I whispered, a little louder this time.
"Kelsey! Make one more sound again and you'll regret it!" she snapped, and ooh boy, now she wasn't calm anymore. Her voice was sharp.
I shut up instantly.
She turned to Tychicus, who was sitting beside Angelus, and bent over his work.
"That's not correct, Tychicus. Opposite angles are equal, same with corresponding angles. So this can't go with that one… and you still haven't found this angle here. You need to find that to get the right answer. Just try again, I'll be back," she said before moving over to Angelus.
I finally got Mason's paper and started copying fast. I didn't understand anything on that test anyway. I mean, I wasn't paying attention, obviously, but even if I did—I still wouldn't get it. Like… who invented this mess?
They'll write stuff like "find x" and the x is literally right there. Like, there it is, what are you still looking for? It's insane.
Still, I had to at least try. If I leave it blank, that's another reason for Mrs. Tristan to extend detention. And if my grades drop, my parents are gonna lose it—and trust me, they were this close to hiring a math tutor. I had to beg them not to.
"Angelus, why aren't you doing the class work?" Mrs. Tristan asked.
I Knew it!
He's also dumb. Big head, no brain. I almost laughed.
"If you don't understand, you should've asked instead of—"
Before she could even finish, he calmly opened a notebook and slid it toward her, then went right back to his drawing like she didn't even exist.
Huh?
"Oh wow! This… wow! Nice work, Angelus. This is very correct!"
Wait… WHAT?!
Did Mrs. Tristan just… praise him? Like, actual praise?? No way. He must've copied it from Joel, I swear. I leaned forward a little, waiting. She'll definitely find out.
She turned to the rest of the class and said, "Come on, guys. Angelus has already done his."
Smug much?
I smiled to myself. It's cool. Mrs. Tristan is smart—she'll know he just copied. Let's see what she says to Joel.
"Joel—" Here it comes.
"Come on, you got it all wrong."
…Huh??
Wait, wait, wait… WHAT??
That means… Angelus didn't copy?? So he actually solved it himself?? Nah, I don't believe this. It also means Joel's answers were wrong. Completely.
I froze, staring at my book. Mason had copied Joel. I copied Mason.
I just copied a whole page of trash.
Then I heard her tell Mason his work was wrong too. She even said he copied from Joel.
I didn't need to hear the rest—I already knew.
She'll definitely know I copied from Joel too.
"Mrs. Tristan! I think I got it!" Leo—one of the guys in the front row she corrected earlier—called out, raising his hand like he just solved world hunger or something. She turned and started walking over to him.
That bought me a little time, but let's not kid ourselves—she will still come back to us in the back. We're not invisible.
Just then, I felt a tap on my shoulder.
It was Emily, one of the cheerleaders—and also one of the few who still knew how to slide around the rules.
"Take this," she whispered, handing me a folded paper.
"Is it different from yours?" I asked quickly, already snatching it from her before she even nodded.
I didn't care if it was wrong—I just needed it to not match Joel's trash answers. If Mrs. Tristan catches me with the same work as Mason and Joel, that's the end. I'll be buried in detention until graduation.
By the time she got to me, I had already rewritten everything from the paper Emily gave me.
To my total surprise… she actually nodded.
"Good job, Kelsey," she said.
What??
I blinked. It was correct?! Oh. My. God.
But then—surprisingly—Emily's work? Wrong.
Even weirder? Everyone else in the class got it wrong… except Angelus, me, and Leo.
That was it.
After class, I pulled Emily aside like—
"Wait, how come yours was wrong?" I asked her. I mean, I thought we were in this together.
She looked confused too. "Well… it was Angelus that gave me the one I gave to you."
Huh?
I just stood there, speechless for like five full seconds. My brain short-circuited again.
Angelus??
He gave me the right answers?? Through Cherry?
I didn't know whether to scream, punch a wall, or hug somebody. I mean—he saved my grade. He literally saved my a**. But I didn't ask for his help. I didn't want it. I didn't need it. And I especially didn't want it to come from him.
Ugh.
No way I'm gonna thank him. In fact, I'm gonna let him know that his little "rescue" doesn't mean a damn thing to me.
I still hate him. And that's fact!