Let Them Get Caught

Queenie was spamming the group chat with a slew of emojis. "I had to tap into a lot of connections for those notes. I heard they've pinned down questions that'll show up in the college entrance exam."

Our classmates gasped in astonishment and gratitude. "Oh, my god, you're an angel, Queenie. The exam's tomorrow, and you're still helping us out."

They kept singing Queenie's praises. Not a single one of them stopped to think about how serious the consequences would be if they were caught cheating on their college entrance exam. Regardless, I kept my head down and pretended not to hear them.

I was busy cramming when someone smacked my desk.

Michael looked impatient as he snapped, "What are you up to this time, Josephine? Queenie helped us get the answers, yet you left the group? She asked me if you hated her, and now she's crying because of you!"

Our classmates started criticizing me, saying I was giving Queenie attitude.

I couldn't help but be reminded of what happened before I died in my previous life. Michael had cursed me then, saying I betrayed Queenie. Everyone else was bobbing their heads like chickens.

When the truck crushed me under its wheels, they stood nearby and watched everything unfold. They even remarked that I died too quickly.

As if that weren't enough, they lied to my parents after my death, telling them I messed with some random, seedy guys and drank too much before I wobbled onto the highway.

My parents refused to believe them. Alas, the grief hit them hard, and they both died from heart attacks. I had stopped these ungrateful wolves from cheating out of kindness.

Yet, all I got out of it was my family's destruction. Well, no more.

I clenched my fists as I swore to myself that I wouldn't make the same mistake this time around. Still, I hung my head low and murmured quietly, "college entrance exam ban cheating."

Michael suddenly huddled closer and growled in a low, fierce tone only we could hear, "I killed you once, and I can do it again. Don't try anything stupid. Don't even think about snitching."

I jerked my head up and stared at him in disbelief. So, he had returned as well.

Michael pulled the tearful Queenie into his arms, looking at her with the joy of someone finding the most precious thing he'd lost.

They weren't even putting on an act anymore. I sneered and sorted out the things I would need for the exam. The student athlete noticed the lack of notes in my stationery case, and they gasped, "Where are your notes, Josephine?"

I looked them in the eye and spoke with a deadpan look on my face.