"How did it go?" Kenneth asked the moment Cielo arrived home.
"She's my girlfriend now," Cielo replied simply.
"Whoa," Dave grinned. "You really took everyone's advice, huh?"
"They were right," Cielo said, his expression softening. "Why hesitate when the answer was already there? And yes… she really loves me."
"Well then—congratulations to the both of you," Dave said warmly. "Mom and Dad will be happy to hear this too."
Cielo nodded, then sighed. "But I still need to talk to her. She's confused about the rumors spreading today."
"So… you're really going to tell her what actually happened to Crisha?" Kenneth asked carefully.
"Yes," Cielo answered without hesitation. "And I have a feeling she'll eventually reveal her own truth too."
Dave leaned back, his voice turning thoughtful. "If you're bringing up Crisha, you should know—we'll listen. All of us are connected to that incident somehow. And I believe Kelly was involved in what really happened to Crisha."
Kenneth froze. Even Cielo turned sharply toward Dave.
"What makes you say that?" Kenneth asked.
"She was a witness," Dave replied. "When Kevin and I dug deeper into her past bullying cases, Kevin found something… significant."
"A witness?" Cielo repeated, eyes narrowing.
"She was in grade nine back then," Kenneth murmured, piecing things together. "And she started distancing herself around that time…"
Yeah…He remembered Crisha mentioning Kelly once or twice—how she helped sometimes, how she only stayed with that group because they called themselves her "friends." Kelly's name had been dragged into the mess eventually.
Kenneth exhaled heavily. "Then we really need to hear her side. But since Kelly is now Julie's friend… how exactly do we pull her into this?"
"Don't worry," Dave said. "Kevin will handle it."
"Kevin?" Kenneth frowned. "Shouldn't Jonathan talk to her?"
Dave shook his head. "Jonathan would just turn her over to Kevin anyway. Besides, Jonathan already remembered everything after that incident."
"…Okay," Kenneth finally said, nodding.
I'll give you justice this time, Crisha, he promised silently.
Cielo's cousin tapped his shoulder, breaking the moment.
"Cielo," Kenneth said seriously, "why are you pushing this now? It's going to get messy. Julie might get dragged into it—and I'm worried about her. Maybe you should let this rest. Your priority should be Julie."
"No," Cielo said firmly. "I promised her I'd uncover the truth. I won't back out now. And yes—Julie might be involved, but I won't let her suffer because of it." He sighed. "They're already moving. And they're targeting someone."
"That's exactly why you shouldn't dive too deep," Kenneth argued. "Let me handle it."
"Enough," Dave cut in, exhaling slowly. "All of us are tied to what happened. Jonathan's siblings, Kelly—they were dragged into it too. Let's decide after that talk."
Kenneth fell silent.
******
"Is Dave really certain about this?" Kevin asked Jonathan.
"Yes." Jonathan's gaze hardened. "I don't know how deeply Kelly was involved with Crisha, but I'm sure of one thing—she knows the truth."
"…Is it possible Kelly herself was bullied?" Kevin asked quietly.
Jonathan nodded. "Please take care of my cousin, Kevin. Things are about to get complicated again."
Kevin sighed. "If only she had told me when we met again… maybe I would've remembered sooner. Maybe I could've protected her."
"Don't blame yourself," Jonathan said gently. "She had her reasons—fear, confusion. What matters is that she finally told you. And now that you remember, Melissa and Nicole will be happy too."
Kevin chuckled softly. "They did like having me around back then."
"Exactly," Jonathan smiled. "Maybe Dave was right to suggest this."
"Yeah…" Kevin nodded.
"You'll talk to Kelly," Jonathan reminded him. "We'll be waiting."
Jonathan gathered his things and left.
Kevin stayed behind.
"Kevin?" Kelly's voice called from inside.
"Kelly," he answered.
"Jonathan already left?" she asked.
"Yeah. I'll take you home."
She smiled. "I'll wait outside."
Before she could move, Kevin pulled her into his arms.
"I still can't believe you're really my childhood friend," he whispered. "I'm so glad you're here."
Her cheeks flushed. "I'm glad too. I'm sorry I hid it from you." She hugged him tightly.
"It's okay," he murmured, brushing her cheek before kissing her. She responded without hesitation.
"I love you," he whispered.
"I love you too," she replied softly.
They no longer hid their relationship—though Melissa and Nicole still didn't know.
"How should we tell them?" Kevin asked.
Kelly laughed. "I was planning to tell Meli. She's just busy with school activities. They deserve to know."
"And you promised you'd tell your friends—and Dave—that you and Jonathan are cousins," Kevin added.
"I know," she muttered, pouting.
"Good. Before we head home, let's stop by Dave's place. Chris is there—it's a good chance to tell them."
Kelly hesitated. "But… what if it's an officers-only meeting?"
Because you're part of this too, Kevin thought.
He wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Don't worry."
She smiled. "If you say so."
Kelly fell asleep during the drive.
When they arrived, Kevin gently woke her.
"This is Jonathan's house," she murmured.
"Dave's here," he replied.
She followed him inside.
"We're here," Kevin announced.
"Oh, finally," Dave said.
Kelly froze.
"Kevin… I thought only Dave and Chris were here," she whispered.
"There is a meeting," Kevin said quietly. "Just… a bigger one."
"Kelly?" Julie's voice chimed. "You're here too?"
Kelly nodded, uneasy.
"Let's begin," Chris said firmly.
Kevin sat beside Kelly—who still had no idea how deeply this night would change everything.