Where did I put it? Melissa kept asking herself as she searched her room for something important.
Did I bring my diary? I'm sure I accidentally took it with me earlier—but why is it missing now? she wondered.
Maybe it's still in the classroom… Oh no, it would be so embarrassing if someone read it! Her cheeks flushed red at the thought. After all, her composition was written in there too.
With a heavy sigh, she lay down on her bed and eventually drifted off to sleep.
Once I find it, I'll never bring it with me again.
She woke up early the next morning. It was her turn to cook for her two older siblings, who were still asleep. Cooking for them always made her happy.
"Meli, you're already here? Wasn't it my turn to cook today?" her brother asked, still half-asleep.
"You were sleeping so well, brother—I didn't want to wake you." She smiled warmly.
He ruffled her hair.
"Let me help you. Your older sister is still asleep again." He sighed.
Melissa laughed softly and nodded. "Do you have an early class today, brother?" she asked.
"Not until nine. That's why I was the one assigned to cook and prepare breakfast." He opened the fridge to grab something.
"Brother, but usually you're the one who prepares dinner when you get home early," Melissa pointed out.
"Yeah, because Kelly doesn't know how to cook," he said, sighing again.
"But she can bake, right? I remember she baked cookies and chocolate cake once," Melissa recalled.
Kenjie also remembered. "I tasted that. It was her first time baking, but it was actually good. Who did she give them to, though? She was so busy around Valentine's last year."
Melissa couldn't help but laugh.
"Come on, brother—who else would she give them to?"
"Oh," he caught on right away. "Damn, Kevin must really be the one who can change your sister into someone who cooks and bakes."
Melissa just laughed at her brother's remark.
"Honestly, with Kelly, I don't know when she'll stop with that love-hate thing with Kevin. It's so obvious she's in love."
It wasn't really a secret to their brother who Kelly's heart belonged to. Melissa just thought to herself.
"Are you really okay with that, brother?" she asked.
"Of course." He smiled. "I know Kevin, and I'm sure in the end he can take care of your sister—and handle her tantrums."
Melissa didn't reply anymore. That was how her brother was—never too strict, as long as he understood what was going on with them.
"By the way, Kelly told me she noticed Raymond stealing glances at you."
Oh, Sis Kelly… Melissa thought.
"And Nicole said you like him too," her brother added, looking at her.
Nicky, always exposing me.
"You thought I wouldn't know, huh?" he teased, smirking. "So, is it true? Do you really like Raymond?"
Her face turned bright red. She sighed and gave a small nod.
"Kelly doesn't know this?"
"No, she'd get mad."
"Ah, don't worry about your sister." He waved it off. "It's just a crush, right? You're not really falling in love with him yet?"
"Brother! No—it's not like that!" She shook her head furiously.
He only laughed and messed up her hair again.
"Go wake your sister Kelly up so she can bathe and get ready. You too."
"Yes, brother." She obeyed.
Melissa went to wake her sister, who was still sprawled out on the bed.
"Sis, wake up. Take a bath and get ready." She shook her gently.
"Meli, good morning… I'm still sleepy," Kelly mumbled, stretching and yawning.
"Come on, get up," Melissa insisted.
Kelly had no choice but to get out of bed. Melissa also went to prepare herself.
Their brother still wasn't dressed since he didn't need to leave yet.
"I texted Jonathan to pick you both up so you'll get to school together," he said, scrolling through his phone.
Soon they heard a honk outside—Jonathan had arrived.
"Hey, Kenjie, you owe me for their fare," Jonathan teased when they got in.
"I'll tell Mom," Kenjie replied.
They climbed into the car, Melissa waving goodbye to her older brother.
******
Dawn smirked as she flipped through Melissa's notebook.
Girl, you don't even know who Raymond really is. Well, I'll help you figure out your feelings for him, she thought darkly.
There was still no one in the classroom, so she tucked the notebook under Melissa's desk. She had already taken photos of every page.
This will be fun to bully her with, she thought.
As she stepped outside, she ran into Paulene.
"Girl, you're plotting something, aren't you?" Paulene asked.
Dawn smiled knowingly. "You really do see right through me, Paulene."
"What is it? Is it exciting?" Camille chimed in.
"Here it is." Dawn showed them the photos. Laughter erupted between the two.
"She's like a stalker. Gosh, it's so gross," Paulene sneered.
"What's the plan? She's so lame," Camille said, laughing. "She's really gross—and I bet Raymond will think the same."
"Exactly! I was bored, but then I found this on the bench, so I picked it up," Dawn bragged.
"Are you going to forward this to Raymond?" Camille asked.
Dawn laughed. "Not just to Raymond—why not the whole campus?"
"Girl, you really are bored. But yeah, that'll be a hot topic," Paulene said.
"I know. I'm really bored. So I'll play with this transferee for now." Dawn smirked.
"I already played with one before, but that didn't work out. This time it'll spread like wildfire. And besides, she's the sister of Kelly—the one with all those rumors, right?" Dawn asked.
"Yeah," Camille confirmed.
The bell rang, and they all headed inside, spotting the three chatting happily.
If I couldn't break you before, I'll ruin you again, Dawn swore to herself.
For the blame game, I'll pin it on Julie—and oh, Nicole too. She smirked at the thought.
She greeted Cielo as she passed by, but he only gave her a short nod.
Ah, you really need to discipline your girl, Cielo. If you keep ignoring me, I'll just keep finding more ways to have fun.
She noticed Dennis staring at her. She smiled at him, but he ignored her.
Well, whatever.
Then she saw Raymond glancing at Melissa.
Oh dear, you won't look at her like that anymore. Soon, you'll be calling her "weird girl" and worse. Dawn grinned wickedly.
Gosh, I'm so excited, she thought.
That evening, she sent the photos to Raymond along with notes and reminders. She even posted them on a student wall, using the names Julie and Nicole.
What will happen tomorrow? she wondered. I'm excited—I can't even sleep. Well, I guess I should sleep now, so I'll be ready for what's about to happen tomorrow.