As Elena waved goodbye and walked back to the counter to pick up her drink, Angelo felt a mix of emotions. He couldn’t shake the feeling that seeing her again would complicate everything he had been trying to build with Briar and Lila.
Setting: Celeste is in her room, sitting on her bed with her laptop open.
She’s trying to focus on her schoolwork, but her mind keeps drifting to thoughts of Angelo. Celeste stared at the blinking cursor on her screen, frustration mounting as she tried to concentrate on her assignment. But no matter how hard she focused, her thoughts kept circling back to him—Angelo. Why can’t I just focus? she thought, biting her lip. Their project had gone well, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted between them. The way Angelo had looked at Briar during their work together made her stomach twist with jealousy. It was as if she could see a connection blossoming between them, something that reminded her of the way he used to look at her. She closed her laptop and flopped back onto her bed, staring up at the ceiling. Get a grip, Celeste. It’s just a project. But deep down, she knew it was more than that. She thought about how Angelo had seemed distant lately, often lost in his own thoughts. She had tried to reach out, but every time she did, he seemed more preoccupied. And now with Briar
a new girl who had come in and captured his attention—she felt as if she was losing him all over again. Why do I feel like I’m competing for his attention? Celeste pulled out her phone, scrolling through her messages with Angelo. They had been so close once, sharing everything and supporting each other through thick and thin. But ever since he’d started working with Briar, their conversations felt different—more strained, less intimate. Suddenly, her phone buzzed. It was a message from Lila. Hey, just checking in! Have you seen Angelo? I think he’s a little out of it lately. Let me know if you want to talk! Celeste sighed, her heart heavy. Everyone seems to notice but him. She texted back, Yeah, I’ve noticed. I’m worried about him. After sending the message, she stared out the window, watching the clouds drift by. She remembered how supportive Angelo had been when she needed him, always there with a comforting word or a reassuring smile. Now, he seemed consumed by something she couldn’t quite understand.
Maybe I should talk to him. Just then, the memory of seeing him with Briar at the café flashed in her mind. What if he’s developed feelings for her? The thought stung, and Celeste sat up, determination flooding her veins. She couldn’t just sit back and let this happen. If there was something going on between them, she needed to confront it head-on. I won’t let him slip away again; she vowed silently. Not after everything we’ve been through. Celeste grabbed her phone again and typed out a message to Angelo, trying to sound casual but hoping he could sense the urgency beneath her words. Hey, can we meet up later? I feel like we need to talk. After hitting send, she took a deep breath, her heart racing.
Whatever was going on, she was determined to address it. She refused to let the fear of losing him again paralyze her. I’ll fight for us, she thought fiercely.to confront it head-on.
I won’t let him slip away again, she vowed silently. Not after everything we’ve been through.
Celeste grabbed her phone again and typed out a message to Angelo, trying to sound casual but hoping he could sense the urgency beneath her words.
Hey, can we meet up later? I feel like we need to talk.
After hitting send, she took a deep breath, her heart racing. Whatever was going on, she was determined to address it. She refused to let the fear of losing him again paralyze her.
I’ll fight for us, she thought fiercely.