Five years had passed — they were now in college.
Melissa could only look back as she stared at the photographs in front of her. A faint laugh escaped her lips, followed by a soft smile as she gazed at the pictures.
It's been a long time since we last saw each other.
She sighed softly at the thought.
"Melissa."
It was her sister, Kelly, calling her.
"Sis."
Melissa stood up and hugged her older sister tightly. Kelly had been very busy lately as well. They rarely talked anymore — even though Kelly wasn't living in a dorm.
Their college lives had simply made them too busy.
"Is it already your sem break, sis?" Melissa asked after hugging her.
Kelly nodded.
"How are your studies? I'm sorry I haven't been able to ask you lately," Kelly said apologetically.
Melissa laughed softly and shook her head.
"It's not a problem. Besides, brother Kenjie has been really busy too since his graduation is coming soon, so I understand."
Melissa gently held Kelly's hand and patted it lightly.
"Well… that's true." Kelly thought for a moment.
"I know! Let's visit Jonathan today — maybe they're on sem break too."
Melissa laughed.
"Okay? It's surprising that you're the one inviting me out today."
"I'm just really bored today," Kelly complained.
Soon enough, they left their house. Since it was just the two of them at home, Melissa simply agreed. They quickly arrived at their cousin's house.
Kelly rang the doorbell.
A moment later, the door opened, revealing Nicole.
"Nicky!"
Melissa immediately hugged her. Nicole was startled at first but quickly hugged her back.
"What brings you here?" Nicole asked, unable to hide the happiness in her eyes.
"Well, someone got bored at home, so we decided to come here. Are you guys on sem break too?" Melissa explained.
"Yeah — it just started yesterday. And brother Jonathan is here too. Come in, come in," Nicole invited them warmly.
Melissa and Kelly entered the house.
"Nicky? Who's visiting?" they heard someone call from the kitchen. It sounded like Jonathan — probably cooking again.
"Jonathan, sorry for the intrusion," Melissa said.
"Oh? It's Melissa."
He then glanced at Kelly, who remained quiet.
"Well, looks like your sem break already started. Kevin will be thrilled."
He teased Kelly, making her raise an eyebrow.
Melissa couldn't help but laugh at Jonathan's comment. Kelly only frowned and glared at him.
"Wow, we haven't seen each other in a while and the first thing you do is tease me," Kelly said with her arms crossed.
Jonathan simply laughed.
"Well, even if you don't say it, I know you still see that guy sometimes. And you probably missed him too, so I just said it first."
Kelly couldn't respond immediately.
Melissa burst into laughter while Kelly stood there with furrowed brows and raised eyebrows. They noticed her cheeks turning slightly red.
"Oh — we won't be seeing Julie today," Nicole said while showing them a Messenger conversation.
"She's on a date with Cielo right now. Maybe tomorrow instead."
They really got serious with it.
Melissa smiled to herself.
"Why don't you girls go on dates with your boyfriends today?" Jonathan asked.
"Well, we rarely get to see each other. But Julie and Cielo are more of a long-distance relationship now, so we're letting them have their moment today. We'll all meet tomorrow instead," Nicole explained.
Jonathan nodded.
"Well yeah — they really need moments like that."
He sat down and looked at them.
"So what's your plan? Are you just going to hang out here?"
"Uh… we'll just stay here. That's not forbidden, right?" Kelly asked.
Jonathan smirked.
"Or maybe you just want free food."
"You're so mean!" Kelly snapped.
Nothing had changed — they were still like cats and dogs.
Melissa shook her head and sighed at the two of them.
"Well, if you want to stay, that's fine. It's just me and Nicole here anyway," Jonathan said after thinking for a moment.
Melissa chuckled softly.
********
Meanwhile…
"Won't Nicky get upset?" Julie asked worriedly while looking at her phone screen.
"It's fine. They'll understand. Besides, we'll see them tomorrow anyway," Cielo said while handing her some food.
They were currently on a date. Since they rarely got to see each other, their friends were giving them time together.
Julie quietly watched Cielo's face.
Enjoy this moment, Julie. You and your fiancé won't see each other again for a while.
She glanced at the engagement ring on her finger.
"Julie?"
Cielo gently touched her cheek, making her look at him. Concern was visible in his eyes.
Julie held his hand.
"It's nothing. I'm okay," she said with a smile.
"Okay… if you say so."
He smiled back at her.
"How was school? I know you were really busy last semester, right?" he asked.
Julie laughed softly.
"Yeah, I was extremely busy. When I called you before, I almost cried," she admitted.
She could only laugh now remembering how she had complained to him about the projects she had to finish before the semester ended.
"But you did well. I know you did," Cielo said proudly.
"How about you? How are things there? I'm worried you might get sick — you said it's winter there," Julie asked with concern.
Cielo chuckled softly.
"I'm fine. I'm taking care of myself. Besides, if I get sick, I'll call you for an energy boost."
He winked at her.
"You're so cheesy sometimes. And I'm the one worrying about you," she said, raising an eyebrow.
Cielo laughed.
Julie simply continued eating the food he had given her.
After they finished eating, they walked around while holding hands, laughing and sharing stories about their college journey as young adults.
Suddenly, Julie noticed a girl nearby.
Her brows furrowed.
Is that Dawn?
I wonder how Dawn is doing now.
"Julie? Is something wrong?" Cielo asked.
Julie didn't answer immediately.
She looked again just to make sure.
It really is Dawn.
She gasped softly.
"Cielo… it's Dawn," she whispered.
Cielo turned his head.
Dawn was already walking away quietly by herself.
"Yes… that's really Dawn," Cielo said with a sigh as he wrapped an arm around Julie.
Julie stayed silent, but something about Dawn felt different to her.
"You know, Ciel… she's really not the same person we knew before. I don't know… she feels different. Like she really changed."
"Yeah," Cielo nodded.
"Three years ago, when the monitoring ended, the assistant who helped her said she had grown a lot — she became a much more resilient person."
Julie smiled.
"Well… that's good for her, right?"
"Yeah. You're right, Julie."
Cielo ruffled her hair and kissed her forehead.
They visited several more places, laughing and sharing stories until it was finally time to go home.
"Did you enjoy our date?" Cielo asked.
"Of course. I just missed you."
"I missed you too, Julie."
He brushed her hair aside and kissed her on the lips.
"I love you," she said softly.
"I'll always love you."
He hugged her tightly.
"Go on now. You need to rest — we're meeting those couples tomorrow. Nicole might get mad if we don't show up."
He laughed.
Julie smiled and nodded.
"Be careful going home."
"I will. Go on now. Goodnight."
"Take care — call me once you get home," she reminded him.
Cielo chuckled and nodded.
Julie entered the gate and waved goodbye.
She sighed softly.
A few minutes later, Cielo called to tell her he had arrived home safely.
She felt relieved.
Tomorrow, she would see her friends again, and the thought alone made her excited.
So many things had changed in their lives.
But she would never forget the memories they shared during their junior high and senior high school days.
Time really does pass so quickly.