† 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧 † Angels Love

Chapter 9

It had been a week since Julian asked me to the Winter Ball, and I still hadn't made a decision. I'd spent most of that time doing my best to avoid thinking about Christopher. But no matter how hard I tried, he was always there, lingering in the back of my mind like a shadow I couldn't shake.

I'd ignored him in the hallways, pretending not to see him when he passed by. I'd avoided looking his way during classes, focusing on my spells and keeping my eyes glued to my books. I even stopped going to the spots where I knew he might be, like the back corner of the library or the courtyard at sunset. Every time I felt his presence, a mix of emotions would swirl inside me—confusion, frustration, and something else I wasn't ready to admit.

Now it was lunchtime, and I was making my way to the dining hall, hoping for a moment's peace. The air was crisp, the sky a clear, bright blue, but I barely noticed. My thoughts were a tangled mess, caught somewhere between the upcoming ball, Julian's invitation, and Christopher's piercing eyes.

The dining hall was buzzing with excitement. Students chatted animatedly, discussing their plans for the Winter Ball, their voices filling the space with a lively hum. Tables were packed with groups of angels and devils, both sides unusually close, the boundary between them blurred more than usual. It seemed like everyone was getting caught up in the spirit of the season.

I grabbed a tray and filled it with a simple meal—some fruit, a sandwich, and a cup of tea—then headed to my usual spot by the large window overlooking the courtyard. As I sat down, I let out a small sigh, grateful for a moment to myself. The snow outside was falling lightly, covering the ground in a fresh layer of white. The sight was calming, and I found myself staring at it, trying to let the peace of the scene ease my mind.

"Star!" Lily's voice cut through my thoughts, and I looked up to see her making her way toward me, a tray balanced in her hands. She sat down across from me, her cheeks flushed from the cold outside, her smile bright.

"Hey, Lily," I said, forcing a smile. "How's your morning been?"

"Busy," she said with a sigh. "Professor Lysandra is pushing us hard with those advanced healing spells. I think she's trying to prepare us for the tests next month. But enough about that. How are you holding up?"

I shrugged, taking a sip of my tea. "I'm fine, I guess. Just... trying to get through the week. The ball's coming up, and it feels like everyone's talking about it nonstop."

Lily nodded, giving me a sympathetic look. "I get it. It's a lot. Have you made a decision about Julian yet?"

I shook my head. "No. I still don't know what to do. He's nice, and I like him, but..."

"But he's not Christopher," Lily said softly, finishing my sentence.

I looked down at my tray, feeling a lump in my throat. "I've been trying to ignore him," I admitted. "Christopher, I mean. I haven't talked to him all week. Every time I see him, I just... I don't know. I get this weird feeling, like I can't breathe."

Lily reached across the table, placing a hand on mine. "Star, it's okay to feel confused. This isn't easy. But ignoring him won't make those feelings go away. Maybe you should talk to him, find out what's really going on between you two."

I shook my head. "I can't. I'm afraid of what he might say, of what I might say. What if I make a mistake? What if I ruin everything?"

Lily squeezed my hand. "You won't ruin anything. You're just trying to figure things out. And if Christopher cares about you, he'll understand. The ball is supposed to be a time for peace, for coming together. Maybe it's the perfect chance to talk."

I sighed, feeling a mixture of relief and anxiety. Lily was right, as usual. I couldn't keep ignoring Christopher, pretending like nothing was wrong. But the thought of facing him, of having a real conversation, made my heart race. What if I didn't like what I found out? What if he didn't care about me the way I was starting to care about him?