An Angel's kiss.

Chapter five

I smoothed the wrinkles from my dress, tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear, and gave myself one last once-over in the mirror before finally stepping out of the bathroom.

"There you are, Angel of God!" Janice exclaimed the moment she spotted me. "I've been looking all over the place for you!"

I rolled my eyes.

OA talaga. I laughed. "As if you weren't busy enjoying yourself with Troy." Pinanliitan ko siya ng mata. "Thank God you still remembered I exist."

She let out a sheepish laugh. "Oops... sorry. I kind of forgot the rest of the world existed the moment he asked me to dance."

I bumped her shoulder lightly.

"I'm just kidding. You know I'm happy for you. Do whatever floats your boat, Dolly. You've been dreaming about this forever."

"Exactly!" Her smile widened, not even trying to deny it. "Now come on! Everyone's waiting. Jacob had already started the game."

Before I could ask what game she meant, she grabbed my wrist and pulled me through the crowd. The music pounded through the air as we weaved between students dancing, laughing, and shouting over the songs blasting from the speakers. We made our way up the staircase behind the DJ booth. As soon as we reached the second floor, Janice pushed open the first door. Goosebumps instantly rose on my skin as an icy blast of air from the AC greeted us.

The moment I stepped inside, I couldn't help but stop in my tracks. My eyes wandered around the room, taking in every corner. Students were scattered everywhere, completely immersed in different activities.

As Janice and I stepped further inside, the first thing that caught my eye was a spacious lounge area near the entrance. A large sectional sofa faced a massive TV mounted on the wall, where several students were locked in an intense football match on a PS5. Cheers erupted whenever someone scored, followed by playful groans and laughter whenever a shot sailed wide or a last-minute tackle ruined a perfect attack. Those waiting for their turn crowded behind the couch, shouting advice and teasing the players as if they were watching a real match.

Beyond the lounge, we passed a billiard table where a small crowd applauded after someone sank the eight-ball. A few steps later, a karaoke echoed with off-key singing and uncontrollable laughter.

Farther down, a foosball table had become the center of another heated match, while another group gathered around a giant Jenga tower, holding their breath each time someone carefully slid out a wooden block. Near the windows, two friends laughed over a fast-paced game of air hockey as the puck bounced wildly from one side to the other.

I couldn't help but smile. Whoever came up with this idea was a genius.

We continued walking, weaving between the different game stations until we reached the back of the room, where a large circle of students had gathered around the outdoor lounge. Loud cheers and bursts of laughter erupted from the crowd, making it impossible not to wonder what had everyone's attention.

"There you are!" Jacob greeted us with a grin.

Janice quickly introduced me to everyone. I smiled politely at each of them... and forgot every single name almost immediately.

Jacob clapped his hands to get everyone's attention. "Alright! Since everyone's here, let's start over."

Several people cheered.

Janice looked at me. "Have you ever played the Apartment Game?"

"Nope." I shook my head.

A girl with perfectly styled hair raised an eyebrow. "Seriously? Where on earth have you been? It's literally the APT. game by ROSÉ."

"From Narnia," Janice answered before I could open my mouth. "Narnia of your business, bitch."

A few people burst out laughing. the girl's smile instantly disappeared. Jacob simply shook his head with an amused chuckle.

"Easy, tiger," he teased, earning another eye roll from Janice.

"Anyway..." Jacob continued, still smiling. "Everyone, hands in."

We all gathered closer and stretched one hand toward the middle.

"We're all going to stack our hands on top of each other," he explained. "Then someone calls out a number. We count the hands from the top, and whichever hand lands on that number becomes the 'floor."

"And then?" I asked curiously.

A mischievous smile spread across Janice's face. "That person has to complete a challenge."

"What kind of challenge?"

"Oh, don't worry," one of the girls said with a laugh. "Nothing too crazy."

"She's lying," another guy cut in without missing a beat.

The entire group burst into laughter. I looked at Janice. She only gave me an innocent smile and a tiny shrug. For some reason... I suddenly had a very bad feeling about this

****

The game went on, and honestly, I couldn't tell whether it was fun or just pure chaos. Some students were more excited than nervous whenever a number was called. Some chose truth, while others gladly picked dare. Some ended up kissing someone—even if it meant kissing another girl. Others had to dance, sing, or do the weirdest penalties imaginable.

As for me, I kept choosing to drink instead. Anything was better than taking one of those ridiculous penalties or answering embarrassing questions. Apparently, everyone found me boring for it, saying I shouldn't have joined the game if I was just going to drink every time.

Janice, on the other hand, was completely into it. I had already lost count of how many times she'd landed on the kiss penalty. Every single time, Jacob would immediately declare that her penalty was a kiss from him. No one dared to argue.

Sana all. the guy was ridiculously possessive.

by then, my head was spinning, my vision had grown blurry, and my stomach was beginning to protest. I was barely holding myself together, yet the game showed no signs of ending. And just my luck... The next number called was ended to my hand.

"What? That boring girl again?" Lola spat, her face full of irritation. I got to know her because she and her friends always manage to give negative comments on every girl around us.

Lahat ng mata napaling sa'kin, halatang inaasahan na naman nilang aabutin ko ang isa pang shot. but I was already too drunk, and my stomach was churning. One more shot, and I was sure I'd throw up right on the spot.

I swallowed hard before making what was probably the worst decision of the night.

"I'll take the dare."

The words had barely left my mouth when the entire room erupted. Loud cheers echoed around me, followed by a chorus of whistles, claps, and playful hoots. A few students even jumped to their feet, pumping their fists in the air as if their favorite team had just won the championship. My shoulders instinctively flinched at the sudden explosion of noise.

"Finally!" a guy from the corner exclaimed.

"Now we're talking!" another guy beside him chimed in, the two of them exchanging an enthusiastic high-five. Their reactions only made everyone laugh even harder.

I didn't realize everyone had been that invested in my choices. Who would've thought me finally picking dare would become the highlight of the game?

"Guys, chill," Jacob said with an amused chuckle, though he was laughing just as much as everyone else. even then, he never loosened his hold on Janice, his arms comfortably wrapped around her from behind as if letting go wasn't even an option.

Seriously...? Mukhang wala nang balak maghiwalay ang dalawang 'to.

Sa takbo ng gabing 'to, feeling ko matatapos ang party na may boyfriend na ang best friend ko.

"So, what's the dare?"