Chapter 3 - The Bet
1536 Words
Angella’s POV
Okay, fine.
I may have agreed to Tiffany’s plan. A little.
But in my defense, she has a way of making the impossible sound like a checklist item. Like, “Just walk up to the most unreachable guy on campus and tell him how you feel. Easy, right?”
No. Not easy. Terrifying.
Still, I found myself standing in front of my closet the next morning, trying to decide which outfit looked the most “Executive Material” without screaming “Please look at me, Aries Lancaster.”
The Great Aurelian Hall was hosting the official announcement of the school’s new executive team — and nearly the entire student body would be there.
It was the biggest deal of the year, especially at Eldridge University, where titles were like social currency. If you weren’t an executive, you were an extra in someone else’s story.
And today… I was about to be written into mine.
---
The massive hall buzzed with noise — camera flashes, student reporters, student government banners fluttering across the sides, and far too many fancy perfumes clashing at once.
“Is it just me, or do these people act like this is the presidential inauguration?” Tiffany whispered beside me.
Jordan leaned back in his seat. “This is Eldridge, babe. Drama is part of the syllabus.”
I chuckled, keeping my eyes on the stage as names began to echo through the speakers.
“Academic Director, Department of Psychology – Angella Maria Lois Vega.”
My heart skipped as I clutched my shirt tightly.
“Don't ruffle it, you i***t,” Tiffany scolded.
I rose slowly, my hands slightly trembling as applause followed. My feet moved on their own, and as I stepped onto the stage, I caught a glimpse of the crowd. And for once, it wasn’t terrifying. It felt… validating.
Other names followed.
“President, Department of Psychology – Dakota Scott.”
Wait. What?
Tiffany scrunched her eyebrows. “Did she just say Dakota? As in my roommate, Dakota?”
At the stage, I blinked, muttering under my breath. “I thought she was in Arts?”
Dakota walked up to the stage, standing beside me. We exchanged a look but didn’t have time to process it.
“President, Faculty of Business Management – Scott Prince William.”
He got a full row of cheers. I reluctantly clapped, staring at him as he walked majestically to the stage.
“I believe that's all for the day,” the announcer said.
The crowd roared, chanting Aries' name. Chills ran down my spine as my eyes scanned the room, looking for him.
“President of the Student Union – Aries Sebastian Knight Lancaster!”
The hall exploded.
The applause could’ve torn the roof off. I swear someone fainted three rows ahead of me. And there he was again — walking up the stage, calm, composed, wearing a navy blazer, white shirt, and that confident smile that made everything else fade.
Stop staring, Angella, I told myself. You’re one of them now. You’re on the same stage. I smiled, like a proud girlfriend watching her man win.
When all the names were called, we were summoned for a group photograph. The stage was packed with nearly thirty students from different departments, all dressed like LinkedIn cover models.
As we began arranging ourselves, I scanned the crowd.
There he was.
Aries stood with Scott, surrounded by others. I knew I had maybe twenty seconds before the camera clicked.
Go, Angella. Just… stand close to him.
I started moving.
One step and another. Then — WHAM.
Someone shoved forward, and I stumbled, barely catching myself before I hit the ground. My glasses flew off.
“Whoa—” a deep voice said, followed by warm hands catching me by the shoulders.
I slowly opened my eyes as I looked up — straight into Scott Prince William’s face.
“How in the word did he get here on time to catch me?“ I whispered.
“Are you okay?” he asked, lifting me up, and handing me my glasses.
My breath caught as our eyes met.
His gaze dropped slightly — to my mismatched eyes. Most people stared but he didn’t. His eyes softened just a bit as stared at him, eyes wide open.
“Yeah,” I murmured, adjusting the frames on my nose. “Thanks.”
“Be careful,” he said with a small smile before turning back toward the camera.
I stood beside him, cheeks burning, trying not to look embarrassed as the shutter clicked.
Well… at least it wasn’t Aries.
