"Hey, Julie."
Nicole called out to her friend, who was busy staring at her phone.
"Ah—yeah, just a sec," Julie replied quickly, not even looking up. Nicole sighed but waited patiently. Kelly stood beside her.
"Big sis, when's the competition again?" Nicole asked.
"In two weeks, Nicky," Kelly answered.
"They're still working on the dance steps, right?" Nicole pressed.
Kelly nodded.
"Sorry for the delay. Let's go," Julie said at last, slipping her phone into her pocket as she joined them.
"Did you say goodbye to your boyfriend?" Nicole teased.
Julie nodded. "Of course. He knows where I'm going and who I'm with. I just texted him."
Nicole smirked. "Didn't he remind you to be careful? You know how he gets."
"I know," Julie laughed. "Don't worry—I'm careful. But yeah, his nose practically smokes if I forget to update him."
"You're ridiculous," Kelly muttered, shaking her head.
"Melissa!" Nicole called out to her cousin.
"One sec—I'm just talking to Raymond," Melissa replied.
"Okay," Nicole said. A moment later, Melissa hurried over.
"Let's go. I'm starving after practice," Melissa sighed.
They decided to stop by a convenience store. Their boyfriends were busy, so the girls took the chance to enjoy a little time together.
Inside, Nicole immediately scanned the shelves. What would Joel like? she wondered. She snapped a photo of the snacks and sent it to him on Messenger, giggling when his reply came in almost instantly.
"Hey, are you done picking?" Kelly called out.
"Wait—Joel's choosing what he wants," Nicole explained.
Kelly frowned at the shelves. "What should I even buy for that guy of mine?" she muttered. Then she waved it off. "Ah, whatever. He eats anything."
Nicole laughed. After paying, they walked back toward the school, chatting happily. Joel had messaged that he was almost finished, so Nicole knew she only needed to wait a little longer.
She was munching on her favorite chips beside Julie when a van suddenly screeched to a stop next to them.
At first, Nicole ignored it.
Then masked men jumped out.
Before she could even process what was happening, Kelly was yanked toward the van.
"Kelly!" Nicole screamed, dropping the bag of snacks.
Someone grabbed Nicole too—but Julie pulled her back just in time.
Another man restrained Julie. Nicole caught a glimpse of Kelly inside the van, struggling against a man wearing a bonnet.
"Nicky, don't let go!" Julie shouted, fighting desperately.
Fear surged through Nicole, but she held on with all her strength. They were close to the school grounds, yet the street felt eerily quiet.
"Get the other girl too!" one of the men barked.
"Let go of my friends!" Melissa screamed, hurling her shoe at one of them. The man yelped in pain.
"Help!" Julie cried, kicking wildly as another man tried to force her inside the van.
Nicole saw Melissa being dragged as well.
"Meli!" she screamed.
Julie's strength was fading. A man shoved her hard toward the van—
—and suddenly he collapsed.
Jonathan had arrived, striking him down.
Someone pulled Julie away to safety.
"Let's go!" another voice shouted as chaos finally erupted. Bystanders began to notice.
Nicole was shoved out of the van and tumbled to the pavement—but Julie caught her before she hit the ground.
"Kelly and Melissa are inside!" Nicole gasped.
"Don't worry, Nicky. They're safe," Joel said, his voice tense but steady.
Nicole's eyes darted around—then she saw it.
Kelly was forcing the van door open—or maybe she had jumped through the window. Melissa followed soon after.
Nicole released a shaky breath of relief.
The adrenaline drained from her body, and she sank to the pavement, trembling. Julie had bruises. Her cousins lay unconscious nearby. Kelly was nowhere to be seen.
"Nicole."
Jonathan wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly. She broke down, sobbing against his chest.
"We're going to the hospital now," he said firmly, meeting her eyes.
She nodded, clinging to him as he gently ruffled her hair.
******
Later, at the hospital…
Kelly had passed out after jumping from the van window with her younger sister.
Everyone was still in shock. The four girls had only gone out to buy food—yet they had taken too long to return. No one realized what had happened because the ambush took place at a blind spot near the school.
Thankfully, the commotion drew attention. Melissa's screams and Julie's desperate cries alerted Jonathan and Joel, who arrived just in time. Jonathan knocked down the men trying to shove Julie inside, while Joel pulled Nicole free.
Kevin noticed the van shaking violently—someone was trying to escape. Moments later, two figures burst out: Melissa and Kelly.
Kevin rushed to them immediately. Kelly's forehead was bleeding, and she had already lost consciousness.
Chris called for an ambulance, and they were rushed to the hospital.
"How are they?" Kenjie asked, worry etched across his face.
"They'll be fine. Just minor injuries," Kevin replied, though his eyes never left Kelly and Melissa. Raymond stayed close to Melissa, relief washing over him.
Who the hell planned this? Kevin thought darkly.
"Are Tito and Tita here yet?" Jonathan asked.
"Dad's on his way. Mom will arrive tomorrow," Kenjie answered.
Jonathan nodded.
Just then, Kelly stirred. "Ouch…" she groaned weakly.
"Kelly," Kenjie whispered, relief softening his features as he stepped closer.
"Brother Ken… Kevin…" she murmured, her eyes darting around in panic—until she saw her sister sleeping peacefully, and Nicole curled up nearby, exhausted from crying herself to sleep.
"I'm glad you're okay," Kevin said gently, holding her hand.
"Dad will be here soon," Kenjie added.
"Kelly… are you alright?" Julie asked softly.
Kelly nodded faintly. "A—are you okay too?"
Julie forced a smile. "I'm fine."
But Kevin could see through it. Julie was terrified.
Chris reached out and ruffled Julie's hair. "It's okay. You're safe now."
Julie's tears spilled over, and she collapsed into his arms, sobbing.
Yeah, Kevin thought quietly. Anyone would be scared after that.
Kelly watched from her bed, concern filling her eyes. Despite her weakness, she lifted a hand and gently touched Julie's head.