Chapter 5: The Morning After Moonlight
The first rays of dawn crept across the dormitory curtains, brushing Julia's face with soft gold. For a moment she didn't know where she was only that her heart was still racing and the scent of salt clung to her skin. Then the memory returned, clear and vivid as if it had happened only seconds ago:
Junior's hand in hers.
His voice whispering promises against the sound of the sea.
The way the world had seemed to stop breathing when he'd said her name.
She lay still, clutching her blanket to her chest, afraid that if she moved too quickly the memory would dissolve like morning mist. Every time she blinked she saw the moonlight reflecting in his eyes, the curve of his smile, the way his thumb had drawn invisible circles on her skin.
Outside, the sound of seagulls filled the sky. The dorm was slowly waking doors creaking, showers running, footsteps echoing down the hall. But Julia stayed frozen beneath the sheets, her body humming with the ghost of his touch.
It felt unreal. The entire night felt like a dream that had accidentally crossed into the real world.Then came the knock.Julia! Wake up already!
Princess.
Julia shot up, heart leaping. The door swung open and Princess's curly hair appeared around the frame, her grin bright and suspicious. You slept through the bell. What were you doing last night, hmm?Julia's mouth went dry. N...nothing! I...uh...couldn't sleep.
Princess raised an eyebrow. "Couldn't sleep, huh? Your bed was empty when I woke up around midnight."Julia's stomach twisted. "Maybe I went to get water."
Princess laughed, crossing her arms. "At midnight? Girl, who do you think you're fooling?"
Julia forced a nervous smile. "Seriously, I just needed air. I was feeling weird."
Princess studied her for a moment, then sighed dramatically. Fine, fine. But if you sneak out again, at least take me with you. You know I hate missing out on the drama.
Julia exhaled in relief, pretending to laugh, but her mind was still on Junior the way he'd disappeared into the mist, leaving her with more questions than answers.
Breakfast was chaos. The dining hall buzzed with chatter, trays clattering, spoons scraping against bowls. Julia carried her tray to the far corner where Princess had already claimed a spot.
Everyone's talking about something,Princess said as Julia sat down. Rumor is someone broke curfew last night.
Julia froze. R...really?Yeah, Princess whispered, leaning closer. Mr. Daniels said he saw shadows on the beach. Two of them.
Julia's spoon slipped from her fingers. The clang made Princess look up sharply. "You okay?"Y...yeah,Julia said quickly, fumbling to grab it. "Just… hot coffee."
But inside, panic was curling through her chest. Two shadows. They'd been seen.
Her gaze darted across the room. A group of boys from the other school sat near the window, laughing and throwing bits of toast at each other. And there sitting apart, quiet as ever was Junior.
He looked calm. Too calm. His hair was still damp from the shower, his uniform crisp. But when his eyes lifted and met hers, the calm cracked.
The world seemed to shrink again, just like it had the night before. One heartbeat, two and then he gave her the faintest, secret smile.
Julia's breath caught. She looked down quickly, her cheeks burning. Princess followed her line of sight and smirked. "Wait a minute… why are you blushing?"
Julia shook her head furiously. "I'm not!"
"Oh, you so are." Princess grinned like a cat who had caught something delicious. Julia… don't tell me you've got a crush.
Julia stabbed at her toast. Can we not talk about this?
But Princess wouldn't let up. Who is it? Come on, I'll find out anyway.
Julia stayed silent, her heart pounding too loudly for words.
Across the hall, Junior was still watching her. When she dared to glance up again, he mouthed something so subtle only she could catch it.
Meet me.
Her chest tightened.
The rest of the morning passed in a blur. Lessons, announcements, laughter it all drifted by like background noise. Julia couldn't focus. Her thoughts kept circling back to the same image: the beach, the moon, his eyes.
When the final bell for lunch rang, she slipped away from the crowd and walked toward the garden behind the science block. It was quiet there, tucked between tall palms and blooming hibiscus.
He was already waiting.
Junior leaned against the old brick wall, sunlight dappling across his face through the leaves. When he saw her, he smiled not the teasing grin from the night before, but something softer, careful.You came,he said.Julia's voice came out a whisper. You asked.
For a moment, neither spoke. The world seemed suspended again, caught between their gazes.
Did they see us? she asked finally.I don't think so, he said. But they know someone was there.
