"Julie!" Nicole called out.
"Wait—wait!" Julie replied, rummaging through her wallet.
They were buying snacks again—another bloody battle awaited them with exams coming up. And because of the recent near-kidnapping incident, no one was allowed to go out alone. That was why Joel had insisted on coming with them.
"Isn't Dawn coming?" Melissa asked.
"Ah, no," Nicole replied. "She said she's going somewhere with her friends."
Going somewhere, huh… Nicole thought, doubt flickering in her mind.
Melissa only nodded. "That's better. At least Cielo's here." She pointed at Julie, who was happily chatting beside him.
Until now, no one had caught on to their relationship. In public, Julie and Cielo acted like nothing more than close friends.
That must be hard, Nicole thought. She and Joel could barely manage that kind of restraint. They always ended up holding hands—or with Joel's arm casually wrapped around her.
At least Julie and Cielo made up for it when they were alone. Nicole smiled to herself.
"Nicky, let's go," Joel said, slipping an arm around her and kissing her forehead.
It still feels like heaven in his arms, she thought. No matter how long they'd been together, the thrill never faded—especially when he laughed at her jokes or teased her gently.
The man she once feared… was now her boyfriend.
Am I really his girlfriend? Why does this still feel like a dream?
"Nicky?" Joel asked softly. "Are you okay?"
She smiled and shook her head. "Nothing. I just still can't believe you're my boyfriend."
He froze—then pulled her into a tight hug.
"Gosh," he whispered, "don't say things like that. Just accept my feelings—and all the love I give you."
Her cheeks burned. "Joel…"
Before the moment could stretch further—
"Hey! You two can continue that later!"
Raymond's voice made them all turn. Melissa was already stifling her laughter.
"I'm starving!" Julie complained. "Save the lovey-dovey stuff for later!"
"You're just jealous!" Nicole shot back.
Julie pouted and stayed quiet as she walked beside Cielo.
"Where's Gabriel?" Nicole asked.
"He went home early," Julie replied, showing a message on her phone. "He asked us to buy food for him."
Melissa leaned in and whispered teasingly, "Looks like your cousin's giving you space for your boyfriend."
Julie didn't reply—but her flushed face answered for her.
She really does have a soft spot for him, Nicole thought. And Cielo's the same.
"Finally! I'm starving!" Julie exclaimed as they reached the convenience store.
Nicole shook her head. "Julie, don't take your frustration out on food, crazy girl."
They began picking snacks. Nicole smiled as she watched Julie and Cielo laugh quietly together—comfortable, natural.
"Let them be," Joel murmured.
"Yeah," Nicole agreed.
They were about to pay when Nicole noticed someone glaring at Julie.
The girl's stare was sharp—unpleasant.
Then she stepped closer.
"You're Julie Navares, right?"
Julie stiffened. She nodded slowly.
Does she know her? Nicole wondered.
The girl smirked. "Wow… it really is you."
Julie frowned. "Do I know you?"
The girl laughed. "You don't remember? Figures. You've changed a lot since high school—but to us, you'll always be that fatty little girl from elementary."
Julie froze.
Melissa's breath hitched. Nicole's heart tightened.
"So you have friends now?" another girl sneered. "Do they even know you used to be a loser?"
A third gasped dramatically. "Oh no—was that a secret? Oops!"
They laughed cruelly, taking turns.
Julie… why aren't you defending yourself? Nicole thought, panic rising. She had never seen her friend fall completely silent like this.
"Are you done?"
Cielo's voice cut through the noise—calm, controlled, but sharp.
The girls turned.
"Oh wow," one scoffed. "Someone's defending you now, fatty-ass girl. Let's see if your friends still stay once they know your secret."
As they walked away, one deliberately bumped Julie's shoulder.
"Julie?" Nicole whispered.
Julie blinked, as if waking from a nightmare. "Ah—sorry. Let's pay."
She forced a smile and walked ahead.
Nicole exchanged uneasy glances with the others.
Something's wrong.
On the way back to school, Julie stayed behind them—quiet, withdrawn.
"Julie, are you okay?" Melissa asked gently.
"Huh?" Julie replied softly. "I'm fine."
"Who were they?" Joel asked.
Julie flinched. "Ah… classmates from elementary. Sorry you heard that. It's embarrassing." She laughed weakly.
"Julie," Raymond said carefully, "can you tell us what really happened?"
She didn't answer—searching instead for an escape.
"It's really nothing," she insisted. "Let's just go, okay?"
They didn't push her.
But Nicole understood now.
She was bullied.That wasn't teasing. That was trauma.
Julie walked silently beside Cielo.
Please, Nicole thought, tell us the truth.
"Let's give her some space," Cielo said quietly.
But the worry in his eyes never left Julie's face.