"So I heard Julie agreed to Melissa's request?" Kenneth asked Jason as he took a seat.
"Yeah," Jason replied. "I was surprised too—but it's a good start, right?"
Kenneth nodded faintly. "She's really trying to fight that rumor head-on. She's brave."
"Oh—by the way," Jason added, "Cielo volunteered again, didn't he?"
"Yeah." Kenneth smirked. "It's been a while since he last stepped into theatre. Guess he hasn't lost his touch."
Jason chuckled. "Julie won't see that coming."
"Nope. I also heard she's flexible with roles—Julia mentioned it."
Jason nodded, then fell silent.
"Hey," Kenneth said suddenly, "why don't we go watch today's practice?"
"Oh? That's allowed, right?" Jason grinned. "You're really random, Ken—but sure."
"Where are you guys headed?" Kean asked.
"Watching a practice," Kenneth replied. "We've got nothing else to do."
"Same. Too early to go home," Kean stretched.
"Aren't you guys coming?" Kenneth asked the others.
"Yeah, why not? It's been a while since I watched theatre practice," someone said.
"Is Julie really doing it?" Neah asked quietly. "After everything?"
"She chose to," Kean replied. "And honestly, it's a good way to counter what spread around campus."
Neah didn't answer. Kenneth gently patted her shoulder.
"You coming?" he asked.
She nodded with a small smile.
The moment they arrived, Kenneth stopped short.
People were already there.
Dawn.Her friends.Nicole. Julie's group.Even Kelly.
Since when did Dawn care about theatre? Kenneth frowned.
Gabriel leaned in. "They say they're just watching," he whispered. "But something feels off."
Kenneth nodded.
Are they plotting again? Does Dawn even know Cielo's part of this?
"Oh, hello, Ken," Dawn greeted cheerfully.
"What are you doing here?" he asked casually.
"Wow, so cold," she laughed. "By the way—have you seen Cielo?"
"Nope. Why ask me?" Kenneth replied flatly. "Didn't he tell you?"
Jason elbowed him.
"You're rude," Dawn said, looking hurt.
"I know we just have a misunderstanding," she added sweetly.
Misunderstanding, my foot.
Kenneth stayed quiet.
So Cielo didn't tell her, he thought, lips curling slightly. What are you planning now, cousin?
******
Nicole couldn't refuse when Dawn insisted on tagging along. Raymond and Joel were there—and Kelly too.
She quickly messaged the group chat.
Julie.
The name alone made her uneasy.
Then—the curtain lifted.
Julie stood onstage, completely focused.
"Julie!" Dawn suddenly called out. "We're here for you!"
Nicole saw the shock on Julie's face as she scanned the seats.
"Go for it, Julie!" Dawn added, waving.
"Dawn, please don't disturb them," Jason said.
"Oh, sorry," Dawn smiled. "I'm just excited. I promise I won't cause trouble."
She sat down, whispering and giggling with Paulene.
Nicole's jaw tightened.
Kelly tried to stand—but Jonathan held her back.
Julie glanced their way.
Nicole smiled and nodded, silently telling her to keep going.
"Julie! You can do it!" Dawn called again.
"Dawn," Kelly snapped, "you know the rules here."
"What's wrong with cheering?" Claire asked.
"Cheering's fine. Breaking rules isn't," Kelly shot back.
Jonathan covered her mouth.
"Please refrain from shouting," Chris said calmly.
Silence followed.
Nicole exhaled.
Julie still doesn't know Cielo's her partner, she thought, almost smiling.
Then she noticed Dawn angling her phone.
Isn't recording prohibited? Nicole frowned.
She nudged Raymond.
"Dawn, are you recording?" he asked.
Dawn startled. "No." She quickly hid her phone.
Julie stumbled over her lines.
Nicole saw the frustration flash across her face.
Two weeks ago really did a number on her, she sighed.But she'll be fine.
"When's Cielo coming out?" Nicole whispered to Joel.
"I don't know," he replied, wrapping an arm around her. "Julie's doing well."
"She's trying—but she's distracted."
Then—
Cielo stepped onto the stage.
Julie froze.
The shock on her face was unmistakable.
Nicole chuckled softly as she saw Cielo lean in and whisper something to her.
Raymond nudged Nicole, gesturing toward Dawn.
"She didn't know," Nicole whispered.
"Obviously," Raymond replied. "Julie didn't either."
"Dawn, Cielo didn't tell you?" Dennis asked.
"O—Of course he did," Dawn smiled stiffly. "That's why I'm here—to support him too."
Liar, Nicole thought.
"Oh, I see," Joel said pleasantly. "That's very supportive of you."
"Of course," Dawn replied, though confusion flickered in her eyes.
When practice ended, Julie immediately stepped down.
"You did great," Nicole whispered.
"I messed up so much," Julie sighed.
Kelly tapped her shoulder.
"Dawn? I thought you went home," Cielo said.
"Oh, I stayed," Dawn smiled. "Supportive girlfriend."
"Then why were you cheering for Navares instead of me?" he asked bluntly.
Dawn laughed. "I'll cheer for you next time—both of you. I should go."
She turned to Julie. "You did great. I know you can improve even more."
She really is good at pretending, Nicole thought.
Julie only smiled politely.
They exited the theatre together.
Nicole sighed.
I don't know what Dawn's planning this time… but it's not over.