A New Friendship
1023 Words
Deep inside, jealousy had already begun to grow.
Bella forced a smile as she looked at Angela.
"Don't you dare cross my line," she thought. "If I ever see you getting close to Mark, you'll regret it."
Mitchell stepped forward with a smile.
"Hi, I'm Mitchell."
Maria smiled as well.
"My name is Maria."
Stella nodded politely.
"And I'm Stella."
The three girls spoke together.
"Welcome to our university."
"Thank you," Angela replied with a gentle smile.
Just then, a female lecturer walked into the classroom.
"Good morning, class."
"Good morning, ma'am," the students replied as they returned to their seats.
The lecturer placed her books on the desk before looking around the classroom.
Her eyes stopped on Angela.
"I believe you're the new student."
"Yes, ma'am," Angela answered politely.
"What's your name?"
"My name is Angela Williams."
"You're welcome to the department, Angela."
"Thank you, ma'am."
The lecturer began teaching.
As the lecture continued, several boys who normally sat at the back quietly exchanged seats with students in the front so they could sit closer to Angela.
Some of them couldn't stop looking at her, even while the lecturer was teaching.
Bella noticed everything.
"What's going on?" she wondered.
"Is she really more beautiful than I am? Why are all the boys moving to the front just because of her?"
She quietly brought out her phone and turned on the front camera.
She looked at her reflection for a few seconds.
"I'm still beautiful," she thought.
"I'm still the most beautiful girl in this school."
When the lecture ended, the students began leaving their seats.
Jaden immediately walked over to Angela.
"Hi."
Angela smiled.
"Hi."
"Would you like to have lunch with me?"
Angela shook her head gently.
"I'm fine. Thank you."
Jaden smiled.
"Then how about a walk? I can show you around the campus."
Angela thought for a moment before smiling.
"Okay. Thank you."
The two of them left the classroom together.
Bella watched them quietly.
Michelle frowned.
"What is Jaden up to?"
Maria folded her arms.
"Is she trying to take Jaden away from us?"
Bella looked at both of them.
"What's wrong with you two? Are you both in love with Jaden?"
Maria smiled awkwardly.
"Well... he's actually handsome."
Bella shook her head.
"Don't forget that he's Mark's enemy now."
"Anyone who stands against Mark is our enemy too."
"I'm sorry," Maria replied softly.
The four girls quietly followed Jaden and Angela from a distance.
As they walked around the campus, Jaden showed Angela different places.
He pointed at the swimming pool, the football field, the student activity centre, the television presentation studio, and several other buildings.
The two of them laughed as they talked.
Michelle couldn't hide her jealousy.
"Oh my gosh," she thought. "Is she trying to take the guy I've been crushing on?"
Maria sighed.
"Who exactly is this girl? She just arrived, and everyone already likes her."
Bella looked at the three girls.
"Leave them alone for now."
The girls nodded before turning back.
Meanwhile, Jaden and Angela continued walking.
Angela smiled.
"How long have you been in this university?"
"Just one day," Jaden replied with a laugh.
Angela looked surprised.
"Only one day, yet you already know your way around?"
"I was lonely yesterday, so a few students showed me around the campus. I still don't know everywhere, but I know enough to help you."
Angela smiled.
"That's nice."
After walking for a while, Angela stopped.
"Can we go back to class now? I'm getting tired."
"No problem."
She smiled shyly.
"I'm an introvert."
Jaden laughed.
"Then I'll try my best to help you become more outgoing."
Angela smiled.
"We can be friends."
"I'm glad to hear that."
The two of them returned to the classroom.
Many students looked at them as they entered.
"Good luck," Jaden said before returning to his seat.
"Thank you," Angela replied.
Angela sat down and took out her phone.
She scrolled through it while waiting for the next lecture.
A few moments later, Bella walked over with Mitchell, Maria, and Stella.
"Hi," Bella said.
Angela looked up.
"Hi."
"How are you settling in?"
"I'm doing well. Thank you."
Bella smiled.
"Would you like to go for a stroll with us after class?"
Angela smiled apologetically.
"I'm really sorry, but I'm tired. Jaden already showed me around the campus, and my legs are aching."
Bella nodded.
"That's alright. Maybe another time."
"Sure."
After school, Angela returned home.
"Dad, I'm home."
Her father smiled.
"Welcome home, sweetheart. How was your first day?"
Angela dropped her bag on the sofa.
"Oh my God, Dad. I was so nervous."
"What happened?"
"The moment I got out of the car, everyone kept staring at me."
Her father looked surprised.
"They were?"
Angela nodded.
"Both the boys and the girls."
She stood in front of the living room mirror.
"I don't understand. Why were they all looking at me?"
Her father smiled.
"Maybe because my daughter is beautiful."
Angela laughed softly.
"Dad..."
She sighed.
"I'm so tired. I miss Mom so much."
"I miss her too," her father replied.
"I wish she were here."
Angela smiled playfully.
"So you miss Mom more than me?"
Her father laughed.
"You know that's not what I meant."
"Go upstairs and get some rest."
"Okay, Dad."
Angela went to her room, lay on her bed, and began scrolling through her phone.
Meanwhile, Bella called Mark.
"Hi, babe."
"Hi."
"How are you?"
"I'm fine."
"I'll be coming to school tomorrow," Mark said.
Bella smiled happily.
"Really? I'll be waiting for you."
"Don't worry."
"I have a surprise for you tomorrow."
Mark became curious.
"What surprise?"
Bella laughed.
"You'll find out when you get here."
"Alright."
"Good night."
"Good night."
"I love you."
Bella smiled brightly.
"What did you say?"
"I said I love you."
"I love you too."
The call ended.
Bella walked into the living room.
"Dad, Mom, I want to prepare a special dinner for Mark tomorrow."
Her parents looked at her.
"I want him to know how much I love him."
She smiled confidently.
"Please help me prepare everything."
"I want tomorrow to be perfect."
- Writer
