Chris watched his sister in silence as she performed.
Calm. Focused. Unshaken.
A light tap landed on his shoulder. He turned and saw Dave standing beside him, eyes fixed on the stage as well.
After everything she went through… she really came back and faced it, Chris thought.
He let out a quiet sigh. When Vincent had suddenly suggested Julie sing again, Chris had hesitated. Agreeing hadn't felt right—but there were guests to accommodate.
Now, as he watched her, the glow had returned.
She wasn't just standing on stage.She was owning it.
I worry too much, he thought, letting out a small laugh.
Soft giggling nearby caught his attention. Angie's friends were whispering—and Kelly was with them. Chris glanced briefly before turning his focus back to Julie.
"Your sister," Kevin whispered from behind him, "she really proved she's not the girl she used to be. And she's lowkey throwing shade at her ex."
Ah. So that's what this is, Chris realized.
That's exactly why she's up there.
Julie… you've come so far.
He ignored the quiet laughter from her friends.
Cielo stood nearby—with Vincent.
Chris noticed it immediately.
Vincent's forced smile. The irritation flickering beneath it. The way he pretended to enjoy the performance while clearly bristling.
Yeah, Chris thought. His ego must be screaming.
When the performance ended, the audience's reaction said everything.
They loved it.
They may have free access to the Pop Princess, Chris thought as he headed back toward the classroom,but she's still Julie.
"That performance was insane," students whispered as they passed him.
Chris nodded faintly.
"She kind of reminds me of a Pop Princess," someone said.
"What if Navares really is a Pop Princess?" another added.
"H—Hey! She might hear you. The president's right there," someone hissed.
Chris heard a sharp inhale.
"G—Good afternoon, Pres," they greeted nervously.
Chris didn't respond.
"L—Let's go," someone muttered, dragging their friend away.
He wasn't angry.
He couldn't control what people thought—especially after what they had just witnessed.
Maybe I shouldn't deny it anymore, he admitted to himself.
The truth was simple.
She really is the Pop Princess.
Chris sat down in his classroom, still lost in thought.
Jonathan tapped his shoulder. "You happy that your sister's happy too?"
"Of course," Chris replied. "I'm just tired today. Do we still have officer duties?"
Jonathan considered it. "Probably not."
"Good," Chris sighed. "After today, I just want peace."
Jonathan laughed softly and patted his shoulder.
******
"Are you okay, Vincent?" Dawn asked.
Vincent shot her a cold look. "Shut up. You're really nosy."
He walked away.
"I'm just worried about you!" Dawn called after him.
Brat, Vincent thought.
He hadn't expected Julie to treat him that way—not after a year.
She really moved on…
That realization irritated him.
Being in her school only made it worse. Yes, Julie had a boyfriend—but Vincent didn't feel threatened.
What bothered him was something else.
The way Julie carried herself now.The way Cielo stayed close—not casual, not coincidental.
Wait… doesn't Cielo have something going on with Dawn?
Vincent already knew the answer.
Dawn was just using Cielo.
But Cielo wasn't stupid. He was observant. Grounded.
So how is she controlling him?
Vincent stopped walking.
Or… maybe it's the other way around?
The idea amused him.
What a twist, he smirked.
He wanted Julie back—not out of regret, but out of possession. His mind kept merging Julie and the Pop Princess into one.
I want control again.
But it wasn't easy.
Julie had set boundaries. And the way she had bruised his ego earlier proved it.
Whatever, he thought.I'll use that instead.
As he headed for the exit, he spotted Julie nearby, focused on her phone.
Oh. The universe really does favor me.
"Hey, Julie," he called, waving.
She startled, frowned—and walked past him.
He grabbed her arm.
"What do you want from me?" Julie snapped, glaring.
"Relax," Vincent said. "Didn't I tell you I wanted to talk—just us?"
"I don't want to talk to you," Julie replied coldly, shaking his hand off.
"Are you sure?" Vincent asked.
He reached out and cupped her cheek.
Julie shoved him away. "What the hell is wrong with you!?"
Vincent smirked. "Hey… want to play a game?"
"Play it yourself," Julie shot back. "You're insane."
He chuckled softly. "Just be careful."
Julie didn't reply. She turned and walked away without looking back.
Vincent exited the school grounds, his ride already waiting. The car pulled away as soon as he got in.
He leaned back and smirked.
How should I discipline that girl… Julie?
His phone rang.
"Happy to see your ex?" Charles asked.
"Very," Vincent replied. "Did you confirm something?"
"Yeah. This Julia—she's ridiculous."
"Take it slow," Vincent warned. "You're already banned."
"Oh, shut it."
Vincent ended the call.
Interesting, he thought, smiling to himself.