Nicole noticed Julie raising an eyebrow as she stared at the announcement posted on the bulletin board.
"Theme: Starlit Night Sky for the JS Prom," Julie read under her breath, her brows still knitted.
"Didn't your brother tell you?" Nicole asked as she walked closer.
"Ah, Nicky—my brother did tell me, but… I didn't know the theme." Julie looked at her. "Are you going to join?" she asked.
Nicole wasn't ready for that question. But she also wanted to experience the JS Prom. Besides, even if she didn't join, she could still help the other students practice the dance steps they had been working on. After all, that responsibility belonged to their club as members of the dance troupe.
So she simply nodded.
"What about you?" Nicole asked in return.
Julie thought for a long moment.
"If you and Meli are joining—then I'll join too." She smiled at her.
Nicole chuckled softly, shaking her head before wrapping an arm around Julie's shoulders.
They soon arrived at the classroom where Cielo and the others were already waiting.
"Cielo," Julie called out to her boyfriend.
What kind of mischief is she about to ask now? Nicole wondered, shaking her head slightly.
"What's the theme for the JS Prom?" Julie asked directly.
"Oh? Are you joining the JS Prom?" Cielo asked back.
"Since Melissa and Nicole are joining, then I'll join too," Julie answered excitedly.
Nicole heard a soft laugh behind her.
Of course—it was her cousin, Melissa.
"Oh, I see. Nicole is joining too," Cielo said. "Well, you better get ready—because the cotillion practice for the JS Prom will start soon."
"We're dancing too?" Julie asked.
"Julie," Nicole sighed, shaking her head. "Didn't you ever watch the preparations at your old school?"
Julie thought for a moment.
"Oh… there's dancing? I thought we were just going to eat." She sighed.
Cielo chuckled softly and ruffled Julie's hair.
"Julie, don't worry. You'll be fine during the cotillion practice. By the way, did you choose your partner?" he asked while looking at her.
Nicole smirked at the two of them. By now, many people already knew they were in a relationship.
Julie seemed to think for a moment.
"Well… if that person invites me, then he'll be my partner," she whispered.
Since when did she learn how to play hard to get? Nicole laughed quietly.
"Oh, Cielo—invite her now! She might not attend the JS Prom if you don't ask her to be your partner!" Gabriel teased.
Cielo only shook his head with a smile.
"Well—I won't invite her. She already knows she'll be my partner for the JS Prom, right Julie?"
Nicole noticed the faint blush spreading across Julie's cheeks.
So she lightly nudged her.
"Hey—what now?" she teased.
Julie shot her a look before glancing back at Cielo.
"Sure—since you said so. A—and you'll teach me, right?" she asked.
Cielo chuckled and nodded.
"Sure."
"So… what are we going to wear?" Julie suddenly asked.
"Julie," Nicole sighed again. "What else would we wear? Of course, a gown."
Julie blinked.
"Oh… a gown."
She paused as if the thought hadn't fully sunk in yet.
"As in… a gown?" she asked in disbelief.
Their friends burst into laughter.
*******
"Ouch," Julie complained sharply as she sat on the steps near the stage while waiting for Cielo.
"I didn't expect the gown I chose to be deep blue… and the rental was expensive," she muttered while rubbing her aching heel.
"Julie? Are you okay?"
She froze at the voice calling her name. When she looked up, she met Cielo's worried gaze.
He immediately knelt in front of her.
"Let me see. Does it hurt? Did you sprain your heel?" he asked seriously while checking her foot.
Julie could only stare at him for a moment before shaking her head.
"Okay then, let me help you stand."
He held her hand. Even though she could stand on her own, she still held his hand as she slowly got up.
"All good?"
Julie smiled softly.
"Thank you, Cielo."
"Let's go."
He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and kissed her forehead.
"Are we meeting the others?" Julie asked while looking at him.
"Yeah. They want a double date. They just don't know how to read the room." He sighed.
Julie laughed quietly.
"By the way—the prom is getting close. Have you chosen your gown yet?" Cielo asked, looking at her carefully.
"What are you talking about? We already finished. Melissa, Nicole, and I went together. We didn't expect them to rent at the same shop," she told him.
"Should I ask what gown you chose?" Cielo teased with a smirk.
Julie raised an eyebrow.
"No. It's a surprise."
Cielo laughed, and she smiled as well, still holding his hand.
"Hey, Julie," Cielo suddenly said.
She turned toward him and realized he was now standing directly in front of her.
She blinked in surprise and instinctively leaned her face back a little.
"You know… I wonder," he said softly.
He gently touched her cheek.
Julie stared at him. His expression was serious.
Her heart started beating faster.
"Cielo?" she called softly.
"It's just… I missed your face."
He looked at her fondly.
"With everything we've been doing lately… I missed just staring at you."
Heat rushed to Julie's cheeks.
She couldn't even meet his gaze anymore.
Where should she look?
She ended up staring straight ahead.
"Julie… just look at me."
He gently held her cheek again, making her look back at him.
"Ciel—what's wrong?" she asked, her face already burning.
"Nothing," he said with a small smile.
"I just want to stare at you."
Flustered, Julie quickly covered his face with both of her hands.
But Cielo gently held her hands and lowered them.
He didn't say anything.
He just looked at her.
Then he stroked her cheek and pressed a soft kiss on her forehead.
"I'm sorry. I just can't stop staring at my girlfriend this close."
Julie swallowed nervously.
Cielo leaned his forehead against hers, leaving her with no escape as he held her hand.
Then he suddenly smiled.
"I just realized… it's been a while since I kissed these," he said while brushing his thumb against her lips.
"W—we should go. The others might get mad—"
He didn't let her finish.
Cielo suddenly pressed his lips against hers.
Julie froze in shock.
His lips stayed on hers for a moment.
Her heart pounded loudly in her chest.
Without saying anything, Cielo kissed her again.
This time, Julie slowly gave in to the feeling. She grabbed the sleeve of his uniform, afraid her legs might give out.
She had missed him.
Even though they were always together, it felt different now that they didn't have to hide their relationship anymore.
When they pulled away, Cielo looked at her and gave that teasing smile again.
Julie felt like she might cry.
"You crybaby," he teased. "We've kissed on the lips before. You're still not used to it?"
Julie frowned, ready to answer—
But he kissed her cheek and forehead instead, laughing softly.
"I'm just messing with my girl," he said, fixing her hair.
Julie said nothing.
"Let's go."
He gently pulled her hand and held it.
Cielo wrapped an arm around her shoulders again, chuckling softly as he ruffled her hair.
You're really lucky, Julie, she thought to herself, pretending to be annoyed.
Soon they saw their friends waiting for them.
"Wow, you really took your time this time, Cielo," Raymond said.
"Don't care," Cielo replied. "I didn't want to be disturbed."
Julie's cheeks turned red again.
"Yeah, yeah. Let's go. It's been a while since we relaxed," Raymond said as he stretched.
Nicole lightly tapped Julie's shoulder, clearly teasing her again.
Julie couldn't help but feel excited for the JS Prom.
Because it would be her first time experiencing what it truly felt like.