"Julie," Nicole called softly.
Julie, who had been sitting quietly amid the chatter, flinched at the sound of her name. Nicole noticed immediately and sighed under her breath.
Older brother said they're already taking down her photos.The pattern—the setup—it was exactly what happened to Melissa before. Nicole's brows knit together.
She glanced discreetly toward Dawn's group.
I have a feeling… she did it again.
Her hand curled into a tight fist.
Nicole felt how cold Julie's hand was.
"Don't pick a fight, okay? Be nice for now," Julie joked weakly, laughing under her breath.
Nicole understood. Julie wanted today to feel normal—as normal as it could be. She exhaled slowly.
"Fine. But if they start something, I won't hold back," Nicole muttered.
Julie only smiled.
Nicole patted her shoulder, then exchanged a look with Melissa.
"She wants today to be normal," Nicole whispered.
Melissa nodded. They both knew how hard Julie was trying—ignoring the whispers, the quiet laughter. Julie had always been sensitive about words like fat and chubby, but today, she swallowed everything.
When recess came—
"Julie, what do you want to eat?" Nicole asked.
"Maybe she wants pig feed?" someone whispered nearby, followed by stifled laughter.
Nicole shot the speaker a sharp glare, silencing them instantly. She was about to speak—
—but Julie stopped her, shaking her head with a small smile.
"Don't. Come on," Julie said softly.
"Julie—"
"Let it be. I—it's just teasing," Julie said, forcing a laugh. "No one actually eats pig feed, right? J-just let it slide."
Nicole could tell how badly it stung, even as Julie tried to play it off.
"I've heard worse before," Julie added lightly. "Come on—you said you're treating me today, right?"
Nicole sighed. She really wants this to feel normal. Calm down, Nicky.
"Yeah, yeah. We'll let Raymond treat us too," she teased.
"Idiot—you're the one who said you'd pay," Julie shot back, laughing.
Melissa chuckled beside them. They kept things light—because that was what Julie wanted.
They had just sat down when another group joined.
"Hey, I heard Nicky's treating us!" Kelly said cheerfully.
"Yeah, but not you," Nicole replied.
"Aww, so choosy," Kelly teased.
"What's going on here?" Raymond asked as he approached.
"Nothing," Nicole said quickly.
"Nicky," Joel called out.
Nicole smiled as her boyfriend ruffled her hair.
"Aww, she's such a good girl when her boyfriend's around," Kelly teased.
"You've got nothing better to do? Where's your boyfriend, Kevin?" Nicole shot back.
"He's busy—council stuff," Joel said.
"Ah, Julie, don't worry. Cielo will be here in a minute," he added.
Julie blinked, surprised, then nodded with a small smile.
"I'm really trying to hold back, you know," Nicole muttered.
"Well done," Raymond teased.
"Julie, here," Melissa said, handing her some food.
"Thank you, Meli," Julie said brightly.
As long as she's smiling like that, we'll be fine. Our Julie is strong, Nicole thought.
****
"Are you okay?"
Julie blinked at the familiar voice and nodded.
Cielo sat with them, careful to keep his distance. Too close, and their secret would be exposed. It hurt more than he wanted to admit.
If I could, I'd comfort her right now… but not here.
"Any lead on who spread it?" Raymond asked.
"Not yet," Cielo replied, shaking his head—though deep down, he already knew. "But it's been escalated. They know the policy. We just need to keep things controlled."
Julie leaned slightly toward him. "Thank you."
"Don't," he murmured. "It's the least I can do."
"I keep hearing people mocking Julie in the hallway," Nicole said, her voice trembling."If I hear it again, I swear I'll pull their hair out. Julie just stopped me earlier."
"Nicky, it's okay," Julie said gently. "You'll end up in the office again—and Jonathan will scold you."
"Then let me do it," Kelly said casually. "I'm used to the office anyway."
"You'll get in trouble with your boyfriend again," Nicole smirked.
Julie stayed quiet, her gaze drifting to Cielo. He saw it—the strain, the effort to endure.
Their eyes met.
If you're okay… then I'll be okay too, he thought.
"Cielo! You're here!"
He stiffened.
Julie turned.
Dawn approached with her friends.
He inhaled, forcing a polite smile. "Do you need something?"
"Oh, nothing," she pouted, sitting nearby. "You didn't tell me you were here."
Kelly raised an eyebrow. Nicole nudged her subtly.
"Julie," Dawn said gently, "I was really shocked about what happened."
Julie tensed. "Y-Yeah…"
Is she here to rub salt in the wound? Cielo thought bitterly.
"Are you okay? I saw those pictures—oh, wait, am I allowed to talk about it, Ciel?" Dawn asked innocently.
"As long as you don't ridicule the victim," Joel said calmly.
"Oh, of course. Just my honest opinion," Dawn laughed softly."I was shocked by your old picture—you don't even look like the same Julie! You were such a healthy kid."
Cielo's jaw tightened.
Julie laughed lightly. "Yeah. I really was."
He subtly signaled her not to take the bait—but she only gave him a small, secret smile.
"And Chris never told anyone how you looked before?" Dawn continued sweetly."Maybe he was embarrassed—but I know he's not that kind of guy."
"My brother doesn't think that way," Julie replied calmly.
"Poor Julie… but people will think things, right? You're both victims," Dawn sighed dramatically."Anyway—please don't make fun of Julie, okay? And you too, Cielo—you're her childhood friend, right?"
She's stirring the pot.I need to stop this.
"Dawn," Kelly said flatly, "are you done being 'concerned'?"
"W-What? I'm just worried!"
"You're done," Cielo said evenly. "Go."
"B-But—are they misunderstanding me?" she gasped.
Kelly rolled her eyes.
"Go," Cielo repeated.
"Okay," Dawn said with a smile. "Julie, you're strong—you'll survive. Even alone."
"Dawn," Cielo snapped.
She finally left.
Cielo exhaled deeply.
"I was just questioning her," Kelly said innocently.
"Kelly," Cielo sighed. "I know your temper."
Nicole snickered.
"I need to get back to the office," Cielo said. "You guys should head to class."
They nodded.
Before leaving, he leaned in and whispered, "Don't take it to heart. I know you."
Julie nodded faintly.
"What's with that face?" Dave asked later.
"She's trying again—just not directly," Cielo muttered.
"Hah. Desperate," Dave said darkly.