"Why is Fiona like this?" she whispered. "Why can't she just leave me alone?"
"Come on, Angie," Elsa said gently. "Don't tell me her words are getting to you. I thought you were used to her insults by now."
"Used to it?" Angela shook her head. "No… I can't keep tolerating this. I'm tired, Elsa… I think I want to quit."
Elsa frowned.
"Quit?" she repeated. "Quitting is for losers and you're not one, Angela. I thought you were stronger than this."
Angela looked at her with pain in her eyes.
"Haven't I been strong enough?" she asked. "Tell me, Elsa… what else does the world want from me? I… I can't keep doing this…"
Elsa sighed, then spoke calmly,
"Angela, you'll never reach your destination if you keep throwing stones at every dog that barks. You don't have to respond to everything."
Angela wiped her tears, shaking her head.
"No, Elsa. I won't let anyone mistake my silence for weakness," she said firmly. "Fiona is trying to ruin my reputation… and I won't let her."
Elsa paused, thinking deeply.
Then a small smile formed on her lips.
"Well…" she said quietly, leaning closer.
"I think I have an idea."
She whispered something into Angela's ear.
Angela's expression slowly changed from pain to curiosity.
"Are you sure this is going to work?" Angela asked, her voice filled with surprise and a hint of doubt.
"Trust me," Elsa replied with a confident smile. "No one will dare to mess with Angela anymore."
Angela's lips curved into a grateful smile. "Thank you so much, Elsa. I really mean it."
Elsa nodded, then her expression brightened as if she had just remembered something important. "Oh! I have good news. There's going to be a dancing competition next week at school. Fiona and her team will be participating."
Angela's eyes widened slightly. "Really?"
"Yes," Elsa continued. "And that's not all. Every student is required to join a club. So, we're going to join the Music and Dancing Club."
Angela's face lit up with excitement. "Really? I love that idea! Then we need to register our names immediately."
"Exactly," Elsa said, nodding. "We shouldn't waste any time."
After a while, Angela and Elsa finished their registration. It was already time for club activities, which took place every Thursday. Together, they made their way to the Music and Dancing Club studio.
The place was crowded, far more students than Angela had expected. Laughter, chatter, and excitement filled the air. But what surprised Angela the most was seeing Chris there.
He wasn't just a member; he was the club president. Their patron was Mrs. Willa, a strict but well-respected teacher.
Angela's gaze shifted, and her expression darkened slightly when she spotted Fiona and her group of friends. The club seemed to be filled with all the people she would rather avoid. Still, she felt a small sense of relief when she realized that Jerry wasn't there.
Because of the large number of students, Mrs. Willa suggested dividing everyone into four groups. After a few minutes, the groups were announced.
Angela found herself in the same group as Chris, along with other students. Fiona was placed in the second group, while Elsa ended up in the third.
"At least I'm free from that bitch," Angela muttered quietly to herself, letting out a small breath of relief.
But her relief didn't last long.
Fiona had already noticed her. With a cold glance in Angela's direction, she turned and walked confidently toward Chris.
"Too bad we're not in the same group," Fiona said sweetly, flipping her hair. "But that won't stop us from staying close."
"Sure," Chris replied with a faint smile.
Angela sat down with the other students, waiting for Chris to give his speech as the leader. Her thoughts were restless, her mind far from calm.
Gosh… how am I going to cope with this? she thought. Chris doesn't even like me…
"And you."
Chris's voice suddenly cut through her thoughts.
Angela looked up, startled, only to find him pointing directly at her.
"You seem absent-minded," he said coldly. "And we don't need people like you here, people who can't concentrate. Or are you busy thinking about those useless boys from whatever club you've been hanging around?"
Laughter erupted across the room.
Angela felt the sting of humiliation burn through her chest. Her hands clenched tightly at her sides.
"Enough of this, Chris…" she muttered under her breath, her voice barely audible as she stood up.
She turned to leave.
"And where the heck do you think you're going?" Chris snapped angrily. "No one walks out on me like that; I'm still the leader and I have every right to remove you from this group if you misbehave."
Angela stopped, then slowly turned back, her eyes blazing with anger.
"Then Angela Scott will be the first person to do so," she said firmly.
She turned again, ready to walk away, but before she could take another step, Chris grabbed her wrist, pulling her back.