Lines That Blur

The school was alive with noise that Tuesday morning—football practice after classes, a cultural day rehearsal happening behind the assembly hall, and the usual bustle of hallway drama. But within Angel's friend group, something quieter stirred… something complicated.

Angel sat beneath their usual tree during short break, her eyes on a sketchpad, drawing random lines that weren't becoming anything. Mimi plopped beside her and stole one of her pencils.

"You haven't drawn anyone's face in days," Mimi noted.

"I'm not in the mood," Angel replied, not looking up.

Kelly V dropped her bag beside them. "Maybe you're distracted by a certain someone handing you chocolate bars and sticky notes every ten seconds?"

Angel didn't even flinch. "You sound jealous."

"Not jealous," Kelly said, grinning. "Amused."

Just then, Victor walked by with Jayden, throwing a small wave toward the girls. Angel nodded back coolly, but Mimi was distracted. Her eyes followed Jayden instead—his laugh, the way he swung his backpack over one shoulder.

Kelly leaned in. "Girl… it's happening again."

Mimi blinked. "What?"

"You're staring at Jayden like he's a song stuck in your head."

Mimi flushed. "Shut up. I'm just observing."

Angel smirked. "Observing with blush on your cheeks?"

They all laughed—genuine, sisterly.

Jordan approached moments later, with Fiyin insii. Mimi stiffened. Everyone had been civil with Fiyin since the cafeteria incident, but no one had really forgiven her. Especially Angel.

Jordan gave Angel a nod. "Coach wants to know if you're still joining relay on Friday."

"I'll think about it," she said.

"Let me know," he said, then turned to Mimi. "We need to finish the art project this week. You're still coming over after school, right?"

Mimi hesitated, then smiled. "Yeah, I'll come."

He nodded and left. Mimi watched him go.

Angel raised a brow. "So… you and Jordan now?"

Mimi shook her head. "It's not like that. We've just been talking more."

Kelly chimed in, "You're not the only one. Jordan's been talking to everyone lately. Especially someone with a hoodie and sketchpad."

Angel rolled her eyes. "Can we not?"

But she was blushing again.

Later That Day – Cultural Rehearsal Practice

The school field was buzzing with rehearsals. Angel and Kelly were in charge of art props, while Jordan and Victor were both "accidentally" around whenever Angel was.

At one point, Jordan helped her lift a wooden stage piece.

"You shouldn't carry stuff like this," he said. "What if you break your wrist and can't draw again?"

Angel snorted. "I'm not made of glass."

"I know," Jordan replied. "But I care anyway."

From behind a stack of speakers, Victor saw it. Again.

Minutes later, he found Angel's missing brush set on the art table and casually cleaned each one before returning it to her bag.

He didn't say anything. But Angel noticed.

Two boys. Both caring. Neither one saying the full truth.

Juliet crossed her arms, staring at Hannah "You don't feel bad?"

Hannah blinked. "About what?"

"Don't act dense. You were the one who googled Angel's accident and told the whole school."

Hannah shrugged. "She walks around like she owns the place. People had a right to know."

Juliet stared at her. "That's cold."

Hannah snapped, "Don't pretend like you're her bestie. You just got here."

Juliet was quiet for a second. Then she said, "Still. There's a difference between being curious… and cruel."

Hannah folded her arms. "You sound like you're on her side."

Juliet leaned closer. "Maybe I am. Maybe not. But I am interested in her story."

Hannah frowned. "Why?"

Juliet smiled mysteriously. "Let's just say… there's more to Angel Dewson than even she knows."

She reached into her bag and pulled out a small folded paper.

"I found this last night," she said. "In my mum's old files. It has her dad's name on it."

Fiyin stared. "Why would your mum have something linked to Angel's dad?"

Juliet tucked the paper away. "Still figuring that out. But I'll find out. Piece by piece."

Back at the school gate, the group stood together waiting for their rides.

Jayden walked by again, giving Mimi a wink.

Mimi nearly tripped over her own feet.

Angel laughed out loud. "You need help."

Victor saw it—Jayden and Mimi. Something sparked behind his eyes, but he said nothing.

Kelly whispered to Angel, "Things are shifting."

"Understatement of the year," Angel muttered.

Jordan handed Angel a hairclip that had fallen from her pocket. "You dropped this."

"Do you collect everything I drop now?" she asked.

"Only the things that matter," he said quietly.

Angel looked at him… then at Victor, who was watching silently.

She looked away.

At home, Juliet sat on her bed, staring at the folded paper she had shown Fiyin earlier. She unfolded it again.

There, in faded ink, was a military document with Captain Dewson's name on it… and a photo clipped beside it. A woman. Standing with him.

Juliet's brows furrowed.

"Why do our paths keep crossing?" she whispered.