Cielo was in the library, browsing the newly released books. He loved reading.But as he scanned the shelves, nothing new caught his eye. He sighed in disappointment and left.
He wasn't with Joel or his cousin, so he walked alone.Maybe I should eat first before going back to class, he thought, and his stomach seemed to agree.
Still, his mind lingered on his new classmate.Does she really look like that woman? he wondered as he walked.
"Hey, Cielo!" someone called. It was Raymond."Hurry!" Raymond urged.
Cielo frowned and sighed. "What?" he asked flatly.
"Your brother," Raymond said.
"Huh? What's wrong with my sibling?" Cielo asked again.
"That new transferee is in trouble," Joel added.
Transferee? Chris's sibling… Cielo thought, his steps quickening.He didn't say another word. He ran straight to the canteen and found a crowd gathered.
"Excuse me, excuse me," he muttered as he pushed through. Luckily, the students made way for him.
There, in the middle, he saw his brother — drenched in orange juice, uniform stained.
"I'm sorry, I really didn't mean to— I just tripped!" Julie said, her voice trembling.
"V–Vice Pres., she didn't mean it," Kelly added quickly, trying to defend her friend, though she looked terrified.
I've never seen her try this hard to defend someone before, Cielo thought silently.
Dave sighed, wiping at his sticky uniform. "Just be careful next time," he said.
Julie nodded, guilt written all over her face.
"I'll let it go since you're new here. You're the transferee, right?" Dave asked.
"Y–Yes. I'm really sorry," Julie stammered.
As Dave turned to leave and the students began to disperse, Cielo stepped forward."Here," he said, handing him a handkerchief.
Dave took it silently.
"You smell like juice," Cielo teased.
Dave shot him a sharp look but only shook his head.
"Glad you managed to keep your cool," Cielo said.
"Yeah, yeah. You have no idea how patient I am," Dave muttered under his breath.
"Oh, do you know that girl?" Cielo asked, pushing a little.
"Ciel, don't start with your mind games," Dave warned.
"Nope," Cielo said. "That girl's my new classmate."
Dave blinked, realization dawning. "No way. That's Julie?!"
"Yep. Your friend's sibling," Cielo confirmed.
Dave sighed in relief. "Good thing I didn't scold her. Oh— and Kelly's actually her friend."His shoulders loosened, like a thorn had been pulled out.
"Go change your shirt and take a shower; you smell like juice," Cielo said.
Dave squinted at him. "You were watching the whole thing, weren't you?"
"I don't need to. I know you can handle yourself," Cielo replied casually.
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever," Dave grumbled as he walked away.
Cielo went back to class and quietly sat down.
"Hey," he said.
Julie turned around. "I have a name," she snapped.
"Yeah. Just… be careful next time," he said, his tone calm but serious. "You never know who you'll bump into here."
Julie didn't answer and sat back down.
Later that day, Jonathan noticed Kelly looking nervous. He walked over to her desk.
"Hey," he said casually.
"Jonathan," Kelly asked, her voice anxious, "Julie won't get a bad record, right? She didn't mean to do that."
****
Jonathan had seen the whole thing — Julie tripping, the juice spilling, Dave holding back his temper.
She really cares about that girl, he thought. Maybe I'll tease her a little.
"Yeah, what she did will be on her record," Jonathan said flatly.
Kelly's face instantly turned pale.
"But," he added after a pause, "it'll depend on what Dave decides."
"W–Where's Dave?" she asked quickly.
"He had to shower. Smelled way too sweet," Jonathan smirked.
Kelly fell quiet, guilt creeping in. "I should apologize instead… it's my fault for not warning her," she said softly.
Still the same. Always blaming herself, Jonathan thought, half amused, half concerned.
"You should talk to Kevin, the disciplinary officer," he said, nodding toward Kevin.
Kevin gave him a suspicious look, clearly knowing Jonathan was up to something.
Just kidding, Jonathan thought with a grin.
"Why him? Aren't you the one who gives advice?" Kelly asked, raising an eyebrow.
Jonathan flicked her forehead lightly. "He submits the report to me. My decision depends on him."
Kelly frowned, glancing between Kevin and Jonathan.
"Talk to him," Jonathan urged, even giving her a little push. "He doesn't bite."
Kelly hesitated — just as the classroom door opened.
Wrong timing, Dave, Jonathan groaned inwardly.
Dave walked in wearing a plain white shirt, hair still damp.
"You're an idiot," Kevin muttered under his breath.
Jonathan ignored him and looked back at Kelly.
"Vice Pres…" Kelly started nervously, "J–Julie won't get a bad record, right?"
Dave frowned, then shot Jonathan a look. Jonathan only grinned. Dave sighed.
"She didn't mean it — it was an accident," he said simply. "You know the rules. It wasn't intentional. Calm down, Miss Santibañez."
"I'm really sorry," Kelly said again, bowing her head.
Dave scratched the back of his head, holding his spare uniform. "No problem. You just fell for another prank from your childhood friend," he sighed.
Jonathan laughed. Kelly glared. As Jonathan passed her, she stuck out her foot — tripping him — then smacked his shoulder.
Ouch, he thought silently.
"Stop teasing Kelly, Jonathan," Dave said firmly.
Chris wasn't around — he was at a meeting as the student representative — so Dave was handling things for now.
"I was just teasing," Jonathan muttered.
Dave only shook his head and went back to his seat.