Julie noticed how busy her classmates were, rushing to submit their requirements. She had also come early that day. Even though she felt heavy-hearted because of what happened between her and Nicole, she forced herself to keep being a student, a daughter, and someone her teachers could rely on.
She saw her two friends arrive; Melissa waved at her, and she smiled back. Then, her eyes drifted to Nicole. They sat next to each other, but Nicole still wouldn't talk to her. Julie sighed.
"Good morning," she greeted.
Nicole looked at her but said nothing, turning her eyes back toward the classroom.
Julie sighed again. "Nicky, please talk to me," she whispered.
Still, silence.
Finally, Nicole spoke, her eyes fixed on Julie. "We'll talk after the exams."
Julie was stunned by that answer—but somehow, it gave her hope. Maybe they really would fix things after all. She nodded and smiled.
"After the exams," she repeated softly before returning to her seat.
Suddenly, Jason tapped her shoulder.
"You'll patch things up," he said simply as he walked past her.
"Thank you," she whispered back.
Julie didn't even get to have recess that morning. She was buried in her work, drinking water from her tumbler and nibbling on a biscuit she had bought earlier, thinking she might not have time to leave the classroom later with all the piled-up requirements.
Carrying her tumbler, she walked over to throw her biscuit wrapper away—when someone brushed against her arm, making her drop it. Water splashed onto something on a desk.
Julie's eyes widened. She turned to see who bumped into her and found Paulene staring at her.
"Paulene, did you do that on purpose?" she asked sharply.
"Excuse me? That wasn't my fault. You shouldn't have been standing there," Paulene retorted.
"I was throwing away trash," Julie said, frowning. "It's not like I was going to throw it in your pocket."
"Good luck explaining that to Pres," Paulene muttered before walking off without apologizing.
Julie froze. Her heart pounded when she realized whose project she had spilled water on.
Cielo's.
What should I do now? she thought, panicking.
Just then, Cielo returned from the canteen and went straight to his desk. His brows furrowed when he saw his wet project.
"Who the hell did this?" he demanded, glaring at the whole class. Everyone avoided his eyes and stepped back nervously.
"Who the fuck ruined my output?!" he repeated, his voice sharper, angrier.
Julie swallowed hard. Her heart raced. She knew she had to admit it.
"M–Me," she said softly, almost in a whisper.
Cielo's head snapped toward her.
"You? Navares? What were you thinking, pouring water all over my output?"
"I—I didn't mean to! Someone bumped into me, and I didn't know your project was there—" Julie stammered, her eyes watering with fear.
"So it's my project's fault now? This is my seat—you know that. Are you that stupid?" he shot back.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, clenching her fists tightly.
"Do you think 'sorry' will fix this? Do you even realize today's the deadline for MAPEH Arts?"
Julie gasped. Arts? The portrait project.
"And now my math output's ruined too," he cursed under his breath.
"You're so damn clumsy. You should just transfer back to your old school. You're nothing but trouble."
His words cut deep. Tears slipped down her cheeks.
"I know it's my fault," she murmured before returning to her seat, broken.
"Damn this!" She heard him mutter angrily.
Their MAPEH teacher entered. Cielo quickly went up to explain, and soon Julie was called forward too.
"Miss Navares, you're responsible for Mr. Villanueva's ruined output," the teacher said. "Mr. Villanueva, I'll give you until Monday, but you know the rules. This may affect your standing for With Highest Honors."
Julie's eyes widened.
"Ma'am, I'll take the deduction instead," she said suddenly. "Please give him my score. Let him submit on Monday, but take away points from me."
"What the hell are you saying?" Cielo snapped.
"Are you sure?" the teacher asked. "Your adviser said you're in line for honors as well."
This is the least I can do, Julie thought.
She nodded. "Yes, Ma'am. I'll even help him with the project."
"I don't need your help," Cielo said coldly.
"I'll reconsider your request, Miss Navares," the teacher replied.
Julie went back to her seat. Their math teacher later scolded them both as well, offering Cielo another chance—but only if Julie helped. Julie agreed despite her shame.
All through lunch, the stares of her classmates burned on her skin. She couldn't taste her food. She hated herself for ruining Cielo's work. His harsh words hurt, but she couldn't even blame him.
Maybe I should just go home… she thought. I'll tell my brother I have a stomachache.
*****
Later, as she prepared to leave, Cielo spotted her with her bag slung over her shoulder and a letter left on the teacher's desk.
"Hey, where are you going?" he asked.
Julie avoided his eyes. He knew his earlier words had cut her. She didn't reply.
"Sorry," she said quietly instead.
He sighed. "You said you wanted to help me, right?"
Julie looked up and gave a small nod.
"Then be at my place tomorrow at 8:30 sharp. You know where it is, right?"
She nodded again.
"Don't be late."
Still, she didn't speak.
"Put your bag down," he told her.
"I'm going absent. I told my brother my stomach hurts," she murmured.
Cielo frowned. He could tell she was lying. He grabbed the letter she had left.
Just as I thought, he told himself.
"You really think you can fool me? Did your brother even give you permission?" he asked.
Before Julie could protest, he pulled out his phone and called Dave. She slipped out of the classroom, but he caught her by the arm, holding her back as the call connected.
"Yeah? What's up, Ciel?" Dave answered.
"Nothing much. Just want to ask if Julie went home. Did Chris mention anything?" Cielo asked, tightening his hold on Julie's wrist as she struggled to break free.
There weren't many people in the hallway, which was good.
"Hello? Is this Cielo?" Chris picked up.
"Yeah. Did your sister go home?"
"No, why?"
"She's here. She was planning to use your signature to skip class."
"What?!" Chris exclaimed.
"She said she had a stomachache."
Chris sighed heavily. "If she's still there, tell her she's in big trouble when she gets home."
"Got it." Cielo hung up and looked at Julie.
"Your brother said you'll be dead when you get home. Now, are you going back to class, or do you want him to deal with you?"
Julie sighed in defeat. "Fine, I'll go back."
She dropped her bag again and sat quietly, sulking.
"I'm sorry if I was rude," Cielo muttered after a while.
Julie looked at him. "Are you sick or something?" she asked, concerned.
She gave him a small smile. "It's still my fault."
That afternoon, Cielo walked alone and happened to run into Dawn.
"Cielo, I'm free tomorrow. I can help you and Julie so you can finish faster," she offered with a smile.
He gave her a small, polite smile back. "No, it's okay. We can handle it."
Dawn nodded. "But if you need help, just message me, okay?"
"Yeah. Thanks," he replied with a faint smile before excusing himself.
Once she left, Cielo sighed deeply.