"Julie!"
The moment Julie stepped into Kevin's house, Kelly wrapped her in a tight hug.
"Kelly," Julie greeted softly.
"You were so cute when you were little," Kelly said with a reassuring smile. "Don't mind people like them."
Julie let out a small laugh. "It's not that they don't like me. It's okay."
Kelly could still sense the faint awkwardness beneath Julie's smile, but she was relieved to see her laughing again—even just a little.
"Hey," Kevin called out. "Are you really sure about this?"
Julie nodded shyly.
"B–But Caden isn't here yet," she added quickly. "We should wait for him first. Sorry, Kevin—we're hanging out at your house again." She laughed softly.
"Silly girl," Kevin said, shaking his head. "Even if you all came here every day, I wouldn't mind."
Kelly chuckled as Kevin ruffled Julie's hair. Nicole and Melissa joined them, sitting close.
"Kelly," Nicole teased, "we told Julie that if you'd met her when she was little, you'd squeeze her cheeks and smother her with kisses!"
Kelly laughed. "Of course I would! I love chubby kids. I couldn't resist—just like how I used to squish you two!"
"Ah, so that's why you're obsessed with Feah," Kevin teased.
"Yes. Got a problem?" Kelly raised a brow.
"It makes me jealous," he replied dramatically. "You spoil her too much."
"She's just a kid!" Kelly shot back, glaring playfully.
Julie giggled at their banter.
"Nicky, I can already imagine how these two will argue once they have kids," Julie joked.
"Hey! No kids yet—let me finish my studies first!" Kelly flicked Julie's forehead lightly.
"Well, that's where we're headed anyway, right?" Kevin teased again.
Kelly's face turned red. Kevin only laughed harder.
From the corner, Melody giggled softly.
Soon, Dave and Cielo entered, holding an old photo album.
"Dave? What's that?" Jonathan asked.
"Oh, this?" Dave said proudly. "We dug up some old pictures. My mom said there were photos of Julie and me—and Cielo—when we were kids."
"Ah, here!" Dave said, opening a page. "While waiting for Caden, let's look."
"Dave…" Julie murmured shyly.
"It's okay," Dave said gently, patting her head. "We grew up together. Our families used to spend so much time together before Chris and I turned seven."
Julie nodded. "M–Maybe Cielo will remember more if he sees them."
"Silly girl. Come here," Cielo said, pulling her closer.
"Can we see too?" Steph asked eagerly.
"Of course."
Angie suddenly gasped. "Oh my gosh—baby Julie!"
Kelly leaned in.
The photo showed a baby girl in a tiny dress, thin hair tied into twin ponytails, smiling sweetly at the camera.
She must be about one, Kelly thought. If she were my little sister, I'd squish those cheeks every day.
Beside her was a young boy.
"Ciel, is that you?" Kelly asked.
"Yes," he replied.
Handsome even as a baby, Kelly mused.
Julie hid her face. "This is so embarrassing…"
"Look at this one," Cielo said, flipping the page.
"Oh! She was around four here," Dave laughed.
Julie's cheeks burned red.
"Let me see!" Angie said eagerly.
In the photo, little Julie held an ice cream—chocolate smeared on her hands—leaning in to kiss a surprised young Cielo on the cheek.
"Julie," Kelly asked curiously, "why were you kissing Cielo?"
Julie covered her face. "S–So he wouldn't get mad! The ice cream was a peace offering. Our moms told me to kiss him so he'd stop sulking!"
"I didn't know Auntie took that picture…" she groaned.
"Julie," Gabriel teased, smirking, "your first public display of affection?"
"I'm still ashamed of that moment," Julie mumbled.
"But look at you now," Raymond said. "You turned out fine."
"Why be ashamed?" Cielo teased. "We still kiss now, right?"
"S–Stop it! You were such a brat back then!" Julie snapped.
Kelly smiled fondly.
I see myself in her, she thought, glancing at Kevin. He drives me crazy too, but I still have a soft spot for him.
"Eh?" Kevin teased. "Are you reminiscing about us?"
"No!" Kelly snapped, blushing again.
Kelly held one photo longer, then gently turned to Julie.
"Julie," she said softly, "these photos hold many memories—some sweet, some painful."
She lifted another picture Melissa handed her.
Julie stiffened. Fear flickered in her eyes.
"But it's okay now," Kelly continued. "If you want to erase some memories, we'll understand. People can be cruel. Words can hurt deeply."
Julie listened silently.
"But I know," Kelly added, "that one day, you'll face that past. Not now—when you're ready. The pain will fade, little by little. You are you, Julie. And the Julie we know… we love so much."
Julie nodded, eyes glistening.
"We'll be here," Kelly said firmly. "No matter what."
"Oh? Are we done revisiting her past?"
Everyone turned.
Caden had arrived.
"Oh, not yet," Gabriel grinned. "We're still tormenting her with baby photos."
Caden peeked. "So this is Julie, huh? You really were Cielo's childhood sweetheart."
"Why would I lie?" Julie muttered.
"Julie!" Julia rushed over and hugged her tightly.
"I was worried," Julia said softly.
Caden sighed. "So Veronica's group is bothering you again?"
Julie nodded faintly.
"Who are they?" Nicole asked, fists clenched.
"They're her classmates from primary school," Caden explained. "They trained in the same dance club. Veronica and her friends come from influential families."
Jonathan frowned. "And you know them how?"
"Their families are well-known," Caden replied. "Cielo knows them too."
Cielo's tone hardened. "Yeah. I do."
Kelly crossed her arms. "Then we need to know more."
Caden nodded. "Don't worry. This is just the beginning of the story."