Mili shrugs, smirking. “If you say so. But be careful—once Julie’s arts getting thrown around, people start notig. And you know how rumors spread fast.”

  Jiko ches his fists at his sides. He knows Mili’s right. Gossip spiral out of trol in the blink of an eye, and now, everyone seems to have their eyes on them. He feel the stares during lunch, the whispers in the hallways—like a storm brewing just beh the surface.

  Jiko finally uood what Julie had been talking about the other day. People only paid attention to her because of her looks. It was like that was the only thing they saw ihey never bothered to look deeper, to see that she had the same feelings and vulnerabilities as anyone else. They treated her like she was just going to flit from one guy to the , aking anything seriously.

  Now that Jiko and Julie were getting close, he could sehat some people were just waiting for something to g, some kind of sdal or drama they could use to gossip and make fun of Julie. They were ready to pouo act like “savages,” as Jiko thought of it, pointing fingers and judgihese were the kind of people Jiko truly despised. But the sad truth was, a lot of people in their society—both men and women—seemed to think this way. They were quick to bee jealous of anyone who seemed to be doier than them, anyone who looked happier.

  But then, his phone buzzes in his pocket, and he pulls it out to see a text from Tito—his older brother, now away at uy.

  “Hey, heard some rumors about you and Julie? What’s going on with her?”

  Jiko felt his stomach ch as he read the message. Tito’s words carried a certai, a subtle suggestion that made his heart beat faster. The guilt from talking to his friends earlier came flooding back. He quickly typed a reply, hoping to downpy the situation.

  “It’s nothing, Brother. And where did you evehat? Like you saw before, we’re just friends.”

  A few moments ter, Tito replied with a skeptical emoji, followed by, “Hmm… sure. You’d tell me if something , right? I mean, I *am* y brother. If you feel anything weird going on in your life, you always talk to me, okay?”

  Jiko’s fingers hover over the s, unsure how to respond. Tito’s tone feels different—there’s something guarded beh his words, like he suspects more than Jiko is letting on. Even from far away, Tito seems to have a way of pig up on things—especially when it es to Jiko’s personal life.

  Jiko stares at the s, his frustration mounting. He knows Tito doesn’t attend school anymore, but it feels like his older brother always finds out about things. His eyes seem sharper, more perceptive than most people’s. It’s uling, and Jiko realizes that Tito might suspect more than just casual friendship between him and Julie.

  The leaves outside shimmered with the golden hues of te autumn, bathing the quiet park in a warm, gentle light. The air was crisp and cool, a soft breeze whispering through the trees, sending colorful leaves swirling down to the ground. Jiko walked along the familiar path, his mind buzzing with thoughts he’d been trying to ignore for days. It had been long enough sihe rumors started—the whispers about him and Julie, how they’d beealking more, hanging out, ughing together, just being around each other. And it was clear Julie had picked up on it too.

  Jiko couldn’t shake the tensioween them. He’d seen her in the hallways, watched her pull away, avoiding him as if she was trying to make sense of everything. He could tell she was hurt and fused by the sudden ge in how people viewed their retionship. And it bothered him deeply. He knew he o talk to her, to clear the air.

  So, he went to the park, hoping she’d be there—alone, like she often was when she needed some time to herself. And sure enough, as he walked beh the trees, he spotted her sitting on a worn wooden bender a big oak, her shoulders slightly slumped, her hands nervously twisting the hem of her skirt. She was lost in her own world, staring at the ground, and didn’t even notice him approach.

  “Hey,” Jiko says softly as he sits dowo her, his voice gentle, unsure.

  Julie g him briefly, but quickly turtention back to the ground, her expression closed off. “Did you e to tell me to stop b you again?” she asks, her voice barely above a whisper—of course it was sarcastic, she didn’t meant what she said. However, still, their was some pain in her voice..

  Jiko wi the pain in her voice, his chest tightening. “No, that’s not why I’m here.”

  For a long moment, there’s sileween them, filled only by the rustle of leaves in the wind. Jiko takes a deep breath, his heart pounding. He knows this versation has been building for days—weeks, even. He ’t pretend anymore. “Julie… I’ve been thinking about everything. About you. And about us.”

  Julie’s head snaps up, startled by the sound of his voice—serious, weighted with something more than just words. Her eyes meet his, wide and searg. “What about us?” she asks, her brow furrowed in fusion.

  Jiko’s voice shakes slightly as he admits, “I’ve been scared. Scared of what all this means. Scared of what I might ruin or lose. But the truth is, I’ve been lying to myself. I care about you. A lot more than I ever realized.”

  Julie’s eyes fill with tears, and her breath catches ihroat. Her heart leaps at his fession, but she doesn’t trust her ears—doesn’t quite believe it. “You mean that?” she asks softly, her voice trembling.

  Jiko takes another deep breath, his retched thin. “Yeah, I mean it. I think I… I think I love you.”

  Julie’s face lights up—her entire expression shifting from wary and uo radiant with pure joy. Her mouth opens slightly, but before she speak, she suddenly throws her arms around Jiko, pulling him into a tight, ued hug. She presses her forehead to his shoulder, her head resting there, as if she’s afraid to let go—afraid this might be a dream, something too good to be true.