Chapter 4: Mom's secret

Claire sipped her caramel macchiato, the one she bought from the coffee shop across the street from school. From a distance, Sam smiled to her as he spotted Claire was sitting casually at the coffee shop. They had already agreed to meet after school.

"So, you said you had something to tell me?" Sam said, sliding into the chair next to her.

"But... do you think you'd believe me?" Claire gave him a wary look.

"Just tell me first. If you need help, I'll back you up."

"Okay. I think there is someone doesn't like me."

"And…?"

"And they want me to get hurt."

"You got any proof?" Sam asked carefully.

"Well, first I fell down the stairs, then my math test score got switched. Miss Ann even said the handwriting didn't look like mine."

"So are you going to start by looking into your fall or the test?"

"I'm more curious about who switched my math test."

"Whom did you give to?"

"Miss Ann was busy, so I handed it to Raymond, the class president of 12A."

"Raymond? That tall, skinny guy?"

"You know him?"

"Yeah, we're on the basketball team together."

"You're in the basketball club? Do you know Miko too?"

"Miko? Yeah, he's on the team. Why? You like him?"

"Oh God, you know that,I used to chase after him, huh?"

"Haha… the whole school knew."

"What? Seriously?"

"Yeah, everyone knows. You were giving him special attention. Miko even caught feelings, you know. You got to take responsibility."

"Oh gosh, was I really that embarrassing at that time?" Claire sighed.

"Back then? It hasn't even been a year since you were all over him." Sam said

"No, I mean, my attitude back then, like a few months ago." Claire almost slipped up.

"So, you're over Miko now?"

"Yeah. I do not want to focus on love right now. No matter who he is. I want to deal with my own problems first. I mean, can you imagine? Someone out there is trying to hurt me. And yeah, I admit, I used to be a bad person too, like the way I treated Diana."

"Diana? She's not exactly an angel either."

"What do you mean?"

"You'll find out one day."

"Wow, you have a secret now?"

"Heh, I'll tell you later. Right now, I'll help you figure out who switched your test. I'll ask Raymond at Basketball practice later. Honestly, I doubt it was him. From what I know, he's a good guy."

" I think so ,he is kind boy. But anyway, Thanks, Sam."

"No worries."

That evening, Claire started tidying up the kitchen. Bi Imah was sick, so Claire stepped in to help. Even though Bi Imah told her not to, Claire insisted.

"You don't need to do this, Claire."

"It's okay, Bi Imah. I can handle it. Basic stuff. Everyone should know how to do, right?" Claire washed the dishes and neatly stacked them in the cupboard.

Bi Imah smiled and went back to her room after Claire urged her to rest. Just then, the door opened—her mom was home. She smiled and joined Claire in the kitchen.

"My only daughter, doing everything herself now," her mom said, appearing behind her.

"Mom! You're home." Claire grinned and hugged her.

"Yeah, I saw you doing the dishes. Impressive, you've really changed."

"Of course, Mom. Oh, hey, can I ask you something?"

"What is it, Claire?" Her mom took a sip of the coffee Claire made her.

"You remember when I fell down the stairs? Why did that happen? I can't remember."

Her mom froze for a moment, thinking.

"Claire, why are you suddenly asking about that?" Her gaze made Claire pause.

"I just… got curious, Mom. I don't really remember what happened."

"Claire, that was months ago. Seeing you healthy now is all that matters. As long as you're safe, that's enough for me."

"But… you never wondered why I fell?" Claire asked curiously.

"Claire, that's enough. Let's forget about it. The important thing is that we're happy now, the three of us."

Her mom left the dining room, clearly upset.

What's going on with Mom? She's never like this. Mom… are you hiding something from me? Claire thought.

Before she could dwell on it, her phone rang.

Who's calling this late? She glanced at the screen. Miko?

"Hey, Claire. What are you up to? Why didn't you reply to my messages?"

"Hi, Miko. Sorry, I had tons of assignments and stuff to do, so I forgot to check my phone."

"Can we meet? Tomorrow after school?"

"Mik, sorry, I can't."

"But you can meet up with Sam?"

"You saw me this afternoon?"

"Sam told me. He said he met you earlier. He felt bad seeing me all down because you've been avoiding me these past few days. He just said you're not mad at me."

"Oh. He said that?" Claire felt a little relieved.

"Okay, we can meet tomorrow. At the café across from school."

"Yay! Thanks, Claire!" Miko sounded genuinely happy.

The next morning, Claire woke up early. She wanted to catch her mom before school. But when she checked her mom's room, it was already dark. No sign of her. Weird, she left early today.

Claire woke Bryan up, and they had breakfast at the table, where Bi Imah had prepared the food. Claire checked her phone—there was a message from Sam.

"Claire, I know who swapped your math test."

Her eyes widened. Without wasting a second, she rushed to get to school. She dragged Bryan, still eating his breakfast, into the car and called out to Mr. Eka, their driver, who was still combing his hair.

Sam was already waiting in the library. Claire waved at him.

"So? Who is it?" she asked in a hushed tone.

"A classmate of yours."

"Who?"

"Tasya."

Tasya? Seriously? Claire couldn't believe it. That's so cruel.

"You got proof?"

"Yeah. I asked Raymond yesterday. He said he handed some test papers to Tasya because she happened to be going to the teachers' office."

"Why would he give them to her? But without solid proof, she could just make excuses or deny it, Sam."

"Relax, I checked the CCTV. She swapped the tests right in front of the teachers' office. Before she went into Miss Ann's room, she switched them."

"You accessed the CCTV?"

"Yeah, I asked Mr. Kasem, the school security guy, for help."

"Do you think I should confront Tasya? Ask her why she did this?"

"You should. She needs to know you're not someone she can mess with."

"I was thinking the same. But… what if she ends up hating me?"

"Claire, why are you so worried about her hating you?"

Claire bit her lip, remembering that Sam had no idea about what happened in 2025… about how Tasya would eventually kill her.

"Oh, it's nothing. Okay, I'll try to talk to her. I gotta head to class now, Sam."

Claire left quickly as class was starting in ten minutes.