Julie sighed for what felt like the tenth time that morning.Her two closest friends weren't around—both were busy with competitions scheduled at the same time.
I used to handle being alone just fine… but once you get used to having people beside you all the time, everything feels so quiet without them, she thought.
And to make things worse, they even got excused from quizzes. She didn't have anyone to talk to. Jason wasn't around either.
Why did they all have to disappear today? she groaned inwardly.
The door slid open.Cielo walked in, Dennis behind him carrying activity sheets.
"Ma'am's not here for first and second periods," Dennis announced. "But she left activities for us."
He waved the sheets. "Finish them before recess. I'll collect after. Don't blame me if you're not done."
Julie didn't ask anything. She just grabbed her notebook—
Where am I even supposed to write this?She scanned the handwritten instructions.
Joel's penmanship again. Why is his handwriting so clean? she wondered.
English first. Social Studies second.They had to answer directly on the sheet, so she put her notebook away.
"The teacher said we can use notes since it's just an activity. The quiz will be on Friday," Cielo reminded.
Julie nodded. Dennis handed her a sheet, and she started working.The room fell into a comfortable silence—pens scratching, pages flipping.
A tap on her shoulder broke the quiet.
She looked up.Raymond.
"What? If you're going to copy, don't," she warned.
"Nope." Raymond grinned. "I'll let you copy from me."
He held up his phone. Julie frowned—and then her eyes widened.
"Are those… their costumes?"
Raymond nodded proudly. "I sneaked some photos during rehearsal."
"Melissa looks gorgeous. And the person beside her—what a perfect match."
"I know, right?" Raymond said. "I just thought you looked gloomy. Here's some motivation."
"Ohh, so this is pep talk?" Julie chuckled.
Ever since they apologized to each other, he became this… weird mix of friend, annoyance, and someone who somehow cared.
"Please refrain from talking."Dennis's voice sliced clean across the room.
"Your fault," Julie whispered.
"Just copy already," Raymond teased.
"Idiot. No. What if Ma'am catches us?"
"Then take my paper," he whispered, sliding it to her.
She took it.
Right. Ranked six. He's actually smart, she reminded herself.
"Thanks."
"We got the same answers?" he asked.
"Some. And it's an essay—no exact answer anyway. Wow, you've been hiding your brain all this time. I thought it was all nonsense in there."
"That hurts," Raymond gasped. "You're so mean."
"Well… Aral Pan isn't my thing. Help me with yours." He frowned dramatically at the worksheet.
"Done with English?" Julie asked.
"Yeah. Sentence construction and essay? Easy."
Julie scratched her head. "Not yet. I did the essay first. Grammar confuses me."
"Then ask Joel. He explains well."
Julie recoiled. "Never. Your cousin might eat me alive."
"Then ask Cielo."
She glanced at Cielo, deep in his work. "No thanks. I want to live."
"Cielo," Raymond suddenly called.
Julie hit him. "IDIOT!"
Cielo looked up. Raymond continued, unfazed.
"It's okay to brainstorm, right? Ma'am said no noise, but activity is activity."
"Yeah," Cielo replied. "Why?"
"This girl doesn't get grammar. Can you teach her?"
Julie glared daggers. "I swear, Raymond…"
Cielo sighed. "I'm almost done anyway."
He got up and sat beside her—Nicole's spot, since Nicole wasn't in school today.
"What part?" Cielo asked calmly.
"Are you sure it's okay?" Julie asked.
"Yeah. I owe you, remember?" he said lightly.
So he really hasn't forgotten… Julie thought.
"All right. I'll ask. I finished the essay."
Cielo nodded and began explaining. Patient. Clear. Not judgmental at all.
Ah, so that's how it works. Julie's eyes brightened."I'm really dumb at grammar," she groaned. "Thanks. And hey—you don't talk to me in English much."
"If I talked in English, you wouldn't understand," he deadpanned.
Julie burst out laughing.
"If you ever need help in your weak subjects, tell me," she offered proudly.
"I can handle it," he replied.
"Oh please. You messed up Filipino. And music." Julie smirked.
"You're laughing at me again… it was just one mistake."
"It makes me happy you're human too."
"Whatever," Cielo muttered. "If you're done asking, I'll continue Social Studies."
Julie leaned toward him. "Want me to help?"
"You're annoying," he sighed.
"What? I'm being nice!"
"Yeah, yeah. Finish yours," he muttered.
Julie rolled her eyes and turned to Raymond.He was staring at his worksheet, utterly lost.
"You need help too?"
"YES," he groaned. "I don't understand anything!"
Julie quietly laughed. She finished her English, then helped him survive his confusion until the bell rang.
Recess.
"Pass your activity sheets after recess," Dennis reminded.
Julie handed hers to Cielo.
"Your name," he said dryly.
"Oh. Right," she blinked.
Some students already dropped their sheets off at the faculty. Julie went with them, placing her paper on the pile.
"Julie, you're alone today, right? Come join us," Raymond said.
"I don't want to," she muttered.
"Don't be shy. You've punched boys before."
"I'll punch you again."
He just laughed and pulled her toward Cielo, Dennis, and Joel.
"Excuse the intrusion. Okay if Julie joins?" Raymond asked.
"I don't mind," Dennis said.
"Same. If she's comfortable," Joel added.
Cielo shrugged. "It's fine."
"Sit beside Cielo," Raymond grinned.
"You're such an idiot," she muttered.
"Better than sitting alone, right? You're not used to it anymore," he teased.
Julie rolled her eyes but took the empty seat beside Cielo. He shifted to give her space.
"Thanks. I'm just… not comfortable with the others," Julie said quietly.
"Yeah," Cielo replied simply, returning to his book.
Julie sipped her juice, the silence oddly soothing.
Just endure it, Julie, she told herself.For today… this seat beside him is enough.