THE PAST SHE COULDN'T FORGET
920 Words
Chapter 3: The Past She Couldn't Forget
The ride home had been unusually quiet.
For the first time all day, Pricy wasn't thinking about her broken phone, Mike's annoying smile, or even the crowd that had witnessed their fight.
Something else was bothering her.
Something she rarely talked about.
---
At Betty's house, the two girls sat comfortably on the couch.
Betty studied her best friend's face.
"What's wrong with you?"
Pricy sighed heavily.
"I'm tired."
Betty frowned.
"Tired? Or something else?"
Pricy lowered her gaze.
"I feel... depressed."
The playful atmosphere instantly disappeared.
Betty sat up straight.
"Why?"
Pricy forced a smile.
"Because I like you."
Betty blinked.
Then burst into laughter.
"I know."
Pricy stared at her.
"You know I like you and you're laughing?"
"It's just weird hearing it from you."
Pricy rolled her eyes.
"I'm serious."
Betty smiled warmly.
"I know."
Pricy leaned against the couch.
"You know... you're more than a friend."
Betty's smile softened.
"Really?"
"You're like a sister."
She paused.
"Actually, you're better than a sister."
Betty laughed.
"That's a dangerous thing to say."
"I'm serious."
For a moment, silence filled the room.
Then Pricy spoke again.
"When I'm with you, I stop thinking about him."
Betty immediately knew who she meant.
Her father.
The man who had abandoned their family years ago.
A shadow crossed Pricy's face.
"Sometimes I keep wondering what I did wrong."
"Pricy..."
"He never encouraged me."
Her voice trembled.
"He never supported me."
Betty quietly listened.
"He always complained. No matter what I did."
Pricy's eyes became moist.
"I shouted back at him once."
The memory still hurt.
"Ever since then, I've always wondered if that was the reason he left."
Betty shook her head immediately.
"No."
"Then why?"
"I don't know."
"Exactly."
Pricy laughed bitterly.
"He wanted to leave."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
Betty suddenly grabbed her cheeks.
"Stop talking nonsense."
Pricy blinked.
"What?"
"Your father leaving wasn't your fault."
The words hit harder than expected.
Betty continued.
"The past is gone."
Pricy's eyes lowered.
"You make everything sound so easy."
Betty smiled.
"That's because somebody has to keep you sane."
Pricy chuckled.
"Maybe that's why I wish you were a boy."
Betty nearly choked.
"What?!"
"If you were a boy, I would've married you."
For a second, they stared at each other.
Then both girls exploded into laughter.
"You are impossible!"
"I know."
Betty shook her head.
Then a mischievous smile appeared.
"Although..."
Pricy narrowed her eyes.
"I know that look."
"You need a boyfriend."
"What?!"
"A boyfriend who'll help you forget your sad past."
"Betty."
"I'm serious."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
Betty leaned forward dramatically.
"And I think I know the perfect candidate."
Pricy immediately knew where this was going.
"No."
"Mike."
"No."
"Mike."
"I said no."
Betty grinned.
"Think about it."
Pricy covered her ears.
"La-la-la-la."
"You met him."
"So?"
"He broke your phone."
"So?"
"You started thinking about your life."
"So?"
"You wished I was a boy."
Pricy stared at her.
"What kind of logic is that?"
"The logic of destiny."
Pricy nearly threw a pillow at her.
"You've completely lost your mind."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
Betty laughed.
"You'll see."
"I won't."
"You'll fall for him."
"I'd rather fight a lion."
Betty laughed so hard tears appeared in her eyes.
---
A while later, Pricy stood up.
"I should head home."
Betty pouted dramatically.
"So soon?"
"You were just trying to send me away."
"I was not."
"You were."
"I wasn't."
"You were."
Betty sighed dramatically.
"Fine. Stay forever."
Pricy smiled.
"Too late. I'm leaving."
"Safe journey."
Pricy shook her head.
"This girl is ridiculous."
---
When she arrived home, the house was unusually quiet.
She opened the door and stepped inside.
"Mum! I'm home!"
Her mother's voice echoed from the kitchen.
"Oh, welcome back."
Pricy smiled.
"Thank you."
"How was your day?"
Pricy folded her arms.
No answer.
Her mother walked into the living room.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
Pricy pouted.
"You didn't even notice."
"Notice what?"
"That I'm happy."
Her mother laughed.
"Okay."
She raised both hands.
"Why are you happy?"
Pricy's face instantly brightened.
"Today was fun."
"Oh?"
"And Betty kept me company."
"That's wonderful."
Pricy's mother smiled.
"So tell me everything."
Pricy crossed her arms.
"No."
"What?"
"You should first tell me to eat, rest, and prepare for tomorrow."
Mrs. Williams stared at her daughter.
Then laughed.
"Fine."
"Good."
"Go shower."
"Okay."
"Eat dinner."
"Fine."
"Then tell me everything."
Pricy grinned.
"Deal."
---
After her shower, she joined her mother at the dining table.
The two ate together peacefully.
For once, the house felt warm.
Comfortable.
Like a real home.
When dinner ended, her mother leaned forward expectantly.
"Now tell me the story."
Pricy slowly drank a glass of water.
Then stood up.
"Hmm..."
Her mother waited.
Pricy smiled innocently.
"I changed my mind."
"What?"
"Goodnight, Mum."
Before her mother could react, she dashed toward her room.
"PRICY!"
Laughter echoed through the house.
Mrs. Williams shook her head helplessly.
Then smiled.
"Goodnight, dear."
Behind the closed bedroom door, Pricy threw herself onto her bed.
A smile lingered on her lips.
But strangely...
A certain annoying boy suddenly appeared in her thoughts.
A handsome face.
A cocky smile.
And a pair of arms she had nearly broken.
Pricy's eyes widened.
"Why am I thinking about that i***t?"
She buried her face in her pillow.
Unfortunately...
Sleep came with thoughts of Mike.
And somewhere else in the city...
Mike was thinking about her too.
to be continued.
- Writer
