The night was quiet except for the soft clinking of utensils and the faint hum of the air conditioner. Erica and Angel sat cross-legged on the floor of their shared room, the small table between them filled with takeout boxes and half-eaten meals. The warm light from the ceiling cast soft shadows on the walls, making everything feel slower, gentler—almost too gentle.
Angel popped a piece of tempura into her mouth and raised an eyebrow. "You barely touched your food. You planning to make me fat while you starve yourself?"
Erica stabbed at her rice with a chopstick. "I'm eating," she mumbled.
"Liar," Angel smirked. "You've been zoning out since we sat down."
Erica let out a sigh. She tried to act normal, but her fingers were tense and her mouth felt dry.
"Fine," she said, finally setting her chopsticks down. "I saw Nicole today."
Angel paused, her expression unreadable for a second. Then she leaned back on her arms and looked at Erica calmly. "I figured. You were too dramatic earlier not to be harboring a secret."
Erica snorted. "I wasn't dramatic."
"You stared at a wall for ten minutes. That's either heartbreak or possession by a ghost. Either way, I'm calling it dramatic."
That made Erica laugh a little. Angel always had a way of easing the tension—making things lighter, easier to carry.
"She kissed me," Erica said, voice softer now.
Angel blinked.
"She what?"
"Yeah," Erica said, grimacing. "In the middle of a fight. Out of nowhere. Like that would fix anything."
Angel's jaw clenched for a moment, but then she leaned forward and poked Erica on the forehead.
"Ow—what?"
"That's for not punching her," Angel said. "But…" She tilted her head and gave a tiny smile, "I'm proud of you."
Erica blinked. "For what?"
"For not choosing her."
A beat passed between them.
"I mean," Angel continued, picking up a piece of shrimp and pointing it at Erica, "you could've kissed her back. You could've gone running into her arms and cried about old love and fate and whatever crap they write in novels."
"Romance novels are valid," Erica mumbled.
"But you didn't," Angel finished, ignoring her. "You chose me. And I know it probably hurt. But damn, Erica…" Her smile turned gentle. "Thank you."
There was a pause. Erica stared at her, the corners of her lips tugging up in a small smile. Then she leaned in, slowly, eyes locking with Angel's.
"Well," Erica whispered, lips inches away, "if you're proud of me, maybe I deserve a little reward?"
Angel raised a brow, but didn't pull away. "What kind of reward are you thinking?"
"This kind," Erica murmured, and leaned in for a kiss.
But Angel put a hand on her mouth, smirking.
"Nope."
Erica blinked. "What?"
"You're not kissing me with those dirty lips that got kissed by Nicole. Ew. Go gargle holy water first."
Erica let out a frustrated groan. "Seriously?!"
Angel pretended to gag. "I can still smell the emotional baggage."
"Oh come on—"
"Nope," Angel said firmly, standing up and crossing her arms. "I have standards."
Erica stood too and stepped closer. "You love these lips."
"I love them sanitized."
"You're impossible," Erica laughed.
"You're corrupted."
There was a playful silence before Angel gave in and rolled her eyes. "Ugh, fine. But just one kiss. And don't make it weird."
Erica grinned and wrapped her arms around her waist. "Too late."
Angel melted into the hug, her hands settling on Erica's back. Then she pulled Erica even closer and kissed her softly, slowly, with all the warmth she'd held back. When they finally broke apart, Angel whispered, "That was your reward."
"I'll work harder for more," Erica teased, her voice breathless.
Before Angel could respond, the door suddenly burst open.
"AND WE BROUGHT THE BOOZE!"
Kim's voice rang like a trumpet. Behind her came Risha, Audrey, Steph, and the rest of their chaotic group, each one carrying bags of snacks, bottles of alcohol, and in Kim's case, an entire rotisserie chicken.
Angel and Erica froze in place, still wrapped around each other.
"Oh," Audrey said casually. "Look what we've walked in on."
"Should we come back in ten minutes?" Steph added, pretending to cover her eyes but peeking through her fingers.
Kim cleared her throat—loudly. "Ahem."
Angel immediately shoved Erica off. Erica stumbled, caught her balance, and muttered, "Seriously?"
"You started it!" Angel hissed.
"No, Nicole started it," Erica said, deadpan.
The room exploded in laughter.
Risha plopped onto the floor and opened a bottle of soju. "Let's make this a night to forget!"
"You mean remember," Kim corrected.
"No, I meant forget. Trust me, after five shots, you won't even remember your name."
Plates clattered, drinks were poured, and soon they were all gathered in a circle, laughing over nonsense and stuffing their faces with everything from chips to kimchi to chocolate bars.
"Game time!" Audrey declared, waving an empty bottle. "Truth or dare, losers."
"Oh god," Erica groaned. "This always ends badly."
"Exactly," Kim grinned.
The bottle spun.
It landed on Erica.
"Ohoho," Steph cackled. "Truth or dare?"
"Dare," Erica said, already regretting it.
Audrey leaned in, eyes glinting. "Kiss Angel. Like earlier. Passionately."
Everyone ooohhh'd like middle schoolers at recess.
Erica nearly choked on her drink. "Excuse me?!"
"You kissed her already! What's one more?" Audrey teased.
"I'm not performing for you people!" Erica protested.
"Lame!" Risha booed.
Angel snorted, tossing popcorn at Erica. "Wow. Coward."
"You're supposed to be on my side!"
"I'm on the side of chaos."
The group burst into laughter again. In the end, Erica didn't do the dare, and everyone just clinked glasses and laughed harder than ever.
After several more rounds of chaotic dares, dancing to music that wasn't even playing, and someone (probably Vinish) falling asleep hugging a bag of chips, the energy started to fade. One by one, the group slumped over—on beanbags, under the table, even by the door.
The room was full of soft snores and the occasional giggle from someone half-asleep.
Everyone was down… except for Erica.
She was lying on the floor, one sock missing, eyes glassy and red-faced. Angel looked over from her seat and sighed.
"God, you're a mess," Angel said fondly, getting up.
"I'm fine," Erica slurred.
"You are not fine. You just tried to pet the chicken Kim brought."
"It looked lonely."
Angel rolled her eyes and bent down to lift her. Erica leaned against her, limbs heavy and wobbly.
"Alright, come on," Angel said, pulling her close and guiding her toward the bedroom.
When they finally got inside, Angel placed Erica on the bed gently. But as she turned to leave, Erica reached out and grabbed her hand.
"Stay," she mumbled.
Angel looked down. Erica's face was flushed and soft, her eyes half-lidded and dreamy.
"You're drunk," Angel whispered.
"And I still know what I feel."
Angel sighed, but didn't pull away.
Erica tugged her closer until Angel sat on the edge of the bed. Then, with surprising coordination, Erica wrapped her arms around her and pulled her into a slow, lazy kiss. It wasn't like earlier—it wasn't teasing or rushed.
It was vulnerable.
When they pulled apart, Erica whispered against her lips, "No matter what happened before… or what will happen tomorrow… you'll always be the one I love."
Angel's heart squeezed in her chest. She brushed a hand through Erica's hair and kissed her forehead.
"Then don't ever make me doubt it."
Erica smiled as she slowly drifted off.
Angel stayed there, holding her, heart beating a little too fast—wondering when exactly this girl had become her entire world.
And somewhere outside, Kim snored like a dying vacuum cleaner.