"I heard Kenneth's going to be your partner?" Jason asked the girl across from him, who sat frowning, lost in thought.
Julie sighed. "Yeah. I couldn't say no—he used your group's privilege," she complained, irritation clear in her tone.
Jason chuckled softly. "Sorry about him."
"Ugh." She shook her head. "I don't even know what we're going to sing. He's so unpredictable."
"Yeah," Jason agreed. "He is."
"After recess, right?" Nicole asked, having listened quietly.
"Yeah," Julie replied.
"Julie," Jason added gently, "even if Kenneth's like that, he's still a good person. Sometimes his personality just… twists a little."
"I'm not saying he's bad," Julie admitted. "He is good. But when he wants something, he's really persistent. Just like Cielo."
Jason laughed.
"You mentioned my name?" Cielo's voice cut in.
Julie shot him a glare as he appeared beside them, Joel trailing behind. Raymond and Dennis soon followed, taking seats casually.
"Excuse our intrusion," Raymond said.
Julie shifted slightly as Cielo sat beside her, arms crossed.
"Oh? What's wrong?" Cielo asked.
"Why?" Julie shot back.
Jason shook his head. "I'll leave you guys to it," he said, standing.
"Hey! Don't leave me with them!" Julie called after him.
Jason only laughed. "You'll survive. Good luck later."
She glared, but he was already gone.
Jason headed toward the band members. Kenneth sat quietly, fiddling with his phone—unusual for him. Jason tapped his shoulder.
"Oh, you're here," Kenneth said.
Jason sat across from him. "So what exactly are you planning with Julie?"
"Huh? Nothing. I just wanted her as my partner," Kenneth replied.
"You two fighting or something?" Jason pressed.
"What? No way. We're fine, right, Jen?" Kenneth turned to his girlfriend.
Jenny, startled, nodded. "Yeah. Why?"
"Nothing," Jason said. "Just him being… himself."
"I'm excited to hear Julie sing," Jenny added with a smile.
"See?" Kenneth grinned. "I love you, Jen."
"I love you too."
"You're disgusting," Neah muttered, rolling her eyes at her twin. Jason laughed along.
"We should head back," someone reminded.
"What are you even singing?" Jason asked.
"It's a surprise," Kenneth smirked.
"You're an idiot," Jason muttered.
******
Joel sat quietly—not beside Nicole this time. He noticed how stiff she looked, how her replies came in short, careful bursts.
"Nicole," Raymond asked, "you okay?"
She nodded, offering a faint smile.
"Nicky, want me to buy you something?" Julie asked.
"I—I'll go with you," Nicole offered quickly.
"No, just stay," Raymond said.
Those idiots, Joel thought. They did this on purpose.
Silence settled between them.
"They really ditched us, huh?" Nicole finally said, her voice trembling just a little.
Joel's gaze softened. She was trying—and that alone mattered.
"Yeah," he said. "You want to buy something?"
"N—No. I'm fine," she replied, forcing a smile.
Joel stood and gently took her hand.
"Your hand's sweaty," he remarked casually.
She stiffened. "S-Sorry. Let go," she snapped.
He laughed softly. "Don't want to."
"B-but people might think we're holding hands," she stammered, cheeks burning.
"I don't really care," Joel said honestly. "Your hands are cold."
Nicole pulled away sharply and hurried back to the others, hugging Julie in embarrassment. Joel only smiled, amused.
He was content—even just for that brief moment.
"Nicky, where's Joel?" Julie asked.
"I—I don't know," Nicole replied softly. "Julie, can you buy me that?" She pointed at the ice cream.
"I'm broke," Julie teased.
Joel appeared just then.
"I thought you went back to class?" Cielo asked.
Joel didn't answer. He simply handed Nicole the ice cream—and some food.
"Here."
She blinked. "F-for me?"
"Take it," Julie encouraged.
Nicole hesitated. "Is this… free?"
"What do you think?" Joel teased. "Want to pay me back?"
She flushed bright red. "K-kidding," he added. "It's yours."
"Th-thank you."
"You're unbelievable," Raymond muttered.
I know, Joel thought.
"Thanks, Cielo," Julie said. "I don't need to pay you back, right?"
"Nope. You really like chocolate cake, don't you?" he teased.
Julie scowled—caught.
"Payment for my cousin's chaos," Cielo joked.
"You're impossible," she muttered.
"You want some?" Joel asked Nicole, nodding at the cake.
She shook her head. "N-No. I don't like cake."
"That's true," Melissa smiled. "She prefers ice cream or siopao."
Joel remembered that.
They ate together until the bell rang.
"Navares," Cielo called, "break a leg later. I'll treat you if you do well."
"Ugh," Julie muttered.
As they walked back, Joel spoke quietly.
"Did you enjoy the ice cream?"
Nicole nodded. "Thank you."
"Yeah," he replied with a faint smile.
He knew the group had left them alone on purpose. Nicole didn't open up easily—but today, she had tried.
Awkward. Nervous. Real.
For him, that was more than enough.