Chapter 35: Dear Jiko

Jiko watched her retreat down the hallway, her words lingering in the quiet room. He leaned back into the chair, staring up at the ceiling, his mind racing. Was his mom right? Should he be more cautious? Or was this just another way of overthinking things?

He clenched his fists slightly, frustration bubbling to the surface. Julie was important to him, but now, it felt like the whole world was trying to tell him what to do—and he didn't know who to trust anymore.

For the first time, Jiko felt like he was walking a tightrope between his heart and the expectations of everyone around him. And it was starting to scare him.

One morning, Jiko arrives at school and makes his way to his locker, still half-asleep. He's barely paid attention to anyone else when something catches his eye—a folded piece of paper tucked into the corner of his locker, hidden under his textbooks. He frowns, pulling it out slowly, unsure what it could be.

Curiously, he opens it and his breath catches. It's a letter—handwritten, the handwriting familiar yet tender.

Dear Jiko,

I'm not sure how to say this without sounding foolish, but I've been thinking about you so much lately. Every moment we've shared—every glance, every conversation—it feels like you've touched something inside me I didn't even know was there.

You make me feel seen, and that means more to me than I ever thought possible. I've never felt this way before—like I'm finally beginning to understand what it means to feel something truly real.

I admire who you are, the person you've become to me. How kind, how patient—you've shown me that love isn't always easy, but it's worth every second if you're with the right person.

I don't want to pretend that I'm not affected by your inner turmoil, Jiko, about how you feel about me. I just can't. I'm scared of losing you, scared of things changing between us. But more than anything, I hope you feel the same way I do. I'm hoping that one day, you'll be able to tell me the things you can't tell me now. Thank you for loving me; I'll always love you back.

-Julie

Jiko's fingers trembled slightly as he reread the words, his heart thundering in his chest. He felt a rush of emotions—overwhelming warmth, a sense of longing, and yes, a little fear. She had laid her heart bare, completely open, and it mirrored everything he had been feeling but hadn't been able to express.

The letter was so simple yet so powerful—it made him see things in a new light. His thoughts spun, and for the first time in weeks, he realized just how complicated everything had become.

Tucking the letter carefully into his bag, Jiko took a deep breath. He knew one thing—he couldn't keep avoiding what this meant. Things between him and Julie had grown far beyond mere friendship. It was time to be honest, not just with himself, but with everyone else, too.

His family, his love life—he had to find a way to keep both in check. To not let either slip away. But it wasn't just about protecting his relationships—it was about making sure he could hold everything together without losing himself in the process.

And as he walked through the halls toward class, Jiko felt a new determination growing inside him. It was time to stop dancing around the truth and start facing it head-on.

One bright, sunny morning, the school buzzed with excitement as the teachers made a special announcement. The entire student body was going on an overnight trip—an annual event where they would spend the weekend exploring new places, engaging in team-building activities, and creating memories to last a lifetime. The news spread quickly, and soon students were rushing to make plans.

Jiko sat at his usual spot during breakfast, quietly sipping his coffee. Julie, on the other hand, couldn't contain her excitement. Her eyes sparkled as she turned to Jiko. "Hey, Jiko, did you hear? We're going on a school trip!"

Jiko nodded, offering her a small smile, though his mind was elsewhere. "Yeah, I heard. Seems fun."

"Fun? This is going to be awesome! Just imagine—two days away from school, new sights, new experiences. And we'll be together the whole time!" Julie grinned, her enthusiasm contagious.

Jiko chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You sure are looking forward to this."

"Of course! It's going to be perfect. We'll have time to just... be ourselves." Julie leaned in slightly, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "And maybe even make some memories."

Jiko glanced at her and felt a tug in his chest. For the first time, he allowed himself to believe that maybe this trip could be just what they needed—something to escape from the prying eyes at school and from the constant tension.

As the days passed, students prepared for the upcoming adventure. Bags were packed, plans were made, and excitement buzzed through the air. It wasn't just any ordinary trip; it was a chance to break free from the regular routine of classes and textbooks.

The morning of departure came, and the bus pulled up to the school gates, ready to take everyone on the journey. Laughter and chatter filled the air as students climbed aboard, chatting excitedly about what awaited them. Jiko and Julie found their seats together at the back of the bus, nestled among friends.

"So, what do you have planned for this trip?" Julie asked, leaning toward Jiko.

Jiko shrugged slightly. "Just hoping to relax. Take things as they come."

"Relax? Come on, Jiko. You've gotta loosen up. Let go of everything for once. We're going to make this trip unforgettable!" Julie's voice was bright and full of life, pulling Jiko out of his usual quiet demeanor.

He chuckled, shaking his head. "Alright, if you say so."

The bus ride was filled with laughter, playful teasing, and non-stop chatter. By late afternoon, they arrived at their destination: a beautiful countryside getaway, all rolling green hills and winding paths. Everyone piled off the bus, cameras instantly appearing, and the air was filled with the clicks and flashes of photos as they all tried to capture the moment.

After checking into their cabins, the students were divided into teams for the various activities planned throughout the weekend—hiking, campfires, games, and even a talent show. The atmosphere was electric, and Jiko found himself easing into the flow.