"Erica, wake up! We're going to be late!!!" Angel shouted in Erica's ear, startling her awake.
Erica groaned, eyes squinting open. "Hey freak!!! What do you think you're doing?" she mumbled with a sleepy, cringing expression.
Angel smirked, tilting her head. "If you don't want to be late, you better get up, sleepyhead." She poked Erica's forehead playfully.
Erica blinked at her, barely suppressing a smile. That cute face... how was she supposed to be annoyed?
Angel turned to leave the room so Erica could get ready, but as she walked away, Erica grabbed her hand. Angel lost her balance, slipping and falling on top of her with a loud thud.
"AAAHHH!" Angel screamed like a startled baby.
Erica burst out laughing. "Hahahaha! Hey, stop crying like a baby, or else..."
"Or else what?" Angel challenged, her eyes narrowing in mock confusion.
"Or else I will kiss this crying baby," Erica grinned.
"Do it if you can," Angel teased, raising an eyebrow.
Without hesitation, Erica pulled her closer. The distance between them shrank to just a breath apart. Erica leaned in, lips nearly touching—
"OHHH GOSH, ERICA! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Kim's voice cut through the tension like a thunderclap.
Erica and Angel froze.
"Hey Angel, I didn't know you were this clingy when you're with Erica," Risha teased with a mischievous grin.
Erica pushed Angel off her, flustered. "H-Hey!! What are you doing?! Why did you fall on me like that? That hurts!"
Everyone laughed. Kim and Risha kept teasing, while Angel pouted dramatically.
"Hey guys, stop!!! What are you all doing in my room?!" Erica snapped, her cheeks pink.
They all stared at her.
"Hey sleepy princess, have you forgotten that today is our graduation, your majesty?" Steph said sweetly.
Erica screamed like a monster and darted into the bathroom. Everyone outside erupted into laughter.
Claude slung an arm around Angel's shoulders. "Soooo Angel, what were you doing with Erica when we came in? Were you two... about to kiss?"
"Heeey!! Claude, what are you saying?!" Angel shouted.
"GUYS!!! ANGEL WANTED TO KISS ERICA!!!" Claude yelled, calling everyone over.
"Guys, stop! We weren't going to kiss! I slipped and Erica caught me, that's all!" Angel defended herself with an innocent expression.
Nicole raised an eyebrow. "Then why do you look guilty?"
"I DON'T!!!"
"Hey guys, let's go! I'm done!" Erica yelled, pushing them out the door.
---
In the car, everyone was glued to their phones, except for Erica and Angel sitting at the back.
Erica leaned close and whispered, "Hey Angel, do you want us to continue that kiss?"
"Shut up, freak!" Angel muttered, her face turning a deep shade of red as she poked Erica in the side.
Everyone turned.
"Hey you two, when will you stop flirting?!" Nicole huffed.
All eyes turned to her.
"Hey guys, I think someone is... jealous!" Kim said, tapping the back of her phone.
"WHO SAID I'M JEALOUS?!" Nicole snapped.
"Where's Cloud?" Risha teased, glancing at Claude.
"Everyone, we're here!" Steph interrupted as the car parked.
"Let's stop teasing. We don't want to be late," Vinish said with a smirk.
---
At the ceremony, the auditorium buzzed with excitement. Students cheered as their friends walked up to receive awards.
When Angel's name was called for academic excellence, everyone stood up and screamed, "ERICA! ERICA!"
Angel laughed, embarrassed.
Then, as she approached the podium to give her speech, Erica suddenly walked up to her, holding a bouquet of flowers. Without saying a word, she hugged Angel tightly in front of the crowd.
The crowd roared in surprise.
And then—Angel kissed her.
Right there. In front of everyone.
The entire hall erupted into cheers. Erica was frozen for a moment, her nerves shaken, but then she smiled.
---
After the ceremony, they all gathered at their favorite coffee shop to celebrate.
They sat around a large table, drinking, laughing, and reminiscing.
Graduation meant going their separate ways. Different colleges. Different cities. Different dreams.
But for now?
They were just making promises.
"No matter where we end up," Risha said, "we stay friends forever."
"Forever," everyone echoed, raising their drinks.
They were just enjoying the moment.
And it was enough.
Because love wasn't just about romance.
It was about memories.
About friendship.
About being together—for as long as life allowed.
And as long as they had each other?
They would never let go.