Julie let out a quiet breath as she stood face-to-face with Vincent.
Truthfully, she had tried to avoid this moment. Even though she had long moved on from the man in front of her, she didn't want to face him—didn't want to talk, didn't even want to see him. Not because the pain remained, but because the irritation did.
"Vincent, who wouldn't be frustrated after what you did back then?" Julie said calmly. "But don't worry—I'm calm now. I've truly moved on."
She even smiled.
Vincent sighed. "Julie, I know you. That's why you don't want to see me, right?" His gaze softened, almost pleading. "Let's talk about it. I don't want people hearing the reason we broke up."
What is he even saying? Julie thought, shaking her head slightly.
"Didn't we already have closure?" she replied. "Don't you remember what you said?" She smiled faintly. "You were the one who ended things. So why are you trying to talk now?"
Vincent stepped closer. "Let's talk privately," he said. "I don't want you getting more issues here at school."
He reached for her arm.
Julie immediately stepped back, pulling away before he could touch her.
"There's nothing left for us to talk about," she said firmly. "You broke up with me. Not the other way around."
Then, with an innocent tone, she added, "And I have a boyfriend now. You do too, right?"
Vincent looked surprised.
Julie noticed her friends tense beside her, clearly holding themselves back.
"Yes, we both have partners," Vincent said after a pause. "But that's exactly why we need to settle this. You're not fully healed yet."
Wow.So now I'm the ex who can't move on?
Julie raised an eyebrow. "Vincent, I am healed. If you really knew me, you wouldn't bring up the past like this." She met his eyes. "Or did you expect me to still get hurt?"
"That's not what I meant—"
"Then what are you implying?" she interrupted calmly. "Because that's how it sounds."
Vincent sighed and lifted his hands in surrender. "Fine. I understand your frustration. I just want us to be friends," he said, smiling. "If you ever need someone to talk to, I'll be here."
He reached for her hand.
Julie pulled away at once.
She said nothing. She didn't want to fuel it further.
Is he trying to make me look like the bad one? she wondered.
She smiled politely. "It was good seeing you again, Vincent. Enjoy your stay."
"Yes," he replied. "I hope we can talk again—properly."
Julie didn't answer. She turned and walked away.
"Julie, where are you going?" Nicole asked, catching up.
"The canteen," Julie replied. Then, quieter, "Nicky… is he still looking at me?"
Nicole glanced back discreetly. "No. I think he went with Cielo."
Julie let out a breath of relief.
The canteen was crowded, filled with visitors and students.
"So," Nicole grinned, "what does our little princess want to eat?"
"Idiot. Are you treating?" Julie asked.
"Once in a while," Nicole said, nudging her. "Make the most of it."
Julie laughed.
"Julie," Melissa said gently, smiling. "You really faced him head-on."
"I couldn't keep avoiding him forever," Julie replied. "If I did, he'd probably say I never confronted him—that I never moved on."
She noticed Nicole already lining up for snacks and shook her head, amused.
"Are you okay now?" Melissa asked.
Julie smiled softly. "I am. I was just overwhelmed earlier—so many people, so many eyes on me on stage. But I realized… not everyone is judging me."
Melissa nodded. "You're really strong, Julie. We see how you fight your own battles."
Julie laughed lightly. "Because you're all here. Even when you're quiet, I feel your support." She paused. "I learned that opinions aren't one-sided—and that I don't need to change myself just for one opinion."
"There's only one Julie we know," Melissa said warmly. "And that's you."
They laughed together.
"What are you guys talking about?" Nicole asked, returning with a mountain of snacks.
Julie stared. "Nicky… why did you buy so much?"
"So we'll have food whenever we hang out here," Nicole replied casually.
"Wow. Big allowance today?" Julie teased.
"I had extra," Nicole grinned. "So I'm treating."
"You're unbelievable," Julie muttered.
"That's a lot of food!" Kelly said, already grabbing a bag of chips.
"Hey! Pay for that!" Nicole protested.
"Huh? I thought it was free," Kelly said innocently.
"It is—just not for you!"
Julie and Melissa laughed.
"Julie," Kelly said seriously, "was Vincent bothering you?"
Julie smiled. "I'm fine. I can handle him."
"Just say the word and we'll stomp some sense into your ex," Kelly said.
Julie laughed. "Thanks."
Her phone vibrated.
Kenneth.
She answered, noticing everyone watching her.
"Julie, where are you?" Kenneth asked.
"At the canteen. Why?"
"Ah—there you are."
She froze when she heard his voice nearby. The call ended.
"What?" Julie asked, confused.
Kenneth sighed. "You need to perform again."
She stared at him. "W—Why?"
"Some officers requested a performance with the band at one," he said seriously.
"Huh? M—Me?" Julie pointed at herself.
"Yes," Kenneth replied. "And guess who requested it?"
Her stomach dropped.
"Your ex-boyfriend."
Damn it. That man really won't leave me alone.
Her friends exchanged shocked looks.
"I'll explain everything," Kenneth said. "We need to prepare."
"Nicky, Meli, Kelly—sorry to interrupt, but I need to borrow Julie for a while," he added apologetically.
Julie laughed weakly as Kenneth gently pulled her along.
I just finished performing… and now I'm performing again? she thought, sighing.