"I'm sorry, Angela, but I don't feel that way about you," Claude's voice rang out firmly—right at the moment Felicity spotted the error message on her phone.
She could hardly believe this was really happening to her. She had never once made a mistake in a luck-distribution. And besides, who didn't feel that way about Angela? What were the odds that Claude wouldn't?
"Is there someone else you like?" Angela finally spoke after a long silence.
Another short pause followed.
"Not that it's any of your business," Claude replied at last, "but... yeah, you could say that."
"I see. Well, at least now I know. Thanks for taking the time."
"I'm sorry."
Felicity's hand froze mid-motion, the half-eaten sandwich trembling between her fingers. Angela's footsteps echoed away down the corridor, but Felicity's thoughts were too scattered to follow them. Her heart pounded unusually fast—this wasn't supposed to happen to her. She didn't make mistakes. Clearly, her luck had failed her today. Claude Holloway wasn't just some ordinary unlucky guy. Misfortune didn't just affect his own life—it had disrupted Felicity's powers, too. They hadn't even known each other for a full day, and she'd already found herself in more awkward situations than in her entire life up to that point.
So this was what it felt like to be an average person? Making decisions that maybe were right... or maybe not? The thought turned her stomach. She had never made a wrong decision—until now. But there was someone Claude felt that way about—the way she had expected him to feel about Angela. And Felicity couldn't identify who it was, though she'd always succeeded with everyone else before.
"It's your turn, Felicity," Claude's voice came from beyond the door. A moment later, he stepped in and closed it behind him with a firm motion. He folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the closed door. His gaze was dark and unrelenting.
"Let's hear it—what are you doing here?"
A chill swept through Felicity's body. Her heart skipped a beat, then thundered as it tried to catch up with the moment. Heat crawled across her forehead, and her fingers twitched involuntarily in her lap.
"How did you know I was here?" she stammered.
Claude nodded toward the mirror on the opposite wall. Now they were staring at each other through the reflection.
Felicity quickly gathered her things and stuffed them into her bag. She stood up, trying not to look directly at Claude as she offered an explanation.
"I usually have lunch here… and I didn't want to disturb you. I thought it would be better not to put you or Angela in an uncomfortable position."
Claude waited patiently. Felicity knew he wasn't buying it. His gaze was too sharp, like it was digging through her thoughts. Instinctively, she stepped back until her back hit the wall.
"So you're not going to give me a real explanation," Claude said quietly.
"That was the explanation!" Felicity snapped. "I can't help it if you don't believe me. I'm sorry, okay? I didn't expect it to end this awkwardly. Besides… who says no to Angela Murphy? You must really be as unlucky as they say—or maybe you're the one dodging your own luck?"
The moment she said it, she knew she'd gone too far. She'd lost her composure again around him. Claude's eyes flashed darkly, but he didn't move. Felicity felt control slipping through her fingers once more. Had her luck truly abandoned her for good? Or could she just walk out of here and reset everything?
She took a deep breath.
"Look, Claude, I'm sorry. I just… I don't usually end up in situations like this. I guess it's an unlucky day for me too," Felicity admitted—words she never thought she'd say.
Claude's expression didn't shift.
"This isn't bad luck," he corrected. "It's just a minor inconvenience. Happens to everyone—even to Felicity Ashbourne, who's always everyone's favorite," he added with a touch of sarcasm.
Felicity flinched. The words snuck into her mind like a splinter. But there it was—a way out.
"True, most people do like me," she said softly, lifting her gaze. "Just like, probably, whoever it is you rejected Angela for… Assuming she goes to our school."
A smirk played on Claude's lips.
"Well then," Felicity continued, "if you tell me her name, maybe I can help. Put in a good word for you… if we both agree to forget this whole conversation ever happened."
For just a moment, hesitation flickered in the boy's eyes. Then, as if he wasn't already standing far too close, he leaned in even more until his face aligned with hers. Felicity's breath caught. She couldn't help it—she had never been this close to a boy before. And despite all his flaws, Claude was disturbingly handsome. She wanted out of this moment as soon as possible.
"Felicity Ashbourne."
She blinked.
"Sorry… what?" her voice cracked in confusion.
"That's her name," he replied smoothly.
Felicity's mind went completely blank.
Claude stepped back and sat on the bench opposite her, arms crossed again.
"So?" he challenged, meeting her eyes. "Will you do what you can and put in a good word for me?"