---
After the photos, the crowd scattered. Students buzzed, selfies were taken, and I finally stepped off the stage.
Scott was still nearby, talking with some business management students.
“Hey,” I said quickly, catching his attention. “I really am sorry about earlier. That was… embarrassing.”
“No worries,” he replied with a shrug. “Stage rush is a war zone.”
I chuckled lightly, rubbing my arm.
Then — a shadow fell beside us.
Aries.
He walked over casually, glancing at Scott, and then his gaze flicked to me.
He looked at me… and kept looking.
Doesn't he remember me. The girl with beautiful eyes from last year. I thought to myself.
I expected a nod. A polite smile. Anything.
But instead — he leaned in slightly, eyes narrowing just enough.
“You have interesting eyes,” he said.
My soul might have left my body. The feeling felt so new. I know I've got interesting eyes but how couldn't he remember me.
“I, uh—thanks,” I managed, suddenly unable to feel my legs.
His tone was neutral. Polite. But his stare wasn’t. It lingered a second longer than it needed to before he turned back to Scott and continued the conversation like nothing happened.
I stood there, blinking as Tiffany’s voice called out. “ANGIE!”
I turned and saw her waving from across the hall. I practically ran toward her.
“Tell me what just happened,” she demanded.
“He… complimented my eyes.”
Her jaw dropped. “WHAT?”
“Yeah. But that's not the real deal. He doesn't remember me from last year. Did he lose his memory or something? At resumption, I noticed he stared at me, probably he knew… but why is he acting like this? It's so confusing,” I ranted, holding Tiffany by the arm.
Jordan walked closer to us, raising a brow. “Wait, what are we talking about now?”
Tiffany grinned wickedly. “The plan.”
“What plan?” he asked.
Before she could speak, I interrupted, “There is no plan. Not anymore.”
Tiffany groaned. “Angella…”
---
Later in the dorm, I walked in to find Dakota unpacking her books.
“Hey,” I said softly. “Congrats. I didn’t know you were the president of our department.”
She smiled. “Yeah… it was kind of sudden. I applied late. Didn’t think I’d get it.”
“I’m glad you did,” I replied. “We’ll make a great team.”
“Hmm,” she said. We chatted for a bit — light and warm — before Tiffany burst into the room like a hurricane.
“Ladies! Walk. Now.”
---
The school garden glowed under golden hour light. Birds chirped. Flowers danced in the breeze. It was almost too peaceful for what Tiffany had planned.
Jordan looked suspicious. “Why do I feel like I’m about to be sacrificed?”
“Because you're about to,” Tiffany grinned. “Simple. We’re doing a bet.”
“Nope,” Jordan said instantly. “I’m out.”
“Too late. You’re the witness.”
“What is it now?“
She held up a coin. “If it lands on heads, Angella confesses her feelings to Aries. If it lands on tails… I’ll kiss Madrigal.”
My eyes widened. “Tiffany!”
“See?” Jordan pointed. “Even she thinks this is insane.”
I crossed my arms. “Okay. Just once. No cheating.”
We all looked at each other as Jordan flipped the coin. It landed — heads.
Tiffany squealed. “YES!”
“No, again,” I said, panicking. “That was fast.”
“No, no. You said just once,” Tiffany said.
Flip — Heads.
“One more time.“
Flip — Heads.
There was silence. Not even a pin drop could be heard.
Tiffany stared at me, eyes wide with glee.
“Three times,” she whispered. “Angella. It’s fate.”
I stood there, frozen.
She threw her arms in the air. “You’re confessing on Friday! No opposition.”
Jordan buried his face in his hands. “You people are the reason I need therapy.”
As Tiffany and Jordan cheered and bickered, I looked out over the garden — and saw him.
Aries. Walking with Scott again, hands in his pockets, head tilted as he laughed at something Scott said.
He didn’t see me.
But I smiled anyway.
Because somehow, this was happening.
And maybe… just maybe… this time, I wouldn’t be invisible.
- Writer
