Kelly walked quietly beside Jonathan on the way to school that morning, content just to keep pace with him.
"Kelly, are you really sure you should go to class?" her brother Kenjie asked, concern etched on his face. "You still look like you have a fever."
"Brother, I'll be fine," she replied softly. "I'll just take some medicine."
He sighed before nodding. "Tell me immediately if you want to go home—or if you're not feeling well at all, okay?"
She gave him a small smile, touched by his concern. Melissa and Nicole also hovered nearby, their worry obvious.
"How was your check-up, Nick?" Kelly asked.
Nicole sighed. "I'm fine. Actually, I should be the one asking you that. You're the one who went through harassment."
Kelly grinned faintly. "Oh? So our Nicky's brave now?"
Nicole glared and stuck her tongue out at her.
"Meli," Kelly said dramatically, "get me a ballpoint pen so I can poke this girl's eye out. She rolled her eyes at me."
Kenjie chuckled at their silliness, and even Nicole ended up laughing.
"Don't roll your eyes at me again," Kelly teased, gently pinching her cousin's cheek. "Mind you, I raised you."
"Kelly!" Nicole whined, laughing as she tried to escape. "Okay, okay—I surrender!"
"That's better," Kelly said triumphantly.
"And she really looks proud of herself for winning that," Jonathan muttered. "Yeah, you raised my sister—that's why she's spoiled."
"What spoiled?" Kelly scoffed. "I raised her to be strong."
"Sis, you did spoil us," Melissa chimed in. "You were always fighting Brother Ken and Jonathan for us."
"See?" Jonathan flicked Kelly's forehead lightly.
"Brother!" Kelly immediately ran to Kenjie for protection.
"You're not kids anymore," Kenjie sighed, shaking his head. "Yet you still tease each other until someone cries."
"But he flicked my forehead!" Kelly pouted.
"There, there," Kenjie said, kissing her forehead. "You really act like a child sometimes. Poor Kevin—his head must ache because of you."
"He actually scolds me sometimes," Kelly admitted. "It's like his strict side came back."
Jonathan laughed. "That's because sometimes you are at fault."
"That's not true!" she protested.
They only realized they had arrived at school when students began filing past them.
"Kelly, remember what I told you," her brother reminded her gently.
"Yes, brother," she replied with a smile.
Just then, she spotted Julie dragging her feet beside her older brother. Kelly laughed at the sight.
"Nathan," she asked, "do you and Kevin have duty today?"
"No," Jonathan replied. "He's probably already in the classroom."
She nodded.
"Hey," Jonathan teased, "it's too early to flirt with your boyfriend."
Her cheeks flushed. "I am not!"
The two boys laughed.
Melissa and Nicole waved. "Sis, we'll go ahead!"
Kelly nodded, watching them dash off with Julie. She scratched her head at the trio's energy.
Steph tapped her shoulder and hugged her, with Angie and Melody following close behind.
"Good morning," Kelly greeted.
"Good morning. I thought you had a fever," Angie said worriedly.
"I'm okay now," Kelly smiled.
They entered the classroom together. Kelly immediately spotted Kevin, deep in conversation with Chris and Dave.
She sat quietly, watching him from afar.
Why do I always get so starstruck when I look at him?Is it because he's a model… or just because I really love him?
Kevin suddenly looked her way.
Flustered, Kelly turned her gaze aside, cheeks burning.
Before she realized it, he was standing in front of her.
"Are you okay?" he asked softly. "You said you weren't feeling well yesterday."
"I can manage," she replied with a small smile. "My body can handle it."
He gently checked her forehead, then brushed her cheek with a sigh. "Just tell me if you're not okay."
She nodded.
Why am I blushing like this? He's already my boyfriend, she scolded herself.
"Ah, she's overwhelmed again," Jonathan teased. "Her brain still can't accept that you two are officially together."
Kelly glared at him.
Jonathan laughed, and Kevin pulled her into his arms.
"I love you, Kelly," he whispered.
"I—I love you too," she replied, hugging him back.
He kissed her forehead, then her cheek. "Accept it already. We're really a couple now."
Her cheeks burned brighter as he chuckled and brushed her hair into place.
"You're really beautiful, Kelly," he murmured. "My sweetie."
He always calls me that, she thought, her heart fluttering.
"I'll head back now," Kevin said softly. "Just tell me whatever you need. I'll always be here."
"Ah, you're spoiling her again," Jonathan teased.
"Oh, shut up," Kevin shot back. "You spoil Steph too."
"Why am I dragged into this?" Steph asked, confused.
Kelly laughed. "It's true—you are spoiled by my cousin."
"At least you finally say he's your cousin openly," Angie smiled. "It's nice."
"Well, you all knew already," Kelly said. "I'm just glad I have people who understand now."
"I really love your smile these days," Steph said, pinching her cheek.
"She's the prettiest girl here," Melody added. "Too bad she refuses to be class muse. Kevin would get jealous."
"N-No, he wouldn't!" Kelly protested.
"Don't deny it," Angie laughed. "A lot of seniors are crushing on you."
"Stop it," Kelly said shyly. "There are lots of pretty girls here."
"Of course," Steph agreed. "Melissa's beautiful too. And our Pop Princess, Julie—she's gorgeous."
Kelly laughed softly. "Honestly, I admired all of you even before we became close."
"Kelly, why are you so honest?" Angie said, hugging her. "Yes—we're all beautiful."
When the bell rang, they returned to their seats.
"Don't disappear later," Steph reminded her. "Let's go to recess together."
Kelly nodded, smiling. She already knew she'd join Julie's group as usual.
I'm really happy right now, she thought.
Her eyes met Kevin's across the room. He smiled—and she smiled back.
I'm inspired again today, she whispered inwardly. I'll study hard.