Julia's heart sank. We could get into trouble.I know. He stepped closer, lowering his voice. That's why I needed to see you. To make sure you're okay.
I'm fine, she said quickly. But she wasn't. The thrill of last night had been replaced by a trembling fear that everything might fall apart.
Junior reached for her hand, just briefly, his fingers brushing hers. Hey, he said softly. Don't look so scared.
Julia met his eyes, and the fear melted a little. There was something about his calmness that steadied her, like the tide returning to shore.
Last night felt… unreal, she said, her words tumbling out. Like it wasn't supposed to happen.He smiled faintly. Maybe it was.
What do you mean?
Junior looked past her, toward the distant sea shimmering beyond the trees. Ever felt like something was written before you lived it? Like no matter what, you were going to end up in that exact place, at that exact moment?
Julia nodded slowly. That's how it felt.He turned back to her. Then maybe we shouldn't fight it.
She wanted to believe him. But doubt crept in, sharp and quiet. And what if it hurts?Then we'll deal with it, he said. Together.
The word together echoed inside her. She didn't realize she was smiling until he brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.I can't stop thinking about you,he admitted.
Junior…
I mean it, he said. Since the first day. I tried to ignore it, but last night made it impossible.
Julia's pulse raced. Someone will see us.Let them, he said simply.She wanted to protest, but then his hand found hers again and all the reasons vanished.
They stayed like that until the sound of approaching footsteps made them jump apart. Two girls from another class walked by, giggling. Julia's heart hammered as she turned away, pretending to examine a flower.
When the girls were gone, she exhaled shakily. This is dangerous.Junior's eyes softened. Yeah, he said. But it's real.And somehow, that made it worth it.
By evening, whispers had begun to spread. Julia could feel them following her like invisible threads snatches of laughter, hushed voices that stopped when she entered a room.
She was out last night.
With who?Someone from the other school, I think.
Princess cornered her after dinner. Okay, spill it,she said, arms crossed. Are the rumors true?What rumors? Julia tried to sound bored, but her pulse betrayed her.
That you and that quiet guy what's his name? Junior? were seen together.Julia's stomach flipped. They're just rumors.Princess studied her face, then grinned slowly. Oh my god. They're not just rumors.
Princess, please...
Relax. I'm not going to tell anyone. But, Julia… Her tone softened. Be careful. People love turning stories into scandals.Julia nodded silently, grateful and terrified all at once.That night, as she sat by the window watching the moon rise again, her phone buzzed.
Unknown Number:
Meet me by the fence. Ten minutes.
Her breath caught. She didn't need to ask who it was.
The campus was quiet, most of the lights out. Julia wrapped her sweater tight and slipped outside. The grass was cold beneath her feet, the night air heavy with the scent of ocean.
Junior waited near the fence that separated the girls' dorm from the practice field. His hands were in his pockets, his expression unreadable in the dim light.You shouldn't be out here, she whispered, half-smiling.You came, he said again, like it was the only thing that mattered.
I had to.
For a moment they just looked at each other, the silence between them charged and fragile.I heard the rumors,he said finally.So did I.He nodded. They'll get worse.
I know.
Do you regret it?Julia hesitated. The memory of the moonlight, of his hand in hers, flared inside her chest. No, she said softly. Not even a little.
Something shifted in his expression relief, warmth, maybe even pride. He stepped closer, close enough that she could feel his breath against her forehead.
Then we'll face it, he said. Whatever comes.
She smiled faintly. You make it sound easy.It's not, he admitted. But nothing real ever is.The fence creaked as he leaned closer, their hands meeting through the cold metal links. His fingers brushed hers, a promise passed from skin to skin.
Tomorrow, he whispered. Meet me by the old pier after classes. No one goes there.Tomorrow, she repeated.He squeezed her hand gently. Sleep, Julia.She nodded, even though she knew she wouldn't.
Back in her room, Julia climbed into bed, her heart still beating too fast. The dorm was silent except for the soft breathing of the other girls. She stared at the ceiling, replaying everything his words, his touch, the look in his eyes when he said together.
The world felt heavier now, more complicated. But beneath the fear and uncertainty was something else something fierce and glowing. Hope.
Outside, the moon drifted through thin clouds, painting silver over the sea. Julia turned toward the window, whispering to the night, Tomorrow.
And somewhere beyond the dorm walls, maybe by the pier already, Junior whispered the same word back to the stars.