"What exactly do you want from me?" Angela asked angrily, her voice shaking with emotion. "Do you want to humiliate me again? What have I ever done to you?"
Chris looked at her, confused.
"What happened to your uniform?" he asked quickly. "Who did this to you? I've been looking for you all day… even Elsa was really worried."
Angela lowered her gaze, tears already forming in her eyes.
"I… I have to go," she said, her voice breaking as she turned to leave.
"Wait," Chris called after her. "Today is the final rehearsal. I was hoping you would be there… I'm sure you're going to win this. You need to stay."
Angela stopped, then turned back, her emotions finally spilling over.
"I've quit," she said, her voice rising. "I don't want to dance anymore. I don't want my reputation to be ruined. I just… I want to leave this school. I want to quit everything."
Her words came out in a rush, and she struggled to hold back her tears.
Chris was silent for a moment, then stepped closer, his expression softening.
"I… I'm sorry, Angela," he said quietly. "I know you must be going through a lot. Can you forgive me?"
Angela said nothing. She only looked at him, confused by his sudden concern. Why does he care now? she wondered.
"Please, say something," he continued. "You can't just give up like this. Quitting is for losers… and I don't think you're one of them. You have to try."
He paused, then smiled slightly.
"I was really surprised when I saw you dance yesterday. You were amazing. That means you're a good dancer..no, a great one."
Angela blinked, then gave a faint smile.
"Thank you," she said softly, wiping her tears.
Chris looked at her stained uniform again.
"Come on," he said. "You need to change this. Just give me a minute."
Before she could respond, Chris stepped closer, his expression softening as he pleaded with her.
"Angela… just come with me, please," he said, his voice quieter now, almost sincere.
She hesitated, her heart still heavy. For a moment, she stood frozen, unsure of what to do. But something in his tone made her pause.
Without saying a word, she reluctantly followed him.
Chris led her down the hallway toward the lockers. When they got there, he quickly opened his locker and reached inside as he pulled out a neatly folded white T-shirt.
Turning to her, he held it out gently.
"Here… take this," he said.
Angela hesitated, looking at the shirt. At the back, the name "CHRIS" was boldly written.
"Thank you… but I can't accept this," she said. "Everyone knows it's yours."
"I know," he replied calmly. "I'm just trying to help. You can't go to rehearsal like this. Just go and change. I'll wait for you."
Angela looked at him for a moment, then nodded slowly.
"Thank you," she said, taking the shirt.
As she walked toward the restroom, she noticed the faint scent of his perfume on it. Her heart skipped slightly.
Inside the female restroom, she quickly changed into the shirt.
When she stepped out, Chris was still there, waiting.
He looked at her and smiled.
"You look good in it," he said.
"Thank you," Angela replied, smiling shyly.
Wearing his shirt made her feel strangely happy… almost like a dream she never thought would come true.
Together, they walked into the large hall where rehearsals were still going on.
Immediately, all eyes turned toward them.
Students whispered among themselves, shocked that Chris had given her his shirt, especially one he clearly valued so much.
At the far end, Fiona watched them, her eyes burned with anger.
At that moment, she felt like tearing Angela apart.
The rehearsal continued, but Angela couldn't focus. After a while, she quietly stood up and stepped outside to look for Elsa.
Fiona noticed her immediately.
Without wasting time, she hurried out, her friends following closely behind.
Outside, Fiona grabbed Angela roughly and pulled her back.
"Take off that shirt," Fiona demanded angrily.
Angela frowned.