"Julie, what happened to you? Why do you look like that?" her mother asked the moment she saw her.
Julie's sulking expression, brows knitted in frustration, had clearly caught her mother's attention. Rumors had been swirling around, and none of them were true.
"It's just… annoying, My," Julie muttered.
They were in the living room, but she couldn't shake off her irritation. Everything was being blown out of proportion.
"What exactly are you upset about?" her mother pressed, scratching her head.
Her brother, Chris, sighed from the side, clearly listening in.
"They're mistaking her for being involved with one of her classmates," Chris explained.
"Oh?" Their mother nodded knowingly and gave Julie a teasing look.
"So… did you two actually become a thing?" she asked playfully.
"My! Seriously? You're joining in too? There's nothing between us!" Julie defended herself.
"Why do I even have to explain this to you? You're just teasing me too, Mommy," Julie added, scratching her head.
Then—whack!
"Ow! What was that for?" Julie clutched the back of her head, glaring.
"Nothing. Just to cool your temper down."
"Mommy!" Julie groaned.
"Come on, tell me honestly—your boyfriend, is he nice?"
"Please fix how you asked that."
"I did! Boy. Friend. As in a male friend. What's wrong with that?"
Julie turned to Chris. "See? Mommy's the confusing one."
Chris raised his hands. "I'm staying out of this."
"Anyway—about that Cielo—he already annoyed me this morning," Julie complained, turning back to her brother.
"Watch your mouth," Chris warned.
"It's just so irritating that he judges me like he knows me when he doesn't! Ugh, idiot. Just because we grew up together doesn't mean he understands me now." Julie was fuming at the thought.
"Sounds like you lost another round against your childhood friend," Chris muttered.
"I swear I'd kick him if I didn't have any respect left," Julie growled.
"Don't dodge the topic. Is there really nothing going on between you two?" He pinched her ear.
"Ow! You're so persistent! There's nothing, I said! We're just friends!"
Her mother butted in again. "Julie, you've loved before, haven't you? You can compare what you feel now to your past relationship. Or are you just pretending not to see it?"
"Mom! There's nothing! And seriously, did you have to remind me of my failed relationship?!" Julie raised a brow. "Yes, fine, I was stupid back then, but it's not the same with him."
"Jason is a really nice person. If we had met under different circumstances, maybe I could've fallen for him. But the truth is, he still hasn't moved on from his girlfriend. He still loves her. And he's so gentle—he knows that if he courted me now, I'd just be a rebound, and I'd be the one hurt. Honestly, I appreciate that he understands. That's why it's impossible for us to have a relationship."
"My feelings for him are purely friendship. That's it. I want to support him as a friend. We've both experienced being left behind, but in my case, I was left for a reason." She chuckled at the memory.
"I really was such a fool back then, wasn't I?" she asked her family.
"It shows—you still haven't moved on from that guy, have you?" Chris teased.
"Yeah. Once she finally moves on, maybe she'll fall in love again right away," her mother added.
"Seriously? Do I look that easy to you? I'm not like that anymore!" Julie raised a brow.
Her mother only smiled. "I'll pray that next time you fall in love, it'll be with someone who truly catches you—and loves you the way you loved before. But Julie, don't give everything next time. When you're broken, you're insufferable."
"Wow, My! Really? You're annoyed by me when I'm brokenhearted?"
"Yes. Because you lose yourself completely when you're hurt. I honestly don't even recognize you then." Her mother shook her head.
Julie fell silent.
Chris suddenly ruffled her hair. "Julie, I've always told you—just let people talk. Rumors fade. If your intentions toward Jason are good and your friendship is real, then let it be. They'll get tired eventually."
Julie nodded. "Yes, brother."
"My baby's all grown up now," her mom teased. "Knows how to flirt already! Hopefully with the right person this time." She hugged Julie tightly.
"Mommy! You're just teasing me again."
Her mother laughed, while Chris shook his head with a grin.
*****
That night, her younger sister finally fell asleep in her own room, breathing deeply in peaceful slumber.
Chris sighed, gently closing her door. He, too, needed rest.
"My, I'll sleep now," he told their mother.
She smiled and nodded. "Good night, son."
"You too. Sleep soon."
"I will." She gave him another smile.
Chris lay on his bed, but his thoughts drifted back. He could still remember how Julie cried during her first heartbreak. She was impossible to talk to—always crying, always locked in her room.
When she finally opened up, she told them everything. He couldn't believe how shallow the reason was—the guy couldn't give her what she asked for. And worst of all—he had cheated on her.
Chris clenched his fists. Even now, just thinking about it made his blood boil.
No, I shouldn't dwell on that. It only fuels my anger toward that jerk, he reminded himself.
That was also one of the many reasons Julie hated private schools.
Chris, you need to sleep. I know you want to punch the guy who hurt your sister, but there's nothing you can do. He already broke her.
Better to rest.
Before long, his alarm rang. Time to prepare for school.
He and Julie went through their usual morning routine and headed to campus. The whispers were still there.
Chris noticed students gossiping about his sister. But the moment he looked around, they went silent, clearly intimidated by him.
He sighed.
"Brother, I'll go ahead," Julie said.
He nodded. He could see Julie slowly warming up to him again after their sibling misunderstandings. He was grateful. She really did love to talk and tell stories—when she wanted, she could chatter endlessly.
"Hey, Chris, good morning!" Jonathan greeted him.
"Yeah, good morning, Jonathan."
"Ugh, my sister was full of questions last night," Jonathan groaned.
Chris laughed softly. "I know the feeling. My sister's the same—so many questions, so many stories."
"Maybe fate just brought two chatterboxes together," Jonathan joked.
Chris chuckled under his breath. "Yeah."
They walked into the classroom side by side, and for once, he wasn't too worried about Julie. She was more independent than anyone gave her credit for.