Kelly sat quietly in the classroom, scrolling through her phone, her expression relaxed as she skimmed her social media feed.
"Kelly."
She looked up at once. The moment she saw who it was, she let out a tired sigh.
"What is it, Claire?" she asked flatly.
She noticed Claire's raised eyebrow and clenched fist. "Wow. Acting like a brat now?" Claire scoffed. "What—being Kevin's girlfriend and Jonathan's cousin finally went to your head?"
Kelly smirked. "After what you did to me before? Don't I deserve to be a brat?"
She met Claire's eyes without flinching. "And besides—I may be a brat. But at least I'm not like you."
"Hah! What kind of nonsense is that?" Claire snapped. "You've forgotten we were the first ones to accept you."
Kelly laughed softly. "Excuse me? You're still clinging to that?" She shook her head. "You're really obsessed."
"You—" Claire started, but Vanessa reached out and stopped her.
"Claire," Vanessa warned quietly.
Kelly crossed her arms. "You should listen to your friend," she said calmly. "You know what happens when you hurt me. I'm scared," she added mockingly.
She could tell they hadn't come just to argue.
She looked at them again, unimpressed.
"So?" Kelly said as she sat back down. "Do you need something from me? Say it now—before I get bored."
Claire rolled her eyes. "Keep hiding behind your sarcasm."
Kelly didn't reply. She waited.
"So," Claire continued, "what were you doing at that place back then? The day you saved Crisha from the river?"
Ah, Kelly thought. So it's not about me. It's about Crisha.
Should I tell the truth?No. Never.
She paused deliberately.
"What do you mean?" Kelly replied lightly. "I just happened to pass by. Crisha needed help—you know that." She smiled. "That's why I followed your order like a good girl, right?"
"Drop the act," Claire snapped. "I know it wasn't a coincidence. What were you really doing there?"
Kelly smiled again. "What are you implying, Claire? I was just passing by." She gasped exaggeratedly. "Unless something happened that I'm not allowed to know?"
"My cousin said you threatened her—because you knew something about Crisha!" Claire accused. "And now you're playing dumb?"
"Oh. That," Kelly said casually. "I almost forgot." She tilted her head. "So what if I know something? What are you going to do about it?"
Claire froze, unable to answer.
The bell rang.
Claire suddenly grabbed Kelly's arm.
"I won't let you win this time," she said sharply before shoving past her.
Kelly didn't react. She only shook her head.
I really don't care anymore, she thought as students began filing into the room.
"Hey."
Jonathan's voice snapped her out of it.
"Hm?" Kelly looked up.
He stared at her for a moment, then shook his head. Without warning, he flicked her forehead and sat down without a word.
Kelly sighed.
Idiot.
*****
"Julie!" Nicole greeted brightly. "Good morning!"
"Good morning, Nicky," Julie replied. "You're in a good mood today?"
"Nothing special," Nicole said, placing her bag down. "A lot happened during the event, huh?"
"What? You already don't feel like studying?" Julie teased.
"Idiot. Exams are coming," Nicole sighed.
"Time really does fly," Julie said softly.
Nicole smiled. The Julie they knew—their friend—was truly back. Without warning, she hugged her.
Julie froze, then laughed softly, patting her back. "What drama is this now?"
"Nothing," Nicole said. "I just wanted to hug you. What—don't you like hugs anymore?"
"You're crazy," Julie replied. "It's hot. Let go. People will think you're heartbroken."
"Let them," Nicole teased. "We're just really glad you're back."
"Back from where?" Julie said playfully. "I never left."
Nicole pouted.
Julie smiled gently. "I guess… I'm just not facing my fears alone anymore. Thank you—for not leaving me when I was struggling."
Nicole saw the softness in Julie's eyes and nodded. "Yeah. You were really strong."
Julie laughed quietly.
"Huh? What's going on with Nicole?" Raymond asked.
Nicole immediately let go and glared at him.
"Where's Melissa?" Raymond asked.
"We didn't come together today," Nicole replied.
"Oh. Joel has officer duties," Raymond said.
"I didn't ask," Nicole shot back.
Raymond laughed. Julie did too.
Nicole sighed, then turned serious. "Julie… my brother said he accidentally saw you with Vincent last week. Are you okay?"
Julie's smile faded slightly. "Yeah. I'm fine."
She paused. "I think… I'm fine."
Nicole glanced at Raymond.
"Did he hurt you?" Gabriel asked, his tone suddenly sharp.
"No," Julie said quickly. "Nothing like that."
"Then why have you been spacing out since then?" Gabriel pressed.
"I said it's not like that," Julie snapped, irritation slipping through.
"Then what is it?" he asked.
Julie sighed, rubbing her temple.
"Julie?" Nicole said gently.
"I'm okay," Julie repeated. "There's just… something bothering me."
She hesitated. "When he ran into me, he said he wanted to play a game. It made me uncomfortable—like he knows something."
"Did he try anything else?" Raymond asked.
Julie shook her head. "No. That's why I said it's not a big deal."
"You still need to be careful," Gabriel said firmly.
Julie nodded.
Nicole sighed quietly.
Not Julie again, she thought.