Nicole noticed the occasional glances and quiet exchanges between Julie and Jason.
Is something going on between them? she wondered silently. But no—Jason was just being friendly, not like Raymond. Nicole couldn't help but compare the two boys.
"Julie," she called.
"Yes, Nicky? What is it?" Julie replied.
"Later, at recess," Nicole said simply.
"You're crazy," Julie muttered.
When recess finally came, they bought food and looked around. Kelly was missing.
"Meli, where's your sister?" Nicole asked.
"Maybe she's busy. She'll be here soon," Melissa replied, scanning the area.
"Probably carrying books again," Julie added with a small laugh.
"Hey, can I hang out here?" a boy suddenly asked.
Melissa and Nicole exchanged glances, then nodded at Julie.
"Thanks, I managed to escape from practice for now," he said.
"You have practice again?" Melissa asked.
"Yeah, preparing for a competition," he replied.
They nodded, understanding.
"By the way, Melissa, I heard you passed the theater audition," he said.
Melissa blinked, caught off guard, and nodded.
"Wow, congratulations," he said warmly. Nicole smiled proudly at her cousin, knowing her talent deserved recognition.
"Thank you," Melissa said softly.
"Hey, don't you have something to tell me?" Julie asked Nicole.
Ah, I almost forgot! Nicole thought.
"Is it okay if I ask? Jason's here…" She hesitated.
Jason looked surprised. "If it's important, I'll leave," he offered politely.
"N–No, I'm just curious about you two," Nicole admitted.
"Curious about what?" Julie frowned.
"Ah, Jason, it's fine if you don't want to answer," Nicole added quickly. "Are you courting Julie?"
Julie almost choked on her food.
"Are you serious right now, Nicole?" she exclaimed.
"I—I'm just curious! Are you courting her?" Nicole pressed.
Julie coughed, flustered. "Are you out of your mind?"
They all heard Jason chuckle.
"I'm not courting Julie. I know you're curious because of the rumors, right? Honestly, I just want to be friends," he explained.
"It would be insulting if I pursued her just because she reminds me of my girlfriend, Crisha. Julie is Julie, and Crisha is Crisha."
He was sincere, and Nicole could tell.
"Sorry for asking," she murmured.
"Don't believe the hearsay. People like to make issues out of nothing," Jason said, scratching his head.
"We just don't want our friend to get hurt," Nicole added.
"Really, Nicole?" Julie teased.
"Well, because I'm the only one allowed to hurt her," Nicole joked back.
"Julie!" Kelly suddenly called.
"Oh, why are you only arriving now?" Nicole asked.
Kelly, slightly out of breath, replied, "I had to finish something first."
"Done with recess?" Nicole asked.
"We were about to leave," Melissa said.
"Hey, wait, let me eat quickly," Kelly insisted. Then, noticing Jason, she added, "Oh, you're here."
Jason smiled. "Yeah, I just wanted to be friends with these three. You've really changed, Kelly. That's good."
"I know Julie looks like Crisha, but don't court her for that reason. Don't give false hope or use her as a rebound," Kelly said firmly, excusing herself to buy food.
"What was that about? Her own experience with unrequited love?" Nicole asked.
Jason chuckled. "Julie has a lot of friends who care about her," he remarked.
Julie only laughed softly.
****
"Where's Jason?" Kenneth asked his bandmates.
"I think he's with Julie. Look over there," Kean pointed.
"Maybe he just wants to be friends with Julie," Jenny commented.
"She seems nice. All those rumors are just exaggerated gossip," Neah added.
I don't mind if he wants to be friends, but I'm interested in Julie myself. Who is she outside of school? What kind of person is she really? Kenneth thought with a secret smile.
"You guys stay here for a bit," he instructed.
"Hey, Kenneth, stop bothering Julie," Kean warned.
"What? I just want to know our new classmate," Kenneth replied.
"You know she gets uncomfortable whenever you're around. And you keep insisting she's the Pop Princess," Neah said.
Kenneth waved them off and walked away.
"Jason!" he called cheerfully.
"Jason, you should head to practice—someone's looking for you," Nicole said.
"Are we practicing already?" Jason asked.
"We still have thirty minutes," Kenneth said, turning to Julie, Kelly, and the others.
"Nice to see you again, Kelly," he greeted.
Kelly frowned. "Nice to see you too, Kenneth."
"So, what's going on here?" he asked.
"Nothing much, just talking about the rumors," Jason replied.
"They'll never stop. The best you can do is ignore them," Kenneth said, shaking his head.
Julie stayed quiet throughout.
"Hey, Julie," Kenneth called.
She looked at him.
"I'd like to invite you all to our mini-concert this week. Please come, okay?"
"We'll see," Julie replied.
"Why? Something else to do?" Kenneth pressed.
"Ken." Jason gave him a warning look.
"Well, if you're busy, we understand. Maybe another time," Kenneth smiled.
"See you, Jason. Head to the practice room," Nicole reminded.
"Yeah, yeah, sure," Jason said.
There's still time, Kenneth thought.
"Kenneth, your sly side is showing again—and it's annoying," Cielo muttered.
"My bad, Cielo. I'm just excited to see how things turn out," Kenneth said with a sly grin.
Cielo only sighed.