"Cielo," Gabriel called, giving him a light pat on the shoulder.
Cielo simply waited to hear what he was going to say.
"Julie will be here. Don't worry."
Cielo noticed the teasing smile on Gabriel's face. Gabriel even chuckled softly at his reaction, making Cielo shake his head.
He quietly watched the students passing by. The cotillion hadn't started yet, but he was still holding the corsage he planned to give Julie.
He wondered where exactly he should place it.
I'll think about that later, he told himself.
"Cielo!"
He heard someone call his name.
"Oh, here she is," Gabriel said with a grin.
Cielo followed his gaze.
The moment their eyes met, Cielo froze.
Julie stood there in a deep-blue gown, small glitters catching the light and making it shimmer even in the dim surroundings. His gaze slowly traveled upward until it reached her face.
Kelly must have styled her again, he thought.
He kept staring at his girlfriend for a moment. Not because something was wrong—he simply admired her.
He almost forgot about the corsage in his hand.
"C–Cielo? D–Does it not suit me?" Julie asked nervously, which startled him.
Cielo let out a soft sigh.
"You're really beautiful, as usual. My clumsy girlfriend suddenly disappeared tonight," he teased.
Julie's brows immediately knitted together before she could respond.
Instead, Cielo gently took her hand and kissed it.
Their friends gasped dramatically behind them, and Raymond even whistled.
Julie's cheeks flushed red, and she couldn't even look at him.
Cielo couldn't help but enjoy that reaction.
Oh right—the corsage.
He suddenly remembered and showed her the corsage. He still wondered where to place it.
Then an idea came to him.
He gently held her wrist and carefully placed the corsage there.
Afterward, he kissed her hand again and smiled at her.
Joel cleared his throat loudly.
"Let's go, let's go. It's about to start—we still have the cotillion," Joel said.
Their friends walked ahead first, nudging Julie teasingly as they passed.
"Shall we go?" Cielo asked, offering his hand.
Julie nodded and accepted it.
"That corsage and your deep-blue dress really suit you tonight. It's like you're the star for me today."
"S–Stop it," Julie said, pausing as if thinking about what to say.
"You're really handsome tonight too… though I already knew you were handsome before."
She looked away shyly.
"Eh? I know I'm handsome—but thank you," Cielo replied with a grin.
"You're so annoying. You're lucky today," she whispered.
Cielo simply laughed as they walked inside to begin the event.
"Aren't you nervous about the cotillion?" he whispered to her.
"A little. I'm afraid I might mess up," she answered.
"Take a deep breath. You'll be fine."
Julie nodded.
Soon they reached the venue.
"The decorations are really beautiful, aren't they?" Julie said in admiration.
"Yeah, they are."
Cielo truly appreciated the effort of the staff and teachers.
It felt as if the students and faculty were standing beneath the stars, surrounded by dim lights and deep-blue decorations.
He was going to enjoy his first JS Prom too.
Before the cotillion began, their principal gave a message explaining the theme and why the teachers chose it.
Soon, the cotillion started.
"You're really nervous," Cielo whispered to Julie.
"I might make mistakes," she replied.
"Just relax."
Julie nodded again.
Soon, she and her friends lined up for the cotillion.
"Oh, don't stare at Julie too much," Raymond joked.
"Oh shut up, Raymond. You're annoying," Cielo replied, shaking his head.
When the music began, they started with a bow.
Julie smiled at him.
They followed the rhythm of the music.
Cielo noticed Julie was still a little stiff.
"Hey, just relax. You're doing fine," he whispered.
Julie nodded again.
Soon, the cotillion dance ended smoothly.
The event continued with dinner, laughter, and shared memories.
Then came the moment everyone was waiting for—
the slow dance.
Now they were free to invite someone to dance.
"Hey, Julie. May I?" Cielo asked, offering his hand.
Julie looked surprised but nodded.
"Ah—I wanted Julie to be my partner, but oh well. Hey Cielo, bring her back quickly," Kenneth called out.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Cielo replied, making Kenneth laugh.
Cielo gently placed a hand on Julie's waist.
The slow music began.
Julie looked up at him.
"Did you enjoy the JS Prom?" he asked.
Julie nodded with a smile.
"I thought I wouldn't enjoy it… but it's actually really nice attending events like this sometimes."
"Well, this is our first JS Prom in junior high before we move up next year to senior high school," Cielo said.
"Oh right—I forgot. I'm excited to see what the theme will be next year."
"That's good that you're looking forward to it," Cielo said.
"But for now, let's enjoy this slow dance. I bet a lot of people are waiting for their chance to dance with you."
Julie laughed softly.
"I just realized… I don't regret transferring to an exclusive school anymore. I never expected my life would turn out like this."
"I'm really glad you transferred, Julie. It's like fate opened its doors when you came here."
He brushed a strand of hair away from her cheek.
"It wasn't a good experience at first, but you were strong."
Julie smiled and nodded.
"The teachers might get mad. We're being too PDA," she said.
"Don't worry. There are plenty of couples they need to watch."
"You're crazy. So many things have happened, haven't they?"
"Yeah… I never expected I would fall in love with my childhood friend."
Julie couldn't meet his gaze.
"I'm happy too… I never expected things would turn out like this," she said softly.
Suddenly—
Cielo planted a quick kiss on her lips.
Julie gasped and quickly looked around.
"Hey!" she whispered, lightly hitting him.
They suddenly heard someone clear their throat behind them.
"Cielo, may I have a dance with my younger sister?" Chris asked.
Julie giggled.
Cielo didn't want to let her go yet, but he understood.
Next school year, Chris would already be in senior high. Their JS Proms wouldn't happen at the same time anymore.
"Okay. You may," Cielo said.
Chris took Julie's hand.
"Don't worry about that kiss. Probably no one saw it," Chris said before leading her away.
Cielo returned to his friends.
He looked around the room.
Nicole was dancing with Jonathan.
Melissa was dancing with Kelly.
"Guess we'll just sit here while their brothers and siblings steal them away," Joel joked.
"Yeah, I guess so," Cielo replied.
He looked toward the dance floor again.
Julie was laughing happily while dancing with Chris.
After the event, everyone took plenty of pictures to keep the memories.
Cielo watched her from afar.
And he smiled.
I'm really glad she transferred to this school.
.E.N.D.