"Ah… I think I arrived a bit too early today."
Melissa stood at the theatre entrance, glancing around. Just as she expected—none of her companions were there yet.
Julie wasn't with her today. She still had something to attend to, but she promised she'd come later.
She really is trying her best, Melissa thought, sighing softly.
Rumors had started again—whispers that Julie would bring bad luck to the event, to the theatre club itself. Melissa knew how much those words hurt, even if Julie chose to stay quiet about it.
Still, everyone had seen how seriously Julie practiced. How hard she worked for the role given to her.
And I'm thankful Cielo agreed, Melissa added silently. With him, Julie feels safe.
She headed backstage—and froze.
Someone was talking.
Soft muttering. Repeated lines.
"…Julie?"
Melissa recognized her immediately.
Julie was already there.
She was about to call out, but stopped when she noticed how focused Julie was—murmuring lines, frowning, almost arguing with herself.
Melissa chuckled and stayed where she was, choosing to watch.
"Argh! What was it again?" Julie muttered, scratching her head as she scanned the script."How do I say this? What was the emotion?"
Melissa smiled. She didn't want to interrupt.
"Again… again." Julie sighed and inhaled deeply.
Melissa listened to the lines.
She really knows how to internalize her role.
"And your eyes— island? Huh? Island?" Julie frowned. "Why am I suddenly on an island?"
Melissa bit her lip, trying not to laugh.
"Again, again… your eyes are like an ocean—calm, deep—and sausage."
Melissa laughed silently.
"Ugh. Why sausage?" Julie groaned. "I'm hungry again."
Melissa glanced at her watch.
She won't focus like this.
"I'll get food," she decided.
She moved carefully so Julie wouldn't notice—but stopped when someone tapped her shoulder.
She turned and nearly jumped.
"Cielo," she whispered.
"Sorry. Didn't mean to scare you," he said. He was holding a bag of food.
"Oh—good. I was about to buy some," Melissa said in relief.
"She always needs food before practice," Cielo explained. "Didn't expect her to already be here."
"She arrived before me," Melissa said, watching Julie get more frustrated.
"Why can't I get this right? —sundae? Huh?" Julie scratched her head again.
"I think she really needs food," Melissa whispered.
"Yeah. Her brain's short-circuiting again," Cielo sighed.
"Go ahead," Melissa said. "I'll follow."
"Hey, Julie."
Julie jumped. "C—Cielo?! You were here the whole time?"
"Yep. Ever since 'sun dew' became 'sundae.'"
"Meli! You're here too?" Julie waved.
"I've been here since the sausage part," Melissa teased.
"You're hungry," Cielo said, handing her food. "Eat."
Julie sulked. "These lines are hard. And you two just listened."
"Eat first," Cielo said, giving her a siopao.
Julie immediately went quiet and started eating.
Melissa laughed.
"Meli," Cielo said, offering her food too.
"Thank you," she smiled. "I was about to buy some anyway."
"She always comes early," Cielo said. "So I figured."
Melissa nodded, watching Julie reread her script more calmly now.
"Ciel," she whispered, "is it okay to call her openly?"
"No one was around," he replied. "It's fine."
Melissa nodded—but her thoughts drifted.
We know Dawn talked to Crisha.But who helped her with the money?
"Hey, Navares."
Julie looked up.
"Catch."
She barely caught the water bottle Cielo tossed her.
"Hey!"
Melissa shook her head. He's teasing her again.
They avoided talking about Crisha here. Too risky. Too painful.
Melissa watched as Cielo helped Julie with her script, quietly guiding her through lines.
She smiled.
"How can I help?" Melissa asked.
"Meli, please," Julie said, handing her the script.
"Done internalizing?" Melissa asked.
"I just don't know how to deliver it."
"What does this line mean?" Julie asked.
"Let me see," Cielo said, grabbing her water bottle.
"Cielo—that's mine."
"So? You don't want it anymore?" he teased, drinking. "You're my girlfriend."
Julie's cheeks turned red. "There are other bottles!"
Melissa heard everything.
Great. Now it's not just her brain malfunctioning—it's her heart.
"Julie," Melissa said gently, "practice is about to start. Come back to earth."
Cielo laughed as Julie slowly recovered.
Soon, the others arrived.
Practice began.
Melissa watched closely—Julie was improving. Steadier. More confident.
Should I convince her to officially join the club?
She smiled to herself.
No… I won't force her.
For now—
This was enough.