Nicole couldn't help but notice her cousin Melissa slowly growing more comfortable chatting with Raymond.
I don't want to think anything dirty. Melissa's just too kind, that's all, she reminded herself.
Still, Nicole shook her head at the thought. Kelly's going to get angry again if she notices this.
"Julie," she called out, needing to borrow a notebook.
She noticed Julie discreetly watching Melissa's behavior, so Nicole nudged her, quickly catching her attention.
"Let me borrow your notebook. I didn't finish writing something," Nicole said.
Julie nodded. "Which subject?"
"English. Just need to finish something."
"Oh, here." Julie handed it over right away.
"Thanks," Nicole said sincerely.
"What are you writing, Nick?" Melissa asked curiously.
"Just finishing something, Meli," Nicole replied with a smile.
Melissa didn't ask further and returned to her seat. They exchanged a meaningful glance before Nicole focused on the notebook again.
Later, once recess arrived, Nicole called Julie again.
Julie turned.
"Thanks, I'll return this now," Nicole said, handing back the notebook.
Julie only smiled, signaling it was no problem.
"Let's go; it's recess," Nicole suggested.
"Melissa," Julie replied simply.
They looked over to see Melissa happily chatting with Raymond.
"Nick, do you think Melissa likes Raymond?" Julie whispered, leaning closer.
"I—I don't know," Nicole answered nervously.
"Does Kelly know?" Julie asked.
"If I tell her, she'll explode," Nicole sighed.
"Nicky, Julie, let's go to recess together," Melissa suddenly called out.
Julie smiled. "Alright, let's go."
They headed to the canteen and quickly spotted Kelly, quietly seated and reading a book.
"Look at your sister again, lost in her book," Nicole teased Melissa.
Melissa let out a soft laugh. "Just let her be, Nick. She's always been like that."
They approached Kelly.
"Hey, there you go again, lost in that book."
"Oh, you're here already. The story's really good," Kelly replied with a smile.
Nicole shook her head, and the three sat down together.
"It's a good thing your mom decided to visit the school, right?"
"Their mom came here, Nick?" Julie asked.
Nicole nodded. "Thankfully, she finally found out the truth. Otherwise, you'd all be moving houses again."
"You're so annoying! But we're glad Mom believed us," Kelly smiled.
"That's good. At least now, those people can't bother you as easily," Julie added.
Kelly nodded but sighed. "Still, it's hard to forget the things I've done to people I hurt before."
"Don't worry. You're slowly changing for the better," Nicole encouraged.
Kelly chuckled. "Sometimes, you actually talk sense, Nicky."
"Are you mocking me?" Nicole raised an eyebrow.
Melissa listened quietly, smiling as she enjoyed the snack Kelly had bought her.
Should I say something? Nicole thought to herself.
****
Julie, meanwhile, noticed the way Melissa and Raymond occasionally exchanged glances.
There's no mistaking it—Melissa has a crush on him.
"Kelly," Julie called out while Kelly teased Nicole again.
Julie chuckled at the scene; their love language was clearly teasing each other.
"Why, Julie?" Kelly asked, waiting.
"Did Meli ever tell you anything about her love life?" Julie asked bluntly.
Nicole's eyes widened, and Melissa looked visibly startled.
"J—Julie!" Melissa protested.
Kelly turned to her younger sister.
Did I just make a mistake? Julie wondered nervously.
"You idiot! Kelly's really protective of her sister!" Nicole hissed.
"Doesn't she want Melissa to have a boyfriend?" Julie whispered back.
"Shut up! Watch your mouth!" Nicole pinched her.
"Boyfriend?" Kelly repeated, narrowing her eyes. "Melissa, do you have a boyfriend?"
"S—Sis, n-no, I don't," Melissa stammered, her hands curling into fists as Kelly's face grew serious.
"Who is he? Do I know him? Does Brother Kenjie know him?" Kelly asked rapidly, already forgetting her book.
"No! What are you saying? That's embarrassing!" Melissa's cheeks flushed red.
"Is he at least a decent guy?" Kelly pressed.
"Just calm down!" Melissa pleaded.
"Oh, is Raymond courting you?" Julie suddenly blurted out.
"Raymond?" Kelly asked sharply.
"No! It's not like that," Melissa said quickly.
"Melissa, I could accept almost anyone—but not someone named Raymond. You don't know him," Kelly's calm voice carried a sharp edge.
"He's not my boyfriend—he's just my friend," Melissa insisted.
"Then keep it that way," Kelly said firmly. "Be careful with guys like Raymond. He's a nightmare." She shook her head and sat back down.
Julie swallowed her words, deciding not to mention Melissa's obvious crush. Better not risk Kelly's wrath.
"Make sure it stays that way, Melissa," Kelly warned.
Melissa sighed. "Sister, it's not what you think. Don't worry." She managed a small smile and squeezed Kelly's hand.
The bell rang, signaling their return to class.
"Kelly is really something," Melissa muttered under her breath with a sigh.
"Meli, it's fine. She's just being your sister. She knows the kind of people around here," Nicole reassured her.
Melissa nodded, smiling faintly. "I understand my sister."
"Don't worry. We won't tell her you actually like him," Julie teased.
"L-Like? N-no, it's not like that!" Melissa shook her head, blushing furiously.
"Come on, Melissa. It's obvious," Nicole said, smirking.
Melissa's cheeks grew even redder, no longer denying it.
"Just be careful with your feelings, Meli. You're too kind. That could be the reason you'll get hurt if you're not careful," Julie advised. "Don't give your everything away."
Back in the classroom, Raymond waved and smiled at Melissa. She shyly smiled back.
Julie shook her head. It's like looking at my past foolish self all over again. I just hope Melissa doesn't make the same mistakes in love. Loving someone with your whole heart can be so painful.
Gosh, Julie, that was a long time ago. Don't be stupid, she scolded herself.
"—Julie! Hey!" Nicole's voice snapped her back.
Julie quickly turned to her friend.
"They said to pass the activities already."
Focus, Julie, she chastised herself again, pushing the memories away.