Chapter 4 - The Confession.
1203 Words
ANGELLA'S POV
I walked slowly past the Student President’s office, the sound of laughter spilling from the cracked door. I didn’t need to look inside to know who was there — his voice had a way of echoing through me even when I wasn’t paying attention.
Still, curiosity tugged. So I tilted my head, just slightly, just enough to see her.
Grace Fuller. The Vice president.
Her hand brushed Aries’ shoulder like she had every right to be there. Her laugh was way too loud — forced and fake, like she was trying to audition for a role she was never cast for. A “pick-me” girl through and through.
I didn’t stop walking. I couldn’t. I just clenched my jaw and kept moving.
Why would he ever notice someone like me anyway?
---
Later, I was sprawled on Luna’s bed, watching Tiffany twirl in front of her mirror with a dress that looked like it belonged on a runway. Dakota sat cross-legged on her own bed, scrolling through her phone. Luna, being the glam goddess she was, had already laid out three options.
Meanwhile, I… I had nothing.
Tiffany raised a brow. “So, Angie, what are you wearing to the fresher’s welcome party? You got to nail it.”
I forced a smile. “I might just skip it. Or wear something… simple.”
“Skip it! What about the bet, you i***t?!“ Tiffany screamed at the top of her lungs.
“What bet?“ Luna asked, scrunching her eyebrows.
Tiffany gently sat beside Luna, holding her hand. “You see… your friend her, is going to confess to the man she loves. Aries Lancaster.“
Dakota widened her eyes, dropping her phone.
Luna's eyes widened. “What?! Aries? The hottest guy, our president? No way.“
Dakota smirked.
“You want to confess and you want to go ‘simple’? Girl, no. You’re going to this party and you’re going to look like a queen,” Luna said dramatically, giving Tiffany a high five.
“I just… don’t have anything fancy,” I said, looking down.
There was silence for a second too long. And then Luna stood. “Come on. You’re my roommate and friend now. This calls for a welcome gift. We’re going shopping.”
Tiffany clapped. “Yes!”
Dakota groaned. “I have something to do…”
“No,” Luna said, already grabbing her arm. “You’re coming too.”
---
By the time we entered the boutique at Eldridge Mall, I already felt out of place. The mannequins looked like they had their lives together. I didn’t.
While Tiffany wandered off grabbing sequins and lace, and Luna vanished into the cocktail dress aisle, I found myself gravitating toward the clearance rack.
Then Dakota appeared.
She held out a dress. A soft, green, off-shoulder gown with tiny floral prints. The fabric flowed like a gentle breeze — modest, graceful, yet ethereal.
“I think this is yours,” she said simply.
I blinked. “You… you found this… for me?”
She nodded. “You’ll look beautiful in it. Trust me.”
Tears stung the corners of my eyes, but I blinked them away. “Thank you. I'll try them on now.”
---
ARIES' POV
The night of the party had come.
The Great Aurelian Hall was pulsing with life — students danced, laughed, flirted, and filled the space with the kind of chaotic joy that reminded me why I hated events like this.
“Speech,” Scott said, nudging me. “They’re waiting.”
I rolled my eyes but stepped forward anyway. The Director had finished talking and the mic was mine now.
I stood on the stage, looking down at hundreds of faces. People who’d vote for me just because I smiled right. People who didn’t know me — and didn’t need to.
I gave the speech. Something about unity. Innovation. Student empowerment. It was all words.
But her eyes…
Those eyes.
They had haunted me since the day I caught a glimpse of them.
Two different colors. One a deep brown, the other a hazel that could trap sunlight.
---
ANGELLA'S POV
I stood frozen near the drink station, watching Aries from across the room. He looked like he belonged there — confident, tall, every word he said making the crowd around him hang on for more.
Then Tiffany poked my side.
“Now.”
“What?”
“Now. Go.”
“No! Look at all those people around him. I wouldn't dare.”
Tiffany didn’t listen. Of course she didn’t.
Before I knew it, she was dragging me — no, shoving me — toward the front where Aries stood surrounded by guys and girls. Laughter echoed around him like a shield.
I tried to say his name gently but he didn’t hear.
So I shouted.
“ARIES!”
“That was loud,” Tiffany said, walking away and hanging around while she watched with Dakota and Luna.
The music kept pounding, but he finally turned. And so did everyone else.
He blinked when he saw me and stepped forward, staggering a little. “What did you say?”
“I…” My voice wavered.
“I can't hear you.”
I sucked in a breath. “I like you. I really, really… like you, Aries.”
There was silence. The one that was deafening.
Then laughter erupted.
It started from one guy. Then another. Then Grace. Then Aries himself.
He came closer, his gaze fixed on mine.
“You have pretty eyes,” he murmured. “Heterochromia, huh?”
I tried to smile, fidgeting with my hands.
“But I don’t like you. Not… one… bit.”
The words hit like a slap.
“I don’t like your hair,” he continued, his head hanging. “That coppery brown color? Doesn’t work for me.“
He shook his head.
“You’re too short. And the whole shy, awkward thing — it’s kinda off-putting.”
Each word stripped me bare.
I didn’t speak. I couldn’t. I turned and walked away.
No — I ran.
Tiffany called out behind me, but I didn’t stop.
---
ARIES' POV
She ran off. I watched her eyes well up in tears but it was kind of blurry.
Scott shook his head. “That was harsh, Aries.”
I shrugged. “She shouldn’t have done that in front of everyone. This is the University President, not some high school crush.”
“You're drunk. Sit down.“
Scott helped me settle on a chair. I felt something twisted in my chest.
Her face.
Her trembling hands.
Those damn eyes.
I drained the rest of my drink and looked away from the crowd.
---
ANGELLA'S POV
I cried until my vision blurred.
His words replayed in my head.
Your hair. Your height. Your awkwardness…
I pressed my palm against my chest, trying to stop the ache. But it wouldn’t go.
> Why did I think someone like him could ever like someone like me? Why?
I’d been foolish.
But I’d also been brave.
Even if I regretted every second of it.
The words didn't do justice to comfort me. The pain still lingered, fresh.
- Writer
