BEHIND THE MASK

CHAPTER TWO

She grabbed a cozy sweatshirt and a pair of leggings, slipping them on quickly. The warmth of the soft fabric helped calm her a bit, grounding her back in reality. She dried her hair with a towel, glancing around her room as if to reassure herself that everything was exactly as it should be.

Once she felt settled, Yanna grabbed her phone and pulled up the notes for tomorrow’s exam. She selected the pictures she’d promised Trishia and attached them to a message.

"Here are the notes for tomorrow! Let me know if you need anything else. She paused, then added, And stay safe tonight!"

A moment later, Trishia’s response came through: "You’re a lifesaver, Yanna! Thank you!! And don’t worry, I will. See you tomorrow!"

Yanna managed a small smile, feeling a little better as she put her phone down. Trishia’s gratitude had a way of lifting her spirits, and she felt a flicker of comfort knowing she’d done a good deed for a friend. She took a deep breath and settled onto her bed, hoping that a good night’s rest would shake off the lingering unease.

The next morning, Yanna gripped the steering wheel a little tighter as she drove toward the university. The events from last night still weighed on her, but she tried to focus on the day ahead, going over the study notes in her mind.

As she neared the village where the news report had mentioned the girl was found, her heart skipped a beat. Police cars were still parked along the road, lights flashing as officers moved around, marking off areas with yellow tape. A small group of onlookers had gathered near the edge, their faces filled with a mix of curiosity and dread.

Yanna slowed her car, her eyes drawn to the scene. Even though she knew she should keep driving, she couldn’t help but glance over. She noticed a few detectives speaking in low voices, their expressions serious. Nearby, a woman—maybe a relative—was standing with a friend, her face pale and stricken, as though she hadn’t slept all night.

A chill ran through Yanna as she realized this was no longer just something she’d seen on the news. It was real, happening right here in a place she passed every day. She took a steadying breath and pressed on the gas, forcing herself to look away and continue down the road.

As the scene disappeared in her rearview mirror, Yanna felt the weight of a somber reality settle over her. She tried to shake it off, reminding herself to stay focused on the day ahead. But the image of the police tape and the grieving woman stayed with her, a haunting reminder that life could change in an instant.

As Yanna drove away from the unsettling scene, her phone rang, startling her. She glanced over and saw her mom’s name flashing on the screen. With a sigh, she reached over to the passenger seat and picked it up, keeping one hand on the wheel.

“Hey, mom?”

“Yanna, darling,” her mother’s voice came through, perfectly composed as always. “Just a reminder about the family dinner tonight. Your father has some colleagues joining us, so please be on time. It’s important to make a good impression.”

Yanna felt her stomach sink. She’d been hoping to spend the night hanging out with friends, away from the pressures of her family’s high expectations. But she knew there was no way out of this. If she didn’t show up, her father would be livid, and the last thing she needed was another lecture about her responsibilities.

“Of course, Mom,” she replied, forcing a polite tone. “I’ll be there.”

“Good,” her mother said with satisfaction. “Wear something nice, and remember to mind your manners.”

Yanna bit her lip, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. She murmured a quick goodbye and hung up, tossing her phone back onto the seat. The weight of her family’s expectations pressed on her once again, but she had no choice. Tonight, she’d have to play her part, like always.

Before heading to the university, Yanna decided to make a quick stop at her favorite coffee shop. She needed a caffeine boost, especially after the restless night she’d had. Stepping into the cozy cafe, she ordered her usual, the comforting aroma of fresh coffee helping her shake off the lingering unease from the morning.

After grabbing her drink, she pushed open the door, savoring the warmth of the cup in her hands as she walked toward her car. She was lost in thought, mentally going over the day ahead, when suddenly she heard the squeal of bike brakes.

A guy wearing a black hoodie came out of nowhere, speeding toward her on his bike. Yanna froze, her breath catching as he swerved at the last second, barely avoiding her.

"Watch where you’re going!" she said, her voice a mix of surprise and irritation.

The guy didn’t stop. He shot her a quick glance, but she couldn’t make out his face under the shadow of his hoodie. Without a word, he pedaled away, disappearing around the corner.

Yanna took a deep breath, her heart pounding. “What’s with people today?” she muttered to herself, steadying her coffee. Shaking her head, she finally unlocked her car and got in, taking a sip of her drink to calm herself down.

When she arrived at the university, she parked and made her way to the lockers, hoping the familiar routine would help settle her nerves. As she opened her locker and started gathering her books, a familiar voice piped up beside her.

"Hey, Yanna!" Trishia greeted her with a bright smile, a cup of coffee in her hand as well. "You ready for this exam?"

Yanna smiled back, grateful for Trishia’s easygoing energy. “As ready as I’ll ever be,” she replied, shutting her locker.

"Me too! And oh, thanks for the notes last night. I needed that.”

“No problem! What are best friends for?” Yanna said, giving her a playful nudge. They fell into step together, heading toward their first class.

“Oh, did you hear?” Trishia said, glancing over at Yanna. “We have a new classmate today. I overheard a couple of people talking about him.”

“Really? This late in the semester?” Yanna raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

“Yeah! He’s from the countryside, apparently. They said he moved here just last week,” Trishia replied, her voice low with curiosity. “I think they put him in some of our classes. Maybe we’ll see him today?”

Yanna shrugged, sipping her coffee as they continued down the hallway. “Hopefully he’s nice. It must be tough transferring this far into the semester.”

Trishia nodded, glancing around as if hoping to catch a glimpse of the mysterious new student. “Maybe we can invite him to study with us if he’s in any of our classes. You know how brutal these exams are.”

Yanna smiled, nodding in agreement. It would be nice to meet someone new, she thought—especially someone from a different background.

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