Julie quietly sipped her juice, trying not to look awkward sitting beside Cielo.
"You want to read?" Cielo asked suddenly.
She blinked. "Do you have an extra one?"
"Here." He handed her a book. "I was planning to read it after finishing mine, but… you looked like you needed something to do."
"Really?" Julie stared at him. "You'll still read this, right?"
"I'm not done with mine yet, so you've got time."
"Okay… if you're sure."
"Navares, you're into reading too?" Dennis asked from across them.
Julie glanced at their group. "Not really… depends if something catches my interest."
Dennis nodded."It's rare for Cielo to lend his books," he said.
"Really?" Julie turned to him. "Is that true?"
Cielo shrugged. "Yeah. I take care of them. You saw the bookshelf in my room before."
"Oh, right. But I'm not the only one who borrows from you. Ate Kelly does too." Julie smiled. "She told me you lent her some."
"I was surprised too," Cielo admitted. "Kuya Dave told me she loves reading. I once caught her really absorbed in one of my books."
"Ohh, that's why," Raymond said. "Kelly really loves reading."
Dennis nodded as well. "Hmm. But you don't let Dawn borrow your important things."
Cielo shot him a look. Joel even nudged Dennis like dude, stop talking.
"I'm just stating facts," Dennis said quickly. "Don't look at me like that."
Cielo shook his head.
"I'm not asking about that," Julie said.
"You're not curious?" Dennis pressed.
"No. I don't ask things people don't want to talk about."
"Dennis, burn!" Raymond laughed. "You got roasted."
Dennis just huffed. "Fine. Anyway… I heard you and Cielo are childhood friends, but he doesn't remember, right?"
Julie nodded. "Yes, we grew up together. But it's fine. We were so young anyway—my mom just told me stories."
"So what was Cielo like as your childhood friend?" Dennis asked.
Julie elbowed Cielo. "You okay with this?"
"I don't care," he said simply. "I don't remember much. I just remember my childhood being annoying."
Julie laughed. "I forgot to mention—most of our memories weren't that great because he was a little brat. Always making me cry for no reason."
"And you threw tantrums every time," Cielo shot back.
She smiled, losing the banter instantly.
"Yeah, you picked fights with me every day."
"Because you were a crybaby," Cielo said.
Soft laughter echoed around the table.
"You two never got along," Dennis said. "Even back then."
"But I can tell, Cielo… you have a soft spot for her, right?" Dennis teased.
Cielo glanced at Julie, then nodded lightly. "Maybe. I guess I do."
Julie sighed dramatically. "Good at teasing, huh? You even had to ask me that. But fine, I'll forgive you—again."
"Julie, you know Kenneth too?" Raymond asked.
"I don't think so. Every time we visited their house, I only saw Cielo."
"That's because Kenneth was in the States with his parents back then," Cielo explained.
"Ohh, that makes sense."
"But Kenneth knows about you," Dennis added.
"Yeah. My mom told him," Cielo replied.
Dennis laughed. "Your cousins are something else."
"He's always been like that—from nursery until now. I'm used to him," Cielo muttered.
Dennis leaned forward. "Speaking of him—Navares, you DO know Kenneth is obsessed, right?"
"Huh? Obsessed with what?" Julie asked.
"Not you," Dennis clarified, "but with the Pop Princess."
Cielo's head turned toward her. Julie mirrored his surprise.
"Yeah! Speaking of—Julie, you really look like her," Raymond said, already pulling out his phone. "When I followed Melissa to an event, Pop Princess was there. Here, look."
He showed them a picture.
"Yeah… you do look like her, Navares," Dennis said.
Julie only smiled. "I always get mistaken for someone. First Crisha, now Pop Princess. But I'm not her. I don't sing."
"But your voice does sound like hers," Raymond pointed out.
Julie laughed. "Lots of people have similar voices. It's not me."
"But we're curious," Dennis said. "Why are you just a regular student? No clubs, no activities, even though you're in the first section? Feels like you're hiding something."
Julie raised an eyebrow. "I'm not hiding anything from you."
Cielo was still staring at the photo.
Then he asked quietly,"What if you are her?"
Julie met his gaze, firm and certain."I will never be Pop Princess."
"Well, I'm curious about her," Cielo said. "She's involved in charity. Our family donates to the same organization. She's the youngest member helping out."
"Oh yeah—you mentioned your family does charity," Julie said.
"Yeah."
"You don't have any proof I'm her. It's just rumors," Julie insisted.
"Proof?" Cielo smiled meaningfully. "What if I give you proof of her existence?"
"Fine," Julie said. "Let's prove I'm innocent then. I have no connection to her."
Dennis snorted. "Cielo, this is a waste of time."
Cielo smirked. "Are you scared, Julie?"
"Why would I be?" she shot back. "I'm not guilty of anything."
"Good," he said. "I'm curious too. Let's play this game. I'll be the policeman trying to catch Pop Princess."
Julie sighed. "Whatever. Just don't say I didn't warn you."
"It's a deal," Cielo said. "And when I solve it, I want a prize—the truth about who Pop Princess really is."
"Well said," Dennis grinned.
The bell rang.
"Cielo, I'll return your book by Friday," Julie said.
"Yeah. Take your time," he replied.
As third period started, Cielo stared at his notes—but his mind wasn't on them.
Maybe I should ask that cousin of mine… he thought.