Julie still felt shy about entering the dance studio where the dancers were practicing; instead, she stayed on the bench nearby, close enough to watch.
Melissa was busy with theater practice, so Julie was left alone waiting for her older brother.
She scrolled through her newsfeed, watching short video clips since she had data to spare—just something to kill her boredom. Chris had also forbidden her from going home alone.
So, she just listened to songs on her headset, humming along.
"I haven't heard your voice in a while." Melissa suddenly appeared, startling her.
Julie chuckled. "You scared me! Are you done with your theater practice already?"
Melissa sat beside her, and Julie slid over to make room."Yeah. My older brother went home early today, so I guess you won't be waiting alone anymore," Melissa said.
Julie laughed."Melissa, come with me to buy some food," Julie said suddenly.
Melissa raised a brow. "What's with you and food today?""Come on." Julie tugged her arm until Melissa gave in."Fine, fine, I'm standing up," Melissa said with a laugh.
"Won't our bags go missing if we leave them here?" Melissa asked nervously."They won't. Just bring your wallet and phone. Your cousin might call again to ask you to buy water," Julie teased.
Melissa laughed softly, and the two of them left their things on the bench and headed out. It wasn't dark yet, and the convenience store was just a short walk from school, so they didn't mind.
They bought quite a lot—just in case the others asked for food again.
Julie noticed some of the dancers were hanging around outside. "Are they on break?" she asked Melissa.
Melissa's eyes widened suddenly. "Hey, where's our bag?""It's inside," Nicole said, coming out of the studio. "I noticed you two left your stuff again." She shook her head.
"Oh, don't be mad." Julie handed her food and a drink. "You owe me big time." She giggled."Idiot, you took forever," Nicole muttered."There were a lot of people," Julie shrugged.
"Meli, did you get me food?" Kelly asked."Yes, sis. Here. Do you need more water?" Melissa asked sweetly.
Julie smiled—Melissa was always so thoughtful with her sister.
"Julie, my water?" Chris called.Julie groaned. "Brother, you've made me your errand girl. Be grateful I'm in a good mood." She tossed him his drink."Stop complaining. You left your bag in there. Why do you keep leaving things outside?" Chris scolded."What's anyone going to steal from me? My bag's full of school activities," Julie retorted.
Chris smacked her lightly for the comeback.
Julie noticed Raymond watching Melissa again. She raised a brow, munching on cookies, and decided to follow up."Melissa," Julie called."Yes?""Want to head outside?"
Nicole frowned. "Hey, why don't you just stay here?""You stay there," Julie shot back, pulling Melissa along.
Back on the bench, Julie leaned closer. "Melissa, is Raymond courting you?"
Melissa's face flushed red. "W-What?!""I keep noticing he gets close to you… and you don't exactly push him away either. Does your sister know?" Julie pressed.
Melissa sighed, unable to answer right away. "He's actually nice. He's not the way Ate Kelly describes him… He's not someone I dislike."
"Melissa, having a crush is okay," Julie admitted, suddenly remembering her own crush on Cielo. She blushed and cursed herself silently. Idiot!
"But don't give your full trust too quickly. Sometimes people show their true colors too late—and it hurts if you realize you were being played all along," Julie warned.
Melissa nodded slowly. "He's not courting me. He's just really friendly. That's all.""Ugh, can't you see the way he looks at you?" Julie teased.Melissa blushed harder. "D-Don't make it sound like something it's not.""Fine, just don't make it obvious," Julie said, flicking her forehead.
"And maybe… talk to your sister Kelly about it. She's overprotective, sure, but she'll understand. Besides, your sister's in love herself," Julie sighed dramatically.
Melissa laughed. "Yeah, she's totally in love. But let's not say that out loud in front of her."Julie smirked. "Just don't let your feelings for Raymond go too deep, okay?"Melissa only tapped her shoulder and stayed quiet.
******
Finally, time to go home. At last, Kelly thought, sighing in relief.
After their meeting and cleanup in the dance studio, everyone headed out.Her little sister was waiting outside with Julie.
Now where's her bag again? Kelly thought."I bet that's your sister's," Chris said, pointing.
Kelly spotted Melissa's bag. "Ah, right. Thanks." She grabbed it."Meli!" she called.
Melissa waved excitedly and rushed over."Julie, see you!" Melissa called."Bye!" Julie waved back cheerfully.
Such a bright kid, Kelly thought with a smile.
"Come on, let's ride with Jonathan," Kelly told her sister.
Melissa slung on her bag, and Kelly threw an arm around her shoulders.She caught Raymond staring at Melissa again—not once, but many times.
Kelly shot him a sharp look. He glanced away instantly.If you ever mess with my sister, you'll answer to me, Kelly thought darkly.
Melissa chattered happily as they walked, where Jonathan was already waiting."Took you long enough! I was about to leave you," Jonathan teased."Wow, thanks," Kelly replied dryly, but they joined him anyway.
"Ugh," Nicole sighed deeply."Tired, Nicky?" Kelly asked."It's not practice that tires me—it's my partner. I feel like I can't move freely. One little mistake and I get this terrifying glare, like I've committed a crime.""Like they'll swallow you whole if you slip," Kelly teased."You'll get used to it. Just don't provoke him," Jonathan added."When? I'm scared to even talk during exercises," Nicole complained."You look like a tamed sheep," Kelly said, laughing."You're both tamed sheep," Jonathan shot back."At least mine doesn't snap at me. I can actually talk to Dave," Kelly replied.
Jonathan shook his head."Meli, how was your theater practice?" Kelly asked.
Melissa was rummaging in her bag nervously."Did you forget something?" Kelly asked.Melissa startled. "N-No. Nothing, sis." She smiled. "Practice was fine. My groupmates are nice—especially Melody. She's really good."
Kelly chuckled. "Glad you like where you ended up."
Melissa nodded. Nicole had dozed off beside them."Hey Jonathan, how was Nicole's last check-up?" Kelly asked."She's fine. They said what she's experiencing will pass.""Are you really okay letting her partner with Joel? Only the three of us know about her condition," Kelly reminded."They're doing fine. I don't need to interfere."
Kelly frowned. "If her condition comes back, I swear… She keeps saying she's scared, you know that.""Yeah, but it's mild," Jonathan reasoned.
Kelly just shook her head.
Her eyes fell on Melissa again—lost in thought, uneasy."Melissa, are you sure you're okay?" Kelly asked gently.Melissa nodded and smiled, but Kelly could only sigh, rubbing her forehead.