Kelly stiffened when she realized he was included in the conversation. Her brows furrowed as she turned to face them.
"So?" she asked coolly. "Why are you two here?"
"Julie invited us," Joel answered simply.
"Julie." Kelly turned to her cousin, finally noticing the unfamiliar faces around her.
"Kelly," Julie said carefully, "there's something you need to hear."
"What is it?" Kelly asked, confused.
Joel exhaled slowly. "Actually… I need to tell you something too." He met her gaze. "Nicole is my girlfriend."
Kelly froze.
She looked at Nicole, who kept her head down, unable to meet her eyes. Kelly cleared her throat, but no sound came out. Shock stole her voice.
"So…" she muttered at last, exhaling. "I was right to suspect you were already in a relationship." She turned back to Nicole. "Does your brother know?"
"N—not yet," Nicole said nervously. "M-Mom will be arriving soon, s-so… can you stay with me?"
"Why me?" Kelly replied flatly. "That's your problem."
"Please…" Nicole pouted.
Kelly shook her head. "I won't say anything. But you will tell your brother and your mom yourself. And if you get hurt, don't you dare blame me."
Melissa chuckled softly.
"So?" Kelly asked with dry sarcasm. "Is that it? You dragged us here just to announce you're dating?"
"Yes," Joel replied calmly. "You deserve to know. Nicole is your cousin."
Kelly's frown deepened.
"W–What did you just say?"
"She's your cousin," Joel repeated.
Kelly looked at Nicole—then Melissa, then Julie. No one spoke. She didn't need confirmation.
"Nicky," Kelly called out sharply.
"S–Sis, please calm down," Melissa said gently.
"You knew?" Kelly asked the two boys.
"Yeah," Joel admitted. "We only found out today. I was shocked too."
"H–How many people know?" Kelly asked, rubbing her temple.
"J–Just us," Raymond assured quickly.
"Who told you?" Kelly demanded.
"I did," Julie said. "I encouraged them to tell their boyfriends. They're in relationships—they had the right to know."
"Julie!" Kelly snapped. "You know why I had to keep that a secret."
"They know the reason too," Melissa added quietly. "About Kevin."
Kelly buried her face in her hands, cheeks burning.
"We didn't tell Kevin anything," Raymond said quickly. "And… he really loves you."
Earth, please swallow me whole, Kelly groaned inwardly.
"That's why I called them here," Julie said suddenly. "Because I also need to confess something."
Kelly looked up sharply. Confess?
"I want to reciprocate," Julie continued. "Since I know your secret, it's only fair I reveal mine."
Kelly's eyes widened. "Julie… are you serious? They're Cielo's friends."
"I know," Julie sighed. "I planned to tell Cielo myself someday—but he's always busy."
Joel and Raymond stayed silent, waiting.
"Would you believe me," Julie asked softly, "if I said I'm Pop Princess?"
Both boys froze.
********
P–Pop Princess? Raymond thought, stunned.
"I'm not joking," Julie said. "I really am Pop Princess."
Raymond turned to Melissa. "Is that true?"
Melissa nodded. "It is. She was my greatest rival back then—known as the Legendary Princess."
Whoa… Raymond swallowed.
"Why tell us?" Joel asked, still processing.
"Because I'm tired of hiding," Julie replied. "One day, Cielo will know anyway. I want to tell people I trust."
"You're trusting us with that?" Raymond asked quietly.
"Yes," Julie smiled. "I trust you."
"You were with the Villanuevas during that charity event," Joel realized.
"Yes," Julie admitted. "Pretending to be demure was exhausting. But… I couldn't resist the chocolate cake."
"Oh," Raymond nodded. "That explains everything."
"So what now?" Joel asked. "You'll let Cielo find out?"
Julie nodded. "Eventually. Just keep this secret for now."
"And mine too," Kelly added. "At least until Kevin remembers."
She sighed deeply. "I feel sick."
"Sis, his memories will come back someday," Melissa said gently.
"I know," Kelly whispered. "I'm just… not ready yet."
"Compared to Kelly's," Julie said softly, "my secret is nothing. Please protect hers even more."
"Does Jason know?" Joel asked.
Julie nodded. Kelly nodded as well.
I have no choice but to protect them, Raymond thought. Confessing like that takes courage.
"Kelly," Raymond said gently, "even if Kevin remembers, I don't think anything will change. He loves you—truly. You're the only one he treasures." He smiled faintly. "I won't tell him. Out of respect."
Kelly didn't reply—but her shoulders relaxed slightly.
"Julie," Raymond added, "you know you'll lose when your siblings get involved. Even Kenneth."
"I know," Julie laughed softly. "I'm ready."
The bell rang.
Unbelievable, Raymond thought, scratching his head.
"Raymond," Melissa said quietly.
"Yeah?"
"Thank you."
He smiled and wrapped an arm around her.
"You'll need to tell Jonathan too," Raymond reminded Joel.
"I know," Joel replied.
They returned to their classroom in silence. Soon, practice would begin again—not just for school, but for Cielo's father's birthday.
What a busy day, Raymond thought, sighing.