Chapter 26: Scared

Mili shrugs, smirking. "If you say so. But be careful—once Julie's name starts getting thrown around, people start noticing. And you know how rumors spread fast."

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

Jiko finally understood 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 in her. They 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 next, never taking anything seriously.

Now that Jiko and Julie were getting close, he could sense that some people were just waiting for something to go wrong, some kind of scandal or drama they could use to gossip and make fun of Julie. They were ready to pounce, to act like "savages," as Jiko thought of it, pointing fingers and judging her. These 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 become jealous of anyone who seemed to be doing better 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 university.

"Hey, heard some rumors about you and Julie? What's going on with her?"

Jiko felt his stomach clench as he read the message. Tito's words carried a certain weight, 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 downplay the situation.

"It's nothing, Brother. And where did you even hear that? Like you saw before, we're just friends."

A few moments later, Tito replied with a skeptical emoji, followed by, "Hmm… sure. You'd tell me if something was up, right? I mean, I *am* your big brother. If you feel anything weird going on in your life, you can always talk to me, okay?"

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

Jiko stares at the screen, 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 unsettling, 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 late 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 since the rumors started—the whispers about him and Julie, how they'd been seen talking more, hanging out, laughing together, just being around each other. And it was clear Julie had picked up on it too.

Jiko couldn't shake the tension between 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 confused by the sudden change in how people viewed their relationship. And it bothered him deeply. He knew he needed to 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 beneath the trees, he spotted her sitting on a worn wooden bench under 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 down next to her, his voice gentle, unsure.

Julie glances at him briefly, but quickly turns her attention back to the ground, her expression closed off. "Did you come to tell me to stop bothering 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 winces at the pain in her voice, his chest tightening. "No, that's not why I'm here."

For a long moment, there's silence between them, filled only by the rustle of leaves in the wind. Jiko takes a deep breath, his heart pounding. He knows this conversation has been building for days—weeks, even. He can'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 searching. "What about us?" she asks, her brow furrowed in confusion.

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 in her throat. Her heart leaps at his confession, 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 nerves stretched 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 unsure to radiant with pure joy. Her mouth opens slightly, but before she can speak, she suddenly throws her arms around Jiko, pulling him into a tight, unexpected 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.