Cielo arrived in class earlier than usual and noticed Julie, fast asleep in her chair. He sighed. Once again, rumors about the two of them were spreading around the school.
"Hey, wake up." He tapped her lightly on the shoulder.
Julie stirred, scratching her head, still groggy. He noticed just how deeply she had been sleeping.
She frowned at him, annoyance clear in her eyes. "What do you want from me? Can't you see I'm still sleeping?"
"Since when did this classroom become your bedroom?" he retorted.
Julie scratched her head again. "What do you even want from me?"
"Tell me the truth. Don't lie—answer properly." His eyes locked onto hers.
Julie yawned, waiting for him to get to the point.
"Are you playing with Jason?" he asked directly.
Her brows furrowed, voice sharp. "What nonsense are you talking about? There's nothing between us."
"Are you sure about that? What about all the rumors?" he pressed.
"There's nothing. Jason is just my friend. You're all so malicious." She scratched her head again.
"Just make sure you're not doing it to please yourself, Navares. Don't stain that person's name," he warned.
Julie exhaled in frustration. "Whatever. Ask your friend—he'll tell you the truth. Stop judging me like you know me. We may have grown up together, but you don't know what I'm going through."
"I just want to make sure you're not the kind of girl who gets around."
"I've never been that kind of girl." Her tone grew serious.
"Yeah, whatever. And don't tarnish your brother's name either."
"You know, you're really annoying this early in the morning. You woke me up just to say all that?" she snapped.
He smirked, saying nothing more, and walked to his seat.
"Idiot," Julie muttered under her breath. He turned, only to be met with a glare and raised eyebrows.
Julie stood abruptly, huffing, and stormed out.
"Hey, Julie, where are you going?" Nicole's curious voice called after her.
"Out for air! The atmosphere in here is too polluted!" Julie shot back.
Nicole scratched her head in confusion but hurried after her. "Good morning, Pres," she greeted Cielo, dropping her things quickly.
A little later, Joel arrived and sat silently. Jason and Cielo's cousin followed shortly after.
"Hey, Jason, you okay?" Cielo asked.
Jason chuckled weakly. "I'm fine. Gods, they really won't stop bothering me and Julie—it's embarrassing."
"Embarrassing? Why are you the one embarrassed?" Cielo asked.
"Ciel, Julie's really nice. She's just my friend. I'd never do anything to insult her," Jason explained.
"You're sure there's nothing going on between you two?"
"Nothing," Jason laughed. "Silly." He shook his head. "When will these rumors stop? They're so annoying."
The bell rang. Classmates filed in, including Julie, who returned quietly. Her eyes met Cielo's, and she raised a brow before sitting down.
"You did something to Julie, didn't you?" Kenneth asked suddenly.
"Nothing. I just talked to her," Cielo replied calmly.
*****
"Jeez, people won't stop talking about you. Julie, are you really okay?" Kelly asked.
Julie smiled. "Don't worry. It'll fade eventually."
Kelly sighed, shaking her head. "What did your brother say?"
"He told me not to mind it. The more I react, the more it spreads," Julie answered.
"Hey, Kelly." Jonathan's voice called her.
"What now?" she asked irritably.
"Gossiping again, huh?" he teased.
"Gossiping? You're making things up again, Jonathan." Kelly frowned.
"Hello, Julie. Sorry about my noisy friends sometimes," Jonathan said.
Julie chuckled, and Kelly smiled faintly. She watched her sister and thought, She's really strong. If she had transferred here earlier, maybe I wouldn't have ended up meeting Vanissa and the others… She scolded herself quietly. Get a grip, Kelly. No regrets. You're here now, and this is your chance.
"Hey, Kelly, make sure you come back right after recess," Jonathan reminded.
"Yes, I know. I'm not a kid—you don't need to tell me. I'm in tenth grade now, remember?" she argued.
"Oh, getting smart with me?" He flicked her forehead.
"Ouch!" she winced, rubbing her head.
He grinned and walked away.
"So annoying!" she muttered, still rubbing her head. The others laughed, and she soon joined in.
Then the bell rang. That was fast, she thought with annoyance.
"We'll head back now. See you tomorrow," Julie said.
Kelly nodded and walked back to class alone. On the way, she passed Claire and Vanissa, who shot her cold looks. Kelly ignored them and kept walking.
"Kelly!" Angie called suddenly.
"W-What is it?" Kelly asked nervously.
"Let's have lunch together later, okay? You disappeared like a ghost during recess. Let's make it up then," Angie said cheerfully.
Kelly nodded. Slowly, she felt herself growing closer to Angie, Steph, and even Melody, who smiled warmly.
I'm not used to people paying me this much attention, she thought.
Her eyes met Kevin's briefly, and she flinched, quickly looking away. Calm down, Kelly. Just stay calm.
The teacher arrived, and class began. Kelly forced herself to focus, glad that her younger sister had grown close to Melody and even joined the Theatre Club.
Of course, who wouldn't be proud of her? Kelly thought, smiling faintly.