"Nicky!" Julie called out cheerfully.
Nicole turned toward her.
"I heard you got into the all-girls competition?" Julie asked excitedly.
Nicole nodded shyly. "I really didn't expect it," she said, scratching her head.
"Wow! Go for it!" Julie cheered, giving her a playful pat on the back.
"Thanks," Nicole smiled. "Ate Kelly will be our leader."
"Really? Wow! Of course she can handle that," Julie said, clapping her hands in delight.
Nicole only smiled—then her eyes noticed Raymond walking in with Melissa, chatting like usual.
"Good morning," Raymond greeted.
"What's so good about the morning?" Julie teased, shooting him a mischievous grin.
Nicole shook her head, and Raymond tapped her shoulder.
"By the way, congratulations for yesterday," he said sincerely.
Nicole nodded. "Thanks."
"Hey Julie, why don't you join the club?" Raymond asked.
"No way. I'm too lazy for that," Julie shot back instantly.
Nicole chuckled at the two of them bickering.
This guy really got closer to me, she thought.Well… except for him.
Her eyes drifted to Joel, who was sitting quietly at his seat. When he caught her staring, her chest tightened, and she quickly looked away.
She still couldn't forget what happened.
It was just a second… but our lips touched, right?
The memory made her heart skip in chaos. She hurried into her seat.
Again, Joel's eyes met hers.
Calm down! she yelled internally. Good thing we don't have practice today. Maybe this will pass!
"—Nicole!" Julie snapped her out of her spiral.
"Huh? W-What?" Nicole blinked.
Julie sighed. "Are you seriously okay?"
Nicole forced a laugh. "I—I'm just thinking about something. Nothing important."
"Girl, you've been like that since Monday," Julie pointed out.
"Stop being nosy, I'm fine!" Nicole insisted.
Julie raised her hands in defeat. "Okay, okay."
During practice—
"Kelly, can I go home with you later?" Nicole asked while Kelly was packing her things.
"Didn't your brother wait for you?" Kelly asked.
Nicole shook her head.
"It's fine. Melissa and your brother probably went home together," Kelly said.
Nicole smiled. "Alright then."
"Now go back and stretch," Kelly instructed.
"Yes, ma'am," Nicole joked and walked off.
Behind her, she heard whispering and giggling again—from Claire and Dawn's group.
They really teamed up, huh, she thought irritably.
Someone tapped her shoulder.
"Don't mind them," Angie said gently.
Nicole nodded. She knew Kelly was choosing to ignore it—for now.
"Hey," a familiar voice said behind them.
Kelly frowned immediately.
Oh. Kevin's assigned today, Nicole realized.
"Wasn't it supposed to be Dave?" Angie asked.
"Yeah, but Dave had something urgent to take care of," Kevin said.
Everyone nodded.
"I'll just observe. But if I can help with something, I'll step in," he added.
Nicole noticed Kelly sigh quietly.
Still, practice went smoothly. Kevin only gave minimal instructions, and somehow everything felt easier today.
After practice—
Nicole and Kelly walked side by side.
"Looks like we need to commute today," Nicole sighed.
"Then let's commute," Kelly said casually.
"Kelly, you have zero sense of direction. I don't trust you. Just follow me," Nicole said firmly, pulling her by the wrist.
"Hey! You little brat!" Kelly protested.
"When did you ever commute alone?! Not once!" Nicole shot back.
"And what about you?! Have you ever commuted alone either?! Don't act smart!" Kelly argued.
"At least I won't get us lost," Nicole said, rolling her eyes.
"Fine! Then let's hold hands so you don't wander into some random street," Kelly teased.
"Crazy," Nicole muttered while laughing.
******
Meanwhile—
Kevin leaned back in his car seat, exhausted.
I'm so tired… at least Mom understood, he thought, glancing at the crawling traffic.
As he stared out the window, he spotted two familiar figures—and immediately recognized the chaotic pulling and arguing.
Kelly and Nicole.
Of course.
Ah. No wonder, he remembered Kelly getting lost before because she missed the right jeepney stop.
Cars were barely moving in traffic, so when the two girls passed right by him, he opened his window.
"Get in," Kevin said.
Both froze.
"No thank you," Kelly said stubbornly.
"Hey! Someone's offering us a ride, stupid! Didn't you say you don't have fare left?! Do you want us to walk?!" Nicole snapped.
Kelly turned red instantly.
"Come on, get in," Kevin said with a smile.
Nicole climbed in right away. Kelly followed reluctantly.
"Thank you," Kelly mumbled.
"Thanks a lot," Nicole added.
Kevin smiled. "I saw you two basically dragging each other. Good thing you crossed safely."
Nicole groaned. "I was just pulling her because she was walking the wrong way! As usual."
"I really thought that was right!" Kelly insisted.
"You're hopeless. That's why Kuya Jonathan never trusts you with directions," Nicole teased.
Kevin chuckled quietly.
"You two are really close," he said.
Kelly shot him a look, but didn't reply.
"Still, thanks Kevin," Nicole said. "If you weren't here, we'd probably still be walking."
"You live near each other, right?" he asked.
Nicole nodded. "One block apart."
Soon after, Nicole fell asleep. Kelly remained awake.
"Hey, Kelly," Kevin said softly.
She didn't respond. He leaned slightly forward, carefully adjusting Nicole so she wouldn't fall. Then, without warning, he gently held Kelly's hand—
—and kissed it.
Kelly's cheeks burned. But she didn't pull away.
"You need to rest too," he murmured. "Don't worry. I'll wake you later."
Kelly nodded weakly and leaned on his shoulder, slowly falling asleep.
Kevin smiled.
When they neared her house, he tapped her lightly. "Kelly, wake up. You're close."
She blinked awake. Before she could straighten, he leaned in and kissed her cheek.
"Be careful, okay?"
"Thank you," she whispered.
"It's nothing."
Kelly woke Nicole, and the two stepped out.
"Thanks for bringing them home, Kev!" Kenjie waved.
Kevin nodded once. "Yeah."
He drove off, finally reaching his room—where he collapsed on his bed.
I'm exhausted… he groaned inwardly.