Nicole sat quietly, eyes flicking toward the hallway every few seconds.
He's not here yet…She exhaled softly in relief and stepped inside—until she heard quick footsteps approaching.
"Nicole! Good morning!" Julie chirped happily.
Nicole flinched but forced a small smile. "Good morning, Julie."
They chatted while more classmates arrived.
"Good morning, Pres," Nicole greeted when Chris passed by.
"Yeah, morning," he muttered, walking briskly.
He looked distracted.
And behind him—Joel entered with Cielo, moving straight to his desk.
Nicole lowered her gaze instantly.The memory of that moment flickered like a blade in her chest.
Just calm down… don't overthink it…
Joel placed his laptop on the table, fingers flying across the keyboard, papers scattered around him.
"He's the editor-in-chief. He's probably swamped," Raymond explained.
"That much work?" Nicole asked.
"Yeah. Two clubs. And the publication deadline is tomorrow morning."
Nicole nodded.
Classes went on normally. When recess came, she walked with Julie and Melissa while Raymond followed.
"Gosh, I missed you guys," Julie sighed dramatically.
"By the way… congratulations. Raymond said your Theatre Club won the championship," Julie told Melissa.
Melissa blushed. "Y-Yes… I was really nervous."
"You looked amazing in those costumes," Nicole added, patting her cousin's shoulder.
"And Nicole also gave her best," Kelly chimed in.
Nicole grimaced. "Don't praise me too much. I get shy."
Kelly rolled her eyes, which only made Nicole laugh harder.
Soon, the bell rang.
"That was fast," Julie complained.
"Come on—before you get lazy again," Nicole teased, dragging her back into class.
Nicole entered the room…and noticed Joel wasn't there yet.
Why are you looking for him? Stop it! she scolded herself.
Her eyes searched for her tumbler.
Where…?Then she saw it—under a desk.
Empty.
Huh?She bent down and picked it up, confused.
How did it end up here—
"What the hell are you doing?!"
Joel's voice cracked like a whip.
Nicole turned—heart stuttering.
His eyes were fixed on the desk.
On the papers.
On the water.
His entire stack of publication pages was soaked.
Her breath caught.
"I—Joel—"
"Explain this to me."His voice was low, controlled, but shaking with fury."You don't know how much time I spent on this. I have to submit it tomorrow morning."
"I-It's not my fault," she whispered, trembling.
"Not your fault?" Joel snapped. "I just saw you pick up that tumbler from my desk!"
He grabbed the tumbler and dropped it at her feet.
Gasps rippled around the room.
"Give me a better excuse."
Nicole shook her head desperately. "I don't even know how it got there—"
"Oh really?" he cut her off. "Your tumbler just magically walked over and poured itself all over my work?"
"I—I'm telling the truth…"
"Answer me properly, Nicole!" Joel stepped closer, voice rising. "I'm not joking around! This is the whole publication!"
"I—I said I'm sorry—please…"
Her hands shook.
Her chest tightened.
Her world tilted sideways.
Not here. Not now. Please—not again—
"Joel!"
Cielo's voice cut through the tension.
But Nicole was already spiraling.
Her breaths turned shallow.Her vision blurred.Her knees weakened.
"Nicole?" Julie rushed to her side.
"I—I didn't… I didn't mean to—please don't… don't hurt me…" Nicole gasped, her voice cracking.
Her past clawed its way out of the darkness.
She couldn't breathe.
She couldn't move.
Her whole body trembled violently, collapsing back onto the chair.
"Nicky!" Melissa hurried forward, voice shaking. She cupped Nicole's cheeks gently and handed her a paper bag."Breathe, Nick… breathe slowly… I'm here."
Nicole sobbed harder, panic swallowing her whole.
Joel froze—horror flickering in his eyes.
"Nicole—" he reached toward her.
But the moment she saw his hand move, her breathing stopped.
"No—no—don't—please—" she cried out, shrinking away.
Her mind ripped open.
And suddenly—she wasn't in the classroom anymore.
She was small.Trapped.Locked in pitch-black darkness.
"Help! Mommy! Brother Jonathan! Mommy!"Her childlike voice screamed in her mind.
A slap.A shout.A cabinet door slamming shut.
"I told you not to make noise!"
"S-sorry Daddy… I won't do it again… please don't hurt me…"
Her tiny body trembled in remembered terror.
The darkness closed in—
And then—
"Nicky."
Warm arms enveloped her.
Kelly.
Her voice soft, steady."It's okay. You're safe… You're safe, sweetheart… Look at me… You're here, not there… breathe…"
Nicole clung to her, sobbing helplessly.
The classroom was silent—every student stunned, shaken, unsure what to do.
But Kelly held her like she was carrying something fragile and precious through a storm.
"You're safe now, Nick… I promise," she whispered.