They're back already? Julie thought, picking up bits of conversation from her classmates.
It was obvious everyone was excited to see the band again, and she recognized the members.
Cielo has a cousin? she wondered. Well, you have cousins too, silly, her inner voice reminded her.
Then someone caught her attention. She turned and met Jason Anthony Vergara's eyes. He smiled and waved.
Julie returned only a faint smile.
I don't want to add to any more issues right now, she told herself.
"She really looks like Crisha," a girl whispered, stepping closer. Julie immediately felt uncomfortable and glanced at her friends for support.
"Neah, don't stare like that; it makes people uncomfortable," Jenny Guevarra, her twin sister, said firmly.
"Sorry about my twin, Julie," Jenny added apologetically.
"N—No, it's fine," Julie replied, unsure what else to say.
She knew the Haven Band—they often invited her as a guest, but she always had to decline for personal reasons.
"She looks even more like the Pop Princess," Kenneth suddenly remarked, eyes fixed on her.
"Say, do you like music?" he asked.
"Kenneth, cut it out already," Jason scolded, shaking his head.
"Sorry about them, Julie," Jason said to her.
Julie nodded, signaling it was no problem.
"You're always soft on her again, Jason."
"Stop it already. Let's just sit down."
Kenneth glanced her way again, flashing a meaningful smile.
"I hope you'll accept our band's guesting invitation someday," he whispered before walking away.
"Kenneth." Julie heard Cielo's voice.
"Oh, hello, Cielo!" Kenneth greeted cheerfully.
Cielo didn't reply; he simply shook his head.
"My bad, my bad. My gut just tells me about the Pop Princess. You know how hard I tried to get her to guest with our band," Kenneth muttered.
Julie knew she had to speak up. She couldn't stay quiet any longer.
"I am not the Pop Princess. I don't sing, I don't dance, and I don't have any hidden talent," she said firmly.
Kenneth looked surprised, then simply smiled. "If you say so." He turned and sat down.
Julie's knees weakened after speaking. I have to keep up the lie, she reminded herself.
She quietly ate her food.
"Hey, Julie, what's going on with you?" Nicole asked.
Julie flinched slightly.
"N—Nothing," she said quickly, shaking her head.
"Are you really okay?" Kelly asked, concern in her voice.
Julie nodded and smiled.
"Julie, why do you have to lie?" Melissa suddenly asked, her gaze sharp.
"Melissa?" Nicole asked, confused by the tension.
*****
"Do you know something, Meli?" her sibling asked, watching her carefully.
Melissa clenched her fists, frustrated she couldn't understand Julie's earlier words.
"Melissa, it's not like that," Julie finally explained.
"Then why did you lie?" Melissa pressed further.
"Meli, calm down. I don't know what's happening, but you need to calm down," her sibling interrupted.
"Can you explain, Meli?" Nicole asked curiously.
"Melissa," Julie said softly, shaking her head.
"I want to understand you too," Melissa sighed.
At first, Melissa had thought Julie had joined other clubs to develop her talents. Even though they had once been rivals, Melissa had always admired her.
"Melissa, can you explain to us?" Nicole asked, scratching her head.
"If you two are just going to stay quiet and wait for the other to speak, let's just eat," Kelly remarked, looking at both of them.
"Sis, Nicky, remember what I always told you before?" Melissa asked.
"About what?" Kelly asked.
"Whenever I came home crying after contests, even though I always placed second. I did everything, but I always lost," Melissa said with a faint smile.
"Oh, the one who always championed whenever you two competed," Nicole recalled.
Melissa nodded.
"And what does that have to do with this?" Kelly asked, frowning.
"Sister, Julie is the one I was talking about. She's from North Public School, right?" Melissa asked, turning to Nicole.
"Really?" Nicole asked in disbelief.
Melissa nodded. "Yes, that's her. That's why I was so shocked when she transferred here."
"Is that why you threw a notebook at her face before?" Nicole recalled.
"T–Threw?" Kelly exclaimed in surprise.
"Yeah, you weren't around then. Julie even laughed it off," Nicole chuckled.
"But seriously," Nicole added, looking at Julie. "You're the Legendary Princess from North School?"
Julie didn't answer right away.
"Julie," Melissa called gently.
Julie nodded. "Melissa and I always met in contests back then," she admitted.
"Then why don't you want to join any clubs here? I know someone in musical theater," Kelly suggested.
Julie shook her head. "I don't want to bring my singing here. I… I have a deep reason why I don't want to," she said softly.
The three exchanged looks.
"Julie, I understand your feeling, whatever your reason is," Melissa's sister said. "I've also been hiding a part of myself—like how no one knows Nicole and I are cousins. That's also because of a big reason."
Melissa sighed deeply.
"I'm sorry, Julie. I just couldn't accept how you acted like you had nothing to show when I know how competitive you are. On stage, you really shine," Melissa admitted.
"I'm sorry for deciding things so quickly," she added.
Julie shook her head with a smile. "I'm sorry too, for not telling you sooner."
"No, it's okay, Julie. We understand," Kelly reassured her.
Nicole put her arm around Julie's shoulder.
"What about you, Meli? Aren't you joining a club?" Kelly asked.
Melissa scratched her head. "Not yet. I think most music clubs are already closed."
"Maybe you'd fit better in the Musical Theatre Club," Julie suggested.
"Oh, right—they're still looking for members for the upcoming production," Kelly added.
"That's too much," Melissa said nervously.
"You have a theater background, though. You were really good at it before," Nicole encouraged.
"Want me to come with you?" Julie offered. "I have a bit of a theater background too. My mom made me join back in seventh grade at my public school, though I wasn't very comfortable." She chuckled.
"I can feel you'll do well, Melissa," Julie smiled warmly.
Melissa scratched her head. "I—I'll think about it. But Julie, if you ever stop hiding your talent, I hope you'll join a club too, wherever you want."
Julie nodded and smiled. Kelly playfully ruffled Melissa's hair.