HIDDEN SECRET

A NEW BEGINNING

Chapter 5: A New Beginning

The next morning, the school campus buzzed with excitement as students rushed between classrooms, discussing their upcoming final examinations.

Pricy and Betty sat together in their lecture room, enjoying one of their last peaceful moments before graduation.

"Can you believe it?" Pricy said with a smile. "We'll be writing our final exams soon, and then school will be over just like that."

Betty dramatically placed a hand on her chest.

"Woo! It still feels like a dream."

She suddenly leaned closer.

"Pricy, why don't you stay at my house until the exams are over?"

Pricy immediately shook her head.

"No way. You're too distracting."

"What?" Betty gasped. "Me? Distracting?"

"Very distracting."

Betty folded her arms.

"I promise I won't frustrate you."

"I know," Pricy laughed. "But I still need peace to study. Besides, after the exams, I can stay with you for months if you want."

Betty's eyes brightened.

"Really?"

"Well... maybe not months." Pricy chuckled. "Let's make it three days."

Betty frowned.

"That's cheating."

Both girls burst into laughter.

A few minutes later, they left the classroom.

As Pricy walked toward the school gate, a familiar voice stopped her.

"Hey, you."

Pricy sighed.

"Oh. You again?"

Standing before her was Mimi.

"Yeah," Mimi replied. "I told you we'd meet again."

Pricy crossed her arms.

"So, what do you want this time?"

Mimi's expression became serious.

"I'm here to warn you."

"About what?"

"Stay away from Mike."

Pricy stared at her before laughing.

"Come on. Mike and I are just friends."

"I'm not joking."

Pricy's smile remained.

"And I'm not worried."

Mimi's eyes narrowed.

"You should listen if you don't want trouble."

Pricy stepped closer.

"And if I don't?"

A cold smile appeared on Mimi's face.

"Then everyone you love will be in danger because of you."

For a brief second, Pricy was stunned.

"Danger?"

Then she laughed again.

"You really think you're the center of the universe, don't you?"

Mimi clenched her fists.

"I'm warning you."

I'm warning you too or

"Maybe you should spend less time worrying about my future and more time planning your own."

She leaned closer and whispered,

"Mind your business."

Without waiting for a reply, Pricy walked away.

Behind her, Mimi stood frozen with frustration.

"You'll regret this," she muttered.

Back home, Pricy dropped her bag and stretched.

"I'm exhausted."

Her mother looked up from the kitchen.

"What happened?"

"You scared me, Mum."

Mrs. Williams laughed.

"Sorry. So why are you exhausted?"

"Just a long day. I need food and then I have to study."

After dinner, Pricy buried herself in her books.

Day after day passed.

She studied tirelessly.

While revising one evening, her mother brought her a drink.

"Take this."

"Thanks, Mum."

Her mother turned to leave.

"Wait."

"What?"

"Where's the straw?"

Mrs. Williams froze.

"Oh."

"It's a crime to forget the straw."

Laughing, her mother took the drink back.

"Mom! I didn't say take it away!"

But Mrs. Williams had already disappeared into the kitchen.

"She's so mean."

Despite her complaints, a smile remained on Pricy's face.

Two weeks later, the examinations began.

The exam hall was silent except for the scratching of pens.

As the papers were distributed, everyone immediately got to work.

Betty scratched her head.

"Gosh..."

Nearby, Pricy suddenly felt unusually tired.

Why have I been feeling exhausted lately?

Before she could think further, a drop of blood fell from her nose.

Her eyes widened.

Quickly, she wiped it away with a tissue.

No one noticed.

Taking a deep breath, she continued writing.

Three hours later, the examination ended.

One month and two weeks later, the results were finally released.

The entire school erupted with excitement.

Pricy stood frozen as she stared at the notice board.

She had done it.

She was the Overall Best Student in her class.

"Bestie!"

Betty rushed toward her and pulled her into a hug.

"Congratulations! I'm so proud of you."

Pricy's eyes sparkled.

"Thank you."

"At last," Betty said. "We're done with school."

Before they could continue, Jane suddenly appeared.

"Hey, Pricy! Congratulations."

"Thanks."

Jane glanced at Betty.

"So... who's she?"

Pricy blinked.

"Are you serious? That's my best friend."

The conversation quickly turned into playful teasing, leaving Jane embarrassed and Betty struggling not to laugh.

Eventually, Betty shook her head.

"You really shouldn't say things like that."

Pricy grinned.

"It worked, didn't it?"

Later that afternoon, Pricy went to see Mike.

As soon as he saw her, he smiled.

"Hey."

"Hey."

"I heard the news. Congratulations."

Pricy beamed.

"Thank you."

"You keep making me proud."

Her cheeks warmed slightly.

Nearby, Mimi and four of her friends happened to pass by.

The girls immediately noticed Mike and Pricy together.

"They look good together."

"Like a perfect match."

Mimi's face darkened.

"Enough!"

Her friends exchanged nervous glances.

"Mike belongs to me."

One of the girls silently said well I advise you to stay back in other to avoid embarrassment.

And how is that suppose to be your business

Ignoring their warnings, she marched toward them.

"Hi, Mike."

Mike nodded politely.

"Long time."

Mimi extended her hand.

Mike simply stared at it.

Awkwardly, she lowered it.

Then she pointed at Pricy.

"So you rejected me because of this tiny thing?"

Pricy's eyebrows shot up.

Mike calmly took Pricy's hand.

"First of all, she's not 'a thing.'"

Mimi's face reddened.

"We're meant for each other."

"Who told you that?" Mike asked.

Mimi opened her mouth but no words came out.

Pricy couldn't hold her laughter.

"Did you just say you're meant for each other?" Even the heavens will reject

Mimi glared at her.

Pricy laughed even harder.

"I'm sorry, but that's hilarious."

By the time Mike and Pricy walked away, Mimi was practically shaking with anger.

Her friends couldn't stop teasing her.

Mimi eventually shouted,

"Just leave me alone!"

It's not like we said anything.

That evening, Pricy returned home happier than she had been in months.

Her mother immediately noticed.

"This smile looks suspicious."

Pricy dropped her bag and sat down.

"Guess what?"

"You know I'm terrible at guessing."

"Try."

"No."

Pricy laughed.

"Fine. I graduated as the overall best student."

Mrs. Williams gasped.

"What?"

"And that's not all."

"What else?"

Pricy's eyes sparkled.

"My dream of becoming a detective is finally starting."

Tears of pride filled her mother's eyes.

She pulled Pricy into a tight hug.

"My little detective."

Pricy hugged her back.

"And Betty is going to become a doctor."

"Look at you two."

Mrs. Williams smiled proudly.

"I'm so proud of both of you."

That night, they celebrated together.

They laughed.

They ate Pricy's favorite garnished spaghetti.

They shared stories and dreams about the future.

For a brief moment, life felt perfect.

As the night grew late, both mother and daughter became exhausted.

"Goodnight, Mum."

"Goodnight, sweetheart."

"Love you."

"I love you too."

Neither of them knew that the peaceful days ahead were about to come to an end.

And that a dangerous secret was slowly drawing closer to Pricy's life.

To be continued.