"Julie, don't forget you have P.E. class today," her older brother reminded her.
"Yes, brother, thank you," she replied with a smile. He ruffled her hair before they got into the car and headed to school.
"This is my stop," Julie said, waving goodbye. He nodded in return.
"Wow, you're early today," Nicole greeted as soon as she saw her, grinning. She slung an arm over Julie's shoulder playfully. "Gosh, we're really enjoying this," she whispered.
"Big mouth!" Julie muttered, rolling her eyes.
Nicole just laughed.
"I woke up early today; that's why," Julie explained, setting her bag down in her seat.
"You brought your P.E. uniform, right?" Melissa reminded her.
"I almost forgot, but my brother reminded me this morning," Julie said with a sigh of relief. "If I'd left it, I don't know what I would've done."
"Let's go; we're supposed to head straight to the gym," Jason suggested.
The three nodded and followed. Their teacher was already waiting for the students. Some were sitting on the clean gym floor, making the space feel orderly and bright. Julie and Nicole sat down among them.
"Good morning, class," the teacher greeted. "We're starting P.E. activities today. You'll have various exercises to complete, but first, I need the officers to help facilitate. Please cooperate with them."
The class nodded.
"Aren't you one of the officers?" Julie whispered to Jason.
"Yeah. I'll leave you guys for now," he said, standing immediately.
Julie watched as the teacher gathered the officers, handing each an index card with their name. Students would record completed activities and could choose where to start.
"Julie, where do we start?" Melissa asked.
"Let's do the easiest ones first," Julie suggested. Her friends nodded. She felt too lazy to do all the activities but knew she had no choice.
They started at the female officers' stations. Only three activities remained: basketball pass, standing long jump, and push-ups, all overseen by the male officers.
"Only three left," Melissa pointed out.
Julie scratched her head, unsure where to start, and spotted Jason with Raymond.
I didn't know he was with Raymond. He's not an officer, is he? Julie wondered silently.
"Let's start with Jason," she suggested.
"Jason!" she called.
"You guys are fast!" he teased.
"Jason, is Raymond an officer?" Julie asked.
"Yes, I am," Raymond answered before Jason could speak. "Isn't it obvious?"
"Oh, sorry. I thought you weren't," Julie admitted sheepishly.
Nicole elbowed her. "You're so stupid," she muttered.
*****
Nicole noticed Melissa and Raymond exchanging a brief look and smiled inwardly. If Kelly sees this, she'll lose her mind.
"Where's your index card?" Jason asked the girls. They handed it over.
"Who wants to go first?" he asked.
"Me!" Julie raised her hand eagerly.
She wanted to finish quickly—so much energy, Nicole thought.
Jason explained the activity before signaling Julie to start. She nodded and threw the ball immediately, but Raymond missed catching it—and it hit Paulene instead.
"Ouch!" Paulene exclaimed, glaring.
"Oops," Raymond muttered.
"Did you do that on purpose, Navares?" Paulene demanded.
Julie grinned mischievously. "Chill, it was an accident," even flashing a peace sign.
Nicole shook her head in disbelief.
Paulene walked off, still glaring. Nicole lightly smacked Julie on the head.
Melissa went next. She struggled with proper form, but Raymond stepped behind her, adjusting her shoulders and arms. Both Melissa and Julie jumped slightly at his sudden presence.
"Focus," Raymond instructed firmly, his gaze making Melissa tense. Her cheeks flushed red.
I pray Kelly doesn't see this, Nicole thought.
"You're good to go; try it now," Raymond said, stepping back. Melissa managed it correctly, letting out a small sigh of relief. Nicole followed, nearly slipping until Joel grabbed her arm without saying a word.
This guy is scary, Nicole thought.
Melissa almost tripped as well, but Julie caught her in time.
"Hey, you didn't catch me earlier," Nicole complained.
"Duh, I was putting my shoes back on," Julie retorted.
Next, they approached the standing long jump, overseen by Dennis and Joel.
Of all people, these two grouchy guys had to be together, Nicole grumbled internally.
"Who's first? Hurry up; there are more waiting," Dennis barked.
Julie removed her shoes.
"I'm doing this so I won't lose balance and fall flat," she explained.
Both Joel and Dennis looked surprised but let it pass. Julie went first, jumping impressively without losing balance. Nicole followed, almost slipping, but Joel's hand steadied her. Melissa followed after, supported by Julie.
Only push-ups remained, handled by Cielo and Kenneth. Julie's face instantly fell.
"Do we really have to do this one?" she asked nervously.
Nicole scratched her head. "It's the last one. Let's at least try."
They approached, and Kenneth greeted them kindly.
"We'll try," Julie muttered as they handed over their card.
Melissa went first, managing only one push-up.
"This is so hard!" she complained.
Nicole followed, managing two. Why is my body so heavy? This is torture, she thought.
"Your turn," Nicole said to Julie.
Julie hesitated but managed three push-ups before collapsing.
"Ouch!" she cried.
Nicole panicked. "Julie, are you okay?"
Julie only nodded weakly.
"Let me see," Cielo said, brushing her hand aside.
They all gasped when they saw blood on Julie's forehead.
"Kenneth, get some ice and bring her to the clinic," Cielo ordered. Kenneth nodded and rushed off.
"I—I'm fine," Julie tried to insist.
"You're not fine, idiot," Nicole scolded, worried.
They escorted Julie to the clinic, where her forehead was treated. Nicole couldn't stop worrying.
After the exhausting activities, time passed quickly, and they all headed home. Nicole was so tired that as soon as she lay down, she drifted into a deep sleep.